Here we go...

Throughout 2009, Julie and I had been praying and discussing if we should adopt a child. In our discussions, we migrated towards a boy from Haiti. In November, we contacted Bethany Christian Services and filled out the initial application in December. We received a call during Christmas break and we then received the application for a Haiti specific adoption.

Jan. 12 2010 ~ A major earthquake hits Haiti. Hundreds of thousands killed. Unknown number of children orphaned (added to the already huge number). It was very difficult and emotional to watch the footage of the devastation, survival and death. Julie and I felt our prayers weren't enough and now had no doubt that we should adopt.

Jan. 18, 2010 ~ Sent Haiti application to Bethany. We have heard that new Haiti adoptions are on hold, but are praying that processes are put into place to expedite the process...for the children's sake.

Jan. 21, 2010 ~ One of the questions/requirements on the application was to list references. One of our references that we wanted to use were some good friends...but, we had yet to share our plans with them. I sat with them today and shared our prayer and dream. They were ecstatic. They then went on to tell me that they too were praying about adopting a child from Ethiopia. How cool! They had even attending a meeting at Bethany the prior Saturday (one that Julie and I had wanted to attend, but couldn't due to a scheduling conflict). It was quite an exciting and news filled day!

Jan. 22, 2010 ~ Received an email from a friend about another agency needing potential foster parents and potential adoptive parents for children being send to the U.S. from Haiti. Contacted them and they responded to fill out an on-line application due to the overwhelming response that they have received. Sent in the application and also sent an email to another agency that we heard was possibly looking for families. I almost feel like we didn't respond when we should have. We had pretty much decided that we were going to proceed a few months before we did anything. I hope that our 3 month delay doesn't add years to our wait!

Feb/Mar 2010 ~ During this time, we learned a lot more about adoption. We went to a couple of classes at Bethany, read a lot and spoke with several people. After prayer, the continued confusion from the disaster in Haiti and our feeling of immediate need all over the world, we decided to adopt from Ethiopia. The conditions are very similar to Haiti. We sent our formal application in for Ethiopia and are getting ready to begin our home study and dossier paperwork. It is a little overwhelming, but will be so worth it in the end!!

April 4, 2010 (Easter Sunday) ~ As I was thinking about all of our blessings today, I especially thought about the fact that Jesus died for me, my whole family and our future son. And as we celebrate the fact that He is risen, I can't help but to think if our son has been born yet. Just knowing that God has already hand-picked this little boy and knowing that he will be brought into a household that will love him and bring him up knowing Jesus (something that probably wouldn't happen if he stayed in Ethiopia). If he is already on this earth, I pray for his protection and well being and his current situation.

May 2010 ~ Our home study was completed at the end of May. We are excited to be one step closer toward adoption. We have learned so much about inter-racial adoption, international adoptions, third world children, poverty, disease and the list goes on... There is so much to learn, but it will be so worth the effort once we get to meet our son. We filed our I-600A with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and are waiting for an appointment to get fingerprinted. Once this process is completed, we will be able to file our dossier and have our part completed. From there we will be waiting for a referral. There is a lot of paperwork and it is very detailed. It's a good thing that we are organized...as I am not sure how those that are organizationally challenged manage to keep everything together.