Our dossier was approved this week! First time submitting it, it was perfect! There were no revisions to be made or anything. I think I mentioned in a previous post what the dossier contains. Here is a recap:
2 Power Of Attorney Documents
Statement of Reason For Adopting
Photos of Hubby and I, and the inside and outside of our house
Employment Letters for Hubby and I (to ensure that we do have income)
Financial Statement
Original Birth certificates
Original Marriage License
Declaration Form Attesting To Our Health
Police Clearance Letter (to make sure we don't have criminal background)
2 Letters Of Reference (different from the 5 letters needed for our home study!)
Obligation Of Post Placement Duties
Everything has to be notarized and one form had to be state certified. Getting notarization and state certification is another story!!
Regardless, it has all been worth it so far. In Ethiopia, God is working on a child for us. And as Jesus said in John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. This adoption is totally worth the wait and Hubby and I are no strangers to delayed gratification.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
Well, the holiday season is here, but I wanted to mention that the month of December is international awareness month for AIDS. I went to a talk on December 1, which was world AIDS day. There I learned that, of the 33 million people living with AIDS, about 22 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa also has over 14 million AIDS orphans - children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
The basic desires that you may have for your own children are what God desires for all children. Every child deserves love, security, food, shelter, education, and health care.
"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..."
Isaiah 43:4
We may not be able to give every orphan in Africa the basic needs that they deserve, but we are putting our faith into action and praying that God will help us to provide these things for at least one orphan.
The basic desires that you may have for your own children are what God desires for all children. Every child deserves love, security, food, shelter, education, and health care.
"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..."
Isaiah 43:4
We may not be able to give every orphan in Africa the basic needs that they deserve, but we are putting our faith into action and praying that God will help us to provide these things for at least one orphan.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
WOW!
That is all I can say. Our little foster child will be leaving tomorrow. This was a really interesting week, to put it mildly!
My mantra for this week was Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Thank you Hubby for speaking this scripture to me when my patience ran low!
There are so many emotions I have rolling around right now, it is hard to put it into words. Where do I start? Well, Hubby and I have decided we have been spoiled by it just being the two of us (or four, if you count our dogs, C+M) for over a decade!! This week, we had no time for us, and we didn't like it! Also, our foster child was VERY active and his mental state seemed younger than a 5 year old. Of course, we realize that our experience thus far with children, has been with children who have been raised in normal home. This little guy did not come from a good situation. That is all I'm going to say right now.
I also have to give MUCH praise to Hubby for his Fruits of the Spirit that he exhibited with our foster child! He will be a great father! For 2 nights and 3 days, he took care of our foster child (and 2 dogs) completely by himself while I was at work. Hubby is awesome!!!
My mantra for this week was Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Thank you Hubby for speaking this scripture to me when my patience ran low!
There are so many emotions I have rolling around right now, it is hard to put it into words. Where do I start? Well, Hubby and I have decided we have been spoiled by it just being the two of us (or four, if you count our dogs, C+M) for over a decade!! This week, we had no time for us, and we didn't like it! Also, our foster child was VERY active and his mental state seemed younger than a 5 year old. Of course, we realize that our experience thus far with children, has been with children who have been raised in normal home. This little guy did not come from a good situation. That is all I'm going to say right now.
I also have to give MUCH praise to Hubby for his Fruits of the Spirit that he exhibited with our foster child! He will be a great father! For 2 nights and 3 days, he took care of our foster child (and 2 dogs) completely by himself while I was at work. Hubby is awesome!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Someone Else's Child
Well, Hubby and I are officially experiencing being foster parents. It is a challenge, but rewarding. Yesterday, God brought a 5 year old boy into our home! We anticipate that he will be with us for a week. Since he has visitation with his mom sprinkled into his time with us, it is looking like a hectic week. (In addition, we have a friend coming to stay with us for a few days, so it's going to be a full house!) However, I have to believe that everything that happens is in God's plan. It has been nice to have this transition time as Hubby and I continue to learn about parenthood.
God has put a passion in my heart for foster children, orphans and children waiting to be adopted. Most people don't know that 500,000 children go through the foster care system every year. Many go from home to home to home. So far, we know that our home is at least the 3rd one that our current foster child has been in. This can cause attachment issues in children - where they are too afraid to trust anyone and don't want to get attached to anyone, because they never know when they will be uprooted again.
This brings me to address a statement that I have heard repeatedly once I tell people Hubby and I are foster parents: "Aren't you afraid you will get too attached to the children?" Well, yeah, you should attach to the children. That is what they need. Someone who cares about them. Just because it may be difficult emotionally for you as a foster parent, does that mean you should not do it? Or, should you foster, but not invest yourself fully? No. As a foster parent, we do experience loss, but think of how much greater that loss is that the child has experienced.
God has put a passion in my heart for foster children, orphans and children waiting to be adopted. Most people don't know that 500,000 children go through the foster care system every year. Many go from home to home to home. So far, we know that our home is at least the 3rd one that our current foster child has been in. This can cause attachment issues in children - where they are too afraid to trust anyone and don't want to get attached to anyone, because they never know when they will be uprooted again.
This brings me to address a statement that I have heard repeatedly once I tell people Hubby and I are foster parents: "Aren't you afraid you will get too attached to the children?" Well, yeah, you should attach to the children. That is what they need. Someone who cares about them. Just because it may be difficult emotionally for you as a foster parent, does that mean you should not do it? Or, should you foster, but not invest yourself fully? No. As a foster parent, we do experience loss, but think of how much greater that loss is that the child has experienced.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What Does The Word Of God Say About Adoption?
Adoption has a prominent place in the Bible. Not only were we, as Christians, adopted by God, but Jesus was adopted by Joseph. There are many scriptures that show how God uses people to do His will and bring Him glory through adoption. Here are a few scriptures we have meditated on as we follow God's plan for our life concerning adoption:
Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:23 - and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption.
Ephesians 1:5 - He destined us for adoption as His children throught Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.
James 1:27 - Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Isaiah 43:5-6 - Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth."
Psalm 68:6 - God gives the desolate a home to live in.
Adoption is the means by which all believers enter into the family of God.
Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:23 - and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption.
Ephesians 1:5 - He destined us for adoption as His children throught Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.
James 1:27 - Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Isaiah 43:5-6 - Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth."
Psalm 68:6 - God gives the desolate a home to live in.
Adoption is the means by which all believers enter into the family of God.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Home Study Interview
November 21, 2009: We went to an Ethiopian Dinner at a church near our house. It was awesome!!! So many different families who had adopted from Ethiopia and a few who were waiting on a referral. This was very encouraging for me to see! Earlier this day, we also had our first meeting with Jennifer at our house. She went through some of our social history and did a home tour of our house.
December 6, 2009: Last meeting with Jennifer. She went over our autobiographies which ranged from topics such as mine and Cedric’s childhood and how we would raise our children. At the end of the meeting, she said she would probably have our home study done this week! At this point, most of our paperwork is done. Once the home study is reviewed and the I-600A is in, we will go on a wait list. The wait is 12-18 months at this point.
December 6, 2009: Last meeting with Jennifer. She went over our autobiographies which ranged from topics such as mine and Cedric’s childhood and how we would raise our children. At the end of the meeting, she said she would probably have our home study done this week! At this point, most of our paperwork is done. Once the home study is reviewed and the I-600A is in, we will go on a wait list. The wait is 12-18 months at this point.
Paperwork!
November 16, 2009: Finished Packet A documents for WHFC – in addition to a formal application, we had a bunch of legal documents to read and sign! Good thing Hubby is a lawyer! On the same day, we contracted with AI to provide our home study services. We got the reduced rate! Praise God. This was a big day in terms of finances but we have faith that God will provide for this adoption.
November 20, 2009: I start working on assembling all the documents needed for our dossier (adoption paperwork). The dossier contains many things, such as: birth certificates, marriage license, power of attorney documents, health forms, reference letters (thanks to those close friends of ours who wrote letters of recommendation), employment verification letters, photos, police clearance letters, statement of reason for adopting from Ethiopia, and other legal documents. Almost everything had to be notarized and one form had to be state certified.
After the dossier and home study is in, we will have to file the I-600A (Application For Advance Process Of Orphan Petition).
November 20, 2009: I start working on assembling all the documents needed for our dossier (adoption paperwork). The dossier contains many things, such as: birth certificates, marriage license, power of attorney documents, health forms, reference letters (thanks to those close friends of ours who wrote letters of recommendation), employment verification letters, photos, police clearance letters, statement of reason for adopting from Ethiopia, and other legal documents. Almost everything had to be notarized and one form had to be state certified.
After the dossier and home study is in, we will have to file the I-600A (Application For Advance Process Of Orphan Petition).
Application In
Okay, so I will try and backtrack approximately one month in order to try and catch everyone up to speed.
November 1, 2009: We sent in our first application to WHFC and became clients!!! There's no turning back now. Our journey begins......
November 1, 2009: We sent in our first application to WHFC and became clients!!! There's no turning back now. Our journey begins......
Our Blog
Selam! I first started this blog as a way to organize my thoughts. There is so much to do concerning our adoption. I wanted to make sure and write it all down so I wouldn't ever forget this process. You are invited to view our blog because Hubby and I want to share our adoption journey with our close friends and family. We hope that you will celebrate with us now, and when we bring home our child.
NOTE: At this time, we are not using our names, because we are not sure how public we want to be yet.
THE RESEARCH
I have always wanted to adopt. I can't pinpoint the exact moment at which I knew I wanted to adopt, but it feels like the desire has always been there.
October 1, 2009: Hubby and I started to talk more seriously about adoption. We weighed the risks and benefits of domestic vs. international and decided on international adoption.
For the rest of the month of October, we researched 4 different international agencies:
America World – liked the Spirit of Adoption focus found in Romans 8:15 – “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father.” Did not like the “it’s a vacation” mentality they portrayed. As if you just travel there, stay in a fancy hotel and then merely pick up your child on the way back to the US. However, I think they would have come in 2nd place for us.
Bethany Christian Services – did not like much about this agency. They claimed to be Christian, but they only mentioned Jesus one time during their whole 1 hour plus presentation. In addition, they used the same picture for China and South Korea. The people are not the same!
Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC) – Our agency!!! From the moment we watched their webinar, we became more invested in adopting from Ethiopia. Their main focus is on keeping the birth family together and a lot of humanitarian aid, and only as a last resort do they turn to adoption. They also encouraged adoptive parents (AP) to travel to visit birth family and stated that 90% of their APs get the opportunity to do so. In addition, this is the same agency Angelina Jolie adopted from and she donated money to build Horizon House where we will stay and take immediate custody of our child once we arrive in Ethiopia.
WACAP – similar to WHFC, but less emphasis on the things of importance to us. In addition, they never got their webinar to work. The next day, the social worker called us to talk with us personally, but she called at the last possible moment when it was very inconvenient for us. Also, during some of the talk, she would inadvertently put down other agencies. Plus, this agency was located in California and I could see the problems associated with us being in a different time zone.
During this month, we also researched 2 local partner agencies of WHFC: Adoption Support Center and Adoptions of Indiana (AI). It was fairly easy to pick Adoptions of Indiana, because Adoption Support Center never sent us the information packet we requested. Adoptions of Indiana was great from the start. From the first moment I called to inquire about their home study services, they sent out a very detailed information packet. In addition, their international social worker Jennifer Morrissey, worked efficiently to give us a reduced rate on our home study since we had one done previously for foster parenting. She did all this before we even contracted with them to provide us services!
NOTE: At this time, we are not using our names, because we are not sure how public we want to be yet.
THE RESEARCH
I have always wanted to adopt. I can't pinpoint the exact moment at which I knew I wanted to adopt, but it feels like the desire has always been there.
October 1, 2009: Hubby and I started to talk more seriously about adoption. We weighed the risks and benefits of domestic vs. international and decided on international adoption.
For the rest of the month of October, we researched 4 different international agencies:
America World – liked the Spirit of Adoption focus found in Romans 8:15 – “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father.” Did not like the “it’s a vacation” mentality they portrayed. As if you just travel there, stay in a fancy hotel and then merely pick up your child on the way back to the US. However, I think they would have come in 2nd place for us.
Bethany Christian Services – did not like much about this agency. They claimed to be Christian, but they only mentioned Jesus one time during their whole 1 hour plus presentation. In addition, they used the same picture for China and South Korea. The people are not the same!
Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC) – Our agency!!! From the moment we watched their webinar, we became more invested in adopting from Ethiopia. Their main focus is on keeping the birth family together and a lot of humanitarian aid, and only as a last resort do they turn to adoption. They also encouraged adoptive parents (AP) to travel to visit birth family and stated that 90% of their APs get the opportunity to do so. In addition, this is the same agency Angelina Jolie adopted from and she donated money to build Horizon House where we will stay and take immediate custody of our child once we arrive in Ethiopia.
WACAP – similar to WHFC, but less emphasis on the things of importance to us. In addition, they never got their webinar to work. The next day, the social worker called us to talk with us personally, but she called at the last possible moment when it was very inconvenient for us. Also, during some of the talk, she would inadvertently put down other agencies. Plus, this agency was located in California and I could see the problems associated with us being in a different time zone.
During this month, we also researched 2 local partner agencies of WHFC: Adoption Support Center and Adoptions of Indiana (AI). It was fairly easy to pick Adoptions of Indiana, because Adoption Support Center never sent us the information packet we requested. Adoptions of Indiana was great from the start. From the first moment I called to inquire about their home study services, they sent out a very detailed information packet. In addition, their international social worker Jennifer Morrissey, worked efficiently to give us a reduced rate on our home study since we had one done previously for foster parenting. She did all this before we even contracted with them to provide us services!
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