Count Your Blessings
The past two days have been filled with many little miracles...
1. At the beginning of this process, I contacted a Mama, KC, who has adopted two children with Down Syndrome from D's country. I expressed our nerves and asked for words of wisdom which she so graciously shared. Then I showed her D and she replied with "follow your heart and when the doubts and fears come, don't retreat!" That night, we signed his commitment papers.
Well turns out, just a few months prior, another Mama reached out to KC for the same reasons as us and showed her the same little boy, D. At this time, that Mama saw his sweet face and thought that he might be her future son. But, when it was time to sign his commitment papers, she couldn't do it but didn't know why she wasn't supposed to. Later that day, she came across a picture of another little boy 'J' and knew that he was the one. Now, this Mama is in country meeting her sweet boy.
Well, KC connected the two of us yesterday... a Mama who almost brought my sweet boy home. A Mama who saw his worth before I crossed his path. She almost committed to him but was stopped and it was because, 'J' was hers and 'D' was ours. This little boy has been waiting for us and I thank God everyday we finally found him and that his wait will be over soon.
2. Another beautiful and kind soul reached out to me yesterday. She is another RR adoptive Mama who brought her little guy with DS home one month ago from D's country. She too, offered us words of wisdom and guidance, particularly regarding fundraising. Fundraising is a huge part of this journey that is so hard and a lot of work. This amazing Mama has offered to help us. She is busy, SO busy. She already had two little ones at home, now she has a new little guy with DS home who is learning and attaching, and she is busy balancing a million little things in her life... yet she wants to help us. I am amazed every day by the kind and selfless families I am meeting through this journey. I'll say that again and again and again.
3. Today we were able to mail our USCIS paperwork. This is an application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition. This is a big step and we need it to complete Packet #2 for Country. This is also expensive paperwork... and we were able to pay for it with the money we fundraised from the first round of t-shirts.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It will take approximately 4-6 weeks to get the approval, once that is in we can send our next packet!
4. Our home study write-up is DONE! It has officially been sent to the team for review. The team here in the US and in Country will study it and review it to make sure it would pass in Country. It is common to need revisions but this is huge. We are so thankful for our awesome Social Worker who has worked in a very timely manner.
5. We have a BIG fundraiser in the works... today I was able to book a location for a spaghetti dinner that we will have within our community. Growing up, I was very active in our local 4H club for horseback riding. 4H and the people involved played a huge role in molding me into the person that I am today. I created my best friendships and I learned countless values participating as a member. Today, I reached out to the board members who have watched me grow up and supported me every step of the way, to see if we could arrange our fundraiser at their field house. And, they so graciously said 'YES!' and offered to volunteer at the event. SO THANKFUL! Locals, stay tuned for more information.
WOW, my heart... it is so full today.
1. At the beginning of this process, I contacted a Mama, KC, who has adopted two children with Down Syndrome from D's country. I expressed our nerves and asked for words of wisdom which she so graciously shared. Then I showed her D and she replied with "follow your heart and when the doubts and fears come, don't retreat!" That night, we signed his commitment papers.
Well turns out, just a few months prior, another Mama reached out to KC for the same reasons as us and showed her the same little boy, D. At this time, that Mama saw his sweet face and thought that he might be her future son. But, when it was time to sign his commitment papers, she couldn't do it but didn't know why she wasn't supposed to. Later that day, she came across a picture of another little boy 'J' and knew that he was the one. Now, this Mama is in country meeting her sweet boy.
Well, KC connected the two of us yesterday... a Mama who almost brought my sweet boy home. A Mama who saw his worth before I crossed his path. She almost committed to him but was stopped and it was because, 'J' was hers and 'D' was ours. This little boy has been waiting for us and I thank God everyday we finally found him and that his wait will be over soon.
2. Another beautiful and kind soul reached out to me yesterday. She is another RR adoptive Mama who brought her little guy with DS home one month ago from D's country. She too, offered us words of wisdom and guidance, particularly regarding fundraising. Fundraising is a huge part of this journey that is so hard and a lot of work. This amazing Mama has offered to help us. She is busy, SO busy. She already had two little ones at home, now she has a new little guy with DS home who is learning and attaching, and she is busy balancing a million little things in her life... yet she wants to help us. I am amazed every day by the kind and selfless families I am meeting through this journey. I'll say that again and again and again.
3. Today we were able to mail our USCIS paperwork. This is an application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition. This is a big step and we need it to complete Packet #2 for Country. This is also expensive paperwork... and we were able to pay for it with the money we fundraised from the first round of t-shirts.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It will take approximately 4-6 weeks to get the approval, once that is in we can send our next packet!
4. Our home study write-up is DONE! It has officially been sent to the team for review. The team here in the US and in Country will study it and review it to make sure it would pass in Country. It is common to need revisions but this is huge. We are so thankful for our awesome Social Worker who has worked in a very timely manner.
5. We have a BIG fundraiser in the works... today I was able to book a location for a spaghetti dinner that we will have within our community. Growing up, I was very active in our local 4H club for horseback riding. 4H and the people involved played a huge role in molding me into the person that I am today. I created my best friendships and I learned countless values participating as a member. Today, I reached out to the board members who have watched me grow up and supported me every step of the way, to see if we could arrange our fundraiser at their field house. And, they so graciously said 'YES!' and offered to volunteer at the event. SO THANKFUL! Locals, stay tuned for more information.
WOW, my heart... it is so full today.
Bless all of your hearts! God knows just the right, loving parents for this beautiful child. Best Wishes!!!
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