DOSSIER APPROVED!

After an almost two year process Jeff and I got word from our social worker in Costa Rica that our dossier was approved! This is huge. For Costa Rica this is the last step in the adoption process aside from being matched.

What's just as exciting as this is that while we were waiting on our dossier to be approved we were also amending our home study. This process was a lot more work than expected and it too was finalized at the same time that our dossier was approved! And if that's not enough, Costa Rica also updated their list and PANI sent us the new waiting child list and sent us a possible referral! We reviewed the information and we were thrilled. We requested her full file and expressed our desire to submit a letter of intent.

Once they receive the letter of intent we have 3 days to change our minds and after that waiting period she would officially be matched as our child. She is 9 years old and seems pretty awesome but so do all the kids whose files we've looked at.

If and once all this happens they will begin counseling rounds with her. This is where they will let her know that she has been "chosen" (😢 just thinking about that makes me want to cry) Then they will give her, our/her family photo album which includes pictures of our home, family, church and friends!

Once the counseling rounds end communication begins!! We get to FaceTime her and call and write to her! We cannot leave for Costa Rica until after Christmas because the social work offices pretty much close down for the month of December and we would be stuck in Costa Rica much longer than necessary. We really hope all will go as planned, (but we have learned from our experience with adoption that this is not always the case) and that we will get to travel in January to go get her. We will be in Costa Rica for 5-6 weeks doing paperwork, Dr. appointments and bonding as a family with our new daughter.

Faith and Izzy are super excited as well about her in particular. Please pray for us and pray that all will go smoothly!

Round 2 and an amazing trip to meet some amazing people..

September 20th we submitted our Dossier to PANI in Costa Rica and today we got an email informing us that we have passed the legal stage!

The Dossier approval process has 3 stages: the legal stage, the social stage and the psychiatric stage. We are officially in the social stage and once we get approved through the last stage we will begin matching rounds!!

Also this past weekend we were blessed with a wonderful experience. The agency that we are adopting through hosted a "Costa Rica Family Reunion". We were able to meet other families that are going through the adoption process as well as families that have already adopted from Costa Rica and their adopted children! It was wonderful, insightful, a bit scary and overwhelming, but most of all it was exciting and very educational.

An extra special treat was that they flew in the women on staff in Costa Rica that are a vital part of our adoption process. Having face to face contact with these women make us feel so much better about the whole process in general and what to expect when we get to Costa Rica. The ladies knew our names and stories and obviously work so hard because of their love for the children in Costa Rica and their desire to see them matched with their forever families.

We are so thankful that we were able to meet everyone, worship at Spanish church with them, and make some
lifelong friendships!

Update!

       Last Thursday Jeff and I had a very informative phone conversation with our out of country social worker from Lifeline Children's Services. She told us that our Dossier is entering three rounds of acceptance and that we would be informed as we passed each one. The first round is the legal round, followed by the social round and ending with the psychiatric round. We already have a fully accepted home study and Dossier in the U.S. but these are the Costa Rica rounds. In Costa Rica, through Lifelines, a team of lawyers and psychiatrists come together and decide if we are fit to adopt. As you can imagine this made us very nervous. Our social worker assured us by letting us know that they have never had anyone not get accepted. She said that this is the reason the Dossier process is so rigorous on the forefront on the U.S. side. She also informed us that our family is next in line to be matched with a child and as soon as the acceptance rounds were completed that we would be matched and then have 1-2 months to travel to Costa Rica. The acceptance rounds take about 2 months and then matching times can very, but being next in line is definitely exciting. Lastly she told us that if we do not travel by May 2016 (travel-meaning we are accepted and matched and headed to pick up the newest addition to our family) then we would have to update our medicals and fingerprints. (*sigh* more paperwork)

       All is good though as we are willing to do loads of paperwork and whatever else it takes to get this little one home. We know God's timing is perfect in all things, and He has so much to teach us through the process.

       Lastly I would love to share our website with those of you who are following the adoption updates. It explains what all we are doing in regards to the adoption and fundraising, as well as other things like beekeeping, home schooling, homesteading, ministry and more. Just follow this link: www.handswideopen5.com

Thanks for taking the time to read this update!

Hope in the midst of discouragement....

           Recently we had a pretty hard day. We got discouraging news regarding the adoption. As we read and learn more and more about international adoption we see that this is just a part of the process. We were hit with many unexpected expenses. After we submitted the dossier we were told that everything needed to be sent to be officially translated and then to Costa Rica but that we had passed our 6 month deadline for our FBI clearances and that we had to re-do those and we were coming up on the medicals deadline. On top of an additional 1500.00 in legal fees that we had not expected, we knew this too could be an expense. It just kept feeling like we were just one step away and each time we took that one step, an additional step would be added. We were told that once the dossier is fully submitted and locked in, that is it. No more expirations, no more added paperwork, nothing...we just wait to get our referral and travel to Costa Rica to get this special little girl.

             I think some of the reason this set back and added expense was such a discouragement is because it was met at the same time as an unexpected medical bill and in the middle of vehicle problems. But God is good. He is bigger, He is our provider, He is our comforter, and (this one always gets me) He is our Helper. (Wow, really God? I really don't deserve all that!)

              He is so good, that the morning after all of this happened I read in Judges about Gideon. God had called and appointed Gideon to defeat the Midianites. It was difficult for Gideon to believe because of his circumstances, but what did God do? He told him to send home 22,000 of his 32,000 soldiers because He was going to get the glory, not Gideon. But that wasn't all, just a couple of verses later God had Gideon send all but 300 men home to assure that He would get the glory for winning these battles. God would handle this.

              All of this reminds me of how precious a gift our position with the Lord is. If we trust in Christ Jesus for our salvation we are His sons and daughters. He writes our stories, provides all we need, works miracles, works out everything for our good and HE gets all the glory.
              

  The Lord God is Awesome. And as we trudge through our 18th month of this journey to adopt we know He is going to work it all out. My sweet husband reminded me that we were called to do this. As many of you know Jeff and I are heavily involved in local ministry so we get asked a lot, why adopt internationally? We know there is a huge need here in our very own country. Jeff and I feel strongly called to make an impact in the sex slavery industry through international adoption which is what led us originally to China after Jeffs mission trip to Thailand. But when we landed in Costa Rica things started to come together for us even more. In Costa Rica prostitution is legal and it has become a hot spot for American and European "sex tourism." Girls age out of orphanages at 16 years of age in Costa Rica and unfortunately there is not yet and UNADOPTED program in that country. The alternative is usually a life on the street and for most girls its prostitution. Young virgin girls are a specialty service so Jeff and I felt that the adoption of, what is considered an "older girl" in Costa Rica, was exactly what God had led us to do.

          So for now we will ask the Lord to give us humble hearts filled with joy and gratefulness. Our blessings are overwhelming!!! And as I meditate on all God has done, and is doing, through our children, homeless ministry, adoption, home school, and just in the everyday little things...I think.... how could we be discouraged at all?

Dossier sent!

           I was literally holding back tears today at the UPS store. I didn't want the super sweet lady that had been helping us by notarizing everything and copying everything to think I was crazy right before she sent out our Dossier to Birmingham. But I just couldn't believe it! I was so filled with joy to be at this point, and thankfulness for this woman's kindness and patience with us, I just wanted to cry tears of joy and thankfulness. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

          This is a HUGE step and we finally did it! All we have to do now is wait for Costa Rica to approve it. (this can take 2-4 months) Once they approve it, they match us with our daughter and give us our court date. The court date will be about 3 weeks to a month after we are matched and then we are off to Costa Rica for 6 weeks to meet Little Hand! Our Lifelines worker told us that as soon as we are matched that we can Skype with our daughter! She also warned us that Dossier's are rarely approved immediately and that they will more than likely ask for a few more documents before giving the final stamp of approval. That stamp of approval is what we are so desperately waiting for, but now,

it is finally in sight.

A new steal of a house, as we prepare for our new little one! Plus USCIS approval!!

We are so blessed. It has been difficult to follow our Lord's command not to be anxious through all that the adoption process takes you through, but our God (as always) if faithfully showing us that His plan and His timing is definitely best! 

Not long ago we had to leave our home that we loved, with neighbors that we love, for reasons beyond our control. This was very hard and sad as we have also been trudging through a difficult and painful adoption process...but God. Through the tears, frustrations and pain of both of these circumstances happening at the same time, we were seeking God's direction on what to do next. God led us, through some unusual avenues, to a cheap, run down old house in foreclosure. This house was in Old Cloverdale and located right by several beautiful parks and was still right down the road from the neighborhood that we loved but had to leave. It was going to be impossible to get a loan and not pay cash because of the condition this almost hundred year old home was in, but the Lord continued to open doors. The last week in November our family, along with our loved additional house members, moved into this home. About 10 days ago we were able to add one more member to the household as Jeff and I came to know of someone who was in need of a place to stay. This house provides a bit more room as well as a yard (yay!) for our girls and our sweet future baby girl, to live learn and play in. We are so excited about getting this home ready for our daughter to be and the many memories we will make with her in this new home! 

Also!! We received our approval letter from USCIS!! This is a big step. We are working on getting our psychiatric evaluation this month in order to complete the dossier which we hope to send off by April 15. Once that is done we just wait. Wait 2-3 months for the last approval from Costa Rica and then wait to be matched and travel! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support!!

                                    Below are some pictures I wanted to share of the new house :)

                                                   Dining Room

                                                    Faith climbing a tree at a nearby park...

                                                   Izzy playing dress-up with this gorgeous dress we got
                     at a locally owned toy and hobby store around the corner from our new house.

                                                   Kitchen...

                                                    Coffee and tea area in our kitchen.. (*sigh, smile*)

                                                    Master bedroom..

                                                   Faith in a tree at a nearby park...

                                          Izzy playing outside in the front yard....(I'm in the mud
                                          room snapping this one *smile* *sigh*)

                                          Izzy having a picnic with her besties, and her future sisters' besties!! (yay!)

Thankful..

Well I finally updated the fundraising thermometer and re-counted all the funds we have collected towards the adoption as well as the the new fees from the Costa Rica fee sheet from Lifelines. (It's about time, I know, I know)

Today I was on the phone with our Costa Rica social worker and I broke down into tears. I am excited about adopting from Costa Rica and I can't wait to meet the precious child we will be matched with. I know it will be an amazing, God initiated reunion...but I can't help but think of little Zoey in China. I pray that sweet baby girl gets adopted and we have not stopped praying for her. I often wish all of that had never happened, but I know, like many of you have told me, it all happened for a reason. I am glad I know who she is. I know her birthday, her story, her struggles with walking and brain development, where the moles on her face are, the kind of shoes she wears, the cute thing she does with her wrist and her hand, what her bed looks like, what she likes to eat...I know about her love for listening to music, and all the other amazing things you get to learn about a child when you are matched with them. Zoey is a truly beautiful and amazing little girl and I we were blessed to get to know her.

Now, I know it is time to focus, not time to forget, but time to plow ahead with Costa Rica. We are looking to be matched with a little girl around 5-7 years old as Costa Rica generally tends to have older children in their orphanages. We are projecting being finished with the process on the U.S. end by June of this year. If we are matched by then we will go ahead and travel to Costa Rica but if we are not matched by that time...we wait. Wait to be matched with the child God intends us to raise up in Him and love unconditionally. 

When we travel to Costa Rica we are expected to be there for 6 weeks. This is both scary and exciting for us. Fortunately we are blessed with the availability to homeschool so we will just all pick up our lives and move them to Costa Rica for a month and a half. (What a cool field trip!)

Please pray for this adoption! Pray that it continues to move along and that God will unite us soon! Pray that God will provide the funds for the adoption as well! Right now we are lacking 11,500.00 which, believe it or not, is super encouraging to us. The next few months we are going to really be gearing up to do some serious fundraising and grant letters and applications.

All in all this adoption journey has proved to be long, slow, disappointing, rewarding, fulfilling and exciting. (Extreme opposites...I know..) And we are thankful. Thankful for this opportunity. Thankful for Zoey, and Lifelines, and for what the future holds....