Monday, May 25, 2009

HOPE

Our Dossier arrived in the Dominican Republic! It will be translated and our lawyer will begin the procedure of proving abandonment for sweet "little treasure."

We received some conflicting information about her abandonment last week.  It was upsetting and unsettling.  We do not know if the information is true or what is really going on.  What we do know is that we will not lose HOPE.  Even when it gets tough... we still have HOPE.  Our journey has taken us this far...

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."   Psalm 31:24

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Waiting...



              (This beautiful charm was given to me by a very dear friend of mine.) 

 We have been waiting a long time for our sweet girl through this adoption process.  One thing is for certain...she will most definitely be worth the wait!

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."  Psalm 5:3
                                        


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Dossier - Complete!



We received our dossier from the Dominican Republic Consulate today!  This was our last step in getting our documents authenticated.  We are done!  On my way to "overnight" it to our agency.  Hands Across The Water will then send it to the Dominican Republic.  Please pray that it will arrive safely and be quickly translated.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Our Story

It is our intention to share our adoption journey with family and friends,  journal our thoughts and life leading up to becoming a family of five. It is also our plan to one day  share with our "little treasure" the journey that brought us together, the encouraging comments you have written and the love we have as her Forever Family.

(Warning...this is a long post)

It took a long time to get to where we are today.  A long long time!  In 2004, many of you know that we were pregnant for a third time.  Bailey was 4 and Olivia was 2.  We prayed about another baby and our plan was to have three children 2 years a part. Needless to say, we were shocked to hear that we were expecting triplets.  Our hearts broke as we gradually lost all three babies.  However, we became very peaceful as we trusted God with His plan for our family.  With the high possibility of getting pregnant with multiples again, my age and certain health risks, we decided that we would not have any more biological children. We had two happy, healthy girls and we just could not ask for more or endure the loss of a pregnancy again.

Life went on, but my desire to have another child did not go away.  I remember talking with friends and wondering how they knew that they just wanted one or two children and that was it.  Done.  Why couldn't I just feel "done?"  Why was there something missing?  I was content with our life, we were happy and the girls were great.  I realize now that my heart had room for more. 

Several of my dearest friends have adopted.  It was a privilege to share their journeys with them. When one in particular shared her China adoption with our Life Group,  I began to have my eyes (and heart) opened to adoption and orphans.   During that time, God began whispering to my heart...we would grow our family through adoption. 
 
I shared with JT what I had been feeling.  I don't think he was too surprised. Typical of my husband, he wanted me to gather information and let's just see where it takes us. That was in 2006.  I began to research all of the large adoption countries.  I have always been drawn to the Spanish culture and because we also met the country specifications, we started looking at Guatemala.  Since we have two daughters, maybe we would adopt a son?  I prayed that God would direct our paths, open and close any doors along the way and move in my husband's heart.

The door to Guatemala closed. Completely. The country closed their adoption program to new families at the time I was inquiring with several agencies.  I continued praying for direction. I knew that God was calling us to adopt but my plan was not going so well. Guatemala closed...husband still not completely on board.  Not good.

In September, 2007, I had the opportunity to go on a Mission trip to the Dominican Republic with my church. One of my best friends (of 20 years!) was also part of the team. We shared an amazing experience serving together.  I loved the people I met in the DR and was changed in many ways when I came home. Little did I know at the time, this was part of the journey to our daughter. 

I continued to pray about adoption, I just felt like I was at a stand still. I was waiting.  Waiting on God to move us from this place of uncertainty.  Was He really calling us to adoption?  It had been years now....and I'm typically not that patient, but I trusted God.

June 2008, my friend was back in the DR on another Mission trip. This was a medical trip in Nagua. The second day she was there, "little treasure" was dropped off.  Laura was able to hold her, love on her and pray over her.  (I feel that I need to add these details because it really is part of our story.)  Knowing that I had been praying about adoption, knowing that JT was where he was with the process, knowing everything that a girlfriend knows... she began, on that very day, praying whether this sweet girl was meant for us. 

When she gets back from her trip she shows me the most beautiful pictures of this little girl.  I began to fall in love with her sweet face.  It was at this time, JT and I had some true heart to hearts.  I always believed he would say yes to God's calling.   It just took him awhile to answer and now I know why.  It wasn't time. Now it is.  

God's Timing is Perfect.



   



Thursday, May 7, 2009

Little Treasure

We know very little about this sweet "little treasure" we have fallen in love with.  What we do know is she was placed in a Nagua orphanage, June 2008.  Upon her arrival, a doctor that was part of a visiting medical mission team, gave her a quick examination.  He determined that she was about 8 months old at the time and in good health.  We do not know her actual birthday or given name at birth.  

What we do know is that our adoption journey has led us to her.

What we do know is that we love her as our very own. 

What we do know is... we can't get her in our arms quick enough!

"You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."  Psalm 139:16

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The paperwork, the process and my part-time job

We began our adoption paperwork in October, 2008.  Christian Adoption Services did our Home Study, which is a series of interviews and extensive questionnaires about our childhood, marriage, backgrounds and how we raise our children.  

We filed our 1-800A with USCIS mid-February, 2009.  (An I -800A is an application for determination of suitability to adopt a child) After our fingerprinting appointment, the approval came in April.  In the meantime, I collected all supporting documents needed for our Dossier (collection of required legal documents including birth certificates, marriage certificate, Home Study, I-800A, etc.).  

As of today, our Dossier has been authenticated at State level and is ready to send to the Dominican Republic Consulate in Washington, DC. to be authenticated at that level.  Once that is done - our Dossier will be complete!  I hope to send it to our agency, Hands Across The Water, by the end of next week.  It has truly been a part-time job!

There have been a few "unexpected" delays along the way, but I am constantly reminded that it's ALL in God's timing and not mine. Some of life's best lessons are learned while you wait! Right?  

"Commit your heart and your life to patiently wait on God.  Be obedient to what He has called you to do right now, and do it with excellence.  Learn to be content while waiting on God to change your present circumstances."


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

New Adoption Blog!

Welcome Family and Friends!

We have created this blog to keep everyone updated with our adoption journey and life as we become a family of five.  Our hope is that as you read our posts, you will pray for us and our "little treasure" in the Dominican Republic.  We are grateful for your support, friendship and encouragement.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11