This is the question I hear just about everyday from one well-meaning person or another. I appreciate that people care and are thinking of us, but that question is getting harder and harder to answer without tears. I looked it up today and it has been 10 months and 22 days since we sent off our application. That is 325 days of waiting, praying, waiting, and praying some more. Almost 47 weeks of skyping with Jimmy and assuring him that we are doing everything we can and that God's timing is perfect. 7800 hours of wondering where our dossier is and who has it in there hands. 468,000 minutes of dreaming about what it will be like to have him here with us and being a family together in one place.
I can remember being pregnant with Rylan and Kyndal and thinking we had waited an eternity to hold their precious little hands in ours. I can now tell you that was a piece of cake compared to this. We knew a time that they would be here. Not an exact but for sure a deadline that they would have to make their appearance before this date. With the adoption, the due date or deadline for Jimmy is non-existent. We have no idea when we will have him home, able to tuck him into his bed under our roof.
Please pray strongly that we hear something soon. Pray God will be our strength and comfort. This family is growing weary and Satan works best when our hearts grow weary. Thank you.
Also, we are still working on the adoption funds needed. We have 80 quilt blocks sold. You can buy #81. There are only 108 blocks in the quilt. When they are all sold, we will draw a winner of the quilt. You can also buy a tee shirt from WildOlive tees. That fundraiser ends January 6. The company extended our last deadline. Please go to their website and go to the fundraising tees. Put our code SCHLUP0910 into the coupon code. We appreciate your support.
** We have friends who are in the Ukraine right now preparing for their adoption court date. Their boys, Ruslan and Andrey will be home by the end of the month. Please pray for the Hinson's that everything continues to go well, and everyone comes home safely and quickly.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
How's it going?
Besides "When do you get to bring him home?", the most often asked question is "How is the fundraising going?" Well, then answer is not an easy one. The more trips we have to make, the longer the process takes, the more money we will need. We overwhelmed by the generosity expressed to us so far.
We recently had a Thanksgiving Pie fundraiser along with another adopting family, the Hinson's. We sold over 80 pies. Thank you to everyone who ordered a pie from us.
For those of you who do not live close enough to buy a pie, we are still having our t-shirt sale through Wild Olive tees. They are super cute tees and would make awesome Christmas presents. Please go check it out. We have extended our fundraising window, but it will only be until January 16. This is how you can be a part. Go to the Wild Olive Tees website and shop in the fundraiser tees section. There are 15 Women's tees and 6 children's tees to choose from. When you are making a purchase, click on the coupon code button and enter our family code SCHLUP0910. You must put this code in for us to get credit for your purchase. In addition to using the code, you may choose to also put our name in the comment section of checkout.
We are also still selling quilt blocks. We have sold 77 blocks. Just 31 blocks to go. If you would like to buy a block in honor of someone, I will be happy to send you a card for you to present to the person of honor. If you would like to know how to make your donation tax-deductible, just let me know and I will give you the information.
Please consider helping us by buying a tee shirt or quilt square. I don't know what else to say, but thank you.
We recently had a Thanksgiving Pie fundraiser along with another adopting family, the Hinson's. We sold over 80 pies. Thank you to everyone who ordered a pie from us.
For those of you who do not live close enough to buy a pie, we are still having our t-shirt sale through Wild Olive tees. They are super cute tees and would make awesome Christmas presents. Please go check it out. We have extended our fundraising window, but it will only be until January 16. This is how you can be a part. Go to the Wild Olive Tees website and shop in the fundraiser tees section. There are 15 Women's tees and 6 children's tees to choose from. When you are making a purchase, click on the coupon code button and enter our family code SCHLUP0910. You must put this code in for us to get credit for your purchase. In addition to using the code, you may choose to also put our name in the comment section of checkout.
We are also still selling quilt blocks. We have sold 77 blocks. Just 31 blocks to go. If you would like to buy a block in honor of someone, I will be happy to send you a card for you to present to the person of honor. If you would like to know how to make your donation tax-deductible, just let me know and I will give you the information.
Please consider helping us by buying a tee shirt or quilt square. I don't know what else to say, but thank you.
I'm happy! You're happy? Right?
We are excited for our trip to Haiti, Jimmy and Richard are excited, but my poor Kyndal is not happy. You see, Wednesday is her seventh birthday and mommy is going to miss it. I am also missing their Christmas play at church. My heart is broken trying to be a mom to three children in two different places that are very far apart. Please pray for Kyndal to have an understanding heart and flexible attitude.
Feeling unconnected
For the past month or so, we have not had an internet connection at our house. So, I haven't been able to blog. Those issues are resolved and I am ready to get on with the updating.
Well, Cindy (who is adopting Richard) and I were supposed to heading to Port au Prince in the morning to submit our I-600 to the US Embassy in Haiti. We had our plane tickets, a place to stay, everything was set. However as we have to come to expect, plans change. Due to some misinformation, security issues, and a host of other things, we decided God was telling us it wasn't time to do that. After many prayers and discussions, we cancelled our appointment. Our plan was to go to PaP, do our business, then head to Cap Haitian to spend some time with our boys. So since we already had plane tickets etc., we are sticking to that part of the plan. We will just be leaving here a couple of days later. We will leave Tuesday and fly to Miami, spend the night and catch a flight to Cap early Wednesday morning. We will stay until the next Monday.
As far as news of the adoption process, there is no news. We haven't heard anything since our dossier entered IBESR. We are hoping it will be out soon. Here is a general timeline we received at the beginning of the process. So far, everything as been running on the longest time allotment given. Remember this is just an estimation. There are NO guarantees. Our dossier has been in IBESR for three months.
We began the adoption at the beginning of February. That was (give or take) 300 days ago. With no end in sight, I can find myself feeling a little weary of the process. When those times come and seem to take over my every thought, I remember that God's timing is perfect. Perfect! Not just okay or good, but perfect. I put my faith in his timing and will wait because it WILL be worth the wait.
Well, Cindy (who is adopting Richard) and I were supposed to heading to Port au Prince in the morning to submit our I-600 to the US Embassy in Haiti. We had our plane tickets, a place to stay, everything was set. However as we have to come to expect, plans change. Due to some misinformation, security issues, and a host of other things, we decided God was telling us it wasn't time to do that. After many prayers and discussions, we cancelled our appointment. Our plan was to go to PaP, do our business, then head to Cap Haitian to spend some time with our boys. So since we already had plane tickets etc., we are sticking to that part of the plan. We will just be leaving here a couple of days later. We will leave Tuesday and fly to Miami, spend the night and catch a flight to Cap early Wednesday morning. We will stay until the next Monday.
As far as news of the adoption process, there is no news. We haven't heard anything since our dossier entered IBESR. We are hoping it will be out soon. Here is a general timeline we received at the beginning of the process. So far, everything as been running on the longest time allotment given. Remember this is just an estimation. There are NO guarantees. Our dossier has been in IBESR for three months.
| Dossier is deposited in IBESR. | 4-6 months (if no disp) |
| *Note: 500-1000 dossiers from various countries are in the queue at this office at any given time. Each dossier is a file of about 200 pages, which has to be carefully read and approved. | (if Presidential Dispensation is required, at least another 3-6 mos should be expected) |
| Family travels to Haiti to complete their I600 paperwork in person - saves time at pickup and provides auto citizenship visa for child in US. (Trip usually b/w 4-6 days in Haiti) | |
| Dossier is approved by IBESR | |
| Paperwork sent to C4C from legal team: Child Birth Certif, Relinquishment Paper, Adopt Decree | |
| Dossier is sent to Parquet - courts | 6-12 weeks |
| Birth parents must appear at court (*unless birth family is in PaP and easy to locate, this can add much time to process if bps must travel from far away to arrive for interview.) | |
| Dossier is approved by Parquet | |
| Courts - (sometimes referred to as Second Legalization) | 5-8 weeks |
| a. Once the dossier is released from the Parquet, the dossier comes back to us. The court papers are typed and turned in to court for the finalization of the adoption process. | |
| b. Attestation of the signature on the act of adoption. This is when Archives in Haiti says that the signature on the adoption decree matches the judge who signed it. Just legalizing the signature. | |
| c. Legalization at the Minister of justice department. Papers must be legalized here for all countries, saying that the signature is the legal signature of the Judges involved on ALL papers. | 4-6 weeks |
| d. Legalization at the Minister of Foreign affairs. | |
| Dossier enters Minister of Interior | 3-4 mos |
| There are 3 departments which the dossier must pass | for entire MOI process |
| through | |
| Dossier is signed out of MOI | |
| Files sent to Passport office for printing of the children's passport | 1-2 weeks |
| unless passport office is out of passport booklets, then it takes a few weeks longer | |
| Passports issued - reviewed for accuracy sent to USCIS | |
| At the same time that the passport application is in the works, the U.S. Immigration process must be complete: | 1-3 weeks |
| a. an INS appointment is made | |
| b. birthparents must be present for USCIS interview | 2 weeks |
| (sometimes more if bp cannot be located or have trouble arriving) | |
| Visa application is filed, and appointment in Haiti | |
| to receive the visa is scheduled. | 1-2 weeks |
| Family travels to Haiti for transition time and visa appointment | stay in Haiti usually less than 1 week, unless we have reason to believe child(ren) will need longer transition period. |
We began the adoption at the beginning of February. That was (give or take) 300 days ago. With no end in sight, I can find myself feeling a little weary of the process. When those times come and seem to take over my every thought, I remember that God's timing is perfect. Perfect! Not just okay or good, but perfect. I put my faith in his timing and will wait because it WILL be worth the wait.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
On Hold.
You know when you are on the phone and the person/company on the other end puts you on hold. You can't really do anything else. You just have to wait. Sure you can piddle around, watch TV, whatever, but you can't really do anything very well. So you wait and listen for the other person to come back on. Well, that is kind of the way I feel about our life right now. We are just on hold, tied to the metaphorical phone, waiting to hear something on the other end. We are piddling around with the everyday things but can't seem to get much accomplished because we are on hold.
Our house is on hold. It has been on the market since April because we need more room for Jimmy. It has shown only a handful of times. So, until we get a bigger house we cannot set up Jimmy's room or even show him where he will live when he comes home.
Our finances are on hold. We have been working the Dave Ramsey plan trying to get out of debt, save money, etc. We have done really well, but again because we are on hold, we feel unsure of how much money we have/can use for different things because of the many adoption costs that pop up.
Even little things like family pictures are on hold. A picture of our family is not complete without Jimmy in it. So, again we wait and hold off.
In my head, I know that God's timing is perfect and He has it all under control. My human heart feels so heavy and frozen in time. I am so ready for the waiting to be over. I am ready for Jimmy to be here, to have him with us, to continue our lives together. I am ready for all the paperwork and bureaucratic nonsense to be over.
Please pray that I will find the peace we all need to endure this waiting. Please pray for us to gather the funds we need for the adoption expenses. Please pray for Jimmy to come home!
Our house is on hold. It has been on the market since April because we need more room for Jimmy. It has shown only a handful of times. So, until we get a bigger house we cannot set up Jimmy's room or even show him where he will live when he comes home.
Our finances are on hold. We have been working the Dave Ramsey plan trying to get out of debt, save money, etc. We have done really well, but again because we are on hold, we feel unsure of how much money we have/can use for different things because of the many adoption costs that pop up.
Even little things like family pictures are on hold. A picture of our family is not complete without Jimmy in it. So, again we wait and hold off.
In my head, I know that God's timing is perfect and He has it all under control. My human heart feels so heavy and frozen in time. I am so ready for the waiting to be over. I am ready for Jimmy to be here, to have him with us, to continue our lives together. I am ready for all the paperwork and bureaucratic nonsense to be over.
Please pray that I will find the peace we all need to endure this waiting. Please pray for us to gather the funds we need for the adoption expenses. Please pray for Jimmy to come home!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Looking back
When I think about the past year, I can think of times where I thought my heart would burst from the pain of disappointment, aggravation, and uncertainty. However looking back, I can see how God was molding my heart. He wasn't gentling pricking my heart; He was forcefully molding it into what He wants it to be. And that is painful. One year ago, we listened to God's calling and made our first trip to Haiti. It has been a year full of highs and lows. With every tug and pull on my heart God has stretched me to love more, pulled me closer to Him, and pushed me out of my comfort zone.
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
I booked my flight for a trip to Port au Prince in December. It will be myself and my friend, Cindy, going. She and her husband are adopting too. We will be filing our I-600 then flying up to Cap Haitien to spend time with Jimmy and Richard as well as work at CHCH and Tabitha's orphanage nearby.
Please pray for our travels, our dossier in IBESR, and our fundraising. The December trip will cost approximately $2000. Please consider buying a puzzle quilt piece, a tee shirt at www.WildOliveTees.com (remember to put in our coupon code SCHLUP0910), or order a delicious pie ($15 each.) Every dollar counts. Thank you for your support.
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
I booked my flight for a trip to Port au Prince in December. It will be myself and my friend, Cindy, going. She and her husband are adopting too. We will be filing our I-600 then flying up to Cap Haitien to spend time with Jimmy and Richard as well as work at CHCH and Tabitha's orphanage nearby.
Please pray for our travels, our dossier in IBESR, and our fundraising. The December trip will cost approximately $2000. Please consider buying a puzzle quilt piece, a tee shirt at www.WildOliveTees.com (remember to put in our coupon code SCHLUP0910), or order a delicious pie ($15 each.) Every dollar counts. Thank you for your support.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Updates and Progress
First I wanted to update you all on our fundraisers. To date, we have sold 60 of the 108 quilt blocks. Amazing! We are so overwhelmed and blessed by your support. You still have 48 more opportunities to buy a block and get into the drawing. You are also still able to purchase tee shirts from Wild Olive Tees. We get a big portion of the profits from these tee shirts. They are super cute and would be a great gift for someone else or just an addition to your wardrobe. Go to www.WildOliveTees.com or click on their button at the left side of this page, go to the fundraiser section, make your selections, then put our code SCHLUP0910 in the coupon code. You must put in the code for us to get credit for your purchase. If you feel led, please consider one of these opportunities to change our family tree.
Second, I need to update you on the adoption process. Although we are still playing the waiting game, we are able to complete another step soon. Some time at the beginning of the December, Rob or I will be heading to Port au Prince to file our I-600. Once this is completed, the American side of the adoption will be complete. Unfortunately, we must continue to wait on the Haitian side; but any progress is progress and another step to check off our list.
Please continue to pray for the waiting to be as minimal as possible. Also please pray for Jimmy. He needs your prayers of patience, strength, and peace. Thank you!
Second, I need to update you on the adoption process. Although we are still playing the waiting game, we are able to complete another step soon. Some time at the beginning of the December, Rob or I will be heading to Port au Prince to file our I-600. Once this is completed, the American side of the adoption will be complete. Unfortunately, we must continue to wait on the Haitian side; but any progress is progress and another step to check off our list.
Please continue to pray for the waiting to be as minimal as possible. Also please pray for Jimmy. He needs your prayers of patience, strength, and peace. Thank you!
Jimmy at the Citadel.
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