The Summer Repeats

Well the repeats have begun. I am not talking about TV shows, I'm talking about paperwork. We received our first batch of papers back from the agency informing us that we would have to get said paperwork redone and resubmitted for another 12 months. Luckily these few forms are relatively easy and inexpensive (yes we have to pay to have them redone.) Its when we start pushing 18 months that many of more involved pieces and expenses would start to arise. Let's all agree that we don't get to that.

UPDATE: Delay

Well we got some news on Wednesday. Unfortunately, not what we had hoped to hear.

The Executive Director and the Program Director returned from a 2 week trip to Vietnam last week. They went to meet with officials and smooth out the process trying to find ways in which to make the whole program run smoother for families.

They have located space within the Somerset (where families stay in HCMC) to move their office and are in the process of going through the legalities of moving the office to this location. They believe this move will be great for families when they travel. They will have a computer that families can use to e-mail friends and family, and they will have Skype downloaded on the computer for families to use to call home. They will have a copy machine for families to use as well as a fax. This way families who don't have laptops or just don't want to take the chance of dragging them across the country will still have free access to the internet.

They are also planning on expanding their license to work in different provinces of Vietnam so that they don't only focus on HCMC. There are many agencies working out of HCMC and more getting licensed every day. In fact the country of France just reached an agreement and there have been well over 1,500 requests for children in just a few months. They felt that it would be beneficial to have other provinces to look to for referrals of children.

They have also spoken to the facilitators in regard to getting more up to date information on children as families wait for their travel dates. Since the time from referral to travel can be anywhere from 2-4 months they feel that it would be helpful to families to receive updated photos, weight, length and head circumferences on children. Currently this information has not been readily available and they have often not been able to get it. They worked on putting systems in place so that this information will be available to families in the future.

Unfortunately with these changes also come delays, due to the legal process in Vietnam moving the office and adding provinces is not as simple as writing a letter informing them of their move and their desire to expand. They must get permission etc...from several places in order to make these changes official. And with all things in Vietnam this means time. They are hoping that these changes don't delay new referrals for too long but they do expect a delay.

These changes are awesome additions to the program. But not the information we had really wanted to hear. It is a shame that a program must essentially shut down so that paperwork can be changed. But it is their government and they can do what they wish.

Kristi and I feel so strongly that Vietnam is where we are called to adopt from, and that the facilitators are the best in any country. So we will wait out these delays, and pray for an expedited process to the changes. Please keep this in prayer. It is not going to be easy to wait. But we have to. God wants us to. Lilli was two years, and now worth every day of the wait. We have faith that God will bless us the same when it comes to Katelin.

Maybe, Just Maybe!?

Well lets see. They returned from Vietnam last Tuesday, so we expected that we would have heard something by the end of last week. When we called our social worker, she was at a loss too. So she said she was going to the main offices for AFTH in Wynnewood for a meeting today. So she will call us tomorrow with something. Anything would be nice at this point.

What makes this so frustrating is that the only thing we have heard concrete from AFTH in the last six months is that Angelina Jolie adopted through them. When we adopted Lilli, even though it took two years, we knew exactly where things stood and why, every step of the way. We pray that we hear something tomorrow, but if we don't, I will be calling them on Thursday and very politely let myself be heard.

Pray that it does not have to come to this.

On Our Knees

The pain and frustration of waiting got to Kristi and I a little more over the weekend. First Saturday night, Kristi was balling as we sat in bed talking. And then this morning, both of us found ourselves on our knees at the altar, praying...pleading with God for a sign. At this point any news would be welcome.

Lilli has gone for a sleep over with her Cousin Megan, Cousin Luke and Aunt Shelly who are visiting from Texas. So she is at least pre-occupied for the next day or so.

Thanks for all your prayers.

A Healthy Family

Pastor Bob Kapp is teaching on Growing a Healthy Family this Sunday at CLA. In particular the health and development of our children. Preparing them for the sinful world they will encounter.

One of the things I have found since God blessed us with Lilli 4 1/2 years ago, is that as I was teaching her, I was teaching myself as well. Let's face it, as much as many of us don't want to admit it, WE DON"T KNOW EVERYTHING. Each day is another teaching opportunity, which means it is another learning opportunity for me.

You see, I find that when you least expect it, your children teach you. They teach you how to have fun (we all need to do more of that.) They teach you how to believe (without all the facts.) And most of all they teach you how to love (unconditionally.) How many times has Lilli said something to Kristi or I that just melts our hearts.

Have fun, believe and love. I can't wait to learn more from my kids.

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Dear Lord,

We thank You and praise You for all You have done in our lives. You have blessed us beyond measure. You have pulled us out of the miry clay and set us up and straightened us out. We are not perfect and fall short of Your grace, but You bless us anyway.

Lord, today we hurt. All three of us ache with the uncertainty and endless delay as we wait for news on the adoption. Kristi and I both felt as though you were leading us to this adoption. That is why we began the process. Were we wrong? Were we suppose to adopt elsewhere? Dear Lord help us make sense of all of this. Open our eyes to Your will. The waiting is eating away at our joy and anticipation every day. If this adoption is to happen, I know You would want it to be a joyous occasion. Please reveal to us Your plans regarding this adoption.

And Lord, please touch the heart of Lilli most of all. She doesn't understand all this. The delay is draining the joy and spirit from her as the doubt begins to expand. Reveal Yourself to her in Your own way the trueness of Your word.

We thank You and praise You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Paul's Kids

One of the things that made our experience in Vietnam to adopt Lilli was the people who served as our facilitators. Paul and Sandy Pinkerton have a passion for the children of Vietnam, and have done many things over the years to help support the children. It is that passion that was a key to us wanting to adopt from Vietnam again.

Well they are taking their passion a step further, and announced a new charity organization that will leave a lasting impression on the children of Vietnam. Their stated mission is;

Help needy kids in Vietnam--especially those in orphanages who are unlikely to be adopted. Our projects focus on improving living conditions, medical care, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life.

Take a moment to visit their website at www.paulskids.typepad.com/ , learn about the organization , and see how you can help leave an impression on the children of Vietnam as well.

Our Weekend was Just Dutchy, Thanks for Asking

OK. Here we are approaching the middle of May, and still no word on the adoption of Katelin. The waiting really starts to test you after a while.

So that is why the three of us just had to get away. We took a few days and headed 45 minutes south to Lancaster and had a great, relaxing time.

After a little shopping, we checked in to the Country Inn and Suites on Lincoln Hwy. Lilli immediately wanted to go swimming. So we donned our suits and headed downstairs. Lilli still is apprehensive about going under water, but she has the best time when she is swimming.

An hour or so and pruned fingers later, we headed upstairs for a little nap. Then we showered and dressed for a night of dinner and theater.

We headed over to Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have done this production four times in my life, and have not seen a more enthusiastic performance. Lilli had a blast and wanted to sing all the songs on the drive back to the hotel.

The next morning we got up had breakfast, and then Lilli and I went down for another dip in the pool. I was so proud of her, she swam from one end of the pool to the other all by herself (with swimmies, so it was actually more of a paddle/kick.)

Then it was off to Dutch Wonderland across the street. This is a great amusement park for the kids. Princesses, Knights, Dragons and some good rides and entertainment as well. Lilli did just about every ride that she was tall enough for (and there were very few that she wasn't). She also got to sit as the princess read her a story. We saw an awesome diving show that included a dive from fifty feet in the air. And then Lilli and I had the chance to get in on the action. Lilli played a gypsy and I played the king of the evil Sagans with their horns and green tails. It was sort of an improv theater, where we were two of the 20 some actors. It was a blast.

Just before the rains began to fall, we headed to dinner and then home. Tired but having had a blast. The best thing about it, was Lilli was grinning ear to ear for most of the weekend. She doesn't understand what is taking so long for her sister (to be honest, sometimes mom and dad don't either). But she doesn't know completely how to process frustration yet. Kristi said it was the best Mothers day gift she could ask for, just to see her having fun.

Now the week of determination has arrived. We have been told that the Executive Director, Program Director from AFTH will all be returning from Vietnam mid week (May 15 or so). When they return, they will either have additional referrals (ours included) or word that the program has been shut down yet again.

Please pray for this. It has been hard handling the delays, but we don't know what we would do if our adoption was completely pulled out from under us. We are believing.