An adopted teen goes back to Ethiopia to volunteer in the orphanage from which he came. Incredible.
http://aainews.blogspot.com/2009/07/return-to-ethiopia.html
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Those who entrusted
So many families are made as others are broken. Indeed the brokenness of one family often makes way for something new. Today my thoughts have been on the difficulty one mom (or possibly several) will face as she places her child in the hands of a stranger. Maybe that stranger will be an orphanage worker or a police officer. Maybe the child will be left in plain view where an unknown stranger will inevitably find and make a way for the little one.
In any case, if we are to adopt, someone else must choose adoption for their child. If we are to adopt, one parent or two must surrender their control, must surrender part of themselves. I have come to regard those who choose to allow their child to be parented by someone else as people of unimaginable strength and faith.
We cling so tightly to the known, even when the known is uncomfortable, sometimes unworkable, and often not best for our lives. We love the certainty of taking and keeping control. We love to "know" what lies ahead and to have some influence over it. What love does it take and what hardship for a mother to hand over - ultimately to God - the care of the one she has carried to life?
Ryan and I have been praying for our future child(ren) and the family situations from which they will come. Yet, today, I am struck again by the emotion of all sides.
In all ways, God has a plan. The person who chooses adoption for our child doesn't know that plan but acts in faith. We don't know the plan, either, yet in faith we have been preparing for this child. God, in his infinate wisdom, is allowing all to move to fulfillment even as we act blindly. This, indeed, is a miracle. Faith is a miracle. Adoption is a miracle, and I am so thankful we will be part of this miracle.
Though we go blind, we are not alone.
Rebecca :)
In any case, if we are to adopt, someone else must choose adoption for their child. If we are to adopt, one parent or two must surrender their control, must surrender part of themselves. I have come to regard those who choose to allow their child to be parented by someone else as people of unimaginable strength and faith.
We cling so tightly to the known, even when the known is uncomfortable, sometimes unworkable, and often not best for our lives. We love the certainty of taking and keeping control. We love to "know" what lies ahead and to have some influence over it. What love does it take and what hardship for a mother to hand over - ultimately to God - the care of the one she has carried to life?
Ryan and I have been praying for our future child(ren) and the family situations from which they will come. Yet, today, I am struck again by the emotion of all sides.
In all ways, God has a plan. The person who chooses adoption for our child doesn't know that plan but acts in faith. We don't know the plan, either, yet in faith we have been preparing for this child. God, in his infinate wisdom, is allowing all to move to fulfillment even as we act blindly. This, indeed, is a miracle. Faith is a miracle. Adoption is a miracle, and I am so thankful we will be part of this miracle.
Though we go blind, we are not alone.
Rebecca :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
July Un-Date
Updating is a bit over-rated in the adoption process because there is so little to say. After a very brief camping vacation in Arkansas, we came home to find our pre-approval letter for an orphan visa (the document by which our child comes home). This is truly the last "approval" step for us as future parents.
The rest of the process involves documenting our future child - who they are, from where they came, how they came to need a family. We expect to wait until sometime in September or October for any new information. We can check in monthly with our agency (and have already done so once), but until they get closer to you on the list, they only give vague information.
One bit of rumor is that the Ethiopian courts will not be closing this year. Typically, the court system closes from August through the beginning of October. During this time, families can receive referrals (our next step - picture and information on a specific child), but no adoptions can be completed. This slows down all adoptions, as the courts are flooded with backed-up cases once they re-open. We can only hope that rumor is truth and that the courts will remain open this year. This gives us a much higher chance of actually seeing the completion of our adoption before the end of the year.
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
3. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
4. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
The list is getting shorter!!! Just can't wait until we get that baby information!!! :)
On a much more personal note, I am definately ready to be a mom. I know it will be hard and present challenges we haven't even thought to think of...but if 18 and 19 year old single girls can figure it out, I am confident Ryan and I can make it work!
Waiting - But not TOO anxiously
Rebecca
The rest of the process involves documenting our future child - who they are, from where they came, how they came to need a family. We expect to wait until sometime in September or October for any new information. We can check in monthly with our agency (and have already done so once), but until they get closer to you on the list, they only give vague information.
One bit of rumor is that the Ethiopian courts will not be closing this year. Typically, the court system closes from August through the beginning of October. During this time, families can receive referrals (our next step - picture and information on a specific child), but no adoptions can be completed. This slows down all adoptions, as the courts are flooded with backed-up cases once they re-open. We can only hope that rumor is truth and that the courts will remain open this year. This gives us a much higher chance of actually seeing the completion of our adoption before the end of the year.
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
3. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
4. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
The list is getting shorter!!! Just can't wait until we get that baby information!!! :)
On a much more personal note, I am definately ready to be a mom. I know it will be hard and present challenges we haven't even thought to think of...but if 18 and 19 year old single girls can figure it out, I am confident Ryan and I can make it work!
Waiting - But not TOO anxiously
Rebecca
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