After a quiet week of waiting, it appears we will have to make two trips (or, as I am hoping, one longer trip). No one seems to know what this means or how it will be implemented, so we wait. My update email this week was uneventful, as there are still families ahead of us waiting for infant boys, and the whole system is moving more slowly. "I think we're getting close," was the best phrase in the response, and those of us with AAI know we've heard that one before. ;)
In this case, waiting is a good thing. We need time to regroup, time to see what the new rules mean exactly, and time to prepare to meet the challenge of this change.
God is faithful, and we are growing patience!
Rebecca
Showing posts with label process of adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label process of adoption. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Will We Make The Cut-Off?
This is the question in our house this week regarding our adoption.
April 18th marked 11 months of waiting-list time for us, and May 9th marks the implementation date of a new requirement in Ethiopia that adoptive parents appear at the adoption court hearing. Anyone who has a referral and whose file is submitted to the court (to receive a hearing date) before May 9th will not have to travel for the hearing. Anyone whose adoption is submitted May 9th or later will have to travel for the hearing. (This means TWO trips to Ethiopia instead of the one for which we planned.)
We are waiting and praying, waiting and praying. Of course, in everything, we trust that the timing and details will be just right, but we also know we WANT to have a referral and be submitted to court in the next two weeks! It will take an act of God in order for us to only travel once, but we aren't ruling out an act of God!! :)
We have enjoyed watching many new families form in the last few months, as most of the friends we have gained through this process have traveled to get their children, and several others will be on their way soon, including a special couple in our church.
Now, of course, as always, we're ready for it to be our turn!
In many other blog posts, I have posted "next steps," with no change really occurring in what should take place "next" in many, many months. Below, though, I have posted two sets of "next steps," listing the steps should we meet the looming deadline and the steps if we don't.
Happy reading!
Next steps if we receive a referral and are submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date scheduled
3. Court date
4. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled
5. Travel for embassy date and to bring home child(ren)
Good news: Easier and Cheaper
Next steps if we are not submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date for documents scheduled
3. Court date for child's documents, living relatives, etc.
4. Pass first court date
5. Court date scheduled for us to attend.
6. Travel for court, meet baby(ies), see Ethiopia
7. Come home without baby(ies) - unless embassy date can be schedule reasonably quickly.
8. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled.
9. Travel to pick up child(ren) or have them escorted home.
Good news: Since we saw the child(ren) before the adoption was final, the child(ren) are automatically citizens when we reach US soil.
I personally prefer the one with the fewer steps! ;)
We'll let you know what we know in two weeks!
Rebecca
April 18th marked 11 months of waiting-list time for us, and May 9th marks the implementation date of a new requirement in Ethiopia that adoptive parents appear at the adoption court hearing. Anyone who has a referral and whose file is submitted to the court (to receive a hearing date) before May 9th will not have to travel for the hearing. Anyone whose adoption is submitted May 9th or later will have to travel for the hearing. (This means TWO trips to Ethiopia instead of the one for which we planned.)
We are waiting and praying, waiting and praying. Of course, in everything, we trust that the timing and details will be just right, but we also know we WANT to have a referral and be submitted to court in the next two weeks! It will take an act of God in order for us to only travel once, but we aren't ruling out an act of God!! :)
We have enjoyed watching many new families form in the last few months, as most of the friends we have gained through this process have traveled to get their children, and several others will be on their way soon, including a special couple in our church.
Now, of course, as always, we're ready for it to be our turn!
In many other blog posts, I have posted "next steps," with no change really occurring in what should take place "next" in many, many months. Below, though, I have posted two sets of "next steps," listing the steps should we meet the looming deadline and the steps if we don't.
Happy reading!
Next steps if we receive a referral and are submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date scheduled
3. Court date
4. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled
5. Travel for embassy date and to bring home child(ren)
Good news: Easier and Cheaper
Next steps if we are not submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date for documents scheduled
3. Court date for child's documents, living relatives, etc.
4. Pass first court date
5. Court date scheduled for us to attend.
6. Travel for court, meet baby(ies), see Ethiopia
7. Come home without baby(ies) - unless embassy date can be schedule reasonably quickly.
8. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled.
9. Travel to pick up child(ren) or have them escorted home.
Good news: Since we saw the child(ren) before the adoption was final, the child(ren) are automatically citizens when we reach US soil.
I personally prefer the one with the fewer steps! ;)
We'll let you know what we know in two weeks!
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
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fathers and Fingerprints
This Fathers' Day I have thought a lot about what next Father's Day might look like and what it will be like to be on the other-side of Fathers' Day. This morning, as I sang in the men's chorus at church with my own father, I thought about how different our family will probably look in a year and how wonderfully exciting and promising that is. I could never have imagined that fatherhood would be such an enchanting prospect.
Friday morning, as Rebecca and I hurriedly got ready for the day, we received a phone call from the immigration office to verify the contact information for our adoption agency. Two weeks ago, during our fingerprinting appointment, the fingerprinting technician (a title I have concocted for my own purposes) told Rebecca that she would probably have to be re-fingerprinted, as they were unable to obtain a clear enough digital image. When we received the phone call from immigration, we were informed that both of our fingerprints had passed and that we were (as of June 19, 2009) officially approved by the United States Government to bring to the U.S. a child of foreign birth.
We have now completed the largest body of paperwork for the adoption of our child that we will have to complete. It is remarkable to imagine that, as our documents are being translated for use by the Ethiopian Government, that our child may have already been born. During the next several months, as we wait for our referral, we will both try to imagine what our child will look like, what gender it will be, what his or her personality will be like. I suppose that the next several months will be much like the time frame in a traditional pregnancy when you await seeing the baby move in an ultrasound and await hearing the beating of his or her heart for the first time. The next few months will undoubtedly be filled with much wonder and more than a little excitement and anticipation. It is reassuring to know that sometime, in the not so distant future, we will receive a picture of our child - possibly the most incredible 3-D ultrasound we could receive.
Ryan
Friday morning, as Rebecca and I hurriedly got ready for the day, we received a phone call from the immigration office to verify the contact information for our adoption agency. Two weeks ago, during our fingerprinting appointment, the fingerprinting technician (a title I have concocted for my own purposes) told Rebecca that she would probably have to be re-fingerprinted, as they were unable to obtain a clear enough digital image. When we received the phone call from immigration, we were informed that both of our fingerprints had passed and that we were (as of June 19, 2009) officially approved by the United States Government to bring to the U.S. a child of foreign birth.
We have now completed the largest body of paperwork for the adoption of our child that we will have to complete. It is remarkable to imagine that, as our documents are being translated for use by the Ethiopian Government, that our child may have already been born. During the next several months, as we wait for our referral, we will both try to imagine what our child will look like, what gender it will be, what his or her personality will be like. I suppose that the next several months will be much like the time frame in a traditional pregnancy when you await seeing the baby move in an ultrasound and await hearing the beating of his or her heart for the first time. The next few months will undoubtedly be filled with much wonder and more than a little excitement and anticipation. It is reassuring to know that sometime, in the not so distant future, we will receive a picture of our child - possibly the most incredible 3-D ultrasound we could receive.
Ryan
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Waiting...
It has been a while since I have posted in numerical order where we are in this process...so, to make me feel better and to give you an idea, here goes...
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. Official advance authorization from the US Department of Homeland Security to bring our future child home. - Anytime
3. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
4. 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!
5. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
It will go fast, I just am not sure if it will go fast like a lunch break or like high school.
Rebecca :)
learning patience every day
I really don't like paitence nor the act of learning it.
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. Official advance authorization from the US Department of Homeland Security to bring our future child home. - Anytime
3. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
4. 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!
5. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
It will go fast, I just am not sure if it will go fast like a lunch break or like high school.
Rebecca :)
learning patience every day
I really don't like paitence nor the act of learning it.
Monday, May 18, 2009
D.T.E.
The adoption process seems to be a process characterized by a series of beginnings, which culminate in yet another beginning - the formation of a new family. Today marks another such beginning.
Around 6:30 this evening we received an official email from our agency notifying us that our dossier (all of the paperwork we have so diligently been gathering)is in the mail to Ethiopia where it will be translated and processed. Among families adopting from Ethiopia, this is known as being "D.T.E.," dossier to Ethiopia. Essentially, this begins the official adoption process.
Each month between now and when our referral (the picture and known medical information of a child)is received we will be able to contact the agency for an update on the anniversary date of our D.T.E.. We hope to have a referral sometime after Labor Day, and to travel to Ethiopia sometime between December 2009 and Spring 2010. While this is far from a timeline, it does provide some framework in which to work.
In the beginning, when everything seems far off, this crude framework offers some sense of control and stability. Ultimately, the timeline is not our own. We will continue to anxiously anticipate seeing our child's face for the first time in a picture, and we will continue to anxiously anticipate holding our child for the first time.
We could not be more excited as we look forward into what seems like endless seconds, hours, weeks, and months from one beginning toward the next.
Ryan
Around 6:30 this evening we received an official email from our agency notifying us that our dossier (all of the paperwork we have so diligently been gathering)is in the mail to Ethiopia where it will be translated and processed. Among families adopting from Ethiopia, this is known as being "D.T.E.," dossier to Ethiopia. Essentially, this begins the official adoption process.
Each month between now and when our referral (the picture and known medical information of a child)is received we will be able to contact the agency for an update on the anniversary date of our D.T.E.. We hope to have a referral sometime after Labor Day, and to travel to Ethiopia sometime between December 2009 and Spring 2010. While this is far from a timeline, it does provide some framework in which to work.
In the beginning, when everything seems far off, this crude framework offers some sense of control and stability. Ultimately, the timeline is not our own. We will continue to anxiously anticipate seeing our child's face for the first time in a picture, and we will continue to anxiously anticipate holding our child for the first time.
We could not be more excited as we look forward into what seems like endless seconds, hours, weeks, and months from one beginning toward the next.
Ryan
Friday, May 15, 2009
Questions all of us have asked...
Here are a few questions posed by an adopting family to the director of our adoption agency. They are questions many of you have probably asked yourself but maybe not had the courage to ask us. I have reposted the questions and the agency director's response below. For your reference, "Layla House" refers to the agency's transition center for children in the process of adoption and "AAI" refers to Adoption Advocates International, our agency.
"This is AAI and other agencies may and probably do do
things differently.
1. Does money change hands in Ethiopia when children are relinquished?
AAI does not take relinquishments from parents. Parents must relinquish to an orphange, and technically Layla House is not an orphanage but a transition home to care for kids in the adoption process. So, by the time AAI gets kids they have already been relinquished. AAI would not accept children from any orphanage that knowingly gives anything to bio parents. This is against the law and not in accordance with Hague regulations, and wrong. It is not likely that this is happening, word would spread very quickly and the orphanage would be shut down.
2. The article (and the one in the NYT last week) seemed to imply that there are in fact NOT millions of orphaned children in Ethiopia. I have been told that there are. Because we do not live there, how can we know what is true?
I don't think that is any way to know for sure how many orphans there are. AIDS has had a huge impact, especially in particular areas, such as the truck routes though Ethiopia. Diseases such as TB and malaria cause children to be orphaned. Single parents can seldom raise a child which leads to abandonment or relinquishment. There are far more children in need that can be served by the current adoption system. This is why AAI has programs such as the orphan student programs in Nazaret, Sheshamone and Dire Dawa, and Dessie, to help orphan kids who can live with extended family and stay in school. AAI provides sponsorships for nearly 500 such children. We currently have 95 sponsors for the program and could certainly use more, $20 a month.
3. The articles implied that families often place children in orphanages so that they might be educated or for a boarding school/ childcare type of scenario. Can someone speak to this?
This is true some places, such as Mexico. I have not seen this in Ethiopia. I think there are so many older orphan children in need in Ethioipa that it is not likely that orphanages would be caring for kids who have family..That is just my guess.
4. Both articles outright said that infants are not who really need adopting. Again, can someone speak to this?
Any child who does not have a family needs one. Whatever age. Babies in need who are adopted do not become older children in need of families. So, babies whose parents have died or who find themselves unable to raise them do need adoptive families. In addition there are many many older kids boys over 7 and girls over 8 or 10, who are hard to place, because there are not enough adoptive families for them. Adopting an older child is not a good choice for many families but for folks who have had parenting experience, it can be a very rewarding and enriching experience. These placements do take a lot of AAI staff time. It would be "easier" to just place babies, but we have always seen our job to be doing as much as we can to help with the greatest need."
"This is AAI and other agencies may and probably do do
things differently.
1. Does money change hands in Ethiopia when children are relinquished?
AAI does not take relinquishments from parents. Parents must relinquish to an orphange, and technically Layla House is not an orphanage but a transition home to care for kids in the adoption process. So, by the time AAI gets kids they have already been relinquished. AAI would not accept children from any orphanage that knowingly gives anything to bio parents. This is against the law and not in accordance with Hague regulations, and wrong. It is not likely that this is happening, word would spread very quickly and the orphanage would be shut down.
2. The article (and the one in the NYT last week) seemed to imply that there are in fact NOT millions of orphaned children in Ethiopia. I have been told that there are. Because we do not live there, how can we know what is true?
I don't think that is any way to know for sure how many orphans there are. AIDS has had a huge impact, especially in particular areas, such as the truck routes though Ethiopia. Diseases such as TB and malaria cause children to be orphaned. Single parents can seldom raise a child which leads to abandonment or relinquishment. There are far more children in need that can be served by the current adoption system. This is why AAI has programs such as the orphan student programs in Nazaret, Sheshamone and Dire Dawa, and Dessie, to help orphan kids who can live with extended family and stay in school. AAI provides sponsorships for nearly 500 such children. We currently have 95 sponsors for the program and could certainly use more, $20 a month.
3. The articles implied that families often place children in orphanages so that they might be educated or for a boarding school/ childcare type of scenario. Can someone speak to this?
This is true some places, such as Mexico. I have not seen this in Ethiopia. I think there are so many older orphan children in need in Ethioipa that it is not likely that orphanages would be caring for kids who have family..That is just my guess.
4. Both articles outright said that infants are not who really need adopting. Again, can someone speak to this?
Any child who does not have a family needs one. Whatever age. Babies in need who are adopted do not become older children in need of families. So, babies whose parents have died or who find themselves unable to raise them do need adoptive families. In addition there are many many older kids boys over 7 and girls over 8 or 10, who are hard to place, because there are not enough adoptive families for them. Adopting an older child is not a good choice for many families but for folks who have had parenting experience, it can be a very rewarding and enriching experience. These placements do take a lot of AAI staff time. It would be "easier" to just place babies, but we have always seen our job to be doing as much as we can to help with the greatest need."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
One tiny form...
is lost in mail never-never-land. It will hold up the rest of the process for our file while we re-sign it, re-notarize it, re-authenticate it through the Secretary of State, and re-mail it to AAI. This is the true story of any adoption. Little things become big as we work through this process.
Today I was with a very good friend who told me a story of how she has marveled at the way God orchestrates changes in our lives through tiny movements unbeknownst to us as we scurry through. In the Bible, there is a story about a man named Joseph who was cherished by his father but not his brothers. He was sold by his brothers into slavery, yet through it all, God brought the right people to the right places to act out a great work. Joseph became a great man in the nation in which he began as a slave. He ended up feeding his brothers during famine and caring for his first family when they could not care for themselves. My dear friend recounted this story as she shared with me how wonderful it was to know that God is "behind the scenes" working a wonderful plan for us.
As we chase yet another state seal and another important form, I rest in the hope that God is orchestrating a very delicate and detailed process to bring about great beauty for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Just a few days ago, I was a bit discouraged and wondered truly if Ryan and I have the faith this process requires. Indeed, at the time, I felt we did NOT have the faith needed. This verse which has been fairly meaningless to this point became a source of God's answer to me in that moment.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
God does not begin with "if you have enough faith, let the children come..." He simply asks us to stand out of the way of progress for those to whom the kingdom belongs.
Rebecca
Today I was with a very good friend who told me a story of how she has marveled at the way God orchestrates changes in our lives through tiny movements unbeknownst to us as we scurry through. In the Bible, there is a story about a man named Joseph who was cherished by his father but not his brothers. He was sold by his brothers into slavery, yet through it all, God brought the right people to the right places to act out a great work. Joseph became a great man in the nation in which he began as a slave. He ended up feeding his brothers during famine and caring for his first family when they could not care for themselves. My dear friend recounted this story as she shared with me how wonderful it was to know that God is "behind the scenes" working a wonderful plan for us.
As we chase yet another state seal and another important form, I rest in the hope that God is orchestrating a very delicate and detailed process to bring about great beauty for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Just a few days ago, I was a bit discouraged and wondered truly if Ryan and I have the faith this process requires. Indeed, at the time, I felt we did NOT have the faith needed. This verse which has been fairly meaningless to this point became a source of God's answer to me in that moment.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
God does not begin with "if you have enough faith, let the children come..." He simply asks us to stand out of the way of progress for those to whom the kingdom belongs.
Rebecca
Monday, April 27, 2009
ONE GIANT LEAP
Okay, "giant leap" might be a slight overstatement; yet, it perfectly describes my sense of excitement as I share that:
Our paperwork is only a few hours from being in the mail to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to get pre-approval to bring an orphan to the US.
AND
Our dossier (our WHOLE file of personal documents) is only a few hours from being in the mail to our agency!!!
The ONLY reason these things aren't in the postal system at this very moment is because I am waiting for Ryan so we can mail these things together (if it were up to me, they would be at the post office 5 minutes ago...).
What's next? WAITING, and lots of it.
Everything we have any control over is out of our hands as of this evening when we place those envelopes in their respective metal boxes (USPS and UPS).
Next Steps?
1. Fingerprinting appointment to complete US authorization for future child to come home.
2. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month from now, our file should go to Ethiopia. This is when we officially get on the waiting list for a child.
3. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia. (September?? Maybe a nice birthday surprise!)
4. Wait for court. - Likely 2-3 months after we accept a referral for a child.
5. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
6. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
This has gone much faster than I anticipated and God has continued to provide everything we need to complete this process. We are so thankful to be on this journey and are learning ever more each day to walk (or LEAP!) by faith.
Rebecca :)
Our paperwork is only a few hours from being in the mail to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to get pre-approval to bring an orphan to the US.
AND
Our dossier (our WHOLE file of personal documents) is only a few hours from being in the mail to our agency!!!
The ONLY reason these things aren't in the postal system at this very moment is because I am waiting for Ryan so we can mail these things together (if it were up to me, they would be at the post office 5 minutes ago...).
What's next? WAITING, and lots of it.
Everything we have any control over is out of our hands as of this evening when we place those envelopes in their respective metal boxes (USPS and UPS).
Next Steps?
1. Fingerprinting appointment to complete US authorization for future child to come home.
2. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month from now, our file should go to Ethiopia. This is when we officially get on the waiting list for a child.
3. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia. (September?? Maybe a nice birthday surprise!)
4. Wait for court. - Likely 2-3 months after we accept a referral for a child.
5. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
6. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
This has gone much faster than I anticipated and God has continued to provide everything we need to complete this process. We are so thankful to be on this journey and are learning ever more each day to walk (or LEAP!) by faith.
Rebecca :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Another VERY small step...almost
We spoke with our social worker again today, and our home study has been faxed to our agency and a hard copy is in the mail to us. After four weeks of anxiously awaiting the completion of this step, it has nearly come to pass.
Several weeks ago we were notified that the individual to whom we originally gave power of attorney in Ethiopia is no longer working for our agency. Because the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) is unwilling to issue their letter (which must be included with all of the other documents before a family can pass court) without updated POA's we have had to re-do our Power of Attorney and resubmit it to the State of Oklahoma for authentication, a process that will take a few weeks.
We are continually learning (and relearning) what it means to be patient. Recently, when people ask how long the adoption process will take, I jokingly tell them "forever," and sometimes it certainly seems like it will be. Perhaps the most glorious thing about this process is that the timing - whatever it is - will be right.
Ryan
Several weeks ago we were notified that the individual to whom we originally gave power of attorney in Ethiopia is no longer working for our agency. Because the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) is unwilling to issue their letter (which must be included with all of the other documents before a family can pass court) without updated POA's we have had to re-do our Power of Attorney and resubmit it to the State of Oklahoma for authentication, a process that will take a few weeks.
We are continually learning (and relearning) what it means to be patient. Recently, when people ask how long the adoption process will take, I jokingly tell them "forever," and sometimes it certainly seems like it will be. Perhaps the most glorious thing about this process is that the timing - whatever it is - will be right.
Ryan
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Timeline
One of the questions we get asked frequently is, "How long will it take?" Here is a guide with approximate times...
1. Get official homestudy document from social worker. - Maybe 3 weeks from now.
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this. - Fingerprinting will probably be 4 weeks from when paperwork is sent...
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something. - comes back maybe 2 weeks from fingerprinting appointment?
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS. - One month to 6 weeks after our homestudy document is finalized.
5. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month after it goes to the agency.
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia.
7. Wait for court. - Likely 3 months after referral is accepted
8. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - This is when you start praying. Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
9. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
1. Get official homestudy document from social worker. - Maybe 3 weeks from now.
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this. - Fingerprinting will probably be 4 weeks from when paperwork is sent...
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something. - comes back maybe 2 weeks from fingerprinting appointment?
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS. - One month to 6 weeks after our homestudy document is finalized.
5. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month after it goes to the agency.
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia.
7. Wait for court. - Likely 3 months after referral is accepted
8. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - This is when you start praying. Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
9. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Homestudy Complete
After a 24 hour clean-a-thon, the home study is complete. Our social worker, Earlene, did not peer into our closets, rifle through our drawers, or even conduct a white-glove test of general good housekeeping. In fact, I am now certain that the 24 hour clean-a-thon was completely unnecessary.
Earlene did spend just over two hours talking with both Rebecca and me about our perceived strengths and weaknesses, our thoughts on discipline, our own childhoods, and our motives for adopting from Ethiopia. We truly had a positively delightful visit. Earlene will take about three weeks to type a draft of our home study for us to review and for AAI to review as well. Once we have signed-off on any minor corrections, she will send us four official copies. One copy will go to the USCIS along with other documents where Visas will be issued for the adopted child or children. An additional copy will go with our Dossier to Ethiopia for each child being adopted.
Earlene also explained the mysterious re-adoption process to us during our visit. Through this process our child will gain U.S. Citizenship. Under Federal Law, if a child is seen by the parents prior to the legal completion of the adoption, they can be granted citizenship once they are physically on American soil. Since the entire legal adoption process will be completed before Rebecca and I ever travel to Ethiopia (and since we will not have actually seen the child in person), our child will not be granted citizenship until we have been home six months and have completed several post-placement home studies (which are already required by our agency), and filed a petition with an Oklahoma Court to re-adopt the child. Once re-adoption is completed, the child will be issued a Certificate of Foreign Birth that is virtually identical to any other domestically issued Birth Certificate. If we choose to make any changes to our child's name, that will be done as part of the re-adoption process as well.
We are excited to complete yet another step in the journey to become parents.
Ryan
Earlene did spend just over two hours talking with both Rebecca and me about our perceived strengths and weaknesses, our thoughts on discipline, our own childhoods, and our motives for adopting from Ethiopia. We truly had a positively delightful visit. Earlene will take about three weeks to type a draft of our home study for us to review and for AAI to review as well. Once we have signed-off on any minor corrections, she will send us four official copies. One copy will go to the USCIS along with other documents where Visas will be issued for the adopted child or children. An additional copy will go with our Dossier to Ethiopia for each child being adopted.
Earlene also explained the mysterious re-adoption process to us during our visit. Through this process our child will gain U.S. Citizenship. Under Federal Law, if a child is seen by the parents prior to the legal completion of the adoption, they can be granted citizenship once they are physically on American soil. Since the entire legal adoption process will be completed before Rebecca and I ever travel to Ethiopia (and since we will not have actually seen the child in person), our child will not be granted citizenship until we have been home six months and have completed several post-placement home studies (which are already required by our agency), and filed a petition with an Oklahoma Court to re-adopt the child. Once re-adoption is completed, the child will be issued a Certificate of Foreign Birth that is virtually identical to any other domestically issued Birth Certificate. If we choose to make any changes to our child's name, that will be done as part of the re-adoption process as well.
We are excited to complete yet another step in the journey to become parents.
Ryan
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A Quick Update
Rebecca spoke with our social worker, Earlene earlier this week; It looks like we may have a date set for our home study in the next week or two.
It's good to know that the wheels are turning.
Ryan
It's good to know that the wheels are turning.
Ryan
Friday, February 20, 2009
My Wife has Pretty well Covered it but...
As we journey further into this process it becomes clearer that we may not be as good at waiting as we had anticipated (this will NOT come as a surprise to most of you, only us). As we are anxiously awaiting our home study, I thought I might provide a pictorial review of our journey thus far.
First, pictures of Rebecca, Me, and Mister Freud with the envelope containing our application to adoption advocates.
First, pictures of Rebecca, Me, and Mister Freud with the envelope containing our application to adoption advocates.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
On Our Way to HomeStudy Land
We submitted our documents for our homestudy the beginning of this week. Once our social worker has all of the OTHER paperwork (that over which we have no control), we should be on our way.
Next Steps:
1. Homestudy: an interview with a social worker on how and why we are adopting (at least that's what I assume). Also known as a "home visit," where a professional makes sure your house can accomodate a child. Makes one wonder...."should we buy a crib? or wait?"
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this.
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something.
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS.
5. Waiting list...wait, wait, wait, wait...
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture!
7. Wait for court.
8. Wait to pass court.
9. Wait to travel.
10. TRAVEL!
So, who's ready for step 10?
Rebecca ;)
Next Steps:
1. Homestudy: an interview with a social worker on how and why we are adopting (at least that's what I assume). Also known as a "home visit," where a professional makes sure your house can accomodate a child. Makes one wonder...."should we buy a crib? or wait?"
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this.
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something.
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS.
5. Waiting list...wait, wait, wait, wait...
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture!
7. Wait for court.
8. Wait to pass court.
9. Wait to travel.
10. TRAVEL!
So, who's ready for step 10?
Rebecca ;)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Activity and Overview of Process
The last week has been filled with lots of activity as we have each gone to the doctor for a physical, obtained proof that we have no outstanding warrants or arrests in Oklahoma City, and had our passport photos taken times 4 (8 photos each!). We are so excited to be on this journey! I, for one, can't wait to be a mom.
Our next step in this process is a completed home study, which is done by a social worker here and later approved by our agency. We only have 3 or 4 more items to complete our home study application, and this part of the process should be under way. We expect to have our home study complete in late February, early March.
After the home study, we send a form to get pre-approval for an orphan visa. I hear this takes about 10 weeks...Then we put all of our newly gathered information (orphan approval and home study approval) with all of our other information in a giant file about us referred to as the dossier. Our dossier is currently about 80% complete, but the most important element (the home study) is, of course, still missing. The dossier will be the set of documents sent to Ethiopia!!!
Before I go, there are probably a few questions worth answering on this forum that we have not done a great job of addressing otherwise. Here are a few "FAQs":
How old will your baby be?
We told them we would take a child under age 2 but expect to get an infant between 4 and 10 months old.
Will it be a boy or a girl?
We figured we wouldn't get to choose this if we were birthing a child, so we "chose not to choose" and told the adoption we would take either. They typically have more boys than girls in care, so this means we are likely to get a boy. However, Ryan's mom Judy had a dream that we brought home a baby girl, so there is hope for either!
Will it be healthy?
We have asked for a healthy baby. Of course, what we consider routine and simple medical treatment here is not readily available there. We expect our baby to have no diagnosed chronic or debilitating disease (including HIV). However, it is not abnormal for children to come home with treatable respiratory illnesses, upset tummies, sometimes even parasites. All of these are treatable in the U.S.
How much does that cost?
Can anyone really estimate when they find out they are pregnant how much the bill will be? Much like any other process, there are always changes and unexpecteds with adoption. If you knew your child was going to spend his first two days in a hospital and it was going to cost more than expected, would you have chosen not to have the child? After your C-section, did anyone ask, "Did that cost a lot?" In the same way, uncertainty and individual variation makes this question impossible to answer. However, one thing we do know, it will definately be worth whatever it costs.
Can you not have children?
Good question. We don't know. We felt we would pursue adoption first. We think birth children are also in our future, but who knows except God?
Rebecca ;)
Our next step in this process is a completed home study, which is done by a social worker here and later approved by our agency. We only have 3 or 4 more items to complete our home study application, and this part of the process should be under way. We expect to have our home study complete in late February, early March.
After the home study, we send a form to get pre-approval for an orphan visa. I hear this takes about 10 weeks...Then we put all of our newly gathered information (orphan approval and home study approval) with all of our other information in a giant file about us referred to as the dossier. Our dossier is currently about 80% complete, but the most important element (the home study) is, of course, still missing. The dossier will be the set of documents sent to Ethiopia!!!
Before I go, there are probably a few questions worth answering on this forum that we have not done a great job of addressing otherwise. Here are a few "FAQs":
How old will your baby be?
We told them we would take a child under age 2 but expect to get an infant between 4 and 10 months old.
Will it be a boy or a girl?
We figured we wouldn't get to choose this if we were birthing a child, so we "chose not to choose" and told the adoption we would take either. They typically have more boys than girls in care, so this means we are likely to get a boy. However, Ryan's mom Judy had a dream that we brought home a baby girl, so there is hope for either!
Will it be healthy?
We have asked for a healthy baby. Of course, what we consider routine and simple medical treatment here is not readily available there. We expect our baby to have no diagnosed chronic or debilitating disease (including HIV). However, it is not abnormal for children to come home with treatable respiratory illnesses, upset tummies, sometimes even parasites. All of these are treatable in the U.S.
How much does that cost?
Can anyone really estimate when they find out they are pregnant how much the bill will be? Much like any other process, there are always changes and unexpecteds with adoption. If you knew your child was going to spend his first two days in a hospital and it was going to cost more than expected, would you have chosen not to have the child? After your C-section, did anyone ask, "Did that cost a lot?" In the same way, uncertainty and individual variation makes this question impossible to answer. However, one thing we do know, it will definately be worth whatever it costs.
Can you not have children?
Good question. We don't know. We felt we would pursue adoption first. We think birth children are also in our future, but who knows except God?
Rebecca ;)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Book Recommendation
We have two sets of friends who are each connected to a couple named Josh and Amy Bottomly, who just wrote a book that is now available through their website. We haven't read it yet, but it is supposed to be excellent. It is the story of their relationship, marriage, struggle with infertility and decision to adopt their son from Ethiopia. Here’s the website info if you are interested in ordering. Proceeds from book sales are going to fund their next adoption of a little girl from Ethiopia later this year.
www.fromashestoafrica.com
Rebecca :)
www.fromashestoafrica.com
Rebecca :)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Announcement, Ethiopian Food, & Christmas
It is only a few days from Christmas and we are one step closer to bringing home a child that we do not yet know. It is fun to imagine what he / she might look like, what they will think and say, what they would want for Christmas if they could tell us - if they knew us. Over the past several weeks we have had the joy of telling people about our plans to adopt from Ethiopia and although we have been met with a lot of questions, everyone has been so supportive - it is fun to have so many family members and friends excited with us.
Friday night we had Ethiopian food for the first time as the Queen of Sheba Restaurant. Not only was the food exceptional, but the atmosphere was positively delightful. It was wonderful to experience (even in a microcosm) the culture into which our child will be born - to listen to the music of Ethiopia and to see the faces of her people. We were both so enamoured that we could hardly bring ourselves to leave.
Each step of the way we are reminded that faith plays an important role in this journey and that we have little control over the process. We are both anxious to see our child's face and we are even more anxious to bring him / her home to be a part of our family; yet, we are both constantly aware that the timing of this monumental event is not in our control. We are increasingly aware that we are slowly (sometimes painstakingly) being prepared for the experience of a lifetime - something that relatively few people have had the opportunity to be a part of.
Ryan
Friday night we had Ethiopian food for the first time as the Queen of Sheba Restaurant. Not only was the food exceptional, but the atmosphere was positively delightful. It was wonderful to experience (even in a microcosm) the culture into which our child will be born - to listen to the music of Ethiopia and to see the faces of her people. We were both so enamoured that we could hardly bring ourselves to leave.
Each step of the way we are reminded that faith plays an important role in this journey and that we have little control over the process. We are both anxious to see our child's face and we are even more anxious to bring him / her home to be a part of our family; yet, we are both constantly aware that the timing of this monumental event is not in our control. We are increasingly aware that we are slowly (sometimes painstakingly) being prepared for the experience of a lifetime - something that relatively few people have had the opportunity to be a part of.
Ryan
Friday, December 19, 2008
One more step...one mustard seed
Yesterday, December 18th and only 1 week before Christmas 2008, we mailed back step 2 to the adoption agency. We are both so excited. As we looked over all of the forms that needed to be signed and homework that needed to be done, we became a bit overwhelmed by the process, and frankly, it just took us a while to get through it all.
There was a workbook complete with CD computer lessons for our completion along with a "short questionnaire" which was more like two pages of essay questions on how we would handle various difficult scenerios related to our new child. Some of the questions seemed a little outlandish, but we took them seriously, thinking through what we would do. Who knows...someday we may run into one of the trouble spots and look back on our answers to determine what to do next. Maybe you are more clear-headed when you are not right in the middle of it all. Anyway, the "homework" made us consider lots of things we had not researched and caused us to ask lots of good questions of ourselves and others.
Needless to say, even after the overwhelmed feelings and the "academic research on transracial adoption," we have decided this is still the path for us. We are more committed than ever to learn as much as we can about raising children who don't look like us next to those who will.
What's next? Lots of documents, background checks, and detailed information on us...Then homestudy. We expect to be TO the homestudy in about 8 weeks and for the study itself to take another 8.
About the mustard seed. It seems we need just one more mustard seed of faith to move forward through each step. We look forward to finding the next one and using it to get closer to having a beautiful African baby.
Rebecca
There was a workbook complete with CD computer lessons for our completion along with a "short questionnaire" which was more like two pages of essay questions on how we would handle various difficult scenerios related to our new child. Some of the questions seemed a little outlandish, but we took them seriously, thinking through what we would do. Who knows...someday we may run into one of the trouble spots and look back on our answers to determine what to do next. Maybe you are more clear-headed when you are not right in the middle of it all. Anyway, the "homework" made us consider lots of things we had not researched and caused us to ask lots of good questions of ourselves and others.
Needless to say, even after the overwhelmed feelings and the "academic research on transracial adoption," we have decided this is still the path for us. We are more committed than ever to learn as much as we can about raising children who don't look like us next to those who will.
What's next? Lots of documents, background checks, and detailed information on us...Then homestudy. We expect to be TO the homestudy in about 8 weeks and for the study itself to take another 8.
About the mustard seed. It seems we need just one more mustard seed of faith to move forward through each step. We look forward to finding the next one and using it to get closer to having a beautiful African baby.
Rebecca
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The dream that would never come true...
I am convinced it started within me when I was about 6. Maybe 7 or 8 or 10, but in my memory, 6. Our neighbors in New Mexico adopted a beautiful black little girl named LaSheka. Her new adoptive family was white, and she was the only girl amongst 2 or 3 rambunctious high-school boys. As I remember, she had a heart condition that required careful monitoring of her health. At whatever age I was at the time, I often overheard talk about LaSheka. In fact, many of my snapshots from childhood still include her, playing with us in the yard, or around the table at a birthday party.
I remember when the family brought LaSheka home, there were so many new things to learn and adjustments to make. Her mom had to learn how to care for her and her curly black hair, much different than our own. As my big little ears learned more about the family, I determined I, too, would someday have a LaSheka. I was taken by the love this family had for one little girl. I was astounded by their willingness to knowingly adopt a child with health problems, and I was amazed at the idea that people who were different colors could still be siblings.
Fast-forwarding twenty or so years, childhood dreams seem very, well...childish. I didn't ever expect to have the means or know-how to adopt a child, let alone a child from far away with different skin and hair than mine. I believe God, in his infinite wisdom, knew this dream was dormant inside of me. When I married Ryan, we began to discuss Africa. We talked extensively about going there on a mission trip. Each time we looked for ways to go, though, none seemed right or reasonable. As I got to know people in our church who had adopted internationally, I sought to understand the process better and would often ask directed questions, hoping to find out how feasible it was. Gayle, specifically, was always willing to share new pictures of their children as they learned more about each one while preparing to go to China. Often she would mention organizations where I might find out more about international adoption. With each suggestion I would say, "If we went, it would be to Africa."
Slowly I became more convinced that this was a calling, planted when I was very young, and slowly growing into a hurt for the children of Africa and a longing to travel there to see the conditions for myself. Our first move toward the reality of adoption came when we saw a picture of a beautiful child from Uganda on Thomas and Courtney's refrigerator. We found out they supported the child through Compassion International and soon found one of our own, Simeon, who lives in Rwanda. For a while, letters to Simeon and the knowledge that we were helping his family care for him assuaged my longing, but it was Ryan who took over from there.
Being more hands on, Ryan didn't feel we were doing enough through Compassion. He wanted us to have our own children, those we were responsible for caring for daily instead of sending a monthly check and a birthday or Christmas gift. We discussed adoption together with our eyes on the continent of Africa. With the floodgates opened for my old dream to be fulfilled, I began to badger Ryan. We both wanted adopted and birth children, and both felt it they should be close in age (if we had any control at all). It was Ryan, however, after many months of discussion who said, "I think we should adopt first."
Why Africa? Look at the statistics, those dying of starvation, preventable disease, and malnutrition. Look at the beautiful children who care for other children in the streets because their average age of death isn't ninety-something like it is in the United States. Look at the beauty of the country and the impact of adoption on the lives of so many who might be able to one day return to care for their homeland.
Why Ethiopia? There is a well-developed system for adoption in this country. We meet qualifications for adoptive parents such as length of time married and minimum age.
Why a child of a different race? I know race matters, but our society has become much more accepting of multi-racial families, both natural and adopted. I see no reason to limit our family to children who look like us. Indeed, I feel we are called to accept those of other races, not only in word but in deed. For us, that deed is to welcome a child of a different color into our family.
Why now? Ryan and I have become convinced through prayer that God has a child designated for us. We feel called to seek that child and feel called to look in Ethiopia. God has told both of us in numerous ways that if we don't take the first step, we are not acting in faith that it is his plan, not ours that matters. If we had chosen not to mail the application envelope, complete with brief medical history and family photo, I believe we would have been acting in direct opposition to God's call to obedience.
We don't know what God has prepared for our family. We are only sure that as of Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, we have chosen to get out of the way and let God do as he wishes.
Rebecca
I remember when the family brought LaSheka home, there were so many new things to learn and adjustments to make. Her mom had to learn how to care for her and her curly black hair, much different than our own. As my big little ears learned more about the family, I determined I, too, would someday have a LaSheka. I was taken by the love this family had for one little girl. I was astounded by their willingness to knowingly adopt a child with health problems, and I was amazed at the idea that people who were different colors could still be siblings.
Fast-forwarding twenty or so years, childhood dreams seem very, well...childish. I didn't ever expect to have the means or know-how to adopt a child, let alone a child from far away with different skin and hair than mine. I believe God, in his infinite wisdom, knew this dream was dormant inside of me. When I married Ryan, we began to discuss Africa. We talked extensively about going there on a mission trip. Each time we looked for ways to go, though, none seemed right or reasonable. As I got to know people in our church who had adopted internationally, I sought to understand the process better and would often ask directed questions, hoping to find out how feasible it was. Gayle, specifically, was always willing to share new pictures of their children as they learned more about each one while preparing to go to China. Often she would mention organizations where I might find out more about international adoption. With each suggestion I would say, "If we went, it would be to Africa."
Slowly I became more convinced that this was a calling, planted when I was very young, and slowly growing into a hurt for the children of Africa and a longing to travel there to see the conditions for myself. Our first move toward the reality of adoption came when we saw a picture of a beautiful child from Uganda on Thomas and Courtney's refrigerator. We found out they supported the child through Compassion International and soon found one of our own, Simeon, who lives in Rwanda. For a while, letters to Simeon and the knowledge that we were helping his family care for him assuaged my longing, but it was Ryan who took over from there.
Being more hands on, Ryan didn't feel we were doing enough through Compassion. He wanted us to have our own children, those we were responsible for caring for daily instead of sending a monthly check and a birthday or Christmas gift. We discussed adoption together with our eyes on the continent of Africa. With the floodgates opened for my old dream to be fulfilled, I began to badger Ryan. We both wanted adopted and birth children, and both felt it they should be close in age (if we had any control at all). It was Ryan, however, after many months of discussion who said, "I think we should adopt first."
Why Africa? Look at the statistics, those dying of starvation, preventable disease, and malnutrition. Look at the beautiful children who care for other children in the streets because their average age of death isn't ninety-something like it is in the United States. Look at the beauty of the country and the impact of adoption on the lives of so many who might be able to one day return to care for their homeland.
Why Ethiopia? There is a well-developed system for adoption in this country. We meet qualifications for adoptive parents such as length of time married and minimum age.
Why a child of a different race? I know race matters, but our society has become much more accepting of multi-racial families, both natural and adopted. I see no reason to limit our family to children who look like us. Indeed, I feel we are called to accept those of other races, not only in word but in deed. For us, that deed is to welcome a child of a different color into our family.
Why now? Ryan and I have become convinced through prayer that God has a child designated for us. We feel called to seek that child and feel called to look in Ethiopia. God has told both of us in numerous ways that if we don't take the first step, we are not acting in faith that it is his plan, not ours that matters. If we had chosen not to mail the application envelope, complete with brief medical history and family photo, I believe we would have been acting in direct opposition to God's call to obedience.
We don't know what God has prepared for our family. We are only sure that as of Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, we have chosen to get out of the way and let God do as he wishes.
Rebecca
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