Acceptance!

Our home study was accepted by Ashraya (orphanage) and our agency is sending the formal application our way. We are very happy that they consider us a good match for "S", and pray that while we complete this paperwork, she will be freed for adoption through the Indian court system.

Hopefully, her referral will coincide with our tax refund receipt in mid-March!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Hold your breath....

The orphanage committee is considering our home study and requested a family picture. So, we have e-mailed pics of ourselves. They said they like to "visualize the family". We should know within days if we are pre-approved, or if our journey must take us elsewhere. I am holding my breath......

E-mail from AIAA

We were notified via an e-mail from AIAA today that the infant girl "S" has not yet been granted clearance from India for adoption, and that it may take several months. This process has slowed down and is now taking up to a year. However, we hear that the actual adoption process once a child is released for adoption is speeding up.

We have decided to pursue her adoption anyway, since we could be waiting for months and months to find another child whose needs are complimentary to what our family can meet. Our home study is being faxed to her orphanage today to see if they will approve us for her. If they approve us, then we can immediately begin the adoption process once she has clearance.

Now we would have more time to collect the money needed, so that's a plus. And, we would be waiting with a purpose, instead of pointless waiting. No real chance of getting her in 2008, however, which is disappointing. We aren't "in love" yet, as anything could happen and we haven't even seen her picture or seen her file since she is not available for adoption. But we are hopeful.

We pray that they approve our family for her, and that the courts work quickly to free her for adoption.

Monday morning update

We received an e-mail from the new agency this morning, and "I" was placed with the NRI (Non-resident Indian) couple late last week. We rejoice that he has a new mom and dad!!! The e-mail also said that they have asked the orphanage if the baby girl, "S", is available, and we should hear back within the week. We are prayerfully hopeful that we will hear good news.

Christmas Eve 2007

Kids with new Build-A-Bear outfits

Happy 25th Anniversary, Ashraya!

I found out today via another family's blog that there is a reason for the long wait for information on the two children waiting in India that we are interested in adding to our family. The orphanage that these two children reside in was closed the week of Christmas, then the social worker there was on vacation, and now this week is their 25th anniversary, so they are having celebrations and reunions of adoptees from India, Europe and U.S. with the orphanage workers.

So, next Monday everything should be back on track and hopefully we will hear something soon. We are anxious to identify a child and move along!!

Lord, I didn't pray for patience!!!