Progress...

We heard late last night that our home study was e-mailed to AGCI yesterday afternoon! Hoping and praying that no revisions are needed. AGCI has 5-7 days to review the home study and get back to us. We'll keep you posted!

Hoping our dossier can go in the mail sometime next week...

:)

Maybe I'm Alone Here...

It occurred to me yesterday, while visiting with a friend, that much of what we've been asked to do thus far in the process of adopting comes down to presenting ourselves well to the people in the Ethiopian court system who will ultimately decide if we are "qualified" to parent an Ethiopian-born child. We've been working hard the last three months to present our home, our family, our jobs, our health - mental and physical, our character, our resources, etc. in the most positive light possible. And I started having all of these emotions about it just recently.

I've been reading other families' blogs who are in the same place in their adoption journeys, and I can't help looking at their photographs and reading their stories, and thinking, "Gosh, our house doesn't look like that" or "Our photos aren't as 'professional' as theirs" which leads me to question myself, and our family, and if we're "in the same league" as others who are bringing little ones home from overseas. I DON'T question our call to adopt, not in the least (Nathan and I have both felt nothing but peace since the very beginning). And I DON'T question that we can offer this little one a stable, loving home with parents who are committed to each other, and to the Lord.

I think it's just a difficult thing to feel like you're constantly trying to convince someone (again, the courts) that you're "good enough," "qualified enough," "capable enough" to raise a child. Maybe our home isn't as big as some. Maybe our resources aren't as abundant as some. Maybe we're not as physically attractive as some. Maybe we prefer to take photos with our dinky little digital camera and tripod. But, I KNOW that the unconditional love we already have for this little one is real. I KNOW that we will be committed to raising this little one with the knowledge of the Truth. I KNOW that we will do everything in our power to support and uplift and serve this little one.

Getting caught up in "how we compare" isn't helpful to anyone. I only pray that the Holy Spirit will be working in the hearts and minds of the people there who will be making decisions in regards to our child.

The Hold Up

Our home study agency just let us know that they need one more piece of paperwork from us...UGH. If you were wondering about what the hold up is, and why we STILL haven't sent in our dossier, that's why. FRUSTRATING! (But to be expected as it seems like things rarely go 100% "as expected" during one's adoption process...)

But, I sent the paper they needed in today, so we're still hopeful that our dossier will be ready for send off early next week. November 3 will be the 3-month mark, from the time we received our dossier folder. I have that date in my mind as the day we should absolutely have everything sent in. And, I believe that's this coming Tuesday...we'll see.

Through this adoption process, I am becoming more aware of my weaknesses, namely my lack of patience. II Corinthians 12:9 has been coming to mind over and over as we seek out the new little one God has for our family - "...for my power is made perfect in weakness." That is my prayer. Despite me, that HE might be glorified.

A Few Photos That Did NOT Make the Cut...

So, we have to send in some photos of our home and family with our adoption paperwork, to give the Ethiopian courts some idea of who we are. The following are a few select photographs that we will most definitely NOT be sending in with our dossier...



Scantily clad rockstar girls




My first time using the porta-potty




Whenever I put underwear on my head, I think I'm a doctor!




I REALLY like to pretend I'm a doctor...





Yes, we often play on our scooter wear only undies and bike helmets...




"If I could only pick this little bit of goo out from in between my toes..."




We have been known to have a fit if things don't go our way...




Don't knock sleeping like this until you try it.




Look, everyone, Daddy just stepped in dog poop!


And now you see why we need MANY prayers. Hopefully, the photos that DO make the cut will present our family in the most positive light possible. If you think about it, could you pray for just that?

L.O.V.E.

Maybe it seems strange to think about loving a little one out there, halfway across the world, whom we have never met...

With a love so strong that it already literally brings me to tears just thinking about holding him or her in my arms for the first time. And never letting go.

This child of my heart.

Our Morning Blessing

I'm just beginning to learn that, in order for the focus of our day to be on things above, I have to be intentional about that - both for myself and for our children. I heard it said recently that, while most families have annual holiday traditions unique to their family, fewer families take time to intentionally implement DAILY traditions (or "habits") that point to our Great and Mighty God. With that on my heart, I've been prayerfully considering what new habits to put into practice in our family.

One of the things I've been doing for the past several weeks is saying a "morning blessing" with/over/for the girls each morning, usually at breakfasttime. I contemplated using Scripture itself, and looked on-line for ideas, but ultimately decided to compose my own. And here it is:

"Lord,

Today, may you give (child's name)
Ears to hear Your voice
Eyes to see Your goodness
Lips to bring glory to Your name
And hands and feet to serve You this day.

Amen"

I point to their ears, eyes, lips, and hands and feet as I give the blessing. Both girls ask for their blessing now, and some mornings, want me to say it over and over again (which I do gladly).

So, there you have it. I'll keep you posted if/as other ideas come to mind.

Fingerprints!!!

Our fingerprints came in!!! Our fingerprints came in!!!

The last piece of "paperwork" we needed for our homestudy to be finalized is in!!!

Next step (after all parties have reviewed the homestudy, and we've had it notarized)...

Our dossier (read: our mountains of paperwork) can be sent in and we'll make the "official" waiting list for a referral!!!

What a GREAT day!!! (hence the excessive use of exclamation points!!!) :) !!!