They're in!

Our caseworker called today and guess what? "M"'s fingerprints have been sitting somewhere for a month. They were done when mine were. Hmmm...well, we could be frustrated or we could look at this as God's way of delaying things for a very specific reason. Maybe the children waiting for us aren't even there yet. We'll see! Anyway, it's huge news and as of today we are finalizing the paperwork and it could all be sent to the agency in just a few days. When they have the completed paperwork approved in their hands, we get to start viewing "waiting" children. Things could actually start moving quickly! It's exciting! Our next appointment is July 7th at 8 am northeast "C", to get fingerprints done for immigration. That will be an EARLY day! We've also sold the motorcycle with the sidecar and it looks like the jeep liberty is sold as long as financing comes through for the couple wanting to buy it. So God is providing money just as we need it. Thanks for the prayers. Keep 'em coming!

paperwork is nuts

I worked for a few hours yesterday getting all my papers filled out, organized, checked, and double checked...even got everything notorized, only to realize, after repeated back and forth e-mails to my contact at the agency, that the birth certificates of "M" and I, and our marriage license, have to be certified copies, not notorized copies. SOOOOOO, just when I thought we were SOOOOOO close, I have to send away for these things, to two different states and another country. So the delays continue. I was warned of this, knew this would happen, but still I don't always handle it well when it does. I can't "make" anything happen! That's part of this process for me....trusting in God's direction, timing and plan, not mine. As "M" reminds me on a regular basis..."who's in charge honey? ...God. I know, I know. So I am sending away. Two are done, one should be done on monday and then I'll check the mail regularly. Hopefully within a couple weeks I'll get what I need!

Grandma "G"

When I am getting stressed, anxious and fearful about all the things that we're trying to get done and will face, I dig into the Word, pray, have people pray for me and now I've got this picture too. For anyone who doesn't know, this is my mom's mom, "N", my grandma "G". She and my grandpa were missionaries in Africa for years...I don't even know how long...and my sister found this picture and I had to have it. Thanks "S". It's on my fridge now. Love it. My kids think it is a really cool picture and what a connection we'd have. I think Grandma "G" would be very happy to know what we're doing!

Fingerprints

I found out today that my fingerprints have been cleared and we're waiting on "M"'s! So now we have to get our training done ASAP and notorizations done and all the paperwork is done!!! One more immigration form, that is short, will get done tomorrow. Wow! It makes it so exciting. Clearly God is in this and we are anxious to get to see videos/pictures of waiting children! Then we get to choose!!! Wow!

Ghana!

We want to let you all know that after much prayer and research we are switching from Ethiopia to Ghana. Our agency works in three different countries in Africa and we have found out that Ethiopia has been cracking down harder on adoptions and extending paperwork and court dates so much that the wait is getting closer to two years. We are not wanting to wait that long so I checked into Ghana. We hadn't really even pursued it before because we were just so struck by Ethiopia's need. Well, it turns out that there is much less paperwork, and a much shorter wait. Same costs, but that's in God's hands anyway! So we have switched and are currently wrapping up the paperwork for our Dossier and will be ready to go as soon as our fingerprints are processed, which we are still praying will occur by the end of June at the latest. The wait to be matched can be little or none and then the wait to process the adoption and bring the children home can be anywhere from 4-8 months.
We both feel really happy with this decision and had been praying just before that that if God wanted to change anything in this process that he would clearly do so and redirect us if He chose. Well, Ghana is not what we expected, but we are thrilled and excited. It is also a "little" closer!!


A little information about Ghana.....

Ghana is a beautiful country about the size of Oregon, situated in the heart of West Africa. Ghana is one of the most stable countries in Africa. Unfortunately, the economy has struggled and like most African countries, the majority of people live in poverty. 45% of Ghana's people live on less than $1 per day, and up to 60% of Ghana's children are involved in child labor or child slavery. UNICEF estimates that there are 1,000,000 orphans in Ghana. Traditionally the extended family would take on orphaned family members. But in today's Ghana, many children, (even toddlers) are left to fend for themselves on the streets.


Please keep praying and please join us in praying for the children that are "waiting" for us. We pray that their bellies would be full, their hearts comforted and their bodies protected.

This is why...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIBZ-kJ6XAc

Love this....

I realize I haven't written anything lately, but we are in that waiting mode. Waiting for medical papers to come in the mail and waiting for fingerprints...as soon as I have something to report I will. for now please keep praying!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIBZ-kJ6XAc