Tomorrow is the final big step in our adoption journey: the visa exit interview. It will be at 7:30am Ghana time (2:30am in Ohio) and our POA will attend with our children and their birth family. I know I will not sleep until I get the news from our POA. If everything goes well, he will know what day our children's visas are printed. That is the day we can bring them home, or any day after that.
Would you please pray:
- that our POA and children are able to be on time
- all paperwork is in order
- our children will be able to endure the long day (after traveling 6 hours from their village)
- we will get a speedy visa print date
- clarity on our travel dates and length of stay
I know that isn a lot, but we are on the home stretch!!!!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Faith of a Child
Jake (now 7) is beyond excited to have his "twin from Africa" as he refers to Kofi in our family. Both children are part of his every day life and he will talk about them in a same way he talks about his big sister. His teachers tell me he shares with everyone how he will teach them English "but not the bad words" and how he will show them the computer or whatever he is doing.
Tonight, his prayer was the sweetest. I sense the same ache in his heart as I have had for the past 8 months.
"Dear Jesus. Thank you for helping me behave today. All I want is my brother and sister to be in our family, so they don't have to be hungry or thirsty. Please get their passports ready soon. Amen"
Sweet boy, he knows who to go to. I love his heart.
Tonight, his prayer was the sweetest. I sense the same ache in his heart as I have had for the past 8 months.
"Dear Jesus. Thank you for helping me behave today. All I want is my brother and sister to be in our family, so they don't have to be hungry or thirsty. Please get their passports ready soon. Amen"
Sweet boy, he knows who to go to. I love his heart.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
We Are Grafted In
I was honored to learn that one of my blog posts was featured on We Are Grafted In this past Thursday. I love to read articles written by adoptive families and this blog is a beautiful place for sharing experiences.
If you haven't discovered this site, please stop by. At least leave a comment on my post to make me feel like a "real contributor", LOL!!!
And please keep us in your prayers. Our visa interview is on January 31st and we should know that day when we can travel to Ghana. Praying I will be with my little loves on Valentine's Day <3
If you haven't discovered this site, please stop by. At least leave a comment on my post to make me feel like a "real contributor", LOL!!!
And please keep us in your prayers. Our visa interview is on January 31st and we should know that day when we can travel to Ghana. Praying I will be with my little loves on Valentine's Day <3
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy Birthday Jake
Today, my second born Jake turns 7. To say he made an entrance into this world, is an accurate description of that day. I won't bore anyone with details, but it was scary and by the grace of God we both survived.
Now he is 7, such a cool kid who is full of energy and curiosity. He is excited to meet his "twin from Africa" and finally have a brother. And teach his new little sister "all words in English except the bad ones".
Happy Birthday my sweet boy!
Pictures from Ghana
Since Eric left Ghana in October, we did not receive any new pictures of our children. We knew if something was wrong, we would certainly hear about it, so no news was good news :) But I really longed to see their faces and get just a glimpse into their life.
I finally lucked out when someone traveled to our children's orphanage and was so kind to send us pictures. It means so much during the difficult wait and I can endure a bit more waiting again...
As always, Agyeiwaa is serious as soon as she sees someone holding a camera. And Kofi flashes a smile. I can't wait to have them in my arms, possibly next month!!! And then there are no more goodbyes!
I finally lucked out when someone traveled to our children's orphanage and was so kind to send us pictures. It means so much during the difficult wait and I can endure a bit more waiting again...
Friday, January 13, 2012
And the good news just keep coming!!!
This morning, we received an email stating our visa interview is scheduled for January 31st!!! Just knowing the date is a huge relief, as sometimes it takes a while to hear back from the Emb@ssy. We sent a request for an appointment on Wednesday after our visa packet was picked up and it only took 2 days for a response! Praise God!
And other families are receiving good news from Ghana. More approvals, visas are being printed, families are traveling to bring their children home. And the best news of all: courts may be open again next week. Orphans will once again become sons and daughters!!! I feel so blessed to be a part of such supportive group of adoptive families. we continue to pray for orphans to be cleared for adoption, referrals for waiting families, smooth court process and smooth immigration process. This week has been full of good news as families pray around the clock.
What happens next?
On January 31st our representative will attend a visa exit interview on our behalf. As long as everything is in order (as it should be), we should receive a visa print date. Once our visas are printed for Kofi and Agyeiwaa, we can bring them home.
We plan to travel the week of visa printing or shortly thereafter. We will spend a week in Ghana and the travel home. It's hard to even wrap my mind around it that we are this close.
And other families are receiving good news from Ghana. More approvals, visas are being printed, families are traveling to bring their children home. And the best news of all: courts may be open again next week. Orphans will once again become sons and daughters!!! I feel so blessed to be a part of such supportive group of adoptive families. we continue to pray for orphans to be cleared for adoption, referrals for waiting families, smooth court process and smooth immigration process. This week has been full of good news as families pray around the clock.
What happens next?
On January 31st our representative will attend a visa exit interview on our behalf. As long as everything is in order (as it should be), we should receive a visa print date. Once our visas are printed for Kofi and Agyeiwaa, we can bring them home.
We plan to travel the week of visa printing or shortly thereafter. We will spend a week in Ghana and the travel home. It's hard to even wrap my mind around it that we are this close.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Another step completed
Wednesday, our visa packet was picked up. It contains all the forms (I think) needed for our visa interview. We sent an email and requested a visa interview and are anxiously waiting a reply. My hope is that we will get an interview date this month. But once again, relying on God's timing is the better plan.
Last few days has been truly amazing in the Ghana adoption community. All the frustration over road blocks, delays and lack of communication has turned into a round the clock prayer vigil. Literally. For several days straight, every hour there has been a family up and praying for families, judges, social workers, consulars and the general process of adoptions in Ghana. I believe it has been pleasing to God for families with a passion for orphans to reach out to Him in prayer. Each day has brought unexpected good news for families and we have supported each other in an amazing way. There are still families waiting for courts to open again and I pray these families will be comforted during their wait and receive good news of passing court!
It has now been over 7 months since I held my children. I never thought I would be waiting still, but in some way I wouldn't want to change the journey as it is carefully and thoughtfully crafted by God. What a mixed bag of feelings that is....
We are getting there though. Visa interview and then our visas are printed. Everything else is already done!!!!
Last few days has been truly amazing in the Ghana adoption community. All the frustration over road blocks, delays and lack of communication has turned into a round the clock prayer vigil. Literally. For several days straight, every hour there has been a family up and praying for families, judges, social workers, consulars and the general process of adoptions in Ghana. I believe it has been pleasing to God for families with a passion for orphans to reach out to Him in prayer. Each day has brought unexpected good news for families and we have supported each other in an amazing way. There are still families waiting for courts to open again and I pray these families will be comforted during their wait and receive good news of passing court!
It has now been over 7 months since I held my children. I never thought I would be waiting still, but in some way I wouldn't want to change the journey as it is carefully and thoughtfully crafted by God. What a mixed bag of feelings that is....
We are getting there though. Visa interview and then our visas are printed. Everything else is already done!!!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Memorial Box Monday
Before my Memorial Box story, I would like to share a link. The Linboom family is waiting to bring their two children home from Ghana, West Africa. 18 months into their process, matched with their son for over 12 months and still waiting for court. As a result, the 2011 tax refund is no longer available for them. They continue to walk this journey with complete trust in God and his provisions I would love to bless this sweet family with prayer, encouragement and support. Please click on the link below and learn about the $12 for 2012 project.
$12 for 2012
Ok, back to the Memorial Box Monday. My husbands work often takes him out of town. For weeks at a time. Sometimes for a month or two. He is an incredibly hard working man who has a wonderful problem-solving engineer brain. Sometimes there is work in our area for him and then there are times when everyone here is laying people off. As we began our adoption process, he accepted a contract out of town because it would be long term and it would provide for our adoption. He wanted to make this sacrifice to bring our children home.
Then, this past summer, we decided that he needed to come home. We needed each other and the daily relationship that only happens when you live under the same roof. But there weren't any contracts popping up locally. We prayed about it and asked God to make a clear path for us. We were both exhausted and missed each other terribly. Our children needed their Daddy home.We finally decided that we would have him come home anyway, contract or no contract. God gave us such peace about it.
Eric went and spoke with his project manager about his plans. As he was explaining how his family needs him, the manager kept smiling strangely at him. Then he said "where do you live again?". When Eric said our town, he revealed that a new project just popped up within 20 minute drive from our home and it would be 2-3 years MINIMUM!!!
So as we prepare to bring our two children home from Ghana in the next month or two, we can be sure that God has provided with a local contract that does NOT include any travel. Daddy will be home for all our children, helping with homework, hobbies, baths and bedtime prayers.
We will be placing a car into a memorial box to remind us that He has provided a job within daily driving distance. For now, the only flying we will be doing is to Ghana to get our babes!!!
$12 for 2012
Ok, back to the Memorial Box Monday. My husbands work often takes him out of town. For weeks at a time. Sometimes for a month or two. He is an incredibly hard working man who has a wonderful problem-solving engineer brain. Sometimes there is work in our area for him and then there are times when everyone here is laying people off. As we began our adoption process, he accepted a contract out of town because it would be long term and it would provide for our adoption. He wanted to make this sacrifice to bring our children home.
Then, this past summer, we decided that he needed to come home. We needed each other and the daily relationship that only happens when you live under the same roof. But there weren't any contracts popping up locally. We prayed about it and asked God to make a clear path for us. We were both exhausted and missed each other terribly. Our children needed their Daddy home.We finally decided that we would have him come home anyway, contract or no contract. God gave us such peace about it.
Eric went and spoke with his project manager about his plans. As he was explaining how his family needs him, the manager kept smiling strangely at him. Then he said "where do you live again?". When Eric said our town, he revealed that a new project just popped up within 20 minute drive from our home and it would be 2-3 years MINIMUM!!!
So as we prepare to bring our two children home from Ghana in the next month or two, we can be sure that God has provided with a local contract that does NOT include any travel. Daddy will be home for all our children, helping with homework, hobbies, baths and bedtime prayers.
We will be placing a car into a memorial box to remind us that He has provided a job within daily driving distance. For now, the only flying we will be doing is to Ghana to get our babes!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
I-600 approved!!!!
After 68 days of waiting, we received the e-mail we have been waiting for. Our I-600 petition was approved. On the last possible day in 2011, but it was here. I was so happy (of course) but focusing my energy on the next steps, which will (hopefully) go by quicker.
1. We will request a date for our POA to pick up our visa interview packet. This is done only on Wednesdays.
2. We will then request a date for our Visa interview. Our POA, our children and their birth family will attend on a Monday or a Tuesday.
3. We will then get a date when our visas are printed. Only done on Fridays.
4. Travel to Ghana and spend some time there before bringing our children home!!
We are so close, yet the timeline can vary depending on how quickly each of these steps will occur. Please pray with us for God's perfect timing to prevail and my heart tonremain peaceful throughout.
1. We will request a date for our POA to pick up our visa interview packet. This is done only on Wednesdays.
2. We will then request a date for our Visa interview. Our POA, our children and their birth family will attend on a Monday or a Tuesday.
3. We will then get a date when our visas are printed. Only done on Fridays.
4. Travel to Ghana and spend some time there before bringing our children home!!
We are so close, yet the timeline can vary depending on how quickly each of these steps will occur. Please pray with us for God's perfect timing to prevail and my heart tonremain peaceful throughout.
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