"Collisions with the Future"

Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.Jose Ortega y Gasset

"What we yearn to be"...a very hopeful phrase.  On the eve of another birthday, we've experienced a few collisions with the future.  But the hope of what we yearn to be - the hope of a life's purpose beyond ourselves - these are the hopes of another year on Earth.

Amazingly, I am blessed to share my birthday with the youngest of the three girls.  Instead of speaking of the girls' ages as 14, 9, and 7, we'll soon be saying 15, 9, and 8.  Although we won't be able to be with the girls during their upcoming birthdays (8/25 and 9/4), we'll look forward to when we are able to celebrate as a family.

"Favorable Determination"

The USCIS just approved our i600A.  This basically means that the government considers us to be prospective parents, qualified to continue through the adoption process.

Although they've approved us many times over the last 7 years (approvals expire after 18 months), this approval is colossal.  

C loser to the goal line

O verwhelming

L inked to three young ladies

O rphaned

S isters

S urvivors

A broad

L uminous

One At A Time

You may remember that we recently posted a blog entry about a t-shirt fundraiser.  Here are the styles we ordered first.  We're looking forward to posting more pictures from friends and family.  http://www.adoptionbug.com/hockett/

Refresh

refresh:  make like new; give new life

We've all heard the phrase "refresh the page" - be sure you have the most recent information on a webpage.  We've heard how "refreshing" a new beverage can be - how a walk on the beach can "refresh" your soul.

Our "refresh" button  has definitely been clicked.  Following the silence of the last few weeks, we received this information:

IBESR:   In a decree dated August 10th, IBESR announced that it will accept dossiers prepared between May and July of this year between the dates of August 15th and September 15th.  The new process and policies will be implemented on October first.      

Just prior to this update, we received word that our dossier was officially "IN" IBESR.  This means the process is rolling right along and we will not have to navigate the transition to the new procedures Haiti will be implementing very soon.

However, the refresh really came when we received another updated report on each of the girls, listing us as the "adoptive parents of"...Shortly after, we were asked ("ask the parents if") if we would give our permission  for the two youngest girls to participate in their first communion. 

I'm not sure what words best describe the surreal nature of these brief phrases and interchanges.  Without having met the girls, without them knowing who we are, it's still a foreign concept to be considered their parents.  Click Refresh.  Our drive has been refreshed - our drive to meet with the travel doctor, work on our Haitian Creole, increase our fundraising efforts, read more, plan more.

Thank you for joining us on this journey - your continued thoughts and prayers are so appreciated.  

Silence

Navigating the adoption road includes many moments of silence.  Currently, the silence is characterized by a country closed to new adoptions while they improve their protocols and become a Hauge-compliant country.  (The Social Welfare Department (IBESR) was set to reopen on August 1st.  No word yet as to a new date.)

We experienced another unexpected curve this week when our Gift of Adoption grant application was denied.  We certainly don't envy the grant selection committee.  Prioritization of funds for so many deserving families must be extremely difficult and heart-wrenching.

Fortunately, these moments each have positive outcomes.  Haiti's adoption processes will be strengthened...safety for children will be increased.  The Gift of Adoption grant will be provided to a family, making another home for a deserving orphan.

Our reaction to the silence?  Patience.  Perseverance.  Continued hope.  Never easy, but certainly necessary.

Our continued thanks for your thoughts and prayers.