Update on our situation

A few weeks ago we posted that we needed extra prayer because of a situation concerning our adoption. At the time, our agency contacted us and wanted to know if we would be willing to take two children. A woman approached the Red Cross in Guyana giving her intent to put her two little girls up for adoption, as long as they weren't split up. This was a very unique request considering we hadn't finished our homestudy, we hadn't officially signed on with the agency or paid our retainer fee. In addition to this, Guyana does not operate on a referral system. Although we weren't considering taking two children at the time, we readily accepted. The reason why we didn't post this on line was because it was very tentative and up in the air, but we needed your prayers and we thank you for doing so without knowing the reasons behind it! We didn't hear from our agency for several weeks, but in those weeks we applied for citizenship for a second child just in case. We found out yesterday however, that this adoption of the two girls is not going to go through. The mother has decided to keep her girls and raise them herself. While this has obviously been disappointing for us, it's good to hear that the family is staying together. We had been praying for the mother from the beginning, and we're glad she is in a place that she feels that she can take care of her children.

First Big Step!

Hi Friends :)

I am happy to say that our home study sessions that we started in January are almost done !!!!!!

We've had several meetings with our practitioner, and I think that maybe, perhaps, possibly, last Wednesday was our last meeting.

(See how sure I am of this? lol!)

In case you don't know, the home study is something that is required by the government in order for you to adopt, internationally or locally. They are done by Family And Children's Services when you are adopting through FACS, or in our case by a private adoption practitioner if you are adopting internationally or privately.

I have to say, the home study process has been very overwhelming. Hundreds of questions about your life, your childhood, your marriage, your faith, discipline, finances, lifestyle, and anything else you could possibly think of was covered in the home study. There is also a short 'interview' with your children and without you. It's a bit unnerving having someone you don't know come into your home, so you can spill your entire life details out for them while they write it all down on a notepad!

The next step is WAITING again.

(Shocker!)

Our practitioner will review our session notes and write a report on us either recommending us or not recommending us for adoption. And then once we are recommended

(see how I've disregarded the second option?)

she sends the report to the government to get an official letter of approval from them, which will go in our file and will come with us to Guyana! This is about a 3-6 month wait.......sigh.