Just think - ALMOST on the waiting list - yeah
Another side note - please pray for Sheri (my coworker) - she lost her 23 year old son David this week. I can't imagine - how horrible.
Gail
Friday, January 28, 2011
Dossier IN THE MAIL
Just think - ALMOST on the waiting list - yeah
Another side note - please pray for Sheri (my coworker) - she lost her 23 year old son David this week. I can't imagine - how horrible.
Gail
Helping each other out - check out this famlies profile
Well Yes - posting lots this week.
Anyhow I just feel that we are all out there helping each other out - I'm friends now with so many total strangers that have given me advise or Craig advise in this process - its just amazing. And we're all there for one common bond - growing families.
Anyhow our friends are trying to adopt domestically - take a look at their profile on www.americanadoptions.com - share this with anyone you know that may be a birth mother that is looking for a kind family for her child or just share. The best stories I've heard about are how families find each other by word of mouth. It works.
And plus - a tidbit on my day - Great Seal of MI - completed - a few more tasks and off to the UPS store to mail the package to the couriers! Thank you Assistant Stork!
Gail
Anyhow I just feel that we are all out there helping each other out - I'm friends now with so many total strangers that have given me advise or Craig advise in this process - its just amazing. And we're all there for one common bond - growing families.
Anyhow our friends are trying to adopt domestically - take a look at their profile on www.americanadoptions.com - share this with anyone you know that may be a birth mother that is looking for a kind family for her child or just share. The best stories I've heard about are how families find each other by word of mouth. It works.
And plus - a tidbit on my day - Great Seal of MI - completed - a few more tasks and off to the UPS store to mail the package to the couriers! Thank you Assistant Stork!
Gail
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Adoption - YOUR choice
So I have been thinking about some responses we have gotten lately and then just read a post on Facebook from a new friend. Anyhow - she posted some real insight about her most recent adoption attempt - a domestic adoption where the mom changed her mind in the end. I can't even begin to know or express their broken hearts. But what I take from it - and what she did share is that everyone has an opinion - and honestly some things are just NO ONE's Business - adoption is an individual choice for both parties. It has to be one of the most difficult choices a birth parent can make - to GIVE YOUR child away. However, there are circumstances and situations no one will know or understand. And they want their child to have the best! So they do what it takes. And then there are people like us - adoptive (or soon to be) parents. We just want to grow our families.
In our case - a "friend" that hasn't seen us in over 9 years read my recent Christmas letter and had to actually write me a letter that they were disappointed we did not adopt domestically. Well without even asking or hearing our story - which honestly is OUR story and no one else - this person was pretty rude. I know they didn't mean to be, but they have no idea.
Families and people make choices that are best for them - they choose to have 10 kids, no kids, do fertility treatments, adopt, you name it - and its a choice that works for their family. We have had questions why international, and WHY Ethiopia! Well honestly - we looked into domestic and it didn't work out for us - for way too many reasons to list. The easiest is "we were too old - 40 and 41 years old" - but really many more to list. And then just WHY - oh WHY ET? All I can say - God drew me there. I saw those faces and I fell in love. It doesn't matter what we decide -but I believe in fate and God's plan for us all - as difficult as that may be, I believe he put road blocks in our way and pushed us to the path we are on. And these road blocks with the paper work - well that was just because our child isn't ready for us yet. Maybe they will be young and haven't been born yet. Or their family situation isn't ready for them to be an orphan just yet - Everything happens for the reason that God already has had it planned out - as heart breaking as it may be - he has it all chosen for us.
So as my heart breaks for my FB friend and her families loss - I will pray tonight that God gives them peace and helps them find the child that is meant to be theirs. And for the birth mom who will struggle with her choices, but will still be a good mom to this baby that was born recently.
In our case - a "friend" that hasn't seen us in over 9 years read my recent Christmas letter and had to actually write me a letter that they were disappointed we did not adopt domestically. Well without even asking or hearing our story - which honestly is OUR story and no one else - this person was pretty rude. I know they didn't mean to be, but they have no idea.
Families and people make choices that are best for them - they choose to have 10 kids, no kids, do fertility treatments, adopt, you name it - and its a choice that works for their family. We have had questions why international, and WHY Ethiopia! Well honestly - we looked into domestic and it didn't work out for us - for way too many reasons to list. The easiest is "we were too old - 40 and 41 years old" - but really many more to list. And then just WHY - oh WHY ET? All I can say - God drew me there. I saw those faces and I fell in love. It doesn't matter what we decide -but I believe in fate and God's plan for us all - as difficult as that may be, I believe he put road blocks in our way and pushed us to the path we are on. And these road blocks with the paper work - well that was just because our child isn't ready for us yet. Maybe they will be young and haven't been born yet. Or their family situation isn't ready for them to be an orphan just yet - Everything happens for the reason that God already has had it planned out - as heart breaking as it may be - he has it all chosen for us.
So as my heart breaks for my FB friend and her families loss - I will pray tonight that God gives them peace and helps them find the child that is meant to be theirs. And for the birth mom who will struggle with her choices, but will still be a good mom to this baby that was born recently.
Dr Letter - FINALLY
Ok - I FINALLY received my doctors letter - after starting this process in September. They told me over and over it had been mailed - but I do not think it was. it was dated and notarized yesterday. I'll take it - whatever.
So that means tomorrow I'll go over everything one last time, go to the great seal and make sure I have all my "ducks" in a row to send everything off to the Assistant Stork to take it all to DC! It should be good. VERY exciting.
Now time to try and relax - just LOTS going on in life - a big audit at work tomorrow - can't wait till its over. WILL be nice.
Gail
So that means tomorrow I'll go over everything one last time, go to the great seal and make sure I have all my "ducks" in a row to send everything off to the Assistant Stork to take it all to DC! It should be good. VERY exciting.
Now time to try and relax - just LOTS going on in life - a big audit at work tomorrow - can't wait till its over. WILL be nice.
Gail
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Info from agency
Below is an email from AAI - about a 6 hour teleconference they had this week. from other things I've seen the ET government is also making some changes. I personally think they will make things easier in the long run - but they are trying to work with everyone to make sure ethical adoptions are happening - that's key. So here is the latest - I'll try posting things we get from AAI as I trust that first - all other info are emails I get in groups and I"m sure they are valid - but I want to hear it from our agency.
Gail
Dear Families~
There was a 6 hour conference that took place yesterday organized by the Department of State. There were adoption agencies,government agencies, and other organizations that were invited to call in to participate.
The title of the conference was "Ethiopia Adoption: Solutions into Action" and the purpose was to discuss the current status of adoptions in Ethiopia and come up with solutions as to how to move forward to ethically and transparently better protect children, birth families, and adoptive parents.
The presenters in the morning primarily talked about statistics and issues with the current process of adoption. The way in which some children come into care, unethical practices in some cases, and lack of care provided to children in some of the orphanages. Because of these issues, along with others, some orphanages are being investigated at this time, by the Ethiopian Government and the U.S. Embassy. It should be noted that out of approx. 200 orphanages in Ethiopia, only 77 are licensed for adoption, so many of the orphanages that are being investigated are not currently involved with adoption. Most of this is not new information and was posted on the Department of State's website on December 6, 2010. (http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia.html)
On a side note, regarding referrals: This perhaps explains why agencies across the nation, including us, have experienced a significant slow down of referrals over the last few months. The Ethiopian Government plays a large role in the referral process. It is not until the government gives the orphanage the legal authority to refer children to agencies that a referral can take place. If the government is somewhat skeptical about some orphanages in general right now, it would make sense that they wouldn't be too quick to give any orphanage this authority.
The focus in the afternoon was more about trying to come up with solutions. One thing that was mentioned was the possibility of having the embassy give pre-approval for a case prior to the case even going to court. This would make for a longer process in between referral and travel, but it would reduce the chances of issues at the end of the process. Other things talked about were to have ongoing trainings with the local government, and the judiciary branch, in addition to the training already provided foradoption agency staff in Ethiopia.
Even though we did not feel like we walked away with a lot of new information, one thing that was apparent is that everyone appears to be committed to finding solutions to these problems. Determining the best solutions will be an ongoing discussion.
Please be assured that it has always been and will continue to be top priority to Adoption Associates to complete adoption cases with integrity and transparency.
Sally, Mary, & Laura
Gail
Dear Families~
There was a 6 hour conference that took place yesterday organized by the Department of State. There were adoption agencies,government agencies, and other organizations that were invited to call in to participate.
The title of the conference was "Ethiopia Adoption: Solutions into Action" and the purpose was to discuss the current status of adoptions in Ethiopia and come up with solutions as to how to move forward to ethically and transparently better protect children, birth families, and adoptive parents.
The presenters in the morning primarily talked about statistics and issues with the current process of adoption. The way in which some children come into care, unethical practices in some cases, and lack of care provided to children in some of the orphanages. Because of these issues, along with others, some orphanages are being investigated at this time, by the Ethiopian Government and the U.S. Embassy. It should be noted that out of approx. 200 orphanages in Ethiopia, only 77 are licensed for adoption, so many of the orphanages that are being investigated are not currently involved with adoption. Most of this is not new information and was posted on the Department of State's website on December 6, 2010. (http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia.html)
On a side note, regarding referrals: This perhaps explains why agencies across the nation, including us, have experienced a significant slow down of referrals over the last few months. The Ethiopian Government plays a large role in the referral process. It is not until the government gives the orphanage the legal authority to refer children to agencies that a referral can take place. If the government is somewhat skeptical about some orphanages in general right now, it would make sense that they wouldn't be too quick to give any orphanage this authority.
The focus in the afternoon was more about trying to come up with solutions. One thing that was mentioned was the possibility of having the embassy give pre-approval for a case prior to the case even going to court. This would make for a longer process in between referral and travel, but it would reduce the chances of issues at the end of the process. Other things talked about were to have ongoing trainings with the local government, and the judiciary branch, in addition to the training already provided foradoption agency staff in Ethiopia.
Even though we did not feel like we walked away with a lot of new information, one thing that was apparent is that everyone appears to be committed to finding solutions to these problems. Determining the best solutions will be an ongoing discussion.
Please be assured that it has always been and will continue to be top priority to Adoption Associates to complete adoption cases with integrity and transparency.
Sally, Mary, & Laura
Possibly tomorrow???
So called the Dr's office AGAIN today and since last week it worked leaving a message on the nurses line - I did that again. The nurse today was NOT Happy to be doing the "receptionist" work - well they never helped me. anyhow they told me the letter was mailed on 1/7/11 - I'm like I never got it. PLUS last week I was told there was a note that day NOT to send it out - it needed some approvals. She's like I'll fax it to you then - I said I need a notarized signature - and i know the Dr wasn't in today. So I'm not sure if it was finished a few weeks ago and they forgot - but she called this afternoon and its ready. If it wasn't Nate's early day at school (meaning LONG day) - I would have picked it up tonight. But instead I will go tomorrow at lunch and get it.
Wish me luck - it appears the Great Seal has a walk in office in Livonia - so I'm hoping the agency will accept what I have and I can get everything else sealed on Friday. Calling the state was a message loop nightmare that told me to talk to the agency anyhow - I know they'll help - at least we have an agency I have confidence in.
So that is the update -
Between that and the AT&T nightmare - we'll see.
happy Tuesday - its my short week but I have my big audit at work - just want Thursday night to be here!
Gail
Wish me luck - it appears the Great Seal has a walk in office in Livonia - so I'm hoping the agency will accept what I have and I can get everything else sealed on Friday. Calling the state was a message loop nightmare that told me to talk to the agency anyhow - I know they'll help - at least we have an agency I have confidence in.
So that is the update -
Between that and the AT&T nightmare - we'll see.
happy Tuesday - its my short week but I have my big audit at work - just want Thursday night to be here!
Gail
Friday, January 21, 2011
Maybe next week????/
I've been calling my Dr's office every week for at least a month now. Even wrote and faxed a letter that she could use for the paper work. I had been leaving messages through the one place and decided today to leave a message for a nurse to call me back. She said there was a lot of "traffic" on the topic in my file. I guess the letter was done a few weeks ago! But they held of mailing it? Who knows - it could be in the mailbox at home as I type this from the store?
I told the nurse I just NEED this ONE document to start the next step and can't go farther without it. She said she'll follow up on Monday as well.
Fingers crossed it came today or comes tomorrow.
It is finally the weekend - and I know I'm READY for that - maybe start some Crockpot recipes to store and save in the freezer? Any good recipes send my way.
Gail
I told the nurse I just NEED this ONE document to start the next step and can't go farther without it. She said she'll follow up on Monday as well.
Fingers crossed it came today or comes tomorrow.
It is finally the weekend - and I know I'm READY for that - maybe start some Crockpot recipes to store and save in the freezer? Any good recipes send my way.
Gail
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
US State Department letter
Wow - received a letter in the mail from the US State Department today - says the National Visa Center received our approval fro our "advanced processing of orphan petition" - it informed us that it will be sent to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! Wow - that's awesome.
IF only we could have gotten my doctors letter - things could get moving forward. SO CLOSE - just so close. Decided (with the wonderful help of the AAI Ethiopian Team - thanks Sally) - to write the letter for my DR and she can just print it off on letter head, sign in front of a notary! So that will be good.
And then maybe just make an appointment and take it to her! OR DROP IT OFF to her! So we'll see how it goes - I NEED THIS DONE - UGH - I love my DR- but its so hard!
We will get there -
Also for those that have our house number - we cancelled that service today - its broken anyhow and decided that most people call our cells anyhow. So if you need our cells - contact me privately at gmbackus@hotmail.com or via Facebook and I'll send you the numbers for Craig and I directly.
Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming.
Gail
IF only we could have gotten my doctors letter - things could get moving forward. SO CLOSE - just so close. Decided (with the wonderful help of the AAI Ethiopian Team - thanks Sally) - to write the letter for my DR and she can just print it off on letter head, sign in front of a notary! So that will be good.
And then maybe just make an appointment and take it to her! OR DROP IT OFF to her! So we'll see how it goes - I NEED THIS DONE - UGH - I love my DR- but its so hard!
We will get there -
Also for those that have our house number - we cancelled that service today - its broken anyhow and decided that most people call our cells anyhow. So if you need our cells - contact me privately at gmbackus@hotmail.com or via Facebook and I'll send you the numbers for Craig and I directly.
Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming.
Gail
Monday, January 17, 2011
Continue to wait
Yep - seems like things are still not changing. We have all the documents notarized that are in our control. And still only ONE document left - MY DOCTORS Letter. I think I may send her the original one back and say -here fix this and this and then just have her finish it! Or make an appointment to pick it up? We'll see. Its just frustrating. But I know we will get there.
I'm excited to start talking to more families in and around SE MI that have or are adopting from ET - one lady is starting a yahoo group and we hope that we can start getting the group together. It will be great to have a connection for our children.
Also some friends told us Sunday that Groupon had a coupon for the ET Restaurant in Southfield - we couldn't get a coupon but someone else did and has invited us out in the coming months. That will be really nice. Its great to see more people wanting to get to know us and looking forward to meeting our child.
Its always interesting how we meat things.
So normal life news -we are slowly moving furniture to get Nate into his new room - one step was to finally set up the office in the basement - we had the computer here for a while - but the desk was set up yesterday - right by the family room - and TV / Wii - so I'm sitting here with Lego RockBand BLARING - and watching Nate play the "drums" so intently - its fun!
Anyhow - exciting. Its been a rough week (well last week) - lots of disappointing news - but I have to hang onto the belief things happen for a reason and we will move forward!
Thanks for reading and following - we will get through.
Gail
I'm excited to start talking to more families in and around SE MI that have or are adopting from ET - one lady is starting a yahoo group and we hope that we can start getting the group together. It will be great to have a connection for our children.
Also some friends told us Sunday that Groupon had a coupon for the ET Restaurant in Southfield - we couldn't get a coupon but someone else did and has invited us out in the coming months. That will be really nice. Its great to see more people wanting to get to know us and looking forward to meeting our child.
Its always interesting how we meat things.
So normal life news -we are slowly moving furniture to get Nate into his new room - one step was to finally set up the office in the basement - we had the computer here for a while - but the desk was set up yesterday - right by the family room - and TV / Wii - so I'm sitting here with Lego RockBand BLARING - and watching Nate play the "drums" so intently - its fun!
Anyhow - exciting. Its been a rough week (well last week) - lots of disappointing news - but I have to hang onto the belief things happen for a reason and we will move forward!
Thanks for reading and following - we will get through.
Gail
Saturday, January 08, 2011
WE DID IT - approved to be parents
Wow - someone should have done or told us this about 7 years ago while pg with Nate - but we have been "determined approved or qualified" to parent an adoptive child! Ha - this stupid, one page ore like a form letter than any official document says we are good to go. Now we have just over a year to bring a child home! Well we can always renew or update our data - but its good to know we are "ok".
this is a huge piece of paper that is required for I think all international adoptions - its a form that goes in our dossier (the official package of info for ET. I'm still waiting on my properly dated letter from my doctor - but need to now have her explain that weakly reactive is negative or good enough. a few more letters need to be updated and notarized - hope to do that this week. My work letters will be redone on Monday. And then once the agency says OK - we are off to the Great Seal of MI to have all the documents validated that the notaries are valid and good. I don't have to drive to Lansing as the Livonia service center has a Great Seal office there - I will probably call Monday to see if we need to make an appointment or just show up and stand in line - better be safe then sorry - I have Next Friday off - so if I can get it all done - we can have our stuff submitted to the Stork something and they will deliver our package to DC for I think translation -
wow - not even sure where to begin yet - but once it is submitted in ET - the official wait on a waiting list happens as we await the referral of our next child. It is amazing. I still keep having dreams its a boy - but then see little girls and they are so beautiful. I just don't care - Only God knows who the child will be.
Alright - off to finish cooking for a potluck at church tonight - its Game Night!
this is a huge piece of paper that is required for I think all international adoptions - its a form that goes in our dossier (the official package of info for ET. I'm still waiting on my properly dated letter from my doctor - but need to now have her explain that weakly reactive is negative or good enough. a few more letters need to be updated and notarized - hope to do that this week. My work letters will be redone on Monday. And then once the agency says OK - we are off to the Great Seal of MI to have all the documents validated that the notaries are valid and good. I don't have to drive to Lansing as the Livonia service center has a Great Seal office there - I will probably call Monday to see if we need to make an appointment or just show up and stand in line - better be safe then sorry - I have Next Friday off - so if I can get it all done - we can have our stuff submitted to the Stork something and they will deliver our package to DC for I think translation -
wow - not even sure where to begin yet - but once it is submitted in ET - the official wait on a waiting list happens as we await the referral of our next child. It is amazing. I still keep having dreams its a boy - but then see little girls and they are so beautiful. I just don't care - Only God knows who the child will be.
Alright - off to finish cooking for a potluck at church tonight - its Game Night!
Friday, January 07, 2011
Ethiopian Christmas
I learned from a FB friend today is Christmas in Ethoipia. Ethiopia has different holidays and also uses a totally different calendar than we are familiar with in most countries. They actually are only in the year 2000 or 2001 now. Weird huh?
Anyhow - for those out there celebrating - I'd love to hear any ideas how to celebrate with our future child someday.
Gail
Anyhow - for those out there celebrating - I'd love to hear any ideas how to celebrate with our future child someday.
Gail
Thursday, January 06, 2011
GOOD NEWS - after a roller coaster dayI
ROLLER Coaster - first - I"m overly emotional today - and frustrated - I know our agency is doing things for OUR BEST interest - I know that - but its hard. first they approved documents last year before we had them notarized (per their instructions - I sent them in) and now that they are notarized - they want us to change the information on them! Really - why didn't you catch that before I had them notarized? Oh well - I agree with the changes and it will be less confusing when translated - so thankfully our friend Bev will notarize this Sunday for us! Yeah.
They are questioning one of my blood tests - I googled the results and it is a common way to refer to a "negative" but I now have to have the doctor re write the letter. still have issues getting a correct notarized letter anyhow - so starting over will be fine. but just frustrating with my doctors office - all the time!
So then roller coaster with USCIS - trying to get through their phone thing and entering numbers all to find out our status. Well I spent finally found the correct way to push buttons to get to a live person. He just read from scripts and wouldn't let me talk. Finally after 5 minutes I could speak and tell him that's not what I'm asking - and then he gave me an email and without a receipt # - HE CAN'T LOOK ANYTHING UP. Not even by our names -
so I emailed USCIS - and to my surprise we were approved on 12/30/10! NO letter yet - but we were approved! Yeah - so hopefully that will arrive tomorrow or Saturday in the mail! Now just getting the doctors stuff and a few other things redone - oh yeah - need HR to redo some forms too - but that is easy - they are just across the atrium. Yeah.
so for that - I'm adding the ET pictures again! Just so I can
Please continue to pray - I know we will be alright and lately I'm thinking we will bring a child home next year - for some reason god has plans and I KNOW we will be fine and follow his path - but man its hard.
so I guess good news is GREAT NEWS! Yeah!
They are questioning one of my blood tests - I googled the results and it is a common way to refer to a "negative" but I now have to have the doctor re write the letter. still have issues getting a correct notarized letter anyhow - so starting over will be fine. but just frustrating with my doctors office - all the time!
So then roller coaster with USCIS - trying to get through their phone thing and entering numbers all to find out our status. Well I spent finally found the correct way to push buttons to get to a live person. He just read from scripts and wouldn't let me talk. Finally after 5 minutes I could speak and tell him that's not what I'm asking - and then he gave me an email and without a receipt # - HE CAN'T LOOK ANYTHING UP. Not even by our names -
so I emailed USCIS - and to my surprise we were approved on 12/30/10! NO letter yet - but we were approved! Yeah - so hopefully that will arrive tomorrow or Saturday in the mail! Now just getting the doctors stuff and a few other things redone - oh yeah - need HR to redo some forms too - but that is easy - they are just across the atrium. Yeah.
so for that - I'm adding the ET pictures again! Just so I can
Please continue to pray - I know we will be alright and lately I'm thinking we will bring a child home next year - for some reason god has plans and I KNOW we will be fine and follow his path - but man its hard.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
More updates - when it rains it pours
Yep another double post -
So I posted on a yahoo group - what are the typical wait times to receive approval for a Visa from USCIS / Homeland Security - so fingerprinting was key - and most got it all back within weeks. a few bad stories - so we'll have to make a call and inquire tomorrow. Need to really push my dr for her information - maybe even just drive over and have her date the stupid letter I already have - we shall see.
So I'm getting excited again -
I also follow a blog on World Press - Grace in Motion - wow - these people are amazing - they had a story about how they had issues and lost a child (I think they wanted two kids, one died and then ET took the other one away) - anyhow our agency - AAI hooked them with another couple - in similar situations. Anyhow - they met in person this week in ET with their beautiful sons! Its amazing. I am meeting people in similar situations as us and hope to meet them all. One family was in the same spot - but they have a new path - God brought them to another country that will be best for their family. Its amazing how God puts things in peoples hearts and how paths cross. I am just trying so hard to put it all into his hands and just wait! He WILL take care of us - all the things we stress about - I juts know it will be alright!
Please continue to pray for us and share prayers with others and the blog - the more that read these things the better.
Gail
So I posted on a yahoo group - what are the typical wait times to receive approval for a Visa from USCIS / Homeland Security - so fingerprinting was key - and most got it all back within weeks. a few bad stories - so we'll have to make a call and inquire tomorrow. Need to really push my dr for her information - maybe even just drive over and have her date the stupid letter I already have - we shall see.
So I'm getting excited again -
I also follow a blog on World Press - Grace in Motion - wow - these people are amazing - they had a story about how they had issues and lost a child (I think they wanted two kids, one died and then ET took the other one away) - anyhow our agency - AAI hooked them with another couple - in similar situations. Anyhow - they met in person this week in ET with their beautiful sons! Its amazing. I am meeting people in similar situations as us and hope to meet them all. One family was in the same spot - but they have a new path - God brought them to another country that will be best for their family. Its amazing how God puts things in peoples hearts and how paths cross. I am just trying so hard to put it all into his hands and just wait! He WILL take care of us - all the things we stress about - I juts know it will be alright!
Please continue to pray for us and share prayers with others and the blog - the more that read these things the better.
Gail
Agency Updates - wait times and families coming home
So below are two emails posted from our agency on the Yahoo Groups we belong to - the first was slightly discouraging, but then I"m like - they are doing so much with the right things and more orphanages are coming on board. So we'll be fine. But I was confused as I know families have been traveling to ET - so it was pleasant to then see the next email below - I was very happy to hear MORE good news on all the families traveling. I know many have waited a while - about a year - so that will work out wonderful.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we have been submitting our paperwork to the agency for review before we go to the Great Seal of MI - they verify our notaries I guess. Anyhow - and all the other paperwork we are doing and working on saving right now. Thanks for the prayers and support.
Love
Gail
Posted 1/5/11
Dear Families~
This post is mainly for those of you waiting for a referral, but has some information for all of you.
If you are waiting, you are well aware that we have had a real slow down of referral activity over the last few months. We really appreciate the patience that you have had and also ask for continued patience.
We are currently working with 4 orphanages (EnatAlem-Addis, EnatAlem-Awassa, EVADO (Awassa), and Engida (Addis).
We very recently discontinued working with Africa's Village Orphanage (in Addis), due to our concern with the orphanage's standards. There is absolutely no evidence of any unethical actions or behaviors practiced by the orphanage, however, we were having trouble obtaining clearance from the government office for additional referrals. The reason we have been given is because the orphanage is not up to the government's standards. Because of this, we are unable to continue working with them. Although this is unfortunate, there have been three beautiful children placed, through AAI, from this orphanage and we are thankful that they have forever families.
Engida is a small orphanage and, although, we are pleased with the care and love provided to the children there, we have only had two placements. The manager of this orphanage is in the process of working with another larger location about 560 km east of Addis. Alemu recently visited this location and was very impressed; he feels strongly that we would be able to have a good number of referrals through them. If all goes as planned we will begin working with this orphanage in the next 6-8 weeks.(maybe sooner)
We continue to work with both EnatAlem orphanages as well as EVADO. When I was in Ethiopia I met some of the children that we are expecting to be referred to our agency, however, I have not yet received paperwork on any of them. I am so hoping to very soon.
I'm sure that the lack of referrals is discouraging to you. Please know that we are always looking for other options, in regards to other orphanages, in order to serve our families the best way possible. I think you are all still within the range of wait time you were originally told, however, it's natural to have hope it will happen sooner.
Please continue to be patient and feel free to ask questions that you might have.
Posted 1/6/11
Dear Families~
After reading my post from yesterday and also getting a few responses from families, I feel that maybe my post yesterday was more negative that what I intended to be. I should have included the positive action that is going on right now. Please read below for some great news:
-We have two families that have been in Ethiopia on their first trip to meet their children. One family is adopting a 4(boy) & 6(girl) year old and the other one an infant boy. Both families should be heading to the airport to come home within a few hours.
-We also have two families in Ethiopia right now that were scheduled for the embassy appointments today. They should be set to bring their children home (2 1/2 year old boy and infant boy) in the next two days.
-We also had one family bring their infant boy home last week.
-In addition to this, we have 4 families waiting for clearance for travel from the embassy. We expect that they will bring their children home sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. (3 yr old girl, two infant girls, two 3 year old boys, and one 2 year old boy).
-Finally, we had a family return from their first trip just before Christmas. They are expecting to travel to bring their children (3 & 5 yrs) home sometime in the next month or so.
I hope you find all this encouraging. You too will be at this stage in a matter of time,
~Sally
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we have been submitting our paperwork to the agency for review before we go to the Great Seal of MI - they verify our notaries I guess. Anyhow - and all the other paperwork we are doing and working on saving right now. Thanks for the prayers and support.
Love
Gail
Posted 1/5/11
Dear Families~
This post is mainly for those of you waiting for a referral, but has some information for all of you.
If you are waiting, you are well aware that we have had a real slow down of referral activity over the last few months. We really appreciate the patience that you have had and also ask for continued patience.
We are currently working with 4 orphanages (EnatAlem-Addis, EnatAlem-Awassa, EVADO (Awassa), and Engida (Addis).
We very recently discontinued working with Africa's Village Orphanage (in Addis), due to our concern with the orphanage's standards. There is absolutely no evidence of any unethical actions or behaviors practiced by the orphanage, however, we were having trouble obtaining clearance from the government office for additional referrals. The reason we have been given is because the orphanage is not up to the government's standards. Because of this, we are unable to continue working with them. Although this is unfortunate, there have been three beautiful children placed, through AAI, from this orphanage and we are thankful that they have forever families.
Engida is a small orphanage and, although, we are pleased with the care and love provided to the children there, we have only had two placements. The manager of this orphanage is in the process of working with another larger location about 560 km east of Addis. Alemu recently visited this location and was very impressed; he feels strongly that we would be able to have a good number of referrals through them. If all goes as planned we will begin working with this orphanage in the next 6-8 weeks.(maybe sooner)
We continue to work with both EnatAlem orphanages as well as EVADO. When I was in Ethiopia I met some of the children that we are expecting to be referred to our agency, however, I have not yet received paperwork on any of them. I am so hoping to very soon.
I'm sure that the lack of referrals is discouraging to you. Please know that we are always looking for other options, in regards to other orphanages, in order to serve our families the best way possible. I think you are all still within the range of wait time you were originally told, however, it's natural to have hope it will happen sooner.
Please continue to be patient and feel free to ask questions that you might have.
Posted 1/6/11
Dear Families~
After reading my post from yesterday and also getting a few responses from families, I feel that maybe my post yesterday was more negative that what I intended to be. I should have included the positive action that is going on right now. Please read below for some great news:
-We have two families that have been in Ethiopia on their first trip to meet their children. One family is adopting a 4(boy) & 6(girl) year old and the other one an infant boy. Both families should be heading to the airport to come home within a few hours.
-We also have two families in Ethiopia right now that were scheduled for the embassy appointments today. They should be set to bring their children home (2 1/2 year old boy and infant boy) in the next two days.
-We also had one family bring their infant boy home last week.
-In addition to this, we have 4 families waiting for clearance for travel from the embassy. We expect that they will bring their children home sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. (3 yr old girl, two infant girls, two 3 year old boys, and one 2 year old boy).
-Finally, we had a family return from their first trip just before Christmas. They are expecting to travel to bring their children (3 & 5 yrs) home sometime in the next month or so.
I hope you find all this encouraging. You too will be at this stage in a matter of time,
~Sally
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Missions - Ethiopia
this is a video a friend had on Facebook. this is not the reason we chose to adopt from Ethiopia - I guess I just fell in love with the country and the people from pictures, stories and video's that I saw when I researched various countries that we could adopt from.
However - this is a big one - it shows the beautiful kids that are all in need to have a family to call their own and ones to take care of them. They are in great need
th
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