A spark of hope...

Some time has past since I last wrote, mainly because I didn't really have anything new to share.  We've continued to finish things on our end and we've just been waiting to hear news from Haiti.  A few months ago they implemented a quota which would only allow 1 dossier per adoption agency per month to be sent to Haiti.  This means only one family would be allowed to get have their paperwork accepted by Haiti each month.  This news came at a time when I was feeling very discouraged.  I knew that our agency had at least 6 - 8 dossiers ahead of us and we were still wrapping up a few final things that were causing us delay.  Even if Haiti did begin accepting dossiers consistently we would not have ours submit until fall if the quota stayed in place. 

This situation gave God an opportunity to remind me how perfectly matched I am to my spouse.  He put us together so that we would balance each other in the exact times that we need to be balanced.  As I cried out my frustrations over the delay, Shawn reminded me that this is all in God's timing.  He reminded me that we just need to remember that He is preparing the perfect little girl for our family and is allowing us to prepare ourselves and our home for her.  He reminded me that no matter what, there is a plan in this waiting and we just need to trust in that plan.  Even though I already knew those things, Shawn's calming, laid back approach was exactly what I needed at that point in time.  His words of wisdom got me through the past couple months to hold me over until we heard some positive news this past week. 

Last week Haiti made a decision to accept dossiers outside of the quota for three or four days.  Our adoption agency was able to get all of the dossiers ahead of us out of the way.  The total count was ten dossiers accepted by Haiti by AWAA.  What a huge blessing to have a clean slate and allow us the opportunity to be the next dossier for the agency to send.  We were able to send our dossier to our agency this past week. Our dossier will be sent out this week for translation and the it will be sent to the U.S. Consulate in Chicago for legalization before it is sent to Haiti.  If all goes well, we are hoping to have our dossier to Haiti by the end of July or early August. 

The events of this week have given us a spark of hope and motivation to continue preparing for when we will be able to travel to Haiti.  Our hope and prayer is that we will be matched with a child and traveling out to meet her by this fall at the latest.  I cannot wait to experience the joy of seeing that precious little face and knowing that she was chosen specifically for us.  As I wait my heart continues to be stirred as I see other families posting photos of their visit to the orphanages that our little girl may be at right now.  I have a longing to be there with those children and give them the love and nurturing that they need and deserve.  Until then I will pray for them and know that my Lord and Savior is holding them close and providing for their needs.

Here are links to the two orphanages that we will likely adopt from.  Please be praying for the children and care givers who have sacrificed so much for the sake of these children. 

Foyer de Sion  www.foyerdesion.org and Chances 4 Children www.chances4children.org