Friday update

Well, here we are again - it's Friday. This week brings some news.....

We had some hope from our Social Worker, based on some happenings a month or two ago, that we would have another referral by the end of January. We inquired to see if that might still be a possibility earlier this week -and it isn't still a possibility. Needless to say, we were very disappointed. We seem to live in this pendulum of hope to disappointment - it swings back and forth on a pretty regular basis.

We also heard this week that some other adoptive parents who have already made their first visit to Ethiopia to meet their children have now had their paperwork sent to Nairobi for further review because they are "not clearly approvable". This means another level of review of their paperwork and the possible request for more information. Having gone through the Home Study process and laying our lives open for all sorts of review, I can't imagine what other information may be requested from those families, who are just longing to go back and bring their children home!

Today, it was confirmed by our Social Worker -- - we need to request another appointment for our Federal Fingerprints via the USCIS (United States Center for Immigration Services) and also request an extension of our "Approval to Adopt" from the USCIS. Requesting an extension of this form also means we need to update our Home Study - which may be costly and it sounds like it may involve another Home Visit.

Would you please pray for:

*Our child(ren) in Ethiopia - protection, health, development & preparation for coming to us

*That we can get the updated paperwork done in a timely and cost efficient manner

*For those families dealing with having their paperwork reviewed again - and that when our referral comes through, all of our paperwork and processes go very smoothly

*For our spirits to stay encouraged and strong

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. One Thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62: 5 & 11

It's Friday - again

It's Friday - again, marking another week without a referral. We're not sure why, but both our hearts and spirits are discouraged and sour tonight, more than most Friday nights. Please pray for us to keep a spirit of hope and perseverance, and for the protection of our family in Ethiopia. We don't know why God is making us wait - but he is also making a child or children wait for some reason. We keep trying to trust that there is a good reason (or many good reasons) but tonight, it is hard. We'd appreciate your prayers - we need them right now.

Thank You~

Dave & Vicki

Very Deep Sigh

This is a picture of two wall signs that hang in our home. Often, I walk by them and am encouraged. Often, I also walk by them and sigh a very deep sigh. Tonight is a very deep sigh night.

The top sign says "Pray Big". I do often pray big - I pray for this adoption and every detail I can think of relating to it. I pray for people to be healed, to find salvation, to find little and big miracles in their lives, for love to be found, forgiveness to be given, needs to be met, etc etc. (you'd probably laugh at me and all the prayer conversations I have in my own little head with my friend and my Lord God). I believe that I serve a BIG God and that he wants us to pray BIG because He can do more than we can ever imagine.

The bottom sign says "Be Patient. Our Prayers are always answered, but not always on the exact day we'd like them to be." It is almost in ways, the opposite of the Pray Big sign - because as much as I, or anyone else does Pray Big, the answers and the timing to those answers are totally out of our hands. And, I need to be reminded of that - pretty much on a daily basis relating to our adoption and all sorts of other things too.

So - getting back to why today is a "very deep sigh" sort of day.....we heard from our agency today about possible time lines and it was discouraging once again. They do not have a referral ready at this time. The thought is that the best scenario is to possibly have our family home with us by early summer. And, that was the best scenario sort of update. (This spring we will hit the 2 year mark of the process - we never thought we'd be here!)

In some ways, that sounds fabulous, right? The kids and I would all be home together to adjust to all this newness together over the summer. But, I was really hoping to have some time with Family Medical Leave to be home with our new member(s) while the older Jansen's were still in school, to help build the parental bond. And, I've always thought it would be easier to convince/bribe/coerce someone or somebodies to stay with our kids, while Dave & I go to Ethiopia, while they are all in school. Their caretakers could go shopping and eat bonbons all day - much easier than being their summer entertainment while Dave & I travel, right? Exactly. These are just some of the thoughts that continue to bubble through my head as I make plans - or actually dream again about making plans - for the future.

So - I must Pray Big and yet be Big in my patience. I am reminded that God wants what is best for our entire family -those here in Ohio and those in Ethiopia.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," says The Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I believe this and tonight I will rest in it.