After the loss of our precious son, Thao, Jeff and I knew that God was leading us down yet another road. Adoption was on both our hearts since we were very young, we talked about it some but we just felt like that was a far off dream. Only rich people adopt. Adoption is for when you cannot have biological children. We could NEVER leave our biological children to travel to another country. Basically, we believed the lies that we weren't good enough. At least I did. I just thought this huge adoption dream would only come true when all our ducks were in a row.
But, that's not how God does things all the time.
Sometimes, God just moves and we follow. Our adoption journey has been one leap of faith after another. We cannot see much beyond right now, but we are trusting God to take care of it all. We just keep saying "yes" and God provides. He provides when we need it. I don't necessarily mean just money. I mean peace, faith, confidence, wisdom and courage. There is always brokenness in adoption. Always.
If we aren't broken, we don't see how beautiful it is to be whole again.
January 2013 -We started our journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was supposed to be a 12 month program, 1 week in country, simple.Sent our application to All Blessings, Int and it was accepted. Started the process to update our home study from domestic to international adoption.
February 2013 - New requirements for DRC
March 2013 - Accepted the referrals of Isa Jenny and Crusoe Jeremy (one at a time, another story for another day)
June/July 2013 - Passed court
September 2013- Received Crusoe's Act of Adoption
October 2013- Received Isa's Act of Adoption
November 2013- Jeff and I traveled to Congo to file I-600 and meet our kids!
February 2014- Investigations complete
March 2014- Visa Appointment- approved
May 2014- FULLY FUNDED (agency fees paid, money in savings/grants for one trip)
As you can see, our adoptions are complete. They are legally our children, but we cannot bring them home. As of September 2013, the DRC suspended exit letters (the legal document issued by the DRC government for a child to leave the country). The Department of State has sent a delegation to DRC and are planning a DRC delegation to come here. I do believe that there are people out there that do not put the well being of the children first, which is why things like this happen. People get hurt and it's scary. But, these are our children, we do want the best for them and we believe the best thing is to be with a family, their family. In a perfect scenario, all children would be with their biological families. Unfortunately, due to circumstances that most of the time cannot be controlled, family members are unable to care for their children. These children deserve the chance to have a family. Adoption is beautiful place where healing can take place, a second chance can happen. Let them be surrounded by a family that loves them. Let's bring them home.
Here are some ways you can help:
-Sign the petition. This generates letters to Congress bringing awareness to the situation.
-Email, write letters and call your Senators and Representatives. (Illinois friends: Senator Durbin and Senator Kirk )
-Share on Facebook, Tweet, Blog
Please pray for them as they wait and for us to have wisdom and patience.
#praythemhome #DRCstuck
But, that's not how God does things all the time.
Sometimes, God just moves and we follow. Our adoption journey has been one leap of faith after another. We cannot see much beyond right now, but we are trusting God to take care of it all. We just keep saying "yes" and God provides. He provides when we need it. I don't necessarily mean just money. I mean peace, faith, confidence, wisdom and courage. There is always brokenness in adoption. Always.
If we aren't broken, we don't see how beautiful it is to be whole again.
January 2013 -We started our journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was supposed to be a 12 month program, 1 week in country, simple.Sent our application to All Blessings, Int and it was accepted. Started the process to update our home study from domestic to international adoption.
February 2013 - New requirements for DRC
March 2013 - Accepted the referrals of Isa Jenny and Crusoe Jeremy (one at a time, another story for another day)
June/July 2013 - Passed court
September 2013- Received Crusoe's Act of Adoption
October 2013- Received Isa's Act of Adoption
November 2013- Jeff and I traveled to Congo to file I-600 and meet our kids!
February 2014- Investigations complete
March 2014- Visa Appointment- approved
May 2014- FULLY FUNDED (agency fees paid, money in savings/grants for one trip)
As you can see, our adoptions are complete. They are legally our children, but we cannot bring them home. As of September 2013, the DRC suspended exit letters (the legal document issued by the DRC government for a child to leave the country). The Department of State has sent a delegation to DRC and are planning a DRC delegation to come here. I do believe that there are people out there that do not put the well being of the children first, which is why things like this happen. People get hurt and it's scary. But, these are our children, we do want the best for them and we believe the best thing is to be with a family, their family. In a perfect scenario, all children would be with their biological families. Unfortunately, due to circumstances that most of the time cannot be controlled, family members are unable to care for their children. These children deserve the chance to have a family. Adoption is beautiful place where healing can take place, a second chance can happen. Let them be surrounded by a family that loves them. Let's bring them home.
Here are some ways you can help:
-Sign the petition. This generates letters to Congress bringing awareness to the situation.
-Email, write letters and call your Senators and Representatives. (Illinois friends: Senator Durbin and Senator Kirk )
-Share on Facebook, Tweet, Blog
Please pray for them as they wait and for us to have wisdom and patience.
#praythemhome #DRCstuck