Update

I know I haven't updated this blog in a really long time. There's pretty much nothing to update about, which is really sad. It seems our whole adoption has fallen off the face of the earth or something. We haven't heard a word from our agency regarding anything since probably early March. Everything I know is through the different email groups I'm on or through various blogs. It is very frustrating to say the least. Our fingerprints expire in Oct. or Nov.

But, the big news is that Zach feels we should no longer go through with the adoption at this time. I tell you that that just breaks my heart and kills me. I still picture a little African girl that belongs in our family. First of all, our money from the sale of our house last summer which we intended to use for the adoption will have to go toward purchasing a new home. This would not be the case had we moved where there was a military base and base housing. But the Lord had plans to move us to Iowa where it was rent or buy. So, the funds we had for the adoption have to be used elsewhere. At first I was so against it but there'd be no way we'd be able to live otherwise.

Secondly, we have been busy with the whole move. And I think Zach feels that right now we're blessed with a baby who will be here sometime in September that we really don't need to pursue adoption at this time. I know with the busy-ness of moving and being pregnant has really taken over my life, but my heart still goes out to the orphans and I still feel the Lord has something in store for us. Why would we have begun this process if only to end this way? I'm not sure. I know that I'm still praying the Lord opens the doors for us to adopt. As I've stated before its been something I've always desired to do and I believe the Lord isn't through with us in this area yet.

So that's the news on the adoption front.

Another One

I just finished reading Children of Hope by Vernon Brewer. What a truly amazing and touching book. I cried as I watched videos on the website. It is sad that Christians aren't doing more to help orphans and those affected by AIDS/HIV in Africa. I want to do more! I want to help these children, our brothers and sisters, as they fight for hope and for their lives. Lord, lead us, guide and show us how you desire us to help your children. If you haven't read the book you can get it for free from the link. It is definitely something you need to read. You won't be able to put it down- I read it in a day!

Good Read

I just finished (in a day) A Treasury of Adoption Miracles by Karen Kingsbury. It was 12 different stories of how God worked in people's lives in regards to adoption. Very moving book! I especially enjoyed the first story and then of course Karen's own testimony of how they adopted 3 boys from Haiti. At this point with the move and baby we feel like our adoption is on hold, especially when the Liberian Minister of Health has still not allowed more adoptions to proceed. I really feel that God still desires us to adopt, just not at this point. Hopefully things in Liberia will pick up again soon and we will settle into our new home and be ready to accept our little Liberian girl!

Is no news really good news?

STILL nothing on the adoption front. I meant to call our agency today to see if there has been any news but I completely forgot in lieu of calling lenders, Realtors and the such. It seems as if this adoption is 'on hold'. I guess its maybe a good thing because we're going to have to use our money in savings that was intended for our adoption on a down payment on a home. At first I was so against this but now I've come to realize it is the way its gotta be. I know God will provide the funds for our adoption whenever it progresses...if it does. I know it will, sometimes it just seems like its not really even happening. Like, 'Are we really adopting?' And when people ask how the adoption is going I hate answering that nothing has changed since the last time they asked- a month ago! That is frustrating to no end, but God knows. I need to keep reminding myself that it is HIS time, not mine. Like that song:

In His time, in His time

He makes all things beautiful in His time

Lord, please show me every day as You're teaching me Your way

that You do just what You say in Your time

In Your time, in Your time

You make all things beautiful in Your time

Lord, my life to You I bring may each song I have to sing

be to You a lovely thing in Your time.

Waiting, Waiting and Water

That's all it seems to be lately. Good thing I have this move that occupies most of my thoughts, and my 3 children! But I'm curious what the new changes to adoptions in Liberia will be. I just want answers. And I want this adoption to move forward. I feel like we've been stuck in a rut for awhile now and we need to move forward here.

I haven't been around much in adoption land, including my adoption groups. If you read this blog please check out Brandi's on my sidebar. She is partnering up with an organization called Spirit Liberia (can get to it from her site, I'm so tired I don't want to be searching for it right now) to bring clean water and wells to Liberia. They're almost there on the Rock Hill well. You can read about Rock Hill at her site as well as some of the other people listed on the side. It is a sad, sad situation. Being pregnant, lately I am addicted to water. Since 5 pm I think I've drank about 6 glasses of pure, clean, cold water. I never drink this much water! But I could not imagine not having this blessing. Please, if you can, contribute to help Liberians (and then other African countries) obtain clean water.

President Bush visits Liberia!

I was so excited to hear that the President was going not only to Africa but to Liberia. You can check out this link. Then this video brought tears to my eyes for some reason. I guess to think that our President is in Liberia taking part in some of the culture of our daughter got to me! Not to mention maybe some hormones are involved;)

For those who don't know...

I have another blog that I frequently post on. For some rather exciting news for our family please check it out.

I keep forgetting

to update on here. Friday we sent our dossier off to AdoptIntl. I had talked with Candace that morning for almost a half an hour! I think it is awesome to have such lengthy conversations with the one who will be working to bring our daughter home! She said she has about 7 applications for her pilot program and she is taking no more at this time. We are fortunate to be one of the families. I was also told that she was looking into one little girl to us, to check whether she had any siblings. Apparently most of the children have siblings and its unfortunately just not something we can do at this time. So I've been praying for that little girl like crazy. I know nothing about her but I pray she's the one! God knows! I have such a peace about the whole process. You'd think after our experience (or lack of) with the other agency that I'd be a bit nervous. But it is such a faith journey. You step out in faith and trust God every step of the way. He knows who she is, where she is and when she's coming home. I'm really praying that is is by June though as it looks like we'll be moving this summer (thankfully).

News Flash!

Amazing! Our old agency, Acres of Hope actually sent our refund and complete dossier back! There are MANY people who were told they're not getting any money back (and they've sent more in than what we had) and many who are not getting their paperwork returned. I sent our letter via email as well as snail mail. It took only a WEEK to get our dossier returned to us. It probably helped that I tried to be as friendly as possible in my letter. I also didn't want to post much on here until I received it!

With that said, we withdrew for many reasons. Red flags started going up when more and more people began withdrawing from the agency. Then what I thought was a 'key player' in the agency, Donna, quit. Then people were getting kicked out of our yahoo group! I brushed it all aside until after Christmas and then the Lord nudged me to pursue the issues. Finding out that the agency is not using their funds as they state they are, that they're lying to families and saying that children have been relinquished when they haven't, and that they've even lied on medical reports were some of the many things I discovered. Also, they have increased their fees dramatically since July! Doesn't that send up red flags??? There is more than that, but those were some of the bigger red flags when I heard it all. I felt like I'd hit a brick wall when I heard the news. How could this be? Everybody had raved about this agency! When I told Zach he was furious and said I needed to immediately write a letter to get our dossier and refund back.

The same day I found out this information I was told about another agency, Adopt International. I called the number I was given and actually talked to the director herself, Candace O'Brien! I've never once talked to the director of AoH! Candace was so friendly and answered all of my questions. She answers emails when you have questions. After talking to her and reading about this agency we sent in our application. I'm pretty certain that the Lord has led us to this agency.

We have not lost faith in this journey. We know the Lord will lead us to our daughter, we are so confident of it no matter what roadblocks there may be. With our daughters (we have only one so far) we'd like their middle names to be 'fruits of the spirit'. Princess' is Joy. I'm thinking this little girl will have the middle name of Faith. Adoption is stepping out in faith in the Lord. When we began we didn't know where we'd be 6 months from then, where we'd get the funds or anything. But we didn't fear. We stepped out in faith, got both feet wet and have been splashing in the pool of adoption ever since. Some may think you need to wait until the Lord provides the money, which could be years down the road. We were even told, "How do you know somebody won't walk up to you on the street and hand you $10,000?" We don't know, but are we supposed to idly sit by waiting for that to happen, meanwhile allowing more and more children to suffer the pangs of hunger and disease? I don't believe that is the case. Our Example, Jesus didn't lounge around waiting for things to happen- He MADE them happen!

I thank you all for your continued prayers. I thank those of you who shared the truth in love, even when it went against the 'flow' to open our eyes. And I'm also thankful to those of you I've met through this journey~ I believe we have bonds that will never be broken.

Change of Plans

We have decided to withdraw from the agency we were using. We have known there were things 'going on' for some time but we weren't sure what exactly. After receiving more concrete details we felt like we needed withdraw from the agency we thought was so wonderful. I'm not going to post any details but they're out there in blog land in various places and bits and pieces if you are interested or you can always email me for more information. At first I had this sinking feeling and I emailed a friend and told her it almost felt like a miscarriage. Since then I have a complete peace about it. It saddens me that the integrity is not in an agency we trusted and believed in and I pray for the people involved, but God has given me His peace. Some people will probably think, "Oh, that's a sign that they shouldn't even pursue this" which is why we haven't been too public about it. We know that our little girl is in Liberia and we will continue to pursue this wonderful adoption journey as God leads. Please continue to pray that He leads us to her (and soon)! Also please keep Acres of Hope and its staff and the sweet Liberian children in your prayers. Many people have left the agency and I can't help but wonder about those precious children.

Changes

Well you can see I changed the look of this blog too. I lost all of my links and finally got around to adding them again (hopefully I didn't forget anybody), but somehow the list seems longer! Great, now I have all the more blogs to try to keep up with;)

Please keep us in your prayers as we make major decisions concerning our adoption. No we don't have a referral or anything like that, but we have already taken some steps and need more prayer for God's guidance in this. We are adopting not only because we want to but because the Lord has laid it upon our hearts to, therefore we need to heed His voice and honor Him in this process.

SO

Still no referral. Just keep praying.

The Latest

The latest news from Rachel for those of us still waiting for a referral. There have been many miracles among our group lately~ many families will have their children home for Christmas! Please continue to pray for those of us still waiting to know who our child is~ that that can be our Christmas miracle!

I spoke at some length with Eric last night about the referral situation. There are plenty of children being prepared for referrals. The staff are working to make room in the orphanages, as well as to complete all the pre-referral steps. The whole purpose of restructuring the referral process on the Liberia end was to set a new standard of excellence. This takes time, but Eric really wants to ensure that everything is done well. Why bother restructuring and only doing it half-way?

I cannot tell whether they will be able to make any referrals before Christmas, but I am hoping (right along with you all!). There are difficulties now with the Liberian Ministry wanting to sign off on every child before he or she is eligible to be referred (this is for all agencies). This is an extra measure of security, so that is good.

Please check out the website for updates on how the referrals will now be issued. In addition, Eric is hoping to be able to include a photo of the child, a photo of the first family, a photo of the family home, as well as a case history, and possibly more in the referral report families will receive from now on. It's always hard to wait, my friends, but this seems to be really worth the wait.

Christmas Story in Liberian English

"Every Man Heart Lay Down"

Long time past - before your father live - before his father live
Before his father's father live - long time past
Before them big tree live - before them big tree's father live
That time God live.

And God look on the world - that He done make
And Him heart no lay down.
And He walk about in the town to see the people.
And He sit down in the palaver house to know the people.
And He sorry too much.
And God say "The people no hear My Word.
The people no walk My way. Nev mind.
All I can do is make a new country - and make new people."
And this time God's one small boy - Him small child
Hear God's Word, And the child grieve for people and for His Pa.
So he go for God's face and make talk for His Pa.
"Pa, I come for beg you," so He say,
"I come for beg you; Don't make the new world.
Don't lose the people what you done care for. I beg you.
Make it I go, I talk to people. I walk with people. Bye-m-bye
They savvy the way."

And the child go down softly softly and hold God's foot. (i.e.begged Him)
So God look on Him small boy. And Him heart be very soft. And God say,
Left me now, but hear me good; If you go you must be born like a man
You must live like a man - and you must have hurt and have hunger.
And hear me good; men will hate you and they will flog you, and
Bye-m-bye they will kill you, and I no going put my hand there."(i.e. interfere)
And the Child say, "I agree."
And bye-m-bye God call Mary to be Ma for the child.
Now Mary be new wife for Joseph and Joseph ain't touch Mary self.
So first time Joseph vex. But God say, 'Nev min', Joseph; this be God palaver.
And Joseph heart lay down.

And God see one king who try for do good for all him people.
"Ahah, now I send my Son for be new king."
And God send star to call the king.
And in a far country, God hear a wise man call his name.
And God say to the wise man, "I send my Son to be new wise man;
Go now with the star." And the star call. And the wise men follow.

And by the waterside - men lay down to take rest.
And they hear fine music in the sky like all the stars make song,
And they fear. And all the dark make bright like day.
And the water shine like fire. And no man can savvy.
And they hearts turn over. But God's angel come,
And God's angel say, "Make glad, all people,
God's child be born in Bethlehem."
And the star come low and stop. But when they go for mansion house
The star no be there. And when they go for big man's house,
The star no be there. And bye-m-bye when they go for hotel,
The star no be there gain - "Ahah, the star be by the small house
Where cattle sleep! " And it was so.

And they found Joseph and Mary and the small child fold up in country cloth.
And the king bring gold for gift
And the wise man bring fine oil
And the country people bring new rice.
And they look on the God child
And every man heart lay down.

Merry Christmas~ Third Day

Thanks for sharing this Loriann. It has deeply touched my heart.

Anxiously Waiting...

Every day I have to quickly scan my emails from the AoH yahoo group to see if anybody has gotten a referral yet. The offices will close on the 23rd. I'm really PRAYING that in these next 10 days things get moving and people start getting referrals (including us). It is so hard waiting and not knowing WHO she is. Sometimes I think I can visually picture her but then again I've looked at so many little African children since we began this journey that it could be a figment of my imagination! The Lord's holding on to the secret and I want in on it. It is all I want for Christmas. It would lighten up the holiday like no other!

Orphans in Africa

Another Yooper Family Adopts

I was encouraged to see that a family from 'back home' has also adopted. I don't know this family, but in my mind its rare to see this type of thing where I'm from. If you are interested in reading about the family who adopted from Ethiopia you can click here.

So Touching

More News from AoH

Rachel from AoH sent another email update. I'm going to include only the part that applies to us right now. I am believing that we will be one of these families!!! Please pray and believe with me.

I know that many of you are on the edges of your seats, as I am, awaiting referrals. As you know, changes in the US Embassy as well as Liberian policies, prompted us to "revamp" our referral process so that much of the investigations and paper-chasing that occurred after the referral will now occur before. This caused a window of time where children were entering the program but were not yet "referral-ready". Certain delays have occurred during this time (for instance, our staff brought seven relinquishing families to see a judge who did not show up for his appointment, causing our staff to have to take them all home and re-gather them later for the same purpose). This is typical in Liberia.However, earlier this week, I received a list of over 60 children who are in this process of being prepared for referrals. I am awaiting the final steps to be taken and then referrals will begin flowing over the coming weeks.

I cannot wait to find out who our newest member of the family will be!