I am tired so this will be a short post. Short, you say? She can write *short*?? HA! Well, I'll try!
Friday night I slept LOUSY!! I knew our social worker visit was the next day, but I don't think that was what kept me up. Actually I was down, but all night long I was hearing, "Doooee, a deer, a female deeeeer, Raaaay, a drop of golden suuuuunnnnn" You see, our little actor, Cassidy, is auditioning on Tuesday night for a musical. There is only one place for a child and it just happens to be for a ten year old boy. I called the woman and asked her if she had any spots for a ten year old boy who liked to act. She said there was one spot. I said, "I don't even know if he can sing." *laugh*
So we hit the internet and downloaded Julie Andrews and he and I have been singing all week. Gee, I didn't even know about notes and music and up and down the scales etc. But now it is quite funny - I am a conductor! There I am in my kitchen with him singing away and me trying to get him to remember to HOLD a note or RISE a note on a word etc and I keep my hands flying trying to give him sign language. Suddenly I realized that is how conducting came about!!! It is so funny.
Anyway, if you could say a prayer for him. This little boy gave up his acting with his agents this year because he knew the cost of each audition was about $150 with gas etc to the coast. He knew that every penny was needed for our adoption. He said he wasn't in it for the money - he just wants to act. So I said we would concentrate on trying to find him something around here. That was decided about 2 1/2 months ago.
About 2 weeks ago we found this ad in the paper stating that they were holding auditions for Bye Bye Birdie to be held here in our town. The committment is big - 2 nights a week for 3 hours a session, (for 6 months!) and then a straight 2 weeks nightly prior to the opening night, and then 6 nights and matinees, when it begins. But we are no strangers to committment, since we have been willing to drive him 6 hours for each audition and most jobs!
If he was to get this job I would know it was a gift from God, directly to Cassidy, for sacrificing his acting pleasure for the sake of bringing his sisters home.
If he gets the role, his first rehearsal is October 4 and it continues twice weekly til March! He would be in heaven to do that much acting.
Anyway - all that to say - I did not sleep well the night before the meeting.
We got up the next morning and flew around getting everyone ready and then Ray began the 'dropoffs'. First he took Austin to Tammy's house, then back to get Cooper when I had him ready and then he took him to Christine's house. By now we were all ready. We left Dane home with Briton for the day and had to drop the other boys off elsewhere. Dane was left with a long list of do's and one small don't. We then dropped off Cassidy at a soccer game with his friend and Colt at his friend's for a cadet function. And then off we went.
It was a two hour trip to our social worker's town and we quickly found her place. She turned out to be a really nice lady who made us feel comfortable right away. She told us all about herself and how she got to be doing what she is. She then began asking us questions. It was not done interrogation style, but more with real interest.
She began by asking us why we wanted to adopt. She then moved into asking us about our relationship. She wanted to know how we met and how we made the change from friends to more. She asked us to tell her the most romantic story and see who's was best.
From there we moved onto adopting a black child and becoming a transracial family; infant development; raising girls versus boys - I have to admit that was one thing I never really gave much thought too! I have thought alot about raising black children in a white family, but not raising girls after raising boys!! So that is something we (I) will be reading up on.
At one point she asked us about our faith and we ended up saying a whole lot more than we had written on the questionnaires. There was a moment when she asked how we would handle it if the child that came to us had a different faith - ie: Muslim. The odds seem to be that they will be Orthodox Christian, but it could happen. I told her 'with great sensitivity and by seeking wise counsel!'
We were there about 2 1/2 hours and it flew past quite quickly. We will be meeting again on Wednesday night where Ray will have his individual meeting and I will have mine and then we will reconvene for our next session together. After that the last one will be at our home in two weeks.
We were fortunate because our social worker was funny and fun. She had a sense of humour and it came out when she asked us questions that made our eyebrows go up. Sometimes she would ask a question to get us thinking - that was the point of the meeting - but I found she was sensitive to who we are. She said there was no 'right and wrong' answers.
So overall, I think it was a successful visit and 'kind of' look forward to the next meeting. I wonder what she is going to talk about there?? It will be about parenting next time.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Most Exciting Mail Ever!!!
How do you begin to yell praises from the rooftops via blog post???!!!!! Today I went to the post office to pick up some packages that I knew were waiting for me. I got the neat hair products and Ray's passport and a bunch of envelopes. One of the envelopes was from Orphan's Hope. When I saw this envelope I was *hopeful*, but wasn't really sure if it would carry good news or not. I decided to open it there in the post office, rather than at home later with the rest of the mail. I just had to see... See what you ask?? See if our application was accepted.
I opened the letter and right away I could see the top line read...
Dear Mr. & Mrs. ______:
On behalf of ORPHAN'S HOPE, CONGRATULATIONS! You have qualified and been approved for a grant of up to $10,000.00 towards qualified adoption expenses.
The letter read on from there, but I didn't need to read it right then. I was floored!!! When God Sends a Vision, He Sends Provision!! Remember!!?? Here we have just been *given* $10,000 towards the adoption of our little girls!!!
The way Orphan's Hope works is that if your income level is below a certain level you qualify for being put in the 'lottery' (as they call it) for the grants. When they draw for a grant, all the names that qualify are put in the pot, and a name is drawn out. As far as I am aware, there is only one grant company in Canada, and last year there were over 1,200 adoptions in our country, which means there could have been a lot of people applying for these grants! We were the very fortunate recipients of this grant!
You can guarantee that Orphan's Hope will be at the top of our list of charities to support! That is how their grants are funded - by personal and corporate donations. Their founders were just some adoptive parents who wanted to help bring families together.
Praise the Lord, we know now without a doubt that our little girls are coming home!!!!
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:5
He, the father of the fatherless, wants our little girls to have a mummy and a daddy to love and care for them and six big brothers to adore and protect them! Thank you Lord for your abundant blessings!! Our cup runneth over.
I opened the letter and right away I could see the top line read...
Dear Mr. & Mrs. ______:
On behalf of ORPHAN'S HOPE, CONGRATULATIONS! You have qualified and been approved for a grant of up to $10,000.00 towards qualified adoption expenses.
The letter read on from there, but I didn't need to read it right then. I was floored!!! When God Sends a Vision, He Sends Provision!! Remember!!?? Here we have just been *given* $10,000 towards the adoption of our little girls!!!
The way Orphan's Hope works is that if your income level is below a certain level you qualify for being put in the 'lottery' (as they call it) for the grants. When they draw for a grant, all the names that qualify are put in the pot, and a name is drawn out. As far as I am aware, there is only one grant company in Canada, and last year there were over 1,200 adoptions in our country, which means there could have been a lot of people applying for these grants! We were the very fortunate recipients of this grant!
You can guarantee that Orphan's Hope will be at the top of our list of charities to support! That is how their grants are funded - by personal and corporate donations. Their founders were just some adoptive parents who wanted to help bring families together.
Praise the Lord, we know now without a doubt that our little girls are coming home!!!!
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:5
He, the father of the fatherless, wants our little girls to have a mummy and a daddy to love and care for them and six big brothers to adore and protect them! Thank you Lord for your abundant blessings!! Our cup runneth over.
Mailman, Mailman, What Did You Bring??!!
Today I went to get the mail and had a bunch of packages waiting for me. They were all exciting parcels. Ray's passport came in and then I got two boxes from a company in Canada that sells the cutest hair care products for little black girls!! I can't wait to unpack it! Oh!! I can't wait....
Hang on while I go unpack.....
Okay, so here's what I got!
My Box of Basic Hair Products
There is special shampoo, moisturizer and detangler specially for little black children. Then I got the basic starter kit for beading their hair. Lots of pretty beads with bows, and flowers, and butterflies. I also got snaps. Snaps are tiny little barrettes that go on the end of their tiny little braids. They are about 1/2 cm in size. To do a little girl's hair takes about two hours! But in Africa, 'doing hair' is a cultural thing and the girls & women will sit around talking and doing hair for hours. I have seen pictures of groups of girls (big and small) sitting around doing each other's hair.
I bought a box of multi coloured bows.
These little snaps bend in half and the jeweled side goes on top. I bought some black ones and some pastels ones.
Below are some really nice examples of beading. There are so many geometrical designs to be done and ways to have the beads hanging. You can do many beads or few.
I have no interest in buying little girl's clothes in anticipation of our adoption, but I couldn't resist buying the hair products. I think since creativity is who I am, it makes sense that this is the one thing that I couldn't resist buying!!! Think how creative I can be!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Ball is Rolling!!
It seems always to be the way. When I finally give something up, it is then that I get results! I remember once while hoping for a third child and this pregnancy did not happen for over 7 months, so we started thinking of adoption. We decided that we couldn't afford it and we would just be content with the children we had. To quote myself: "I am thrilled with the boys I have." Well, right after I gave it to God and thought, "It's in Your hands," and stopped trying to organize the situation, I found I was pregnant - within days!
So this time it was the same thing. Within days of giving it up and saying that there was a reason and there was nothing I could do about this 'delay' of my vision, we got results! Monday morning, bright and early, the social worker sent me an email!!
Our visits are all arranged. She was extremely cooperative and knowing that we had a time crunch and that we lived so far from her, she was willing to double up all our visits. I had been originally hopeful to get three in the town she lives in (2 hours from us), and one at our house. That would take care of the six 'official' visits we have to have. But she offered even better than that! She offered to have us do *three* visits in total!!! Two in her town and one at our house. Where I thought the visits would be 2 hours each (based on what I heard) I expected the double visits to be 4 hours each, but she has said we can expect a double visit to last 2+ hours. Nice!
She said we could bring our two year old with us if we needed to. But we have been very blessed with many kind friends who have risen up and changed their schedules or included our children, so that they could accommodate us! What a blessing! Therefore we will not be bringing Briton. I do not want to be distracted by him when I am going to be nervous enough as it is!
She also offered to do all our visits on weekends or during the evening, so that Ray can work. We figured he would lose three days of work over this! How great is that!
Our first visit is this coming Saturday! The next visit is on Wednesday, 3rd of October, and our final visit will be October 14! That means from our first to our last appointment it will only be two weeks!!!! God is good!!! He managed to make up the lost time!!! Too cool!!!!
I have no idea how long it will take her to write up her report, mail it and get it to Hope. And I have no idea how long Hope will have it before they approve it and mail it to Kidslink. But at the rate we are going with her doing all our appointments within two weeks, we might just get our dossier to Ethiopia before the end of November!! That would be at least 4 weeks earlier than it was starting to look!! It could even be sooner, if people move things along quickly!!
"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3
An appointed time speaks of a determined time in God's eyes.
Though it tarries, wait for it: God knows His plan and the outworking of all things in accordance with His purposes. The godly are responsible to study and proclaim His revelation while awaiting its fulfillment.
It will surely come: The assurance of fulfillment lies in God Himself.
It will not tarry: The fulfillment of the vision would not take any longer than God had planned.
I have to remember that all things will happen in HIS time and not MY time!!! There is always a reason. But we are so very thankful that things are rolling forward!!
So this time it was the same thing. Within days of giving it up and saying that there was a reason and there was nothing I could do about this 'delay' of my vision, we got results! Monday morning, bright and early, the social worker sent me an email!!
Our visits are all arranged. She was extremely cooperative and knowing that we had a time crunch and that we lived so far from her, she was willing to double up all our visits. I had been originally hopeful to get three in the town she lives in (2 hours from us), and one at our house. That would take care of the six 'official' visits we have to have. But she offered even better than that! She offered to have us do *three* visits in total!!! Two in her town and one at our house. Where I thought the visits would be 2 hours each (based on what I heard) I expected the double visits to be 4 hours each, but she has said we can expect a double visit to last 2+ hours. Nice!
She said we could bring our two year old with us if we needed to. But we have been very blessed with many kind friends who have risen up and changed their schedules or included our children, so that they could accommodate us! What a blessing! Therefore we will not be bringing Briton. I do not want to be distracted by him when I am going to be nervous enough as it is!
She also offered to do all our visits on weekends or during the evening, so that Ray can work. We figured he would lose three days of work over this! How great is that!
Our first visit is this coming Saturday! The next visit is on Wednesday, 3rd of October, and our final visit will be October 14! That means from our first to our last appointment it will only be two weeks!!!! God is good!!! He managed to make up the lost time!!! Too cool!!!!
I have no idea how long it will take her to write up her report, mail it and get it to Hope. And I have no idea how long Hope will have it before they approve it and mail it to Kidslink. But at the rate we are going with her doing all our appointments within two weeks, we might just get our dossier to Ethiopia before the end of November!! That would be at least 4 weeks earlier than it was starting to look!! It could even be sooner, if people move things along quickly!!
"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3
An appointed time speaks of a determined time in God's eyes.
Though it tarries, wait for it: God knows His plan and the outworking of all things in accordance with His purposes. The godly are responsible to study and proclaim His revelation while awaiting its fulfillment.
It will surely come: The assurance of fulfillment lies in God Himself.
It will not tarry: The fulfillment of the vision would not take any longer than God had planned.
I have to remember that all things will happen in HIS time and not MY time!!! There is always a reason. But we are so very thankful that things are rolling forward!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Children of Cite Soleil
I saw this video on my friend, Courtney's blog. In the last month or so, since we have been fully immersed in this adoption idea, I have been saying that I think this adoption is bigger than our two girls. I feel that we are being drawn to Africa. I am not sure exactly what that means or could mean to us as a family, but I know that we have been pulled out of our comfort zone.
Our oldest is asking us if we are going to open an orphanage next - and he's serious! You can't see these images and videos and not be touched. But it is more than that. I have always had a heart for kids, and I travelled to Europe twice while I was young - once solo. I love travel and adventure. Ray wants to build a house for someone less fortunate one day. Maybe our family will go to Africa. Maybe we will build little houses for families living under cardboard shelters. Trust me the seed is already planted!
Our kids think the idea is awesome - except for one. He is a little nervous about being so far from home. *smile*. That sounds like a whole lot better way to spend our 'middle aged' years than lounging around in our super comfortable lifestyles!
When you see this video and you realize how much *you can do* - how can you not do *something*!?
And one more thing. People have asked us why we don't adopt a local child. There are many - over a 1100 in our province alone - waiting for a home. We used to say that it was because our hearts were drawn to Ethiopia.
Our answer now? Well, our answer has changed. Now we can honestly say it is because any child in Canada has a better chance of living than a child in a third world country. In Haiti, for example, there are children eating dirt cakes, just to stop the gnawing hunger in their tummies! They are washing in the same water they use for their bathroom. They don't have any other choice. That country is poverty stricken, beyond our comprehension! Now we know we are adopting from Ethiopia because those children do not have a chance!
Ethiopia is the 5th poorest country in the world!! Canada is near the top of the 170+ countries. Our idea of poverty and the rest of the world's are vastly different!! Canadians have welfare and government programs, child tax benefits and government assisted daycares, foodbanks and soup kitchens.
Just for a Bit of Fun
My friend, Tami, had this on her blog and I thought it was fun. I *love* the fact that I have a 'knack for the making the impossible possible'. I once had a friend say that every goal I set, I accomplished! I love being a goal setter, cause it is fun making the impossible come true!
| You Are Teal Green |
 You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts any strange habits you may have. |
Monday, September 24, 2007
Let Us Walk By Faith and Not By Sight!
After my last blog entry I had a kind of 'turn around' in my faith. Before I wrote I kept 'giving it to God' and then 'taking it back again'. The old game, ya know? After I wrote it was like I finally 'got it'. At least I think so!!!
I really believed myself when I said it was the first opportunity I had to stretch my faith. Everything up to now might have been *big* - like trusting God for the money - but it was all stuff I had done before. Yes, trusting for $25,000 is *big*, but we have trusted before and the money has come, so that was a miracle that we had trusted for and had answered. This trusting with the family size restriction proposal is new to me and it is a stretch.
I have now given it, and I am trusting that we are not going to have a problem. Done!
So, at Church on Sunday, when the Pastor continued his series on Faith, it just confirmed what I already was feeling.
"What a comfort that though you may have a measure of unbelief, God will bail you out!"
"Anytime we push forward in faith, the enemy will raise the standard. Meaning - things going wrong, unexpected delays, etc. If God has put a vision in your heart, there will be roadblocks. Run with them! "
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1"
Our pastor talked about the sixth sense as being faith. We are raised to do everything with our five senses. We aren't taught to use our sixth sense: faith. So our instinct when we come across problem is to handle it with those other senses, yet if we activated the sixth sense, faith, we would be able to handle our problems easier!
Satan knows if he sends those sensory perceptions and you 'feel' there is nothing you can do about the situation you will panic, cause you can't do anything. But God says all things are possible. We tend to back off instead of thinking ahead to what God has for us. By faith every provision, prosperity and deliverance is available. Look to Faith instead of what you think you 'see'.
Faith is like a muscle. You have to work it to make it grow. It's time to exercise our faith. Get started!
I really believed myself when I said it was the first opportunity I had to stretch my faith. Everything up to now might have been *big* - like trusting God for the money - but it was all stuff I had done before. Yes, trusting for $25,000 is *big*, but we have trusted before and the money has come, so that was a miracle that we had trusted for and had answered. This trusting with the family size restriction proposal is new to me and it is a stretch.
I have now given it, and I am trusting that we are not going to have a problem. Done!
So, at Church on Sunday, when the Pastor continued his series on Faith, it just confirmed what I already was feeling.
"What a comfort that though you may have a measure of unbelief, God will bail you out!"
"Anytime we push forward in faith, the enemy will raise the standard. Meaning - things going wrong, unexpected delays, etc. If God has put a vision in your heart, there will be roadblocks. Run with them! "
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1"
Our pastor talked about the sixth sense as being faith. We are raised to do everything with our five senses. We aren't taught to use our sixth sense: faith. So our instinct when we come across problem is to handle it with those other senses, yet if we activated the sixth sense, faith, we would be able to handle our problems easier!
Satan knows if he sends those sensory perceptions and you 'feel' there is nothing you can do about the situation you will panic, cause you can't do anything. But God says all things are possible. We tend to back off instead of thinking ahead to what God has for us. By faith every provision, prosperity and deliverance is available. Look to Faith instead of what you think you 'see'.
Faith is like a muscle. You have to work it to make it grow. It's time to exercise our faith. Get started!
Friday, September 21, 2007
It Feels Like I'm Holding My Breath
I seem to go in ebbs and waves (if that is the combination - *I* know what I mean!). I ride along and feel that everything is in control and then I start sliding and feeling like it is going nowhere.
I never miss a day going to my blog. I like to see how many visitors I had since the day before and read any comments people make. I enjoy adding widgets and things to my blog, plus I always check in on my cyber adoption friends and see how they are doing in their waiting games! These visits to my blog and beyond keep me going while waiting each day.
I just want to say a big thank you to those that have taken the time to leave me comments. You are *such* an encouragement in such a precarious, unknown journey! You keep me going when the waiting gets too long or the fears take over. I cherish every comment.
Lately, I haven't had anything to write on my blog as nothing is happening. I actually missed going to the blog yesterday!! I have my ups and downs as I wait, wait, wait, for this contract social worker to call. It has been over three weeks since our file was completed and put in the hands of our agency. At that point, they needed to go over it and send it to the contract social worker who lives closer to us. Due to sickness in the home office it didn't even get looked at for 10 days! Finally, after two weeks they said it was being sent on. That was last Friday.
The contract social worker sent me an email that day saying she would contact me 'early next week'. Well, that has come and gone and we are now moving into the *next* week!
If we didn't have more than five kids and I was not nervous about this proposed restriction on family size, this would be just a wait. There will be plenty of waits and they are annoying and make you pace, but at least you know there will be a positive end to the wait.
In our case, we do not know there will be a positive end. Time is of the essence.
But at the same time as reminding myself that God is in control, I keep remembering the proposal. I don't dwell on it, but it is like a shadow that just doesn't quite let the sun shine through. It is always lurking.
As time ticks by,I feel myself slowly pulling back a little. I feel odd saying this since I speak of such faith, and I *do* have immense amounts of faith. But at times I wonder if I could be wrong. I know our girls are out there and yet - at times I think how far can I let my heart go toward our girls only to have the proposal go through and then have our hearts broken?This is not lack of faith - it is questioning my 'hearing'.
Yes, everything is going in the right direction. There is *nothing* to make me doubt that this is what God wants for our family, but I know people who wanted to adopt and would have been good families and it fell through. Why? Only God knows.
I realize that there may be a very good reason why we have to wait. That is so obvious to me. I just keep remembering the courts are going to reopen in October and there is that rumour that the proposal will go into effect after that. I feel like the magic date is the courts reopening date. When that comes and goes and the proposal is *not* put into effect I feel I will be able to breathe easier.
So I just want to get through October and have my papers done and sent to Ottawa and then off to Ethiopia. I sort of feel that once our papers are approved in Ethiopia that there is a better chance of sliding through if any restriction is put into place. Yes, I know that is me dealing with this in a purely human way and not trusting God to go above and beyond the problems!
I know now, with this social worker delay, that we are probably talking mid December before our homestudy gets to Kidslink. Then we are talking about Christmas holidays and more hold-ups. Yada yada yada... whine, whine, whine... *1/2 grin* *laughing at my own self - but *still!*
Last night, after everyone had gone to bed, I went back downstairs and sat in the dimly lit, quiet livingroom and decided to look at my devotionals. I read two different books and then picked up the third one: Streams in the Desert. I turned to September 20 and read that one. It was truly written for my heart right now.
"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
John 11:40
...Abraham could not understand why God should ask the sacrifice of the boy; but he trusted. And he saw the glory of God in his restoration to his love. Moses could not understand why God should keep him forty years in the wilderness, but he trusted; and he saw when God called him to lead forth Israel from bondage...
And so, perhaps in your life. You say, "I do nt understand why plans and purposes that seemed good to my eyes should be baffled. I do not understand why blessings I so much need are so long delayed.
Friend, you do not have to understand all God's way with you. God does not expect you to understand them. You do not expect your child to understand, only believe. Some day you will see the glory of God in the things which you do not understand. J.H.McC."
At church, on Sunday, our pastor talked about the situation in the Bible when Peter was locked up in prison and his group was praying for his release. When Peter arrived at their door and knocked, his friends (the disciples!) did not even believe it was him. When the girl opened the door and then told the disciples it was Peter their response was to the effect of: "It couldn't be him. He is in prison!"
So, you see, even Jesus' disciples had lack of faith when they got the very answer they were praying for!! I shouldn't feel bad about wobbling in my faith. Yes, the disciples prayed, which showed that they *believed* that God could answer their prayers, but they didn't necessarily believe that He *would*!! This is so me.
I just have to keep believing. But having this big *proposal* looming is what is making my wait so hard. I know that God can use this and probably is using this to increase my faith!!! It is easy to have faith in things you can see, but what about those things that are out of sight and too hard to imagine as real!! I think me as a mother of African children fits the catagory of things that are too hard to imagine as real! *laugh*
I never miss a day going to my blog. I like to see how many visitors I had since the day before and read any comments people make. I enjoy adding widgets and things to my blog, plus I always check in on my cyber adoption friends and see how they are doing in their waiting games! These visits to my blog and beyond keep me going while waiting each day.
I just want to say a big thank you to those that have taken the time to leave me comments. You are *such* an encouragement in such a precarious, unknown journey! You keep me going when the waiting gets too long or the fears take over. I cherish every comment.
Lately, I haven't had anything to write on my blog as nothing is happening. I actually missed going to the blog yesterday!! I have my ups and downs as I wait, wait, wait, for this contract social worker to call. It has been over three weeks since our file was completed and put in the hands of our agency. At that point, they needed to go over it and send it to the contract social worker who lives closer to us. Due to sickness in the home office it didn't even get looked at for 10 days! Finally, after two weeks they said it was being sent on. That was last Friday.
The contract social worker sent me an email that day saying she would contact me 'early next week'. Well, that has come and gone and we are now moving into the *next* week!
If we didn't have more than five kids and I was not nervous about this proposed restriction on family size, this would be just a wait. There will be plenty of waits and they are annoying and make you pace, but at least you know there will be a positive end to the wait.
In our case, we do not know there will be a positive end. Time is of the essence.
But at the same time as reminding myself that God is in control, I keep remembering the proposal. I don't dwell on it, but it is like a shadow that just doesn't quite let the sun shine through. It is always lurking.
As time ticks by,I feel myself slowly pulling back a little. I feel odd saying this since I speak of such faith, and I *do* have immense amounts of faith. But at times I wonder if I could be wrong. I know our girls are out there and yet - at times I think how far can I let my heart go toward our girls only to have the proposal go through and then have our hearts broken?This is not lack of faith - it is questioning my 'hearing'.
Yes, everything is going in the right direction. There is *nothing* to make me doubt that this is what God wants for our family, but I know people who wanted to adopt and would have been good families and it fell through. Why? Only God knows.
I realize that there may be a very good reason why we have to wait. That is so obvious to me. I just keep remembering the courts are going to reopen in October and there is that rumour that the proposal will go into effect after that. I feel like the magic date is the courts reopening date. When that comes and goes and the proposal is *not* put into effect I feel I will be able to breathe easier.
So I just want to get through October and have my papers done and sent to Ottawa and then off to Ethiopia. I sort of feel that once our papers are approved in Ethiopia that there is a better chance of sliding through if any restriction is put into place. Yes, I know that is me dealing with this in a purely human way and not trusting God to go above and beyond the problems!
I know now, with this social worker delay, that we are probably talking mid December before our homestudy gets to Kidslink. Then we are talking about Christmas holidays and more hold-ups. Yada yada yada... whine, whine, whine... *1/2 grin* *laughing at my own self - but *still!*
Last night, after everyone had gone to bed, I went back downstairs and sat in the dimly lit, quiet livingroom and decided to look at my devotionals. I read two different books and then picked up the third one: Streams in the Desert. I turned to September 20 and read that one. It was truly written for my heart right now.
"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
John 11:40
...Abraham could not understand why God should ask the sacrifice of the boy; but he trusted. And he saw the glory of God in his restoration to his love. Moses could not understand why God should keep him forty years in the wilderness, but he trusted; and he saw when God called him to lead forth Israel from bondage...
And so, perhaps in your life. You say, "I do nt understand why plans and purposes that seemed good to my eyes should be baffled. I do not understand why blessings I so much need are so long delayed.
Friend, you do not have to understand all God's way with you. God does not expect you to understand them. You do not expect your child to understand, only believe. Some day you will see the glory of God in the things which you do not understand. J.H.McC."
At church, on Sunday, our pastor talked about the situation in the Bible when Peter was locked up in prison and his group was praying for his release. When Peter arrived at their door and knocked, his friends (the disciples!) did not even believe it was him. When the girl opened the door and then told the disciples it was Peter their response was to the effect of: "It couldn't be him. He is in prison!"
So, you see, even Jesus' disciples had lack of faith when they got the very answer they were praying for!! I shouldn't feel bad about wobbling in my faith. Yes, the disciples prayed, which showed that they *believed* that God could answer their prayers, but they didn't necessarily believe that He *would*!! This is so me.
I just have to keep believing. But having this big *proposal* looming is what is making my wait so hard. I know that God can use this and probably is using this to increase my faith!!! It is easy to have faith in things you can see, but what about those things that are out of sight and too hard to imagine as real!! I think me as a mother of African children fits the catagory of things that are too hard to imagine as real! *laugh*
Sunday, September 16, 2007
I Just Want to Praise!
When we began this journey of faith, we had next to no money for this adoption. Many might ask what we were doing adopting if we couldn't afford to do so. It wasn't a matter of affording to raise more children - we have always taken care of our children well.
As a matter of fact, according to a website that you enter your income into and the number of people in your family, we are in the top 1% of the world's population when it comes to wealth!! Like my oldest son, is learning in school, 80% of the world's population is malnourished!!! Our country is one of the richest in the world. I can assure you that we live in the lap of luxury!
But as far as paying for the adoption - well, the day we decided to do this I knew in my heart that *where God gives a vision, He gives provision*. I have stood *firm* on this point. I didn't try to convince myself of this, I just *knew*. The other times we have thought of adopting we were swayed away from it, due to the high cost. I believe that, at that time, it was not the right time for us, because now, when we are no further ahead financially, I got an overwhelming sense of peace when it came to the money.
So we stepped out. We had a little money saved up for some land we were hoping to buy one day. Not much. It is funny - I thought I was saving to buy my husband a small lot to build a house on (to sell as an investment one day), but for all I know I was saving for our girls and didn't even know it!
We had just enough to send off the $1500 Application Fee to Kidslink. So we did. It was an exciting day. I can only liken a step of faith like that to jumping out of an airplane and free falling - *knowing* your parachute will open and you will have an awesome glide down.
That was in the second week of July. Since that step of faith we have had numerous things happen. Friends and family have stepped up and given from the kindness in their hearts; my husband has been blessed *beyond measure* in the financial end of his construction jobs - and there is no end in sight with all the major jobs that he has lined up; the government has sent two rebate cheques; and so on...
I should just mention that in all our years of doing business, we have never had more than we needed to raise our family. We have never had extra to put aside. Until now -when we want to adopt two precious children...
All in all, in just over six weeks, God has provided us with over $12,000 of the $25,000 that we need to raise for this adoption!!! Like I said: Where God gives a vision, He gives provision!
Our pastor has been teaching about Faith and Obedience and Blessings, and I was able to stand up today and give a testimony to what actually happens when people do *believe in their hearts and speak from their mouths* - Abundance flows! I can tell you the people were amazed at how the adoption cost, but when they heard how the money had poured in from all angles in the last six weeks, they were more than amazed!! They were in awe of God's provision!
As a matter of fact, according to a website that you enter your income into and the number of people in your family, we are in the top 1% of the world's population when it comes to wealth!! Like my oldest son, is learning in school, 80% of the world's population is malnourished!!! Our country is one of the richest in the world. I can assure you that we live in the lap of luxury!
But as far as paying for the adoption - well, the day we decided to do this I knew in my heart that *where God gives a vision, He gives provision*. I have stood *firm* on this point. I didn't try to convince myself of this, I just *knew*. The other times we have thought of adopting we were swayed away from it, due to the high cost. I believe that, at that time, it was not the right time for us, because now, when we are no further ahead financially, I got an overwhelming sense of peace when it came to the money.
So we stepped out. We had a little money saved up for some land we were hoping to buy one day. Not much. It is funny - I thought I was saving to buy my husband a small lot to build a house on (to sell as an investment one day), but for all I know I was saving for our girls and didn't even know it!
We had just enough to send off the $1500 Application Fee to Kidslink. So we did. It was an exciting day. I can only liken a step of faith like that to jumping out of an airplane and free falling - *knowing* your parachute will open and you will have an awesome glide down.
That was in the second week of July. Since that step of faith we have had numerous things happen. Friends and family have stepped up and given from the kindness in their hearts; my husband has been blessed *beyond measure* in the financial end of his construction jobs - and there is no end in sight with all the major jobs that he has lined up; the government has sent two rebate cheques; and so on...
I should just mention that in all our years of doing business, we have never had more than we needed to raise our family. We have never had extra to put aside. Until now -when we want to adopt two precious children...
All in all, in just over six weeks, God has provided us with over $12,000 of the $25,000 that we need to raise for this adoption!!! Like I said: Where God gives a vision, He gives provision!
Our pastor has been teaching about Faith and Obedience and Blessings, and I was able to stand up today and give a testimony to what actually happens when people do *believe in their hearts and speak from their mouths* - Abundance flows! I can tell you the people were amazed at how the adoption cost, but when they heard how the money had poured in from all angles in the last six weeks, they were more than amazed!! They were in awe of God's provision!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
About the Only Time I Was Pleased to See a Mastercard Charge...
was today! I was doing the bills and there before me was a charge saying: Passport Canada. YEAH!!! That is the LAST piece of paper I have been chasing!! When the passport comes in I will be photocopying it and mailing it off to Kidslink. They will then put it into our dossier and the paperwork will be complete. The only thing between us and sending our dossier to Ethiopia is now the Homestudy!
One of Eight
Our oldest son, Colt, is in public school now. He spent half of grade ten there and did very well. His entire grade 10 year was on the honour roll! Now he has just begun with new teachers and new classes. His Social Studies class is talking about poverty, population, and different countries. The teacher told the kids that the norm is now for 1.6 kids per family. Colt thought that was something! He then asked the students if any of them had grandparents that came from families of 9 or anything like that. Colt was able to reply that his paternal side came from very large families, but that he, himself, was one of eight. *smile* The kids were all giving 'wow' type comments. They asked him questions and he said, "Two are from Africa." *grin* He told me this later and grinned while he said that he hoped they didn't ask how old they were or what their names were, as he didn't know! LOL!
He said he wanted to see what it felt like to say he was one of eight. I am glad it means so much to him. He can't wait to bring his sisters to school. He has already found a very cool shirt on a website that he wants to wear to school, before he brings his sisters. I can't cut and paste the logo as I guess it is protected. It is black with red, green, and yellow and it says: ETHIOPIA has the BEST GIRLS. Very cool that he wants to wear this. And then he intends to bring his sisters in.
He has also just done the 30 Hour Famine for World Vision recently. He now intends to do it again in Grade 12 (if he can) and he is planning a power point of Ethiopia, poverty, beauty, and our girls coming home. He will then have a very dramatic visual show with candles for the kids to understand how many children die each 30 minutes! And to complete his presentation - to make it personal and to make the kids see that 'way over there' are *children* just like ours - he will then bring in his little adopted sisters (in a protected setting, so they aren't mobbed). Because if the kids can see the little children that represent Africa, perhaps it will impact them greater about world hunger and poverty and maybe *they* will want to make a difference themselves!
He said he wanted to see what it felt like to say he was one of eight. I am glad it means so much to him. He can't wait to bring his sisters to school. He has already found a very cool shirt on a website that he wants to wear to school, before he brings his sisters. I can't cut and paste the logo as I guess it is protected. It is black with red, green, and yellow and it says: ETHIOPIA has the BEST GIRLS. Very cool that he wants to wear this. And then he intends to bring his sisters in.
He has also just done the 30 Hour Famine for World Vision recently. He now intends to do it again in Grade 12 (if he can) and he is planning a power point of Ethiopia, poverty, beauty, and our girls coming home. He will then have a very dramatic visual show with candles for the kids to understand how many children die each 30 minutes! And to complete his presentation - to make it personal and to make the kids see that 'way over there' are *children* just like ours - he will then bring in his little adopted sisters (in a protected setting, so they aren't mobbed). Because if the kids can see the little children that represent Africa, perhaps it will impact them greater about world hunger and poverty and maybe *they* will want to make a difference themselves!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Waiting, Waiting, I Am NOT Good At Waiting!
I was going to post yesterday but didn't get a chance to. A couple days ago, I was feeling rather irritated that everyone I know seems to call an agency and within days has a social worker calling to book the first home study visit. Not us. We have had *all* our papers in for the last two weeks and have been waiting for a call. It was totally out of my control. Not something I like. LOL! I did all I could to move things along quickly and then I was at their mercy.
I ended up calling Tuesday, and found out that the lady who was to arrange our social worker was ill and couldn't do it, but that she would be doing it that very day.
By Thursday, I had heard nothing still and was having a hard time not getting agitated. Waaaaitting.... That morning, I went downstairs and read my devotions, as I really needed a word of encouragement. I have to admit, I have been rather delinquent lately!!! School took over and I seem to hit the floor running, but of course whenever I need encouragement it is always there. When will I learn to get the encouragement *before* I need it!!! Then I might not *need* it!!! LOL!
I found it a bit funny how it happened that morning. I read my first devotion and it was about meeting the Lord in the morning.
"..in the morning! Then God means me to be at my best in strength and hope. I have not to climb in my weakness. Blessed is the day whose morning is sanctified. "
I *know* that when I do my devotions first in the morning I am better focussed on life and not stressing about 'stuff'!
I next read my other devotion:
Amusingly, it was called: Tranquilize Tension. (smile)
"... such is the peace I feel deep within my being now as I close my eyes and think about Jesus Christ."
"His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Okay, so I read these and I think, "Yes, this is fitting with how I was feeling... tense and anxious and certainly not resting in God's timing!"
Then I picked up my Bible and it fell open to a page. There were two plain pages of writing and smack in the middle of one page was a little green box and in the middle of this book were the words:
God is Peace.
I just laughed out loud. Okay, I get it! Where I wasn't sure if it was a 'word' when I read the first two devotions, I was certainly sure after the Bible fell open to something so blatant!
I would love to say that I then *rested in peace*, but I am human. I tried and it lasted.... for twenty four hours! Sort of.... With a number of unpeaceful moments thrown in! *laugh*
But then today, I was remembering this impending 'proposal' that the Ethiopian government is working on, and I got restless and agitated again. I am okay waiting when I know what is going on. Just no one had told me anything for nearly two weeks, and I was expecting to hear something in a matter of days.
Then last night, I got a note from the social worker at our Hope Services agency. She told me that though we couldn't legally finalize our homestudy in less three months (which would be October 28), it was highly unlikely that they would be done by then anyway! And also, that the social worker that they are contracting our homestudy out to, has three months from when she receives the documents, which won't even be until *next week*. That would put *her* deadline as out to December 10!!! YUCK!!!! Maybe you can understand my agitation (that reared its ugly head again!) So, that backs me up maybe 6 weeks!
She also wasn't even sure if the social worker she had contacted would take on our file. Therefore, she would have to wait and then would contact another one if the first said no. Living in the boonies is not a great idea when trying to pursue a quick adoption!
Untrusting me! This afternoon, I received an email at 4:45pm from our social worker, at Hope Services telling me that she had just heard from the contract social worker and that she *will* be able to do our homestudy. She said we now have to wait til next week for her to receive and read our documents. Okay, I thought, I can wait. Now I have some idea of what is happening and when!
Bu then, within another 3o minutes, I received another email from the new social worker!! She said that she would be calling us early next week, as soon as she had received our documents!She said she is looking forward to meeting us! YEAH!!!! Things might start moving.
Now, please, just pray that she will be willing to hustle and do two meetings at a time and that we might actually be done by the end of October!!!!!
Each time we meet with her in her town (2 hours away) we have to arrange childcare for some of the kids and take at least three with us. We want to be able to meet her while the weather is still warm enough to visit in a park (if she will be willing to do this) so that the little ones can play, while Dane looks after them. And of course, Ray has to take at least a half day off work. So her being willing to double up appointments would be so wonderful.
Stay tuned for the *call* from the social worker....
I ended up calling Tuesday, and found out that the lady who was to arrange our social worker was ill and couldn't do it, but that she would be doing it that very day.
By Thursday, I had heard nothing still and was having a hard time not getting agitated. Waaaaitting.... That morning, I went downstairs and read my devotions, as I really needed a word of encouragement. I have to admit, I have been rather delinquent lately!!! School took over and I seem to hit the floor running, but of course whenever I need encouragement it is always there. When will I learn to get the encouragement *before* I need it!!! Then I might not *need* it!!! LOL!
I found it a bit funny how it happened that morning. I read my first devotion and it was about meeting the Lord in the morning.
"..in the morning! Then God means me to be at my best in strength and hope. I have not to climb in my weakness. Blessed is the day whose morning is sanctified. "
I *know* that when I do my devotions first in the morning I am better focussed on life and not stressing about 'stuff'!
I next read my other devotion:
Amusingly, it was called: Tranquilize Tension. (smile)
"... such is the peace I feel deep within my being now as I close my eyes and think about Jesus Christ."
"His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Okay, so I read these and I think, "Yes, this is fitting with how I was feeling... tense and anxious and certainly not resting in God's timing!"
Then I picked up my Bible and it fell open to a page. There were two plain pages of writing and smack in the middle of one page was a little green box and in the middle of this book were the words:
God is Peace.
I just laughed out loud. Okay, I get it! Where I wasn't sure if it was a 'word' when I read the first two devotions, I was certainly sure after the Bible fell open to something so blatant!
I would love to say that I then *rested in peace*, but I am human. I tried and it lasted.... for twenty four hours! Sort of.... With a number of unpeaceful moments thrown in! *laugh*
But then today, I was remembering this impending 'proposal' that the Ethiopian government is working on, and I got restless and agitated again. I am okay waiting when I know what is going on. Just no one had told me anything for nearly two weeks, and I was expecting to hear something in a matter of days.
Then last night, I got a note from the social worker at our Hope Services agency. She told me that though we couldn't legally finalize our homestudy in less three months (which would be October 28), it was highly unlikely that they would be done by then anyway! And also, that the social worker that they are contracting our homestudy out to, has three months from when she receives the documents, which won't even be until *next week*. That would put *her* deadline as out to December 10!!! YUCK!!!! Maybe you can understand my agitation (that reared its ugly head again!) So, that backs me up maybe 6 weeks!
She also wasn't even sure if the social worker she had contacted would take on our file. Therefore, she would have to wait and then would contact another one if the first said no. Living in the boonies is not a great idea when trying to pursue a quick adoption!
Untrusting me! This afternoon, I received an email at 4:45pm from our social worker, at Hope Services telling me that she had just heard from the contract social worker and that she *will* be able to do our homestudy. She said we now have to wait til next week for her to receive and read our documents. Okay, I thought, I can wait. Now I have some idea of what is happening and when!
Bu then, within another 3o minutes, I received another email from the new social worker!! She said that she would be calling us early next week, as soon as she had received our documents!She said she is looking forward to meeting us! YEAH!!!! Things might start moving.
Now, please, just pray that she will be willing to hustle and do two meetings at a time and that we might actually be done by the end of October!!!!!
Each time we meet with her in her town (2 hours away) we have to arrange childcare for some of the kids and take at least three with us. We want to be able to meet her while the weather is still warm enough to visit in a park (if she will be willing to do this) so that the little ones can play, while Dane looks after them. And of course, Ray has to take at least a half day off work. So her being willing to double up appointments would be so wonderful.
Stay tuned for the *call* from the social worker....
Monday, September 10, 2007
All Done!
Well, I went by the accountant's today and picked up the all important letter. It was all ready to go, but had one mistake - they forgot to mention this years income. They quickly fixed it and off I went! That was the *last* document I needed - minus the homestudy report, which I have no control over.
I went home and quickly faxed off a copy of the letter to our agency, to be sure that it was exactly what they were wanting. I planned to then mail them the hardcopy if all was in order. I have been so pleased with the speed of responses when I write to Kidslink. I generally have a response within 1-24 hours! Given how much they must be doing at their end, I think that is wonderful. And when you consider how anxious we parents can be, you can imagine how appreciated that is!!
This time I had a response within the hour! They said that the letter was exactly what they needed and now all is complete! So now we wait (still) for the social worker to call. I think I will call the agency tomorrow and see how long I can anticipate waiting. It has been about 10 days since everything was in the office, so now I am getting itchy feet.... *grin*
I went home and quickly faxed off a copy of the letter to our agency, to be sure that it was exactly what they were wanting. I planned to then mail them the hardcopy if all was in order. I have been so pleased with the speed of responses when I write to Kidslink. I generally have a response within 1-24 hours! Given how much they must be doing at their end, I think that is wonderful. And when you consider how anxious we parents can be, you can imagine how appreciated that is!!
This time I had a response within the hour! They said that the letter was exactly what they needed and now all is complete! So now we wait (still) for the social worker to call. I think I will call the agency tomorrow and see how long I can anticipate waiting. It has been about 10 days since everything was in the office, so now I am getting itchy feet.... *grin*
Friday, September 7, 2007
Wonderful, Great, Amazing, Terrific News!
The process of adoption is long. Very exciting though, and as I mentioned before, there are stages, so that keeps you going.
We are in the first stage: the dossier compiling/homestudy stage. This can take 4-6 months. We are at month two.
After that is: the waiting to go to Ottawa for authentication and then to Ethiopia stage. That can take 2-4 weeks.
Next comes: the referral stage, where we wait to have our girls proposed to us. That might take 6-9 months.
Following this is: the court date stage. This is where our lawyer, in Ethiopia, goes to court for us, and we become the legal parents of our little girls. This can be 3-12 weeks, depending if you are unlucky enough to hit the court closures during August and September.
Now comes: the medical and visa stage. At this time the girls are given *another* medical check over and then a permanent resident visa is issued.This has been taking up to 18 weeks!! They will later have to apply for Canadian citizenship.
This all means that after you have seen that adorable image of your hearts desire, you will have to wait up to 34 weeks to bring your precious one home!! That is worst case. It seems on average it is about 4-6 months, as long as you don't hit court closure. That is a LONG time to wait after you have seen the face of your little one!! They grow so quickly and change so much!
But this year something absolutely wonderful happened. Following is a quote from the Adoptive Families of BC site...
"On June 22, 2007, Parliament gave Royal Assent to Bill C-14, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act. What this means is that children who are adopted overseas by Canadian citizens will soon acquire Canadian citizenship during the adoption process.
The practical impact for adoptive parents of the change to the legislation is expected to be: 1) a simplified process for citizenship, bypassing the need to gain permanent residence status and 2) an end to the medical examinations that were required to process the permant residence application.
The amended Act will be in force within six months, during which time draft regulations will be considered and tabled in both Houses of the Parliament. The AFABC intends to monitor the formulation of the Regulations and offer input where warranted."
End quote.
This means that after our referral we will wait about 4-6 weeks for a court date and then the visa and medical waits of up to 18 weeks will be eliminated!! That will bring our children home to us about 3-4 months sooner!! Ethiopia was already a very quick process (some countries are up to 3 years!), but now it is going to be extraordinarily quick!
Now just to get our dossier in and a referral....
We are in the first stage: the dossier compiling/homestudy stage. This can take 4-6 months. We are at month two.
After that is: the waiting to go to Ottawa for authentication and then to Ethiopia stage. That can take 2-4 weeks.
Next comes: the referral stage, where we wait to have our girls proposed to us. That might take 6-9 months.
Following this is: the court date stage. This is where our lawyer, in Ethiopia, goes to court for us, and we become the legal parents of our little girls. This can be 3-12 weeks, depending if you are unlucky enough to hit the court closures during August and September.
Now comes: the medical and visa stage. At this time the girls are given *another* medical check over and then a permanent resident visa is issued.This has been taking up to 18 weeks!! They will later have to apply for Canadian citizenship.
This all means that after you have seen that adorable image of your hearts desire, you will have to wait up to 34 weeks to bring your precious one home!! That is worst case. It seems on average it is about 4-6 months, as long as you don't hit court closure. That is a LONG time to wait after you have seen the face of your little one!! They grow so quickly and change so much!
But this year something absolutely wonderful happened. Following is a quote from the Adoptive Families of BC site...
"On June 22, 2007, Parliament gave Royal Assent to Bill C-14, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act. What this means is that children who are adopted overseas by Canadian citizens will soon acquire Canadian citizenship during the adoption process.
The practical impact for adoptive parents of the change to the legislation is expected to be: 1) a simplified process for citizenship, bypassing the need to gain permanent residence status and 2) an end to the medical examinations that were required to process the permant residence application.
The amended Act will be in force within six months, during which time draft regulations will be considered and tabled in both Houses of the Parliament. The AFABC intends to monitor the formulation of the Regulations and offer input where warranted."
End quote.
This means that after our referral we will wait about 4-6 weeks for a court date and then the visa and medical waits of up to 18 weeks will be eliminated!! That will bring our children home to us about 3-4 months sooner!! Ethiopia was already a very quick process (some countries are up to 3 years!), but now it is going to be extraordinarily quick!
Now just to get our dossier in and a referral....
Annoying!
I called our payroll accountant last week to get them to draft us up the letter stating how long we had been in business. Read the saga down below if you don't know what I am talking about. *grin*.
Anyway, today (a week later) they called and said they were faxing me something. I said, "Is it my adoption letter?" and she said, Yes. Great!
The fax came in and I was fuming! The fax *actually* said that the accountant wanted the income tax notices of assessment, as far back as I had them!!! I called her and barely held myself. WHY didn't I get a call on Wednesday when the accountant came back from holidays. Now, IF the letter gets worded correctly (and doesn't need revisions), by the time it gets to the agency it will have been two weeks since I asked for it! WOW! Good thing I am not on a deadline yet! This fits into our homestudy and that is going on for another two months.
Speaking of that. We haven't heard from our agency yet, regarding the social worker booking our first meeting. So we lost a week there. God's timing...
Anyway. So here we are in the first week of school and I do *not* want to leave the house because I am on a roll, working out the bumps in the road and fine tuning having four students again this year. But it was either dash to the accountant or wait til Monday and put this off even further. So, into the car we went, schoolbooks in hand. Nope! They did not get a 45 minute break as we drove there and back! *grin* So hopefully, on Monday, it will be ready and say EXACTLY what we need it to say, or I will be starting all over again with another accountant! ICK!
BTW - When I was trying to hold my cool (remember I sent them about 20 documents showing how long we had been in business) I told her that I had 45 million things to pull together for different agencies etc, but I had thought *they* would be the simple ones!! I don't think she was very sympathetic. LOL!
Anyway, today (a week later) they called and said they were faxing me something. I said, "Is it my adoption letter?" and she said, Yes. Great!
The fax came in and I was fuming! The fax *actually* said that the accountant wanted the income tax notices of assessment, as far back as I had them!!! I called her and barely held myself. WHY didn't I get a call on Wednesday when the accountant came back from holidays. Now, IF the letter gets worded correctly (and doesn't need revisions), by the time it gets to the agency it will have been two weeks since I asked for it! WOW! Good thing I am not on a deadline yet! This fits into our homestudy and that is going on for another two months.
Speaking of that. We haven't heard from our agency yet, regarding the social worker booking our first meeting. So we lost a week there. God's timing...
Anyway. So here we are in the first week of school and I do *not* want to leave the house because I am on a roll, working out the bumps in the road and fine tuning having four students again this year. But it was either dash to the accountant or wait til Monday and put this off even further. So, into the car we went, schoolbooks in hand. Nope! They did not get a 45 minute break as we drove there and back! *grin* So hopefully, on Monday, it will be ready and say EXACTLY what we need it to say, or I will be starting all over again with another accountant! ICK!
BTW - When I was trying to hold my cool (remember I sent them about 20 documents showing how long we had been in business) I told her that I had 45 million things to pull together for different agencies etc, but I had thought *they* would be the simple ones!! I don't think she was very sympathetic. LOL!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Something Very Cool
I gotta tell you something interesting *smile*. The other day when I was typing my babble (I mean, my blog) *grin* something interesting happened. It was interesting enough that I spoke to my older son, Colt, about it. I asked him and his next brother, Dane, how they write. Did they compose a sentence and then write it? Or did they write word by word as it spilled out of their thoughts? Me? I am the spilling out my thoughts without thinking about it type person.
So, since that is how I usually write, it was rather interesting to see something different happen. I was typing along on a post about the Sunday we went to church and about the pastor delivering a message that he had been talking about two weeks earlier. If you go back about two weeks and look for a post where I talk about faith and fear and church, you will see some of the very same words, "Allow the tethers of unbelief to be broken so we may move forward with what you have for us."
As I was typing, I noticed that one sentence in particular floated into my head as a complete thought, even before I got to typing it. Kind of hard to explain. But the wierd thing is one of the words was one I have never actually used before! So I know they were 'inspired' words, versus my typical babble. The sentence was: Personal messages from the King. That doesn't even speak like I speak! LOL!
I told my oldest that I have never used the word "King" before. This might sound strange, but I felt it was totally God confirming that those words I heard at church *were* intended to continue to encourage me from the last time we heard the same subject preached two weeks earlier. BELIEVE! Let go of unbelief. (I am a slow learner and you will see me repeating this lesson time and time again as hurdles come up.)
The next day, I was collecting the song, Everlasting God, from Utube, and after it played there were two suggestions of songs listed on the screen. One of them was a favourite of mine, from church: Amazing Love. What gripped me immediately was the subtitle for the song: You Are My King.
I was floored!! That is no coincidence. I have never used the word "King" for God before! Wow! I took a while to post this as I have been *trying* to find a nice version of this song to post on my blog. I wanted to find one with the lyrics on the screen as well as the scenery, but I couldn't find it both together, so I am going to have to put up it up as is, so you can hear my song! *smile*
I will put it by itself in the next post.
So, since that is how I usually write, it was rather interesting to see something different happen. I was typing along on a post about the Sunday we went to church and about the pastor delivering a message that he had been talking about two weeks earlier. If you go back about two weeks and look for a post where I talk about faith and fear and church, you will see some of the very same words, "Allow the tethers of unbelief to be broken so we may move forward with what you have for us."
As I was typing, I noticed that one sentence in particular floated into my head as a complete thought, even before I got to typing it. Kind of hard to explain. But the wierd thing is one of the words was one I have never actually used before! So I know they were 'inspired' words, versus my typical babble. The sentence was: Personal messages from the King. That doesn't even speak like I speak! LOL!
I told my oldest that I have never used the word "King" before. This might sound strange, but I felt it was totally God confirming that those words I heard at church *were* intended to continue to encourage me from the last time we heard the same subject preached two weeks earlier. BELIEVE! Let go of unbelief. (I am a slow learner and you will see me repeating this lesson time and time again as hurdles come up.)
The next day, I was collecting the song, Everlasting God, from Utube, and after it played there were two suggestions of songs listed on the screen. One of them was a favourite of mine, from church: Amazing Love. What gripped me immediately was the subtitle for the song: You Are My King.
I was floored!! That is no coincidence. I have never used the word "King" for God before! Wow! I took a while to post this as I have been *trying* to find a nice version of this song to post on my blog. I wanted to find one with the lyrics on the screen as well as the scenery, but I couldn't find it both together, so I am going to have to put up it up as is, so you can hear my song! *smile*
I will put it by itself in the next post.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Today We Got Amazing News!
As you all know our finances have been a big concern to me. I knew that our income might be considered too low. We are a family of eight, but we don't spend like a family of 4 x 2 - kwim?
I have large rubbermaid containers where I store 'pants' 'sweaters' 'tshirts' 'pajamas' etc and we go 'shopping' from there as each child is in need of new clothes. And given I know a lot of people with boys now, we have a nice supply of near new clothes waiting for each age group! Plus our kids, being homeschooled, are not pressured to keep up with all their friends in what they have. Big savings there!
Our kids don't do all the sports and clubs available. Actually I remember having two kids and being pleased because I cut them back to where they each only did three extra curricular activities! LOL! Now our kids spend tons of time playing, climbing trees, pretend driving in our old van, being pirates or army men. Plus they are in Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, and then go to youth group activities and if a child has a *special* interest, then we follow up on that. The days of running kids in all directions is over! And not so much because we have lots of kids - I got tired of running around, being out of the house all the time, and the kids not having enough 'down' time. So that saves us a lot of money.
We buy in bulk. And when I say bulk - I mean bulk!! *laugh* Here are some recent pictures of a bulk shopping trip.
I have large rubbermaid containers where I store 'pants' 'sweaters' 'tshirts' 'pajamas' etc and we go 'shopping' from there as each child is in need of new clothes. And given I know a lot of people with boys now, we have a nice supply of near new clothes waiting for each age group! Plus our kids, being homeschooled, are not pressured to keep up with all their friends in what they have. Big savings there!
Our kids don't do all the sports and clubs available. Actually I remember having two kids and being pleased because I cut them back to where they each only did three extra curricular activities! LOL! Now our kids spend tons of time playing, climbing trees, pretend driving in our old van, being pirates or army men. Plus they are in Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, and then go to youth group activities and if a child has a *special* interest, then we follow up on that. The days of running kids in all directions is over! And not so much because we have lots of kids - I got tired of running around, being out of the house all the time, and the kids not having enough 'down' time. So that saves us a lot of money.
We buy in bulk. And when I say bulk - I mean bulk!! *laugh* Here are some recent pictures of a bulk shopping trip.
A Well Stocked Storage Room - Love It!
Anyway, I got off on a bunny trail - what's new!? So as I was saying, our finances are considered 'low' by the world's standards and yet we live quite well, thankyou! As you may remember, I was in the middle of getting a letter from our accountant (still waiting) and I emailed Kidslink to ask if we could use our income from this year (even though the year is not over yet) versus last year, as last year was so low. We took a six week road trip to Tennesse to visit my best friend, and also took months off to build our new house.
The reply I got today was WONDERFUL!! I was informed that it didn't matter how much our income was/is because how much money we make has nothing to do with an approval for an adoption!!!! All they want to know is that you have a job. And that is why the letter from the accountant has to state how long we have been in business and how much our salary is. Kidslink has said that we can use this year as our amount and that is wonderful as God has SO BLESSED us this year. The work just keeps on coming in.
Ray just got a call from a guy that wants a motel built!!!!!!!! That is wonderful! And the funny (people who know me will see the humour here! *grin*) thing is Ray was not home when the call came in and I usually avoid the business calls like the plague, unless I have a reason to take a call. I know his machine can take the messages just fine. *smile* But for some 'reason' *grin* this day I answered the call knowing it was business. What a good thing I did!!! I ended up talking to this guy for 20 minutes.
At one point, after I had been telling him that my husband was the best framer in our area (true!) he asked me if I was related to him. (huh? I thought that was obvious!) So I said I was his wife. He then told me I sounded too young and figured I might have been one of his kids! LOL!! Gotta rub that one in with Ray. *smile* I tease him cause he was grey when he was 25!
Anyway, because this guy was so open to asking me questions and talking I was able to totally *sell* my husband. The man wanted someone reliable that he didn't have to babysit to build this motel, while he is living 6 hours away. I just kept on chatting.... *grin* Now the reason this was funny is because as you can tell from my writing, I am the mouth, and Ray is the smile! He is very quiet and will *never* sell himself. If he gets this motel it would be a good job! Normally he builds houses.
So financially, God is really taking care of us! And we have also been blessed by the giving of friends! We truly appreciate the help in bringing our girls home!!
Our Six Boys
These boys are our pride and joy. They are 16, 14, 10,8, 4, and 2. A sister is something they have hoped for in each and every one of our pregnancies, but even so, they embraced each new brother with great love. They just really wanted a sister for all those imaginative games where they needed a princess or a damsel in distress!!Our oldest figures we should get two girls. Our 8 and 4 year old assumes there will be three. Of course, they want the girls to be 2, 4, and 8 to match themselves! One for each of them. *smile*
Monday, September 3, 2007
Everlasting God
This is amazing!! When I posted yesterday about a well timed message, I didn't remember everything that struck me about the message and songs at church. Then this morning an adoptive family I know had this posted on their blog!!! This song struck me at church yesterday because of the amazing words!! Praising God for His mercies!
And I have to tell you, this morning when I got up and was making my coffee, I was having one of those 'internal conversations' that I have. No I am not crazy!! LOL! I am *sure* some of you have those! Anyway, I was just commenting to myself that I have a peace in my heart again. I am no longer fearful. Rest in the Lord and He *will* give you strength!!!
Thanks to all of those that felt called to pray for me! Please do continue as the wait of the unknown is a long one!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
A Well Timed Message
We arrived at church late today. This is no surprise to me as we are often running in the door late! You try getting six kids in the car on time! LOL! But we always get there in time for the worship music. Today's music was leading into this song when we arrived:
Because, You are in control
You are in control
You are in control
You are in control
You cause everything to work together
You truly have a sovereign plan
And you know who I am,
And you made me who I am,
And you love who I am
This song just reminded me that God has a 'sovereign plan' and is working it all together and He *does* know it all and even if this proposal goes through with the Ethiopian government, He can work a miracle!!!
Following this the pastor picked up where he left off a few weeks ago. We have missed the last two weeks of church due to being away. It was odd that it seemed like he was just 'carrying on from the last message'. The message that meant so much to me at *that* time! *smile* Personal messages from the King!
Anyway, he started his message saying, "....if you ask, you will receive... He then began praying and parts of his prayer was: cutting that tether of unbelief.... pray that unbelief falls away... a measure of faith will grow.... like a mustard seed planted... even now you will see miracles..."
This was followed by another song:
Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have received Thy hand hath provided
During the time when we greet our neighbours in church, I went to the back and happened to see a new little girl. She had dark hair and beautiful eyes. I was drawn to her and so I spoke to her mum. She was a new lady and we started talking. It turned out she had two girls and had been going to do an international adoption, through... get this... Ethiopia! when she got pregnant! I did not see that meeting today as an accident. We live in a town of about 2000 people (with 10,000 + on the outskirts) and it is highly unusual to see someone doing an international adoption!!!! I just felt it was a reassurance (a 'new mercy') that I needed after this last week of feeling so fearful!
So I am going to rest in this counsel, as well as that of my two friends, Tami and Denise!! Thanks guys! I needed that feeling of hugs right then! Love you!
Because, You are in control
You are in control
You are in control
You are in control
You cause everything to work together
You truly have a sovereign plan
And you know who I am,
And you made me who I am,
And you love who I am
This song just reminded me that God has a 'sovereign plan' and is working it all together and He *does* know it all and even if this proposal goes through with the Ethiopian government, He can work a miracle!!!
Following this the pastor picked up where he left off a few weeks ago. We have missed the last two weeks of church due to being away. It was odd that it seemed like he was just 'carrying on from the last message'. The message that meant so much to me at *that* time! *smile* Personal messages from the King!
Anyway, he started his message saying, "....if you ask, you will receive... He then began praying and parts of his prayer was: cutting that tether of unbelief.... pray that unbelief falls away... a measure of faith will grow.... like a mustard seed planted... even now you will see miracles..."
This was followed by another song:
Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have received Thy hand hath provided
During the time when we greet our neighbours in church, I went to the back and happened to see a new little girl. She had dark hair and beautiful eyes. I was drawn to her and so I spoke to her mum. She was a new lady and we started talking. It turned out she had two girls and had been going to do an international adoption, through... get this... Ethiopia! when she got pregnant! I did not see that meeting today as an accident. We live in a town of about 2000 people (with 10,000 + on the outskirts) and it is highly unusual to see someone doing an international adoption!!!! I just felt it was a reassurance (a 'new mercy') that I needed after this last week of feeling so fearful!
So I am going to rest in this counsel, as well as that of my two friends, Tami and Denise!! Thanks guys! I needed that feeling of hugs right then! Love you!
Praises For My Friend!
My friend, Courtney, who I asked prayer for a couple days ago, got into ISEBR!! Praising God!! But like they say, they still do not meet the requirements for Haiti's adoptions, so please continue to pray for them. She is asking that we pray that ISEBR will have mercy on them! They will not know for 4-7 months if they are approved! That is going to be torture waiting, but I am going to believe for them!! They got into ISEBR and I trust that God is going to take them all the way home!!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Fear Is Not Of God, And Yet...
Last night I was sitting on the couch reading through some blogs and came upon a converstion regarding the 'rumour's, which have now become a proposal, of changing the restrictions with regard to family size if you want to adopt from Ethiopia. Namely, if you have more than five kids you won't be able to adopt.
And I suddenly was washed with this fear. I am afraid. I suppose this has come over me because of my friend facing the chance of losing her girls. Her situation sure looked like a God ordained one! I mean, she needed money to adopt the unexpected older sister, and it arrived - all $8000, in the mail! Does that not make you believe that God is behind it? But now she is facing such uncertainty and heartache.
It now makes me fear. It makes me wonder if all my 'signs and wonders' were just coincidences!! I know I can share this because those of you who are Christian will understand an attack of the enemy - he will attack when you are low! And those of you who aren't Christian... oh well, I hope you can understand anyway!
I went to bed last night so afraid. Afraid of losing our girls. I know we don't even have a referral yet, but our hearts are *so* in Africa! I thought about it. If the restrictions change I do not know if we have the strength of heart to apply to another country. And even if we did there aren't many countries that really apply to our situation (a large family). The only one might be Liberia, and they are having real problems and it doesn't seem like a safe financial and emotional situation. Plus we have already invested $5000 and can't get that back. Plus by the time things possibly change for the worse, we will have already sent in many more thousands of dollars and that probably won't be refundable (from any of the agencies!) So we will no longer have the money to adopt.
My sleep last night was dreadful! No other word for it. It was filled with fear and horrible images and racing to catch airplanes and all kinds of stressful feelings. I know it is a result of my feelings. This morning when I awoke I needed some words of encouragement. I read my devotions and one fell open to this:
Never Be Afraid!
"Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters
and great trouble,
I WILL BE WITH YOU.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown!
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up-
the flames will not consume you
For I am the Lord your God, your Savior...
you are precious to me and honored,
and I love you.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Isaiah 43: 1-5
I still feel like crying and that is unusual for me. It is so hard. There is no 'when we can be certain date', as there are a number of dates to wait for. For starters, we do not even know when this proposal is going to be presented to the powers that be! If I could rest that it was 12 months that would make me feel better. I have heard rumours that it will go into effect after the courts reopen at the beginning of October, though our agency says 6-12 months. The last time I heard rumours they were true and our agency was wrong!!!
We have to wait til probably the end of November for our dossier to go to Ethiopia and be approved by the Ministry of Women's Affairs. Is it safe at that point? You might think so, but noone knows!
Then we have to wait for a referral - that could take 6-9 months (or longer) and by then the proposal will have surely been heard and maybe passed! And will they then look at files in waiting and say some of them no longer qualify!!??? Or will they let them through as 'in the works.'
After that we have to wait for the court date, which would be about another 4-12 weeks, where the girls would become ours. And only then would we be safe!
The only thing I can do from now til we finalize an adoption is 'TRUST' and believe me with all the things that have happened to me, I feel God is in this. But then again what if they were all coincidences!
Last night, it crossed my mind that if we changed our request to one little girl of 0-12 months, or even two little girls *any age* - we would get through *so much faster*, but then my heart is just not in that!!! My hearts cry is to see a little girl playing with Austin - *he so* wants a sister and he would be satisfied with a little one, but he will be 10 before this is completed. I want a sister that he can communicate and play games with. It is just something in my heart!
I do not feel a release to change our referral ages or the number of children we are requesting.
Please pray that this overwhelming sense of foreboding would go away.
And I suddenly was washed with this fear. I am afraid. I suppose this has come over me because of my friend facing the chance of losing her girls. Her situation sure looked like a God ordained one! I mean, she needed money to adopt the unexpected older sister, and it arrived - all $8000, in the mail! Does that not make you believe that God is behind it? But now she is facing such uncertainty and heartache.
It now makes me fear. It makes me wonder if all my 'signs and wonders' were just coincidences!! I know I can share this because those of you who are Christian will understand an attack of the enemy - he will attack when you are low! And those of you who aren't Christian... oh well, I hope you can understand anyway!
I went to bed last night so afraid. Afraid of losing our girls. I know we don't even have a referral yet, but our hearts are *so* in Africa! I thought about it. If the restrictions change I do not know if we have the strength of heart to apply to another country. And even if we did there aren't many countries that really apply to our situation (a large family). The only one might be Liberia, and they are having real problems and it doesn't seem like a safe financial and emotional situation. Plus we have already invested $5000 and can't get that back. Plus by the time things possibly change for the worse, we will have already sent in many more thousands of dollars and that probably won't be refundable (from any of the agencies!) So we will no longer have the money to adopt.
My sleep last night was dreadful! No other word for it. It was filled with fear and horrible images and racing to catch airplanes and all kinds of stressful feelings. I know it is a result of my feelings. This morning when I awoke I needed some words of encouragement. I read my devotions and one fell open to this:
Never Be Afraid!
"Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters
and great trouble,
I WILL BE WITH YOU.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown!
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up-
the flames will not consume you
For I am the Lord your God, your Savior...
you are precious to me and honored,
and I love you.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Isaiah 43: 1-5
I still feel like crying and that is unusual for me. It is so hard. There is no 'when we can be certain date', as there are a number of dates to wait for. For starters, we do not even know when this proposal is going to be presented to the powers that be! If I could rest that it was 12 months that would make me feel better. I have heard rumours that it will go into effect after the courts reopen at the beginning of October, though our agency says 6-12 months. The last time I heard rumours they were true and our agency was wrong!!!
We have to wait til probably the end of November for our dossier to go to Ethiopia and be approved by the Ministry of Women's Affairs. Is it safe at that point? You might think so, but noone knows!
Then we have to wait for a referral - that could take 6-9 months (or longer) and by then the proposal will have surely been heard and maybe passed! And will they then look at files in waiting and say some of them no longer qualify!!??? Or will they let them through as 'in the works.'
After that we have to wait for the court date, which would be about another 4-12 weeks, where the girls would become ours. And only then would we be safe!
The only thing I can do from now til we finalize an adoption is 'TRUST' and believe me with all the things that have happened to me, I feel God is in this. But then again what if they were all coincidences!
Last night, it crossed my mind that if we changed our request to one little girl of 0-12 months, or even two little girls *any age* - we would get through *so much faster*, but then my heart is just not in that!!! My hearts cry is to see a little girl playing with Austin - *he so* wants a sister and he would be satisfied with a little one, but he will be 10 before this is completed. I want a sister that he can communicate and play games with. It is just something in my heart!
I do not feel a release to change our referral ages or the number of children we are requesting.
Please pray that this overwhelming sense of foreboding would go away.
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