Adoption Update

Well, we are STILL trying to get the homestudy "clean" and ready for the Russians. We thought all was done, but alas, in the adoption world, you are never through with paperwork until three years after your court order.

Last week we were told we had to complete the "Hague Training". With our last adoption, we completed at least 18 hours of training and in the back of my mind, I think it was more like 21 hours. The Hague Treaty and certification requires all adoptive parents to obtain a certificate of training - for a fee. The training is from a third party that will provide the all important certificate - for a fee.

Part of being an pre-adoptive parent is closing your eyes and writing out checks for these fees. Some are small and are only a couple of hundred dollars. Others enter the five digit realm. You see, the world thinks that adoptive parents are rich. Why else would someone venture down that road unless our pockets were burdened with too much money. Did I also mention we had to mail the US Government money today to grant us permission to adopt? We sent the money and they could say "no" and the money is gone. Why do we do this? Why do we spend our retirement money (what is left), scrimp and save money from our paycheck? Because God put a burden on our hearts for these children. To outsiders and extended family we are insane. Did I mention we have to have a psychological evaluation - for a fee? Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see lists of fees needed for this adoption. Where is it going to come from? God.

In the last adoption on the 12th hour with three weeks before court, we realized we were $6,000 short. We never said a thing to anyone other than God. One week later, we received $6,000. Am I scarred? Yes. Will God provide? Yes. I know He is there and when I calm down, I take comfort in knowing so.

Please, keep us in your prayers...

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27