One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Each document involved in the creation of a dossier goes through many steps:

• We create documents or contact the entity who needs to create a document - doctors, banks, police departments, employers, psychologists, etc.
• We explain what exactly is needed - some comply beautifully, others refuse, need repeated explanations, or complete the task, but on their own timeline
• Each document needs to be notarized - creator of the document has to sign in the presence of a notary
• Notarized documents need to be authenticated - the U.S. government confirms that each document is genuine and provides a cover letter for each document

Last week, we took our final group of documents into the city to be authenticated.  Many were approved and authenticated.  Others, not so much.  

-One didn't have an approved signature (it had a signature, but was the police chief's stamp - not an original signature).

-One lacked precise language needed for the notary statement.

This week, we are contacting the entities from whom we need revised documents.  Some have said "we can't do that".  Others respond with compassion and do their best to accommodate the needs that are beyond our control.

While this "paper chase" can be frustrating, our few steps back pale in comparison to the extreme challenges faced by orphans all over the world. 

If you've been praying for the girls, please keep praying.  If you are keeping all of us in your thoughts, let us remain there.  Even if we don't connect with each of you every day, please know that we are grateful for your kindness and appreciate your support.

Insight from Friends

One of our new friends was introduced to us through our adoption agency, Adoption-Link.  Danielle is a grad student in Michigan who interned with the agency at the end of her schooling.  Once her internship was complete, she providentially determined to spend a year at the orphanage where the girls reside.


When Danielle returned home after a year of living in Haiti, she "prayed without ceasing" for a family to be found for the girls.  We were fortunate to meet Danielle last month, and continue to be in contact.  She provides us with a wealth of stories, memories, and insights into the lives of the children in the orphanage.


When the wind picked up this afternoon, and the rain began to fall, I thought I would share the following insight from Danielle.

One thing to think on when the girls come home is their fear of the weather.  It seems very irrational from an American perspective, but for them, it is a norm that exists no matter what age you are.  So many times, I had to explain my lack of fear of the rain to the kids and staff, asking them, "Are you afraid of the sun hurting your skin?  No?  That's because you have never had reason to be afraid of a sunburn.  This is how it is for me with the rain."  They understood, to a certain degree.  It's difficult to understand when your world has always taught you how quickly everything can change.  If it starts to sprinkle, the children will often run inside and watch from within the safety of the walls of the creche.  It is understandable when you think on the destruction that has been done in their country from rapid weather changes.  Rain, for example, has flooded the streets and uprooted homes, sending them crashing into other homes, taking lives.  Winds pull the metal "roofs" from homes and send them flying haphazardly.  Coconuts fall from the trees.  People die from these things.  They never know when it is coming and it causes them to sometimes live in fear.  

Pepper's Home!

Pepper has been home almost two weeks.  


We're learning that she loves to be anywhere our feet are; she loves to chew on her toys-and her tail-and her paws-and any part of people-and the furniture.  Fortunately, for her, she's really adorable and has a very sweet disposition most of the time.


A 10-week-old puppy is definitely ruling the roost.  Dad is doing a remarkable job of helping her establish routines.  She loves her crate, sleeps through the night, and does her business outside...some of the time.  


We have a great deal to learn.  Hopefully the puppy trainer will offer a great deal of sage advice.