We're Still Here

I'm sure some of you were wondering if we'd ever post something new! Well, we have a snow day today so I thought it would be a good time for a long-over-due update. Let's just say the paperwork has been keeping us busy. While we are excited to keep working on the paperwork, we get discouraged sometimes when we look at the whole process and feel like the "dominoes" need to all line up in just the right order and if they don't, then, well , we have to go back and rework the whole thing.

If you noticed that we've taken away the picture and specific names, that is due to information we received that it is safer this way.

Most people's biggest question to us is time frame--when do we think we will travel and bring "A" home? That is a good question, however, there are many variables and we really don't know. Most folks who have gone through the same process as us have been bringing their children home between 7-12 months after starting the process. We, of course, are hoping to be on the shorter end, but truly only God knows, and it is in His timing.

Our boys are very anxious, and talk often about wanting "A" to be here now. We are trying to remind them how God uses waiting to teach us things, to mold our character, etc. Easier to say than to do.

We hope to be able to send a letter to "A" soon, and would really like to be able to hear something from him as well. Continue to pray with us for our friends from WI who hope to travel any day now to pick up their son from the same orphanage as our "A".

Right now we are praying for everyone involved in the process, for provision, wisdom and for peace for us and for "A" as we all prepare our hearts for the change in our family.

The message we heard on Sunday with regard to contentment really hit home for us right now, and challenges us to see the blessings and joy in our lives on a daily basis.

Thanks for your prayers. We'll try to keep this updated a bit more often so that we don't leave you hanging.

After the home study - more paperwork

Well, our home study went well. We should have the report and other documents completed soon, and we already got a new set of paperwork all written in "legalese" so we almost need an interpreter already! We are thankful that the home study went well. It's with excitement, anticipation, and a healthy dose of fear that we proceed with our paperwork. There are so many details. We continue with our risk training and reading as much as we can. We're thankful to have other families who are going through the process with us, as well as others who've already gone through the process who've been very gracious in sharing their experiences with us to try to make it easier for us. It seems like the adoption process consumes a good portion of our mental energy, and we're trying to strike a balance between "regular" everyday life with the boys, and dealing with all the extra paperwork and details efficiently. We continue to pray, pray, pray, both for Alex and ourselves, and those we touch along the way, that we'll all learn what God wants to teach us through the process. Ps. 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Home Study

We have our home study scheduled, which is the next "hurdle" for us to jump. A home study is where a social worker comes to our home to talk to all of us and see our home and how we interact with each other and how 'A' will "fit" with all of us.

We are all getting back to our routine after Christmas break. We are sure that 2008 will be full of new adventures, and probably a fair amount of waiting. We will be learning, in an all new way, what it means to wait on the Lord.

Happy New Year

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

As we start the new year out, here is where we are at in the adoption process.

The home study paperwork has been turned in and we are waiting for a call to set up the first meeting. We have completed two of the risk training classes.

Please look for more posting as we progress further on the road to bring Sasha home.