Last week I was taken a little aback by the news that it could be 3.5 years until we would be bringing our children home. I knew this would be a process, a long process, and maybe I was kidding myself thinking that somehow our process would be shorter. We still do have the potential to have a shorter process since our parameters are not extremely narrow, but we will still be no where near what my head was hoping for.
In the recent months it had crossed my mind that I could see us adopting more than once, but what a process that would be! If this is a 3-5 year process, to start all over again seemed like so much. But now our minds are racing with a new hope...
Because of the letter they sent us, we learned that simultaneous adoption is an option. The thought had never even occurred to me to look into this option, but I'm becoming quite excited about the prospect. With simultaneous adoption, we would be part of two different adoption programs within our agency - Ethiopia & Bulgaria. Once we receive a referral for one country, the other country would put us on hold for a year, and then at that time we would be put back on the waiting list by our original dossier paperwork date, meaning we wouldn't be starting over, but most likely ahead of where we left off. Yes, this means double the expenses right now - ugh. But, all of these expenses would occur whether we did them now or later. And it isn't to say that Bulgaria would be a ton faster. There will be a long enough wait for our children from this country as well.
Another option would be to completely switch away from Ethiopia to Bulgaria. But I've "seen" my kids from Ethiopia, and feel in my heart that they are waiting for us - so my heart right now is leaning towards simultaneous adoptions...
Now to pray, mull over, pray, think, and pray some more. Could I please ask a favor of you tonight? Could you also pray for us? We want this to be for our children. This needs to be the right decision for them. Please pray that God will help make known what path we should take in the next few days.
Thank you :)
In the recent months it had crossed my mind that I could see us adopting more than once, but what a process that would be! If this is a 3-5 year process, to start all over again seemed like so much. But now our minds are racing with a new hope...
Because of the letter they sent us, we learned that simultaneous adoption is an option. The thought had never even occurred to me to look into this option, but I'm becoming quite excited about the prospect. With simultaneous adoption, we would be part of two different adoption programs within our agency - Ethiopia & Bulgaria. Once we receive a referral for one country, the other country would put us on hold for a year, and then at that time we would be put back on the waiting list by our original dossier paperwork date, meaning we wouldn't be starting over, but most likely ahead of where we left off. Yes, this means double the expenses right now - ugh. But, all of these expenses would occur whether we did them now or later. And it isn't to say that Bulgaria would be a ton faster. There will be a long enough wait for our children from this country as well.
Another option would be to completely switch away from Ethiopia to Bulgaria. But I've "seen" my kids from Ethiopia, and feel in my heart that they are waiting for us - so my heart right now is leaning towards simultaneous adoptions...
Now to pray, mull over, pray, think, and pray some more. Could I please ask a favor of you tonight? Could you also pray for us? We want this to be for our children. This needs to be the right decision for them. Please pray that God will help make known what path we should take in the next few days.
Thank you :)
In Christ,
Mara
Praying and hoping that a clear decision stands out for you and your family! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOf course we'll pray!! Love from Iowa. (No idea why I've never commented before. I've been reading all of your posts!!)
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