The adoption process is long and slow, with lots of “hurry up and wait” times. It’s like a marathon and we’ve been plugging along and can finally almost see the finish line. We’ve had a long, slow stretch since I posted the last update, but finally things are starting to pick up! We have word that we are family number 4 on the waiting list for Ethiopia and that they have 3 children in the transitional home in Addis Ababa for those families ahead of us! For so long, this adoption has been sort of a vague, one-of-these-days kind of thing in my mind. Now suddenly, we have a time frame for a referral of late December/January possibly. This is really happening! We are on the home stretch!
Our adoption agency is also in the process of developing relationships with other government orphanages that work with younger children as well, so where we had thought 4 was the youngest we might get, now that is up in the air. Also, we had thought all along we’d go ahead and get a boy because of household logistics, but we learned that getting a child of the same gender and similar age to our younger son could be very difficult for him. As much as he wants a sibling, he could end up feeling as if the new child were somehow replacing him in the family. The baby of the family can have a hard time adjusting anytime a new child is added, and we certainly don’t want to make it any more difficult. However, if it were to be a girl close to his age, then it would not be the same feeling of replacement. So we really have no idea what God is going to bring us and we’re looking forward to our referral!
Fund-Raising Update
As we have upwards of $20,000 yet to raise, we are heavy into fund-raising mode right now. We have applied for a regular grant and a matching grant (which means the grant organization matches funds that are donated, up to a certain amount) and should hear very soon on that. Also, our wonderful church family is helping with several fund-raisers and we are SO appreciative. To be totally honest, fund-raising is rather difficult for me. It’s not a pride thing. I think it’s simply that I don’t want anyone to feel obligated. I know we need help and I know God provides through His people, and we are 100% confident that he WILL provide.
I’ll post another update soon with the fund-raising results of these events happening the next several weeks!