It is amazing how fast time goes by, but yet at the same time it seems to stand still. Just yesterday I realized we were at the end of the month. We have almost 4 months behind us in our waiting. Wow, time goes by fast, right? Well, it does seem that time goes by fast, but it still seems we have a life time of waiting ahead of us and time is standing still.
We are currently awaiting our home study to be updated which includes having our background checks and child abuse registry clearance updated. I pray this process will not take to long.
I guess I don't have to tell you, but I will. I can't wait to know if our baby will be a boy or girl, how old will he/she be, what color hair he/she will have, and will they love us immediately or will it take a while. To those of you with all those 4D ultrasounds, I am jealous. Your babies haven't been born but you get to see your baby's facial features. I am excited for each! Cherish those ultrasounds. Keep praying for us, our baby, and that God will bring us together soon.
One other prayer request... A friend of mine has a little girl with Muscular Atrophy. They will be traveling to China in July for Stem Cell Treatments. Please remember little Rayanna and her mom in your prayers.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
3 months of waiting.
It has been a little while since we last updated everyone. Partly because there hasn't been much change and part due to Internet problems.
We have had an interesting few days. We received a very long, very complicated email update from the Russia Dept at our Adoption agency. It indicated that our wait could be up to a year or more. It also addressed that many children being referred have some medical issues, but all may not be serious. This information was given to make us more aware of the need to have the file reviewed by pediatric doctors. The email also included an update on the in country foster care system. It is because of the use of foster care that referrals have slowed down.
OK, with all that said, it is important to say that our adoption agency has a good standing in Russia and continues to receive referrals. We are now 3 months into our wait. We still have many months to wait, but we will make it. Here is a thought to ponder.....if it is a year from when we were registered, we will be traveling to Russia in January....... bitter cold Russia.
Our home study is being updated and revised to meet the latest requirements. Our social worker has worked hard to ensure that our home study will not be a problem. Our original home study agency has not yet been removed from the "list", but our social worker is contracting with another agency in order to meet the current requirements.
We have had an interesting few days. We received a very long, very complicated email update from the Russia Dept at our Adoption agency. It indicated that our wait could be up to a year or more. It also addressed that many children being referred have some medical issues, but all may not be serious. This information was given to make us more aware of the need to have the file reviewed by pediatric doctors. The email also included an update on the in country foster care system. It is because of the use of foster care that referrals have slowed down.
OK, with all that said, it is important to say that our adoption agency has a good standing in Russia and continues to receive referrals. We are now 3 months into our wait. We still have many months to wait, but we will make it. Here is a thought to ponder.....if it is a year from when we were registered, we will be traveling to Russia in January....... bitter cold Russia.
Our home study is being updated and revised to meet the latest requirements. Our social worker has worked hard to ensure that our home study will not be a problem. Our original home study agency has not yet been removed from the "list", but our social worker is contracting with another agency in order to meet the current requirements.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thoughts on Waiting
There is something that adoption does for a person. Something you might not think of. It brings out a child like quality of wanting to ask "are we there yet?" Except our question would be "When will they call?" or "Did we get any news today?"
Do you remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for Christmas morning. You would shake all the presents hoping to get a hint of what was to come. You knew it was going to be great, but you just couldn't wait. Maybe you begged your mom or dad to give you a hint. Or, there is some we know who would sneak a peek..........we shouldn't name any names.
Well just take all those child like memories of impatience, apprehension and excitement and apply it to adopting. Every day we check the email, discussion boards, and JCICS website for just a hint of what is to come. Imagine all those things are presents and we have shaken each many times.
We know that we have a long wait ahead. Unfortunately there isn't a set day for us to count down to. So it is truly like what a kid thinks..."Will Christmas ever get here." except it is ....."Will they ever call with a referral?"
Just some thoughts for today. Again thanks for all of your support and encouragement. It means more than each of you will ever know.
As we go into this Easter week lets us all remember how great our Lord is and how much he loves each of us; as He has already given us the greatest gift of all, Jesus. This is one gift we don't have to wait for; it has already be given to us. We were reminded of this wonderful scripture and promise this morning Romans 5:8 " But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Do you remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for Christmas morning. You would shake all the presents hoping to get a hint of what was to come. You knew it was going to be great, but you just couldn't wait. Maybe you begged your mom or dad to give you a hint. Or, there is some we know who would sneak a peek..........we shouldn't name any names.
Well just take all those child like memories of impatience, apprehension and excitement and apply it to adopting. Every day we check the email, discussion boards, and JCICS website for just a hint of what is to come. Imagine all those things are presents and we have shaken each many times.
We know that we have a long wait ahead. Unfortunately there isn't a set day for us to count down to. So it is truly like what a kid thinks..."Will Christmas ever get here." except it is ....."Will they ever call with a referral?"
Just some thoughts for today. Again thanks for all of your support and encouragement. It means more than each of you will ever know.
As we go into this Easter week lets us all remember how great our Lord is and how much he loves each of us; as He has already given us the greatest gift of all, Jesus. This is one gift we don't have to wait for; it has already be given to us. We were reminded of this wonderful scripture and promise this morning Romans 5:8 " But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Friday, April 3, 2009
Potentially Good News
We received potentially good news today. There is a strong possibility that a home study agency in Shreveport will help us out with our home study. We will know more Monday or Tuesday.
I am glad to receive this news, as is Kinko's, the State Dept, and Fed-Ex. You see after the home study is amended with a new agency's name we will have to make multiple copies and have it re-apostilled to send to Russia. Fed-ex comes in because they are so kind as to make all those trips to Baton Rouge and North Carolina for us. A win-win situation for all involved. We get an approved home study and all the others get more of our money.
I know, don't quit my day job. I am no comedian, but I have to try to keep a sense of humor.
Thanks for your prayers. I know God is hearing all of us. Please also remember all the other families that are adopting and having similar troubles. A new friend and future adoptive mom passed this verse on to me this week. It is a good one. Thanks Leigh.
Micah 7:7 is a wonderful promise that says "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
I am glad to receive this news, as is Kinko's, the State Dept, and Fed-Ex. You see after the home study is amended with a new agency's name we will have to make multiple copies and have it re-apostilled to send to Russia. Fed-ex comes in because they are so kind as to make all those trips to Baton Rouge and North Carolina for us. A win-win situation for all involved. We get an approved home study and all the others get more of our money.
I know, don't quit my day job. I am no comedian, but I have to try to keep a sense of humor.
Thanks for your prayers. I know God is hearing all of us. Please also remember all the other families that are adopting and having similar troubles. A new friend and future adoptive mom passed this verse on to me this week. It is a good one. Thanks Leigh.
Micah 7:7 is a wonderful promise that says "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
And we continue to wait
I have been on the phone and emailing both our adoption agency and home study agency for the last few days. The news is slim and not very exciting. I mentioned in a prior post that our social worker was trying to form an agreement with another home study agency in our area. Well, she received the final verdict today. The administrator, for whatever reason, did not feel his agency could help us. She was hoping they would allow her to resubmit our home study under their agency. So back to the drawing board. She has found another agency in Shreveport that she is trying to work something out with. Hopefully, they will sign off on our home study or work with us in some way. If they can't work with our current home study, we will just have to redo it.
OK, so that all sounded grim. There is a little bit of good, if we search hard and keep an open mind. After speaking to our case manager we found out our wait may be a little longer than we had hoped. Russia is encouraging foster care therefore adoptions have slowed down somewhat. Adoptions are still taking place, put the referral time seems to be a little longer. So you may be asking, where is the good news......Well, I said it was hard to find, but it is there. We have a little extra time to fix our home study problem. It would be terrible if we received our referral and was held up because of the paperwork technicalities. There is also still a chance our home study agency could have their name removed from the "list." That would be the best fix.
I ask that you continue to pray for us. It is hard some days to remain upbeat and optimistic. I know in my heart that someday we will bring our baby home, but I have to be careful to guard my heart. I am still holding out hope we will have our little one by Christmas, but at the same time trying to not get to attached to that idea. Especially after today's phone calls.
OK, so that all sounded grim. There is a little bit of good, if we search hard and keep an open mind. After speaking to our case manager we found out our wait may be a little longer than we had hoped. Russia is encouraging foster care therefore adoptions have slowed down somewhat. Adoptions are still taking place, put the referral time seems to be a little longer. So you may be asking, where is the good news......Well, I said it was hard to find, but it is there. We have a little extra time to fix our home study problem. It would be terrible if we received our referral and was held up because of the paperwork technicalities. There is also still a chance our home study agency could have their name removed from the "list." That would be the best fix.
I ask that you continue to pray for us. It is hard some days to remain upbeat and optimistic. I know in my heart that someday we will bring our baby home, but I have to be careful to guard my heart. I am still holding out hope we will have our little one by Christmas, but at the same time trying to not get to attached to that idea. Especially after today's phone calls.
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