Tuesday, April 26, 2011

One Signature Down, One To Go

Note from our facilitator:

Hi Joy,

I just talked to the MOJ and they told me that your dossier is waiting for the last signature from the Minister. As soon as it is a fact, the dossier will be sent to court. Let's pray it will happen by the end of the week. I will keep you informed.

God bless,
Toni

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

A Tiny Bit of Adoption News

I asked Toni whether there was any news yet since our dossier was handed over to the Ministry of Justice on April 14. Here's her reply:

I haven't called the MOJ to check yet as I usually give them at least two weeks to process the dossier. With the Easter holidays (here they are April 22 - April 25 incl.), I suppose they will need even more time. However, I will check the first business day, Tuesday and will let you know if there is any news.

However, I did pick up my updated medicals from my doctor today. So hey, that's something!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Boy From Baby House 10

I was very blessed earlier this year when I received this book Boy From Baby House 10 as a gift. It is the all-too-true tale of a bright little boy with cerebral palsy who was abandoned in Eastern Europe and placed in an orphanage some 20 years ago. Vanya lived in the midst of stark deprivation and neglect. He was completely cut off from the world outside the walls of that Baby House so it comes as no surprise that he was unable to identify pictures or answer questions presented by the panel of professionals who came to the orphanage to give him an official diagnosis. They labeled him a cretin and he was moved to an asylum for the mentally disabled where he was placed in a metal crib with a bare plastic mattress. It is an amazing story--so heart-rending in places and yet so triumphant. Eventually, the unthinkable happened: through the efforts of some amazing advocates, he was adopted by a couple in the United States.

I'd been bummed that I'd missed Dateline's coverage of Vanya's story earlier this month. BUT just last night Kevin and I viewed the whole show on-line at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/#42535819 It was great! And I so enjoyed watching "the rest of the story."

Let's not forget that RIGHT NOW in 2011 there are still "Vanya's" sitting in stark deprivation and neglect. Maybe through our combined efforts, they too can find the love of a family.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VII

I get to go!! I get to go!! I am very excited about this and have been blabbing on and on on Facebook but forgot to post about it here.

The Christian Alliance for Orphans is a great group of very reputable organizations coming together to help orphans. Each individually is already a powerful instrument for God but imagine the beauty and strength when these groups come together in a harmonious symphony of partnership, collaboration, sharing of knowledge and experience. Some groups are particularly centered on adoption, others are dealing with foster care; one may be devoted to street children or trafficked children while another advocates for children with HIV. One organization's entire goal is to provide a good bed for every orphan head. Churches and individuals can also join the Alliance. As each of us-- whether we are a "flute" or "clarinet" or "saxophone" or "drum" in the orchestra--plays the individual notes that God himself has written for us specifically, the result is an amazingly beautiful song of worship to Abba Father and of obedience to His call to pure and undefiled religion. (James 1:27)

I truly encourage ya'll to check out http://christianalliancefororphans.org/summit See the great speakers, the very interesting breakout sessions, the concerts and even the lunch sessions that are planned. I won't kid you: it's physically and emotionally exhausting to go from about 8:45 am to 9:00 pm for two days--but wow, all the information and passion will fill your head and heart to over-flowing.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Filed with Ministry of Justice/4-letter word

Well I am assuming that all of our paperwork was filed today with the MOJ in AbbyLand. We need to get 2 signatures and then everything can be filed with the courts.

On a semi-somewhat-sorta-adoption related subject, I set up an appointment with my doctor for next week to discuss my options related to the FLASHING flashing FLASHING flashing (smile), AND to get my medical forms updated. These have to be updated every 6 months for Abby's country. We have already done it twice for this adoption and I had so hoped we wouldn't need yet another set. However, our current ones expire the beginning of May so . . . .

. . . . . So, I'm on a diet (laughing) Ya know how stepping on the scales is ALWAYS part of the visit, no matter WHAT in the world you are discussing??!! The problem is, I can't remember how much I weighed when I saw her last--just that she was very pleased that I had lost 6 pounds since the PREVIOUS time. My goal is to make sure I don't weigh any more than whatever that mysterious, unknown number was. Some ladies really watch their weight very closely while in our house we don't even have functional scales. I just always buy the same brand, same size of jeans: when they fit, I'm OK; when they get too, too snug then I need to cut carbs for awhile. Well, my britches were starting to get pretty tight so I guess it's a good thing this doctor's appointment has given me the necessary incentive to [diet] How I despise that 4-letter word ;)

On a serious note, could you please pray that my husband will get opportunity to set up a visit with his Dr. too?

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Article 5 Letter

Early Saturday morning we got this note from Toni!

Yesterday afternoon we picked up the Article 5 Letter! It will be translated over the weekend and filed for authentication on Monday. Picked up from there on Thursday and filed with the whole second stage documentation with the MOJ the same day.

We're making progress!!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Meeting went well

Today's email from Toni:
The meeting went very well and now we are waiting for the Article 5 Letter
to be issued. They have five business days but I hope they will be ready
sooner. I'll let you know.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Provisional filing of visa--tomorrow!!

Here's the email message we got from Toni today.

Just wanted to let you know that your I-800 file is already here and the
provisional filing for Abigail's visa is scheduled for tomorrow 2 pm our
time. Please, pray everything will go well. I'll let you know.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Flashing FLASHING flashing FLASHING flashing FLASHING

I think I have always been one of the most cold-blooded people I know. Right now our bed has two blankets plus a comforter and the heat is set at 70 degrees. I kid you not. I usually sleep with socks on. On some winter nights I put the covers up over my head or wear a hooded-sweatshirt to keep my ears warm.

I used to joke that whenever I reached that FAR DISTANT time of my life when other women experience hot flashes, I would finally be normal. Just when I would reach that illusive milestone was a bit of a mystery. I had a hysterectomy nearly 9 years ago (and have been thoroughly delighted to live without a certain severe monthly visitor) but my good little ovaries have kept on clicking and ticking. I figured I might just skip that life stage altogether.

Nope. I am flashing right along with the best of you. Unlike TV's Chuck my flashes don't result in any instantaneous abilities to do karate or see through solid objects. They just make me unbelievably hot -- and when they're over I'm back to needing my jacket.

What I should do, I guess, is use those intense moments to remember to pray for our kids and for orphans.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VII

Christian Alliance for Orphans is gearing up for Summit VII. If there is ANY way you can go, please do. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Kevin and I attended Summit VI last year. It was incredible to see about 1300 people of like-passion gathered in one place, seeking God--the Father of the fatherless-- and gaining new theological insight, helpful information and practical tools to promote adoption, foster care and other orphan care in their own homes, churches and communities. BE THERE!!

May 12-13, 2011 ♦ Southeast Christian Church ♦ Louisville, KY
http://christianalliancefororphans.org/summit-vii