To Do List

1. Tie up some paperwork loose ends.
2. Practice patience.
3. Keep learning.  Learning new words, reading expert perspectives, taking classes.
4. Remember that we are never in control.
5.  Interview counselors to find someone with the right blend of knowledge, compassion and expertise.
6. Continue to pursue grants and other fundraising efforts. 
7. Find a travel clinic to begin rounds of shots.

While we continue to work on the things we can control, we are often met with news of what we cannot control.  For instance, the U.S. State Department recently posted news that the IBESR (Haiti's governmental entity overseeing adoption) has ceased taking in new dossiers and will open the process again on June 1st.  Last week, we received word that this timeline has changed to August 1st.

We don't really know what this will mean for us.  We hope that we will still travel to meet the girls in the next few months.  In the meantime, we’ll continue to have faith and focus on learning along the way.

Paper with Purpose

You might remember that we had a few documents that were rejected by our government's authentication department.  We received word today that our final document needing revision had been completed.  So, we can now take these several documents to be authenticated.  At this point, the documents move on to be translated, and make their way to Haiti.  


In the meantime, we need to work on picture pages that will be given to each girl to introduce who we are.  On 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of paper, we need to provide a glimpse of who we are and seek to establish that first bit of connection.  While we know the few pictures we'll probably use, our more important task is determining how we will personalize the picture pages for each girl.  


-What should we write?  
-How do we make each of the girls feel unique and special?  
-How do we communicate all the hopes we have for their futures through such limited vessels?     


Our current plan includes trying to harness the tiny bit we know about their interests and talents in an effort to express our hearts and begin to add on to their definition of family.  We'll let you know how it goes.  

Why No Pictures??

You may have noticed that our blog is decidedly vacant when it comes to pictures of the girls.  You also may have noticed that we haven't included the names of the girls either.  

From the moment we read a brief paragraph about the girls, our hearts were wrecked.  We had often talked about how great it would be to adopt siblings who could go through this crazy adventure together.  How amazing that we've been given the blessing of being considered to be worthy of these three amazing young ladies.

We have made a deliberate decision to protect the identify of the girls for many reasons.  We are not yet their legal guardians.  While they know a family exists who wants to adopt them, they do not know the specifics of "us".

Our plan is to share more details when more the process is closer to being finalized.  Once the girls have met us and allowed us to become part of their family, we will be thrilled to introduce them to you.  

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.

Patience and Perseverance

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."                   
John Quincy Adams 


I always appreciate a Bible verse or great quote that provides an anchor - resonates in such a way as to push me, recharge my spirit, or create the appropriate spin for my attitude to adjust.


This week, we found out that our initial trip to Haiti may be delayed.  At first, we were obviously disheartened by this possibility.  We look forward to the minute when we can meet the girls and begin to build the foundation of our family.  However, I am purposely using words like "may" and "possibility", hoping for unusual timeliness - a miraculous flow of events that allow for a tighter timeframe.  


At the same time, however, we need to practice patience and perseverance.  We need to have the flexibility to roll with changes, and the faith to know that each step is occurring in just the right timing.   So, instead of traveling in May/June, we may be traveling August/September.  Either way, we're traveling.  Either way, we'll meet the girls.  We'll continue to persevere and watch those obstacles vanish.