We are still doing the Adoption Thing.
You know its taking a long time when people ask you that.
So long that they think you may have given it up.
In fact it's almost been a whole year since we started, and
we still haven't got all the paperwork in yet. But we are closer than ever.
We've got the money for the dossier and fingerprinting.
We've got all the paperwork except for the letter of employment and proof of life insurance, both of which have to come from Jeremiah's employer.
We originally were requesting up to 18 months and healthy only. But the Lord has really opened our hearts to a lot of things in the last few months. Last month we added several (what I would call minor) special needs to our request, along with healthy. So she could end up being healthy or not. Doesn't matter to us.
Our special needs are:
Cleft Lip/Palate
Missing Fingers/Hand deformity
Limb Deformity
Hearing Loss
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
How the Referral works is that when we have all the paperwork done and sent over to the government over there, then we will get on a waiting list. I don't know how long it will be. For healthy children 0-12 months typically it is about a 7-11 month wait right now, but our factors are different, so it could be sooner. When they are able to match us with a baby, they our agency coordinator Lauren will email us photos and call us at the same time to discuss specifics. Then we will have the chance to accept or decline the referral, but we've already decided that we will accept any referral we get.
After that Im not exactly sure about. We will travel a few weeks from getting the referral to visit her and see Ethiopia. That is supposed to be about 7-11 days. Then we will come home and wait to see if we passed court, meaning our case was heard and we were granted custody of her, and her parents rights were terminated. Then we will go back and get her visa, birth certificate and be able to bring her home. We should be there about 5-6 days.
The date I have in my mind is January. I'm not even going to let myself think it could be sooner than that, so if it is I will be surprised, and if not, I won't be disappointed.
We are still selling shirts on here and in the Etsy store.
Also we have a few fundraisers in the works, so stay tuned!
I got so frustrated sometimes when we were waiting, wondering if God had forgotten us. Now we're so close to the end that it's easy to see every single delay and change of plans brought us exactly where God wanted us so we could get OUR sons.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for your family!!
ReplyDeleteOur daughter has a form of Strabismus.. she is actually having surgery tomorrow morning. So if you just so happen to be referred a child with this condition, contact me if you'd like to talk!
You have an amazing story...I have such a heart for kids without a loving home. It breaks my heart to think about it. We recently started sponsoring a sweet little boy from Cambodia. Our church and many good friends go to Cambodia on mission trips and one of my girls from my Bible study has been there for 6 months now. One of my good friends, also from my Bible study, adopted her daughter from Ghana in November. I know what a journey it was for her. So happy I found your blog and know that God really has your family doing great things. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more posts! PS: I am LOVING those shirts!! I will go check out the Etsy shop tonight after the hubs goes to work and I have time to browse. :)