Referrals are coming in again!!! Moving on up that list!

YES  - the referrals are coming through again!  Yeah - I was told we are #15 on the list. They've referred 3 kids this week, anticipate 1-2 more next week and then 12 are getting paper work ready!  PLUS they announced an 8 month old little baby with some potential health issues was available - I did say we'd look at him, but just in my heart felt he wasn't for us and it sounds like a few other families are interested that are farther up the list - so that will be a referral!  YES _ they are coming in and we are moving on up that list!

Its only a matter of time. Its taking a LOT longer for the agency and their people to do the research and get all the documentation the ET and US govt's are looking for.  But honestly -its probably for the best. Because if all the paper work is there, the court dates and appointments usually go a lot faster and without any issues.  So I'll take it- they are just really trying to document that these kids ARE orphans and available to be adopted - and that's fine.  I want our child for real - not some other crazy methods.

So yes - this was good news for me today.  My friend was told by her agency last week some time between July and November for a referral - I can see that.  And I can live with that.  I'm still praying we will be in country at the same time and can meet over there - it will be a blessing.

Thanks everyone.
Gail

Ethiopian Heritage Camp - in VA

Here is the location and the website for the Ethiopian Heritage Camp - its located in Virginia!  What a GREAT thing - I can't wait to go there someday.  Hopefully in a few years - we'll have a child home and maybe have a referral this year, child home next  and camp - in a few?  Just a great dream and event for the whole family someday.  and with the age difference - maybe a great parent and child special trip someday.


enjoy everyone.


exact address is 
Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center
712 massanetta Springs Rd
Harrisonburg, VA

One of the place we have this information is at the following link:
http://www.heritageandculturecamp.org/ethiopian.php


Also - this is a time to be thankful for everything Jesus did for us here on Earth - and today being Good Friday AND Earth Day - its pretty cool to the environmental engineer in me - bringing it all full circle.  He died for us - and gave us this earth to take care of and be good followers.  I hope I can do him justice and just pray I continue to grow in my faith and strength.  This is sure a process - I had hoped in August that our paper work would be done before the holidays 2010 and a referral by now with hopes to travel this summer.  That's not in the cards now - but I do believe God's working very strong in our lives and taking care of us - he's bringing people into our lives to keep us going.


I'm so thankful for that.
God bless you all
Gail

Update on Ashton & Adoption news

All - thank you for prayers for Ashton and Gabe - the family is VERY appreciative and we believe (well Rebekah and I) that the prayers were key in Ashton waking up with no real issues last night - and he seemed fine t his morning I think.  Anyhow - she's asked that everyone continue - they feel they are getting hit by stuff on all sides - trying to break their faith.  Their faith has brought them this far.  I read some devotionals today and basically the devil attacks when we are close to answers!  So as bad as things are for them I have to find the positive that they are close to their answers on Gabe's unknown diseases and once they know that he can have the brain stuff fixed - hopefully he can continue to have minimum symptoms and not have emergency brain surgery.

So I just want all of us to pray for this family to continue to hang onto God's promises and their faith that they will  make it through.

Thanks everyone.  As I know more about both boys - I'll post.

Some adoption news - we are #18 - but that doesn't mean too much - from my count there are 8 families that want a child - either gender (basically boys are easier to get) or a male in the same age range as us.  Ok a few more want one of each - I didn't count them.  Now hopefully some referrals will come out soon.

We need prayers on this as well.
God Bless the Lord today
Gail

Prayers - urgent for GAbe's brother Ashton

All - I've posted before about Gabe - our friends son - he's 3 and has his share of health issues -the unknown blood disorder first and now his brain malformation.  HIs brother Ashton is the perfect match for a bone marrow match.

so Ashton went to the dentist - and besides messing the work up - the quack dentist was too busy and didn't do things right - even his nurse agreed this was wrong.  so in a nut shell Ashton was given an overdose of sedatives and nitrous oxides!  The work was 3 hour late -

the nurse and Ashton's parents (well I think the nurse- maybe I"m assuming) - decided he needed to go to the ER - the ER docs figured out that Ashton was given an OD of drugs today!  He's still not awake.  His mom knows I sent prayer requests out and I know people all over the world see this -so if you do please pray!

I believe the devil is trying to break this families faith - with all the issues with little Gabe and now this - it horrible.  You can look gabe up on caringbridge.org - search for bravebabygabe - you can see the horrible process there!  and then see the strength and faith this family has!

thanks for the prayers- they need this - we need Ashton to wake up and go back to school - he's Nate's best buddy!  I can't imagine

thanks
God bless
Gail

signs from above????

Ok - I've been trying to get some signs on what path we should take with all that's going on in ET- I'm still not giving up - but it was so nice to just see so many multiracial families this weekends.  Some very beautiful children and parents - from all over the world and just happy as can be!  I just want to ask them all about their journey- but I know that's probably totally weird.

And today was just beautiful - again didn't get much done around home we really needed to - we're bums - but enjoyed the surprising 80+degree weather here in metro-Detroit in early April - its not going to last and the showers are coming back tonight and tomorrow - and longer - but it was nice.  Church - I worked in the nursery and totally got my baby fix with this beautiful Austin!  Lunch with great friends, and then off to see HOP with my boys only to come home and go for a walk and take in some local playgrounds!  Just loved it -

so enjoy all - staying positive with life and moving forward.
gail

Clarifications

For a few that have asked me off "blog-land" - we do not fall into the catagory of "expedited cases" per the post earlier this week from the USCIS and DOS stuff.  So I figured I would just ask and clarify with our agency -

Unfortunately I was right in my thinking.  They are pushing cases of families that have already accepted a referral and been submitted to the courts and system to be processed.  So since we do not have a referral at all yet - we're most likely going to be hit with delays.  However, the US government agencies are really trying to help ET and help with training and other things to help them hire more people to get back up to speed.  Everyone seems very positive about this so its possibly a small set back but hope to get it going again in the future.

Also - I saw some post on one of my yahoo groups that even with 5/day - people aren't too worried they figured they will get a court date by later this summer.  So that's positive outlooks.

continue to keep all of us waiting families in your prayers - but mostly the kids.  Just having to slow things down for them and keep them in the orphanages seems hard.  We ask that people pray that God just looks over them and takes care of them.

Happy Friday night all
Gail

Update from US Gov't - April 6, 2011

Here is the latest data from the big conference call by the USCIS and DOS today.  This email is from our agency - I'm so thankful that they update us and keep us informed.  Its funny - if they haven't heard they sometimes just send and email to tell us that!  Ha.  Anyhow - its great that they did this - I think it was in my in-box shortly after 5 pm today!  The call was from 1-4.  Anyhow - Craig and I have some different interpretations of my last post - so I"m gong to ask some questions through the agency - so we'll see.

Also - note - you can follow by email now - yeah - try signing up for that.
I'm working on my faith - praying for God and thankful for my wonderful friend in TN that's keeping me focused. She's right - just have faith and pray - God has a plan.  I honestly do believe that - we'll bring our boys home sooner than later.  I also think God has other things he wants Craig and I to accomplish before our child is home - I may not "like" that, but do believe somethings are much needed to better our lives.  So hopefully those "things" can be shared someday - but for now their just little personal things.

God Bless everyone for their prayers.
Gail



Dear Families,
Many of you were likely participating in the conference call today. For those that were unable, we want to share with you some of the main points of the discussion.

Here is a link to the presentation that was given:

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Outreach/Upcoming%20National%20Engagements/National%2\
0Engagement%20Pages/2011%20Events/April%202011/Ethiopian%20Adoptions%20-%20Prese\
ntation.pdf

The presentation covers all of the main points that were discussed and is quite comprehensive. We recommend that you read through this thoroughly.

After the presentation, they opened the meeting up for discussion and questions.

* USCIS/DOS reports that the majority of the cases are "good" cases and that the
majority of children are clearly determined to be orphans, but there are serious
problems in transparency as to how children are coming into care.

* Page 8 of the presentation outlines the proposed pre-approval process (filing
I-600) which will allow the US Embassy to investigate and approve the case prior
to the family appearing in court and becoming legal parents of the child. The
timeline for implementation of this was not given.

* There is currently one employee at MOWCYA (formerly known as MOWA) processing
cases. It was suggested that if MOWCYA were to increase their staff, the number
of cases processed daily would likely increase from five. They did not give a
projection as to when this might change, but did say that they were offering
assistance in training MOWCYA employees.

* USCIS/DOS will be meeting with MOWCYA in the next few weeks to assist them in
improving their practices and address deficiencies. They will report back to us
after this time with the outcome.

* Specific questions can be sent to askci@state.gov

We will continue to update you with any new information that becomes available.
If you hear something that you would like us to confirm, please email us at
ethiopia@adoptionassociates.net. We will only post information that we know to
be factual.

We are encouraged to have learned today from USCIS/DOS that the majority of the
cases processed through the Embassy are approvable and that they are making
strong efforts to assist MOWCYA with the improvement of their procedures.

Laura, Sally & Mary
Ethiopia Team

US dept of state update / warning

Posted today on the Department of STate'es website - not good news.  Tomorrow is the big USCIS conference call - unfortunately I can't personally participate - anxious to hear what they have to say - so sad and scary!

Gail


Notice: Significant delays remain likely for cases presented
to Ethiopia's Ministry of Women, Children and Youth
Affairs after March 8, 2011
The Government of Ethiopia's Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs (MOWYCA)
told the American Embassy officials that adoption cases presented to the Federal Court of First
Instance prior to March 8, 2011 will be processed expeditiously. However, cases presented to the
Court after March 8 will be processed in a more deliberate manner to allow greater scrutiny and
oversight. Based on their March 8 announcement the American Embassy anticipates that
MOWYCA will process these cases at a rate of approximately 5 per day.
It is unclear whether there will be an official announcement from the Government of Ethiopia
regarding the plan to reduce the number of cases adjudicated daily.
Prospective adoptive parents who did not reach the court summons stage before March 8, 2011,
should expect significant delays in the progression of their paperwork through the Government
of Ethiopia. Prospective adoptive parents should be in close touch with their adoption service
providers to confirm the status of their cases.
The U.S. Embassy continues to work with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies
to gain a clearer understanding of these procedures, and will continue to post information as it
becomes available

guilt and conflicting feelings

So I know I'm not alone out there - but sometimes us mom's or mom's to be feel guilty. right now - I feel guilty because I'm taking a vacation day tomorrow.  The guilt is that I should be saving every single hour of vacation for our adoption.  However, I don't want to neglect the child I have at home.  I feel guilty that I feel guilty.  Then I worry an am conflicted because I don't know when we'll even get a referral let alone be able to travel.  It sounds like things will take longer - but for good reasons - but  I keep having my dreams of our "boy" - its amazing.

Regardless I chose to spend some quality time with Nate on his field trip tomorrow - and took a vacation day.  so I'm skipping a training at work and always worry because of the way things are it can be used against me when they start any new rounds of layoff's - which many anticipate before the end of summer.  but I will have an enjoyable day - gong to my first robotics competition.  I guess some former students of his school and his teacher are now in high school and in the competition!  I wish they had this when I was growing up - I would have loved it - they may have but not much for the girls.  Or maybe I didn't want many people to know what a geek I truly am.  Heck - I never did get that science kit from Santa after asking year after year.  Heck - I went into chemistry for my undergrad!

anyhow - i will enjoy my day.  And to top if off - we used Groupon a few months ago to get tickets to see the Detroit Pistons - yes my favorite bball team!  Best yet - they are retiring my FAVORITE PLAYERS # tomorrow - Dennis Rodman!  Yeah - I never denied I'm crazy - he's crazy - goofy - a jerk (my coworker had other choice words - I won't type them here) - but NO ONE can deny he was one of the best players - specifically his rebounding and defense!  so many of the former "bad boys" will be there tomorrow night!  I can't wait.  It will be fun and nice - I hope we can maybe do some pictures or autographs!  yeah.

so - my guilt is fading - and my conflicting feels as well - but we love our kids - and I'll have fun with the one I do have!  He even told the teacher i was driving before we told her - and it may work out as one family I think was driving - their van died on the way to school this morning!  so it probably all worked out -hopefully I can post pictures.

have a blessed night.
Gail

No news - guess that means its good?

No news - not much on the referral scene - have heard two families received referrals for little girls - but that's it.  I know they were waiting for 12 kids to be ready to refer out - so maybe others received referrals and didn't post - which is totally fine.  I'm not sure I could contain myself, but then again I think its a lot to take in and maybe will want to share only with select people for a day or so.

Not much news on the Ethiopian government stuff either.  USCIS has some meeting or call on 4/6 - so that's next week.  I think individuals could possibly call in - but its a LONG 3-4 hour meeting.  I'm sure the agency will be involved in that call so we'll just have to wait for notes or an update on all that.

Just waiting and trying to stay focused and keeping the prayers going.

We did get an interesting email from a friend Friday for an urgent prayer request - guess her friend was contemplating an abortion.  Her husband left her when he found out she was expecting.  How sad - I"m truly blessed to have Craig and my husband.  Anyhow - we've been praying she has the baby and at least gives it up for adoption.  We already said we'd adopt the child.  But I know so many others that would be willing to do the same - so my friend knows that.  I know there are a few others at our church alone in the adoption process. So this woman has options.  So please keep her in your prayers, she still has time to make the "choice" - and still considering her options.

I am just enjoying life with my little guy - he's a hoot - he's a blessing as well. And continuing to dream about our future child and all that we will do to change our lives!  I can't wait.  I should be reading more books, but I haven't  - I need to.

Ok - enough - a pretty boring update - but wanted to just share.
Gail

ET Christians home's burnt

Ok - if the link above doesn't work - here it is again:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/24/thousands-christians-displaced-ethiopia-muslim-extremists-torch-churches-homes-2057387870/

anyhow - Christians in ET are being threatened and homes burnt just because they believe in God!  How sad - please say prayers the extremists are brought to justice and realize they just can't do this. Hopefully the government will continue be able to stop all this madness.

I can't imagine  -if you read the story - waking up to a note on my front door saying my family must move, die r convert to Islam! Just crazy-

I believe that everyone has a choice to believe in their own beliefs and chose the religion that they want - its nice to be American.  I guess I'll pray that our next child is from a Christian family - b ut even if not - they will know the Lord and our lives will be blessed.

Gail

REFERRALS COMING OUT

Great news - I heard that two families from our agency were introduced via email/video - you name it their beautiful little girls on Friday.   I know the agency had about 12 kids ready for referrals and suddenly they are coming out!  So that leaves another 10 kids out of the 12 - yeah!

granted we were #20 on the list - so now we're up to #18 - yeah!  I'll take it.  I'm just thankful that the kids are gettng their forever families - no the families as well are becoming COMPLETE!  Its not just the kids - but also the families get their forever child as well.

Yeah for them.  and to just know - they were both little girls - its wonderful.

Please keep Gabe and many others in your prayers this week.

God Bless
Gail

Baby Gabe's Latest Update from Rebekah

This note was posted today to Baby Gabe's Journal:

I've been waiting for that quiet moment where I can write an update but so far that hasn't happened.  Gabe is in the hospital right now with a nasty virus and high fever.  We are scheduled to leave for Chicago tomorrow and are hoping at this point he will be released in time to go there and meet with a neurosurgeon and a hematologist.  His brain surgery has been rescheduled for April 18th.  So, as I'm sure you can see we have had some obstacles in our way.  Some of you may remember the very similiar situation the last trip to Chicago.   Just pray...

Happy, Sunny Saturday with Nate

Ok - trying to have more positives out here and just random - NON government or agency posts.  Granted I do have a tidbit - but figured save that for the end.

So just a random day - hanging with my beautiful son Nate!  AKA my miracle child by birth.  No idea if I ever posted about that - but he was!  took LOTS and LOTS and even more fertility drugs and shots to have him.  The month it finally worked was the month the specialists called to "talk about IVF or adoption" - well I was pg! So that day was November 2003 - my little man turns 7 this summer.  You can look at the archives and find the positives way back when.  The blog started under a sad note when my mom died. But today I FEEL her around me.  Maybe because I had dreams she was hanging with Nate and I last night!  Oh - if only - but she is here in spirit.  She held Nate in heaven to keep him safe for 17 days before he arrived!

So yeah - where's the happy - yeah just spending time with my little man!  And looking forward to adding another.  Woke up WAY to early - around 6 am and took Nate to see Dr. Kaz to have his 6 year molars sealed!  What joy.  HE was a trooper.  Then off to Kohl's to spend my bday $ - bought me some new shoes!  Yeah.  Then signed up for soccer, off to JC Penny to find Nate some new jeans and lunch!  took a little snooze and now time to write this - yeah I know still boring.

But its Saturday in the Detroit area, its sunny!  And sorta warm - spring is coming.  I saw a red robin the other day  and its a huge sign for spring.  I'm starting to hear the birds chirping in the early morning - just love it!  Tomorrow I'm seeing a dear friend and then spending time with my brother and Stacey - should be fun.

Just a day to rejoice and be happy to be alive and know that God's taking care of us - he brought us Nate and he'll bring us child #2.  I saw this family in the mall today,  a white mom and a little black boy.  I don't know the proper way to say it - but its beautiful.  It makes me think that will be us someday soon.  And the one tidbit - I saw it on a yahoo group that another agency posted so I do not know if its true - but MOWA did 25 cases yesterday!  Way up from 5!  I'll take it.

If you can go out side and enjoy the sunshine and look for the giant moon today!  I sure can't wait!
Happy random Saturday

More updates on changes - found from yahoo groups

Post copied from a yahoo group I'm in- I do not know what agency this family is working with. Anyhow - this is the much needed good news we need to start to look at.  Or continue to focus on.  I know I keep telling people what Craig tells me - continue to focus on the positive and always do the right thing  And that's all we can do - keep moving forward.  God has his plan - as rough and hard as it is for me - I have to keep that in mind.  but maybe this delay is because we have a LOT of stuff in our own lives to just get ready to prepare for our beautiful child.  so we should just keep that in mind  I know I'm not good at waiting and not good at focusing on the positive all the time - but I'm trying.

so enjoy the post.
Gail & Craig

Wanted to pass along some information we received from our agency today:

"Today we want to update you on the feedback we received yesterday from our foreign staff in Ethiopia, which was confirmed in a discussion with our adoption colleagues in a Joint Council caucus call later in the day.

At this time, all Foreign Staff on the ground in Ethiopia are reporting that MOWA has completed their staffing changes and are now currently working at full capacity to complete those adoption cases currently re-scheduled or assigned a court appointment through the courts of Addis Ababa. Our staff believe this to be around 800 cases they are working at full force to complete with no restrictions on the number of cases processed each day. This is great news! We are thrilled to hear these drastic changes do not seem to be going into full effect.

We are also pleased to report that for new cases moving forward; it appears the original changes proposed by MOWA will not be implemented to the degree of 5 cases a day. At this time it is unknown whether or not MOWA will issue a formal statement regarding how they will process cases in the future, but from all discussions it will not be a drastic decrease from before. Through the continued work, meetings, and advocacy of many Foreign Staff members in Ethiopia, it appears any future changes within the case processing for MOWA will avoid sweeping and disproportionate alterations to the number of cases processed each day. Rather, the hope is that MOWA, Joint Council, Adoption Service Providers, the US Department of State and other NGO organizations can come together to support the government of Ethiopia in strengthening the process for ethical adoptions to continue while also improving the general social structures to assist with family preservation in Ethiopia. This plan was acknowledged in the recent posting by the US State Department this morning at http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia.html. We understand the US Department of State cannot issue a formal statement without MOWA issuing a retraction. Based on the information we are receiving, MOWA is concentrating on processing the current adoptions and the new staff is not focused on numbers, but doing their jobs."