It's hard to believe it has been ONE year since God stirred our hearts in such a way that we no longer could be complacent about adopting. I'll never forget hearing the news that the awful earthquake had hit Haiti and there were THOUSANDS dead, leaving even more orphans behind. I was sitting on the airplane when I glanced at the man next to me that had his face buried in a newspaper article for what seemed like hours. My heart hurt for days, for months and it still does for those left behind. I found myself doing something that is completely out of character for me....I glued myself to the TV watching the news hour after hour. Pretty sure I was an Anderson Cooper stalker. My heart was literally broke. Little did I know that 2011 would bring about so many changes in our hearts and home by this horrible devastation. Certainly not happy for the devastation the Haitian's experienced OR are STILL experiencing, but forever grateful that the Lord used this to grab our attention and lead us to action.
Proverbs 19:2 tells us: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is only the Lord's purpose that prevails"
This verse could not ring more true for us. Graciously, day after day, He is humbling our hearts and gently inviting us to be a part of His redemptive work. We continue to pray for the people of Haiti. Our souls look to heaven for hope and healing for this beautiful country. And while OUR plans are to bring our precious daughter home this year, we want nothing more than to glorify our GREAT GOD through this experience.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Missing you this Christmas
Oh how our hearts longed for you to be with us this Christmas. All I could think about as the kids opened their presents was how this day will look next year when you are finally home. I imagined you sitting there with big wide eyes in awe of each present and crawling around the floor picking up all the little wrapping pieces(-: We even hung 4 stockings and filled yours with a lovie. Something your brothers and sisters still adore to this day. Aria picked out a pink Elephant. We can't wait to meet you in person so that we can give it to you. Although you weren't with us, you were definately in our hearts and always, always in our prayers. We love you already and don't even know you! Merry Christmas sweet baby girl!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A glimmer of hope.....
Today we received an update from the director of our ET program at our agency. A group of staff just got back from Ethiopia after being gone for 10+ days. Everyone was anticipating the details of their trip. I had butterflies in my stomach just reading it. Here is a blurp from the letter that sent some chills up and down my spine: " I know what is on many of your minds is the status of referrals. I do not have any concrete information on specific children to share, however, I do know that we have some referrals coming our way, hopefully in the next few weeks. I saw their sweet faces and do have photos that I will share when we have enough information to refer. " OOOOHHH, we just can't wait to see that precious 1st photo!
Minutes later we received another email about some major investigations going on at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Here is a line from that email: "The Department of State continues to be concerned about reports highlighting adoption related fraud, malfeasance, and abuse in Ethiopia, and acknowledges the concerns expressed by families over the integrity of the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa actively tracks all adoption visa cases, incorporating information provided by adoption agencies and the Government of Ethiopia, to ensure that the adoption process continues to operate transparently and ethically."
Trying not to be too alarmed and praying that all of this gets resolved asap and that these precious children can be united with their families soon!
Minutes later we received another email about some major investigations going on at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Here is a line from that email: "The Department of State continues to be concerned about reports highlighting adoption related fraud, malfeasance, and abuse in Ethiopia, and acknowledges the concerns expressed by families over the integrity of the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa actively tracks all adoption visa cases, incorporating information provided by adoption agencies and the Government of Ethiopia, to ensure that the adoption process continues to operate transparently and ethically."
Trying not to be too alarmed and praying that all of this gets resolved asap and that these precious children can be united with their families soon!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Waiting Patiently......
or not so patiently(-: It depends on who you ask. We have now been on the waiting list for 5 months, and I'm getting so excited knowing our referral call is getting near. However, I've had PLENTY to do in the meantime, so it hasn't been excruitiating like it has for others in our family. That "other" is Big Sister Aria and it breaks my heart to see and hear how anxious & excited she is to meet her new little sister. She lives and breathes talking about her, dreaming about her and discussing name options with me(-: Her whole school knows, her Sunday school class, anyone who babysits her, practically anyone who she comes in contact with. Even complete strangers at the grocery store know we are adopting a baby girl. The first thing they tell me when I pick her up from ANYTHING is how much she talked about her new baby sister from "Efiopia". Daily she asks if this will be the day. She even dreams about her. A few weeks ago, I tucked her in after she had been asleep for a few hrs and as she rolled over she said "She's never coming home. This is taking forever"- all while completely asleep. She loves her babies and as she cares for them, she will say "this is how I will feed baby sister" or "i'm practicing changing diapers, so I can change baby sisters". I have no doubt in my mind that she will make one awesome big sister. 5 months doesn't seem that long to most of us, but to a 3 1/2 year old, I'm sure it's an eternity!
On another note, months ago I ran across a blog of two amazing woman who started 147 Million Orphans. I have followed it forever and am so encouraged by these two Moms.You just have to read for yourselves how incredible their ministry is......their blogs are linked to mine. We love supporting them and are starting to sport some of their really cool gear. Just another way to raise our voice for the orphans and you just may be getting some of these cute items for birthday/Christmas gifts(-:
Friday, November 19, 2010
Congrats to The Nelson Family
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A little update from our agency
Yesterday we received an update from our agency. I bet you can't guess what point I"m most excited about? Yep, #2. Whoohooo! And of course #5 is also good, since we are #2 on the list! But, sad to read #4....this Mama will be pulling some strings(-: Love our agency!
Dear Families~
As you know, the adoption process is ever changing. We would like to make you aware of some significant changes that have occurred and will be occurring.
1) Court Procedure- When the court process changed in May of this year, two court hearings were being scheduled. The purpose of the first one was to have the birth parent's testimony approved and to obtain approval from MOWA. The purpose of the second one was for the adoptive parents to verify that they have met their child and wish to proceed with the adoption. The adoption was then finalized.
As of last week, there is only one hearing automatically being scheduled. This hearing will include all aspects that that the two hearings originally covered. We are not sure exactly what this will look like but assume that the birth parent will complete their portion and then the adoptive parents will complete theirs after the birth parent has left the court room.
There are at least two benefits to this change. First of all, this will move the process along and ultimately allow your children to come home sooner because you will not need to wait for that second hearing. Secondly, the meeting between you and the birth parent would take place in Addis, at our AAI office, after the court hearing. This means less uncertainty with whether or not the birth parent meeting can take place than if you met them in the South.
The negative or risk with traveling to Ethiopia and attending this hearing is the slight possibility of the case not being approved and then permanently closed. This would be extremely rare, however, the risk is there.
If, for example, MOWA (now MOWYCA) did not submit their letter of consent on time for the court hearing, this will be accepted later and neither the birth parent or the adoptive parents will need to re-appear in court. This result of this would be a possible delay in the case, although, this delay would typically be not more than a couple weeks.
If the adoptive family is not comfortable with the risk involved with having just the one hearing, the court is allowing, as of now anyway, a second hearing to be scheduled.
It will be at the time that you accept your referral that we will ask if you would like to attend the one hearing or if you would prefer that two hearings be scheduled.
2) Meeting Birth Parents - A couple months ago we were informed that, due to government restrictions and safety concerns, a birth parent meeting was not possible if your child was from the South and residing at EnatAlem or Africa Orphanage. We are pleased to tell you that in most cases, this meeting will be possible, afterall. As stated above, if you attend the court hearing the same day as the birth parent, this meeting will take place at our AAI office in Addis, after court. If you do not attend that hearing, we will do everything possible to make this meeting possible when you travel South on your trip.
3) Attendance at Court - The courts are requiring that both parents, if applicable,attend the court hearing. We were told initially that there would be exceptions to this requirement, but they would need to be extreme situations, such a inability to travel due to medical condition. The courts are now allowing "less extreme" exceptions. An example would be if you currently have 5 young children at home and it is very difficult for both parents to be away from home. There is not a set list of exceptions that will be accepted; it will need to be determined on a case by case basis.
4)Visiting your child - When you travel for your first trip you should plan that you will have two visits, lasting approximately one hour, with your child(ren) at the orphanage. There may be situations where you have the opportunity for more visits, however, in order to not disrupt the schedule the orphanage is attempting to keep, you should plan on two. One family that has traveled suggested that during one of the visits it is a good idea to have one of you focus on asking questions pertaining to feeding, personality, skills, etc...and the other one focus on spending time with your child(ren).
5)Referrals - We have been in a bit of a "lull" with referrals, however, there have been more than you might realize. We referred 11 children between August 31 and October 19, ages ranging from 4 months to 7 years. (male & female) Referrals do seem to come to us in "spurts". We have several at one time and then we might go several weeks with very few. We are due for another "spurt". :)
I think that's all for now. As always, feel free to contact us with questions/concerns.
Thanks,
Sally, Laura, Mary, & Kristin
Dear Families~
As you know, the adoption process is ever changing. We would like to make you aware of some significant changes that have occurred and will be occurring.
1) Court Procedure- When the court process changed in May of this year, two court hearings were being scheduled. The purpose of the first one was to have the birth parent's testimony approved and to obtain approval from MOWA. The purpose of the second one was for the adoptive parents to verify that they have met their child and wish to proceed with the adoption. The adoption was then finalized.
As of last week, there is only one hearing automatically being scheduled. This hearing will include all aspects that that the two hearings originally covered. We are not sure exactly what this will look like but assume that the birth parent will complete their portion and then the adoptive parents will complete theirs after the birth parent has left the court room.
There are at least two benefits to this change. First of all, this will move the process along and ultimately allow your children to come home sooner because you will not need to wait for that second hearing. Secondly, the meeting between you and the birth parent would take place in Addis, at our AAI office, after the court hearing. This means less uncertainty with whether or not the birth parent meeting can take place than if you met them in the South.
The negative or risk with traveling to Ethiopia and attending this hearing is the slight possibility of the case not being approved and then permanently closed. This would be extremely rare, however, the risk is there.
If, for example, MOWA (now MOWYCA) did not submit their letter of consent on time for the court hearing, this will be accepted later and neither the birth parent or the adoptive parents will need to re-appear in court. This result of this would be a possible delay in the case, although, this delay would typically be not more than a couple weeks.
If the adoptive family is not comfortable with the risk involved with having just the one hearing, the court is allowing, as of now anyway, a second hearing to be scheduled.
It will be at the time that you accept your referral that we will ask if you would like to attend the one hearing or if you would prefer that two hearings be scheduled.
2) Meeting Birth Parents - A couple months ago we were informed that, due to government restrictions and safety concerns, a birth parent meeting was not possible if your child was from the South and residing at EnatAlem or Africa Orphanage. We are pleased to tell you that in most cases, this meeting will be possible, afterall. As stated above, if you attend the court hearing the same day as the birth parent, this meeting will take place at our AAI office in Addis, after court. If you do not attend that hearing, we will do everything possible to make this meeting possible when you travel South on your trip.
3) Attendance at Court - The courts are requiring that both parents, if applicable,attend the court hearing. We were told initially that there would be exceptions to this requirement, but they would need to be extreme situations, such a inability to travel due to medical condition. The courts are now allowing "less extreme" exceptions. An example would be if you currently have 5 young children at home and it is very difficult for both parents to be away from home. There is not a set list of exceptions that will be accepted; it will need to be determined on a case by case basis.
4)Visiting your child - When you travel for your first trip you should plan that you will have two visits, lasting approximately one hour, with your child(ren) at the orphanage. There may be situations where you have the opportunity for more visits, however, in order to not disrupt the schedule the orphanage is attempting to keep, you should plan on two. One family that has traveled suggested that during one of the visits it is a good idea to have one of you focus on asking questions pertaining to feeding, personality, skills, etc...and the other one focus on spending time with your child(ren).
5)Referrals - We have been in a bit of a "lull" with referrals, however, there have been more than you might realize. We referred 11 children between August 31 and October 19, ages ranging from 4 months to 7 years. (male & female) Referrals do seem to come to us in "spurts". We have several at one time and then we might go several weeks with very few. We are due for another "spurt". :)
I think that's all for now. As always, feel free to contact us with questions/concerns.
Thanks,
Sally, Laura, Mary, & Kristin
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