We still have not heard from CIS as of today. We are expecting to hear from them any day now. The current status is that the government in Ethiopia will be closing the beginning of August to end of September. But, children are still being referred to families during the rainy season, so we are hopeful that we can still get our dossier turned in and get a referral for our daughters during this summer sometime.
Meanwhile, I have been having some strange dreams lately. I dreamt that the doorbell rang and this lady was standing there with her car door open in front of my house. She said,"Aren't you the family that wants to adopt multiple children?" Yes, I said. "Well I have a baby in the car that needs a family. Her mom thought she could take care of her but she has decided she can't do it anymore. She is 5 months old." She ran to the car, brought her to me and said, "Here, look at her, what do you think?" I immediately called to Jerry and the kids and they all came to the door. We all agreed, we'll take her! Then she said,"Come with me to sign the papers." Jerry and I were then walking up a huge flight of stairs to an office where we signed some papers and immediately came home with a beautiful chubby little blue eyed curly topped precious baby girl. When we got home, I said, come on and lets get the crib set up, go buy diapers, formula, etc. and get everything for our baby. We had like a 2 hour notice all together from start to finish. Then, my heart started to race and I began to panic. I said "if Ethiopia finds out about her they won't let us get our daughters??" Then we were trying to figure out how to hide her for a while. I finally woke up with a totally stressed out feeling and a knot in my stomach. I was so glad this was only a dream!
We have received the travel packet information from Gladney for our trip to Ethiopia. This is exciting! We have to decide on which airline and hotel to book, and figure out all the details. So far, we are pretty sure we will go with Ethiopian airlines because they fly direct from D.C. We are also interested in staying at the guest house on the property of the orphanage vs. a hotel. Ellie really likes the idea of living the real life they live instead of being a tourist. She also wants to be able to visit with all of the other children there. I know my heart is going to break when I see all of the children that we can't take home with us. I am praying so hard for grace, peace and courage to be able to go through this experience in a God-honoring way. I sometimes fear I am going to be crying the whole time from just seeing all the poverty and poor children that have lost their parents and families. I have been reading "There is No Me Without You" by Melissa Faye Green as so many other families have recommended. It is just such a tragic state of affairs that this poor country and precious people are going through. My eyes are being widened to how very fortunate we are and how little I realized how many people around the world are suffering. Education is available only to those who can pay for it. Girls are especially disadvantaged and are often forced into prostitution because of lack of skills and jobs. Even when the fortunate people get an education, there are few jobs available to put it to use. There are many well educated people begging in the streets for lack of a job. I have been overcome with the thought that so many of our young people today are taking drugs, rebelling against their parents, doing poorly with their education etc. and I can't help but think about how the people in Africa are not able to get an education unless they pay for it, they are dying of starvation, disease and living in extreme poverty. I wonder what kind of an impact it would have if every American student had to take a mandatory two-week trip to Ethiopia or some other impoverished part of Africa for a community service project before they could graduate? I wonder if the attitudes would be one of gratitude and life-transforming? While I am looking forward to traveling to get my daughters, I am preparing for a very difficult life-transforming experience as we will be seeing first hand, the difficult living conditions that we only see on commercials here in the USA. I am truly being humbled and already shedding tears! I sincerely pray that somehow, we can make a difference and be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with while we are there. This is so not a vacation or happy time we are looking forward to. Yet it is probably the most exciting and life-changing trip that we will have ever experience. I am just feeling the need to be in much prayer and prepare for this trip spiritually more than physically. I long to hold my daughters, wipe their tears away, kiss, hug and love them with all of my heart, and most important, teach them to love, trust and lean on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for true healing, safety, security and direction. Only He can restore them and bring them true joy.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
FBI CLEARED MY FINGERPRINTS!!!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
I walked into the kitchen to find the mail pile. As I picked it up I saw an envelope from the FBI and fully expected another rejection. To my shock and surprise my second request and eighth set of fingerprints have been cleared!! Now we are just waiting for the prints from CIS to clear and then we are completely done. Kate Sproat at KBS Dossier service told me everything else is completed and has been authenticated by city and state. So, this is the only thing holding us up. It's ready to go to Ethiopia!
Friday, June 15, 2007
We finally received Ellie's passport today! It took 14 weeks but at last we are now ready to go as soon as we get the call. Ellie has also started her own blog. www.myethiopiansisters.blogspot.com She is journaling from the perspective of a big sister waiting for her baby sisters. We are working on her bedroom, getting it ready to move her sisters in. We bought a bunk bed with twin over full and a trundle twin under the full. It is white, and fits perfectly with her Shabby Chic motif. She is purging everything from nick-nacks to clothes to make room for our precious girls. We are praying so hard that we get three.
We just read about a family that adopted triplet 5 month old boys from Ethiopia and we were so encouraged that it is possible for us to get 3 girls. Oh, please pray for us too. We definitely don't want just one. Although we will take her if that's all they refer to us. I just believe it would be better for the children if they have a sibling with the same color skin, so as not to feel so different from the rest of us. Also, after adopting the twins, I really like the fact that they always have a playmate and buddy. They get along so well and laugh and cry together.They have each other to always lean on. They are just precious. They too are praying for their "Baby thithas from epiopia ". The other night I was putting them to bed (later than normal) and I rushed through our prayer time. As Jeremiah was getting tucked in he said, "MAMA! We didn't pray for my baby thithas from epiopia!" He was very serious and concerned. So, I apologized and told him to go right ahead and pray for them. He did and we all felt so much better. They even pray for them to be warm and not to be hungry. They are just absolutely precious boys. These girls are going to be so blessed to have them for big brothers. The third reason we want three girls is because we want to redeem the time and make up for lost time. After having 5 children for the past four years, we are so regretful that we didn't have more children when we were younger. We have come to a place in life that we realize having a lot of children is an awesome gift, privilege and joy! I don't want to do anything else with my life. I want to spend the rest of it just raising and encouraging children to know, love and serve the LORD!
I walked into the kitchen to find the mail pile. As I picked it up I saw an envelope from the FBI and fully expected another rejection. To my shock and surprise my second request and eighth set of fingerprints have been cleared!! Now we are just waiting for the prints from CIS to clear and then we are completely done. Kate Sproat at KBS Dossier service told me everything else is completed and has been authenticated by city and state. So, this is the only thing holding us up. It's ready to go to Ethiopia!
Friday, June 15, 2007
We finally received Ellie's passport today! It took 14 weeks but at last we are now ready to go as soon as we get the call. Ellie has also started her own blog. www.myethiopiansisters.blogspot.com She is journaling from the perspective of a big sister waiting for her baby sisters. We are working on her bedroom, getting it ready to move her sisters in. We bought a bunk bed with twin over full and a trundle twin under the full. It is white, and fits perfectly with her Shabby Chic motif. She is purging everything from nick-nacks to clothes to make room for our precious girls. We are praying so hard that we get three.
We just read about a family that adopted triplet 5 month old boys from Ethiopia and we were so encouraged that it is possible for us to get 3 girls. Oh, please pray for us too. We definitely don't want just one. Although we will take her if that's all they refer to us. I just believe it would be better for the children if they have a sibling with the same color skin, so as not to feel so different from the rest of us. Also, after adopting the twins, I really like the fact that they always have a playmate and buddy. They get along so well and laugh and cry together.They have each other to always lean on. They are just precious. They too are praying for their "Baby thithas from epiopia ". The other night I was putting them to bed (later than normal) and I rushed through our prayer time. As Jeremiah was getting tucked in he said, "MAMA! We didn't pray for my baby thithas from epiopia!" He was very serious and concerned. So, I apologized and told him to go right ahead and pray for them. He did and we all felt so much better. They even pray for them to be warm and not to be hungry. They are just absolutely precious boys. These girls are going to be so blessed to have them for big brothers. The third reason we want three girls is because we want to redeem the time and make up for lost time. After having 5 children for the past four years, we are so regretful that we didn't have more children when we were younger. We have come to a place in life that we realize having a lot of children is an awesome gift, privilege and joy! I don't want to do anything else with my life. I want to spend the rest of it just raising and encouraging children to know, love and serve the LORD!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
SECOND FINGERPRINT APPOINTMENT
Friday, June 8, 2007: We headed out to Charlotte, NC again for our second mandatory fingerprint appointment with Immigration Services. Weleft at noon as our appointment was scheduled for 3:00. Everything was going so smoothly until we came upon a car accident that brought the traffic to a screeching halt. What should have taken us 2.5 hours took almost four to get there. As we pulled up in front of the place,we saw the guard at the door looking like it was closing. Jerry jumped out of the van, ran to the door and literally stuck his foot in it so the guard could not close it. Needless to say, she was a bit concerned.
Jerry explained to her that we were stuck in traffic and there were not one, but two car accidents that delayed our journey. All of the letters and instructions we have received from CIS state if you don't keep your appointment it is an automatic denial! Well the guard said it was too late, the office closed at 4:00 p.m. and there was nothing she could do about it. The machines were off and the employees gone. The woman must have had some compassion for us though because she said we could just show up at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and she would let us in without an appointment.
So we drove four hours for nothing today. Now we all needed to go potty and the kids were hungry, so off to McDonald's we went. The twins were so funny. Jimmy said, "Mama, that was a really long ride, too long and boring".
Now we had to just turn around and drive right back home. We made it home in about 3 hours and still had time to celebrate Jerry and Jonathan's birthday. Melissa and Randy were at the house when we got home, Mom had cooked a delicious dinner of chicken cutlets, Penne Pasta, salad and yummy bread. We ate again, had delicious chocolate cake with Ganache icing that I had prepared on Thursday. We sang, opened gifts and all shared what a blessing these two guys are in our lives. We thanked the LORD for His amazing design and creation of our family. We are so richly blessed. This was a long day but it still turned out blessed.
Jerry and I decided to leave all the kids home Saturday morning and and we got on the road at 6:00 am to head back to Charlotte. We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and found the place packed with people this time. We waited for an hour and a half for my fingerprinting and then headed back home after a bite to eat. After three trips to CIS,the prints are off to the FBI to get approved, or denied again. Jerry's boss gave him a bottle of ridge builder for me to use this time so maybe they will come out better.
Jerry works in the same building as Sirchie, which is the company that makes fingerprinting products. So, now we just have to wait again for the next step. This is the only thing holding us up. Everything else is completed. We know the LORD has a plan and His timing is perfect. NO need to worry, all is under HIS control.Only HE knows what will happen next.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6
Jerry explained to her that we were stuck in traffic and there were not one, but two car accidents that delayed our journey. All of the letters and instructions we have received from CIS state if you don't keep your appointment it is an automatic denial! Well the guard said it was too late, the office closed at 4:00 p.m. and there was nothing she could do about it. The machines were off and the employees gone. The woman must have had some compassion for us though because she said we could just show up at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and she would let us in without an appointment.
So we drove four hours for nothing today. Now we all needed to go potty and the kids were hungry, so off to McDonald's we went. The twins were so funny. Jimmy said, "Mama, that was a really long ride, too long and boring".
Now we had to just turn around and drive right back home. We made it home in about 3 hours and still had time to celebrate Jerry and Jonathan's birthday. Melissa and Randy were at the house when we got home, Mom had cooked a delicious dinner of chicken cutlets, Penne Pasta, salad and yummy bread. We ate again, had delicious chocolate cake with Ganache icing that I had prepared on Thursday. We sang, opened gifts and all shared what a blessing these two guys are in our lives. We thanked the LORD for His amazing design and creation of our family. We are so richly blessed. This was a long day but it still turned out blessed.
Jerry and I decided to leave all the kids home Saturday morning and and we got on the road at 6:00 am to head back to Charlotte. We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and found the place packed with people this time. We waited for an hour and a half for my fingerprinting and then headed back home after a bite to eat. After three trips to CIS,the prints are off to the FBI to get approved, or denied again. Jerry's boss gave him a bottle of ridge builder for me to use this time so maybe they will come out better.
Jerry works in the same building as Sirchie, which is the company that makes fingerprinting products. So, now we just have to wait again for the next step. This is the only thing holding us up. Everything else is completed. We know the LORD has a plan and His timing is perfect. NO need to worry, all is under HIS control.Only HE knows what will happen next.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
THE CASE OF THE MISSING FINGERPRINTS
Well, just as I suspected, CIS has also rejected my fingerprints due to the fact that they are not legible. They have rescheduled me for June 8, 2007 for a mandatory appointment to do them again. Since I haven't grown any new fingerprints I'm sure they will be rejected again. But, off we will go and drive another 6 hours for a 15 minute appointment. Nothing else new for now. Stay tuned.....
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
OUR FIRST GLITCH
Well, today FedEx delivered a package from the FBI. After getting excited thinking it was our approved fingerprints, I was disappointed to find that my original fingerprint cards (all four) were rejected stating they are not adequate for accurate identification purposes.
When we originally went to the local police station to be fingerprinted, the officer told me within seconds that I had no fingerprints. They were worn away. I thought he was joking. He then referred me to another facility that did prints with a computer and he said they might be able to build them up and get a better scan. However, they would charge a fee. So, off I went. As the next officer started scanning my prints, she also said I had no legible fingerprints. She said they weren't going to charge the normal fee because she could not get an accurate reading. Her advice was to send in both the manual and computer copies to the FBI so they could see it was not an error, but in fact "MY" fingerprints, or lack thereof. Jerry called the FBI and talked to them about it before we sent them in. The officer told him that it is rare, but it does happen and to just send them in. We did. NOW WHAT?
It appears I have lived up to my reputation of being a "clean freak". I have literally cleaned my fingerprints right off my hands. I am also validating the famous saying "I have worked my fingers to the bone". HA! HA! HA!
After speaking with the FBI again today, it appears we have to speak to someone in the Ethiopian government to find out what they require. The FBI agent told me: " it should be treated as if I were born with no fingers, or had a serious burn injury, etc. There are rare instances when people do not have readable fingerprints and it should not stop them from being able to adopt a child." I called in to Mary at Gladney with this new dilemma and now we have to wait for the next step.
When we went to be fingerprinted at CIS last week they also told me I had no fingerprints. The man worked with me for a good 15 minutes when everyone else was in & out in 5. The first thing he asked me was, "Do you clean a lot?" To which I responded of course! (All of you who know me well know I wanted to say ... like everyone should!) Then as Jerry walked in and out of his station in 5 minutes he passed by me as I was still there. The man doing my prints asked if he was my husband and I confirmed. He then looked at Jerry and said, "Hey, you need to do more chores around your house"! Jerry looked at him weirdly and then when I finally got out he asked me, "What was that all about?" When I told him he was referring to my lack of fingerprints due to cleaning so much, we both had a good laugh. So, now I wonder if CIS will reject my prints too???
Only the LORD knows what steps and delays we must go through to accomplish His will. We are just going to be patient, wait upon him and walk in obedience. I have learned over the last several years that it is not necessary to get upset, or anxious. He is in total control. It may be that any delays are necessary to get us ready at the perfect time for the child,(ren) he has for us. According to the agency, as of today, they do not have a sibling group of 3 girls available, not even twins. They only have single girls or sibling groups between the ages of 7 -16. They work with four government run orphanages. Mary at Gladney called me today to verify that we know they do not have what we have asked for and to confirm that we are either willing to wait, or accept a single child. My response was, we are confident that the LORD knows who he has for us and we are willing to take what ever that is. He will reveal it all in His time. If we get a referral for one little girl we'll take her. Maybe we will have to go back a 2nd, and 3rd time to accomplish getting 3 girls??? I really have no clue. The only thing I am sure of, is that the LORD is orchestrating this whole adventure. Within one week , He revealed adoption through Ethiopia, gave us 3 names, and $25,000. That's all I know for sure. So, as you journey along with us, stay tuned to see what the LORD has in store.
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 3:4 "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me an find me when you seek me with all your heart".
When we originally went to the local police station to be fingerprinted, the officer told me within seconds that I had no fingerprints. They were worn away. I thought he was joking. He then referred me to another facility that did prints with a computer and he said they might be able to build them up and get a better scan. However, they would charge a fee. So, off I went. As the next officer started scanning my prints, she also said I had no legible fingerprints. She said they weren't going to charge the normal fee because she could not get an accurate reading. Her advice was to send in both the manual and computer copies to the FBI so they could see it was not an error, but in fact "MY" fingerprints, or lack thereof. Jerry called the FBI and talked to them about it before we sent them in. The officer told him that it is rare, but it does happen and to just send them in. We did. NOW WHAT?
It appears I have lived up to my reputation of being a "clean freak". I have literally cleaned my fingerprints right off my hands. I am also validating the famous saying "I have worked my fingers to the bone". HA! HA! HA!
After speaking with the FBI again today, it appears we have to speak to someone in the Ethiopian government to find out what they require. The FBI agent told me: " it should be treated as if I were born with no fingers, or had a serious burn injury, etc. There are rare instances when people do not have readable fingerprints and it should not stop them from being able to adopt a child." I called in to Mary at Gladney with this new dilemma and now we have to wait for the next step.
When we went to be fingerprinted at CIS last week they also told me I had no fingerprints. The man worked with me for a good 15 minutes when everyone else was in & out in 5. The first thing he asked me was, "Do you clean a lot?" To which I responded of course! (All of you who know me well know I wanted to say ... like everyone should!) Then as Jerry walked in and out of his station in 5 minutes he passed by me as I was still there. The man doing my prints asked if he was my husband and I confirmed. He then looked at Jerry and said, "Hey, you need to do more chores around your house"! Jerry looked at him weirdly and then when I finally got out he asked me, "What was that all about?" When I told him he was referring to my lack of fingerprints due to cleaning so much, we both had a good laugh. So, now I wonder if CIS will reject my prints too???
Only the LORD knows what steps and delays we must go through to accomplish His will. We are just going to be patient, wait upon him and walk in obedience. I have learned over the last several years that it is not necessary to get upset, or anxious. He is in total control. It may be that any delays are necessary to get us ready at the perfect time for the child,(ren) he has for us. According to the agency, as of today, they do not have a sibling group of 3 girls available, not even twins. They only have single girls or sibling groups between the ages of 7 -16. They work with four government run orphanages. Mary at Gladney called me today to verify that we know they do not have what we have asked for and to confirm that we are either willing to wait, or accept a single child. My response was, we are confident that the LORD knows who he has for us and we are willing to take what ever that is. He will reveal it all in His time. If we get a referral for one little girl we'll take her. Maybe we will have to go back a 2nd, and 3rd time to accomplish getting 3 girls??? I really have no clue. The only thing I am sure of, is that the LORD is orchestrating this whole adventure. Within one week , He revealed adoption through Ethiopia, gave us 3 names, and $25,000. That's all I know for sure. So, as you journey along with us, stay tuned to see what the LORD has in store.
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 3:4 "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me an find me when you seek me with all your heart".
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
IN THE WAITING ZONE
Today is May 16, 2007 the Twin's 4th birthday. We got up early and drove to Charlotte, NC for our fingerprint appointment at CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Service). It was a six hour drive round trip for a 15 minute appointment. An interesting thing happened there; the family right in front of us was Ethiopian. A dad with his three children. We told him we were adopting from Ethiopia and he was so happy and encouraging toward us. He was so hospitable as we have heard is common with Ethiopian people. We just thought that was so interesting!
This is the last thing we have to do. All of our paper work is with the Dossier service, KBS, which was recommended by Gladney. They are going to ensure that our dossier is complete and all our documents are authenticated before they send it off to the Ethiopian embassy. We are just waiting for the FBI and CIS fingerprint approval letters and that's it!!
We are just amazed at how fast and smooth everything has gone so far. We are seeing the LORD's hand in absolutely everything. We have been reading blogs of other families going through this process, crying tears of joy and being encouraged by their testimonies. It is very obvious that the LORD is doing a great work and that Ethiopia is very much on His agenda right now. We are honored and feel privileged to be a part of HIS plan.
There is nothing else for us to do now except to pray, pray, pray. We need the rest of the money for travel expenses, etc. and we are just at the edge of our seats waiting to meet our precious children that the LORD has planned for our lives. I've been telling friends, "Don't I look good for being pregnant with three children?"
I continue to feel the LORD impress upon me to tell HIS story to give hope and encouragement to remind others to SEE HIM, HEAR HIM, TRUST HIM and step out in FAITH and OBEY Him in whatever HE is telling you to do.
This is the last thing we have to do. All of our paper work is with the Dossier service, KBS, which was recommended by Gladney. They are going to ensure that our dossier is complete and all our documents are authenticated before they send it off to the Ethiopian embassy. We are just waiting for the FBI and CIS fingerprint approval letters and that's it!!
We are just amazed at how fast and smooth everything has gone so far. We are seeing the LORD's hand in absolutely everything. We have been reading blogs of other families going through this process, crying tears of joy and being encouraged by their testimonies. It is very obvious that the LORD is doing a great work and that Ethiopia is very much on His agenda right now. We are honored and feel privileged to be a part of HIS plan.
There is nothing else for us to do now except to pray, pray, pray. We need the rest of the money for travel expenses, etc. and we are just at the edge of our seats waiting to meet our precious children that the LORD has planned for our lives. I've been telling friends, "Don't I look good for being pregnant with three children?"
I continue to feel the LORD impress upon me to tell HIS story to give hope and encouragement to remind others to SEE HIM, HEAR HIM, TRUST HIM and step out in FAITH and OBEY Him in whatever HE is telling you to do.
Even it it doesn't seem to make sense.
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