Don't forget that today is the Hot Chocolate Stand fundraiser that our friends are putting on for our adoption. They will also be out tomorrow. Contact me if you want more info.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Speaking of...
Speaking of getting clearance to bring an orphan into the country...a very important document that we have to obtain in order to bring our daughter into our country is called an I-171H. We have to receive an invitation from BCIS to go to their office and to be fingerprinted. We've already done this once, but because our clearance is about to expire in February, we are getting an extension so therefore, we have to go through the process again (at least the extension is free). It's a very interesting appointment. If you don't have your "invitation", you won't get in the door. Some day I'll have to tell you about our first appointment there. Like I said, it was interesting--a little bit funny actually.
Something to pray for in regards to this is, again, swiftness. We learned this week that they are back logged with orphan petitions. However, a praise is that our domestic agency has talked with the head guy in the local BCIS office and explained the urgency of our daughter's situation--we want to get her out of Russia so her hip surgery can be done here. That is a praise to have the opportunity to ask for our application to be expedited, however it doesn't promise anything. Please be praying that he would take her situation to heart and be willing to issue us an appointment ASAP.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Something to pray for in regards to this is, again, swiftness. We learned this week that they are back logged with orphan petitions. However, a praise is that our domestic agency has talked with the head guy in the local BCIS office and explained the urgency of our daughter's situation--we want to get her out of Russia so her hip surgery can be done here. That is a praise to have the opportunity to ask for our application to be expedited, however it doesn't promise anything. Please be praying that he would take her situation to heart and be willing to issue us an appointment ASAP.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
The Visit
Whew! The home visit with our social worker went well and it's over--yeah! It was actually quite enjoyable. We really like our social worker. She will have to visit our home at different time increments over the next 3 years to write post-placement reports for the Russian government. She was very helpful at telling us when she would be coming next and what to expect at that visit--the questions she would be asking of us. We got along well with her so we are glad she is who we will be working with over the next few years.
After she talked with me and Nathan, she took a tour of the house and chatted with the kids as she went along. We really appreciated that about her. She didn't freak out the kids by pulling them individually aside and trying to get them to talk with her--a stranger. She has kids of her own so I think that gives her a greater understanding of how to get kids to talk--when they are comfortable. She asked them if they were excited about getting a new sister and of course they said, "Yes!"
So the big visit is done and it's back to finishing up paperwork. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! For now, the next 2 big things to pray for is the psychiatrist to finish his letter (he said he'd have it done by today) and the CPA to do his paperwork.
Other than that, we just sit and wait for the Homestudy to be done and to get a fingerprint appointment with BCIS so we can get clearance from our government to bring an orphan into the country.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
After she talked with me and Nathan, she took a tour of the house and chatted with the kids as she went along. We really appreciated that about her. She didn't freak out the kids by pulling them individually aside and trying to get them to talk with her--a stranger. She has kids of her own so I think that gives her a greater understanding of how to get kids to talk--when they are comfortable. She asked them if they were excited about getting a new sister and of course they said, "Yes!"
So the big visit is done and it's back to finishing up paperwork. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! For now, the next 2 big things to pray for is the psychiatrist to finish his letter (he said he'd have it done by today) and the CPA to do his paperwork.
Other than that, we just sit and wait for the Homestudy to be done and to get a fingerprint appointment with BCIS so we can get clearance from our government to bring an orphan into the country.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
God's Orchestration
I love to sit back and see the amazing way God orchestrates things. In the spring of 2007, as my oldest daughter played T-ball, we started to notice that there was something not right about her feet. They not only splayed out like a duck, but they also rolled inward quite a bit. My husband and I thought it was just us that noticed, but when others began to notice, we thought we'd better get it checked out.
We did just that and it ended her up at an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Children's Hospital. The initial thought was that she was going to need surgery because some of the bones in her feet were fusing together. However, after a CT Scan of her feet, the Orthopedic Surgeon decided to not do surgery--at least not yet. He told us that the surgery was for pain management and since she was not having any pain at this point, it was pointless to do the surgery. In fact, it may end up causing her pain she wasn't having previous.
Now how does this relate to our adoption? When we began this journey, we never would've thought we'd be where we are today--getting ready to adopt a "special needs" child. But through our oldest daughter, God prepared us for what He had in store. He prepared our hearts to be open to a child that may need an Orthopedic Surgeon. Funny how that works. Previous to our oldest daughter and her foot issues, I don't think we would've even considered a child with orthopedic needs and we certainly wouldn't have known an Orthopedic Surgeon in which to consult with.
Amazing how God sets us up for what He has in store for us, isn't it?
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
We did just that and it ended her up at an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Children's Hospital. The initial thought was that she was going to need surgery because some of the bones in her feet were fusing together. However, after a CT Scan of her feet, the Orthopedic Surgeon decided to not do surgery--at least not yet. He told us that the surgery was for pain management and since she was not having any pain at this point, it was pointless to do the surgery. In fact, it may end up causing her pain she wasn't having previous.
Now how does this relate to our adoption? When we began this journey, we never would've thought we'd be where we are today--getting ready to adopt a "special needs" child. But through our oldest daughter, God prepared us for what He had in store. He prepared our hearts to be open to a child that may need an Orthopedic Surgeon. Funny how that works. Previous to our oldest daughter and her foot issues, I don't think we would've even considered a child with orthopedic needs and we certainly wouldn't have known an Orthopedic Surgeon in which to consult with.
Amazing how God sets us up for what He has in store for us, isn't it?
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Re-scheduled Visit
Our adoption social worker visit has been re-scheduled for this Thursday, January 10th at 3:00pm. We would appreciate prayer coverage. Thanks!
Also, continue to pray for 1 document that needs to be done and 2 that need to be wrapped up.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Also, continue to pray for 1 document that needs to be done and 2 that need to be wrapped up.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Cancellation
Yesterday, our social worker's boss called to let us know that she would be unable to make her appointment with us. It's quite frustrating, but I think my kids were relieved since I had them in the "don't touch and don't move mode" for fear they'd mess up something before she came! I don't know if it was a relief or a bummer to them because now we have to clean everything up again!
Our social worker should be calling this morning to reschedule. I will post again when I know the new time to pray.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Our social worker should be calling this morning to reschedule. I will post again when I know the new time to pray.
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Paperchase
Happy New Year to everyone! Now that our holidays are over and Russia's two week holiday has just begun, meaning everything is shut down over there, I've put my running shoes back on. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to our paperwork, but yet we are not quite there yet. At this point, there are a few things you can pray specifically for.
First, we have a few documents that need to be returned to us from professionals that are writing them. We also have one specific document we are hoping will come in the mail each day. It is that elusive document that was sent away as a shot in the dark. Pray for it to come to light--right into our mailbox!
Secondly, we had a CPA set up to put together some documents for us. He backed out recently because he felt uncomfortable with being required to word things in a specific way for the Russian Federation. He didn't want to end up legally liable for something in the future. It's frustrating that he's backed out, but yet we respect his decision. Nathan has two more tools in his pocket for these documents so he will be contacting them tomorrow. Pray for one of his CPA friends to be willing to do this for us, for free and quickly!
Third, we are still going back and forth with our original agency. At this point, it looks like they are willing to apply our money anywhere within their own agency, but are not willing to refund anything. God can do amazing things. Please pray for Nathan as he carefully words each response. At this point, we know we are released from their contract, we just want our money back!
Lastly, our homestudy. Please pray for it to be done at rabbit's pace and not the snail's pace that it is currently moving at. Their usual timeline would put it at being done at the end of January, if we are lucky. We need it done much faster than that. Only God's mighty right hand could get it done sooner.
Also, please remember that our adoption social worker comes to our home on Monday, January 7th at 3:00 pm. Prayer coverage during that time would be greatly appreciated!
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
First, we have a few documents that need to be returned to us from professionals that are writing them. We also have one specific document we are hoping will come in the mail each day. It is that elusive document that was sent away as a shot in the dark. Pray for it to come to light--right into our mailbox!
Secondly, we had a CPA set up to put together some documents for us. He backed out recently because he felt uncomfortable with being required to word things in a specific way for the Russian Federation. He didn't want to end up legally liable for something in the future. It's frustrating that he's backed out, but yet we respect his decision. Nathan has two more tools in his pocket for these documents so he will be contacting them tomorrow. Pray for one of his CPA friends to be willing to do this for us, for free and quickly!
Third, we are still going back and forth with our original agency. At this point, it looks like they are willing to apply our money anywhere within their own agency, but are not willing to refund anything. God can do amazing things. Please pray for Nathan as he carefully words each response. At this point, we know we are released from their contract, we just want our money back!
Lastly, our homestudy. Please pray for it to be done at rabbit's pace and not the snail's pace that it is currently moving at. Their usual timeline would put it at being done at the end of January, if we are lucky. We need it done much faster than that. Only God's mighty right hand could get it done sooner.
Also, please remember that our adoption social worker comes to our home on Monday, January 7th at 3:00 pm. Prayer coverage during that time would be greatly appreciated!
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
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