2013

2013

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Generosity!

I am humbled today! Yesterday we received an inspiring letter in the mail along with a check to support our adoption. I am so touched that the couple who sent it to us believes so much in what we are doing to hand over their own hard-earned money to make it happen. They knew we were applying for grants and that we had not been having much luck. I feel honored that they trust that we will see this journey through until we bring our little girl home where we will share with her all our families' blessings.
I feel like I am a charitable person, but now I think I will always think of them when I am deciding how much to give!
Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness! (you know who you are!)
DMM & MTM

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Encouragement!

In general I write my blog to keep my family and friends up to date with our adoption but I know there are many bloggers out there who read each others updates to get information or encouragement to keep forging ahead on the road to adoption. And, since I do not have any updates to give I thought encouragement should be the way to go this week.
Even though the Ethiopia adoption program is going through some tough times right now, I think we can keep in perspective that there have always been bumps in the road. I am sure last year when they added a second trip many families feared that financially they wouldn't be able to make it work. After all, that adds another $5000.00 to the cost. Yikes! My point is that there will always be bumps in the road but the kind of people who sign up for this adventure will have the drive, perseverance, and faith to get through it. Don't doubt it! Our agency has said time and again that they have never had a family that in the end did not bring home a child. Our burden to bear is "the wait"! I have been trying to put it to good use...getting my house in good shape(so I don't have to be embarrassed when my mom is here watching my children), learning how to cook with Berbere spice, trying to speak some Amharic phrases, and trying to prepare myself and my family emotionally for the challenges when she comes home. There is a lot to do so get to it!

I hope that helps!
Have a great day,
DMM

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Ethiopia Update!

Well....we had our conference call yesterday. I definitely feel reassured that our agency is doing all that they can. There wasn't a lot of information that I didn't already know. I did find out about the changes in our agency that I was concerned about though. They are definitely scaling back on the Ethiopia program because of the "slow down" in the adoption process. There was a coordinator let go and the House of Hope(the place where families can stay while in Ethiopia) is being closed, and office hours are being cut back. The explanation for these cut-backs is that there are just less families coming into the program and slower movement through the program. So, naturally they need to follow the changes. Makes sense. We were told that things are moving it is just taking more time due to the extra documentation that the U.S. Embassy is asking for. I can't complain because all of the extra precautions are good ones. We will get our daughter home, it just might take longer than we had hoped.
I am changing my perspective on the wait. I was rereading "The New Earth" for the hundredth time and something hit home. In summary Tolle says that we need to not look at the journey as a means to an end. The path to the goal is some of the best parts of life. Embrace every moment and be present in that moment.
Thanks for your prayers!

Until next time,
DMM

Saturday, October 8, 2011

3 Months Waiting

As of October 7th we have been waiting 3 months for our referral.  I have to say there are things that have been going on that are really concerning me.  I don't feel comfortable talking specifics right now but the final concern was an email that we received yesterday.  Our agency has scheduled a conference call for families in the "waiting for a referral stage" of the adoption process.  Part of me wants to believe that it is to tell us not to get discouraged about the lack of referrals.  The other part of me is scarred to death that we are getting some really bad news.   The wait for that meeting on Wednesday is going to seem like an eternity.  Living with all of the unknowns is really difficult.
In the adoption world three months is not a long time to wait.  Families waiting to adopt an infant are told to expect 9-12 months waiting time.  We were told that a referral for a child in our age range could be immediate to a couple of months at the longest.  We never thought to doubt that information.  In fact, the planner that I am, I thought the whole process through with that time in mind.  I really hoped for our daughter to get here as soon as possible so that she will have time with her oldest twin brothers before they go off to college.  They are sophomores in high school and I feel the clock ticking.  We have 2 and half years left.  It makes me very sad to think that she may hardly remember when they lived in our house.  I know that they will be awesome big brothers and have a lot of love to give!  She will be a blessing in their lives as well and I don't want them to miss out on her life with us.  I am not going to give up on that  hope!
I am going to ask again for your prayers for good news on Wednesday and a referral soon!

Thanks for checkin' in
DMM