First, I have to say that I love our agency and our caseworker. They were not the cheapest agency out there, but for us they just "felt" right from the get go. I know that seems really fruity, but it's true. They maintain regular communication with the adoptive families. We get weekly email updates, we have monthly phone calls, and any time I call or email, I get a response within a few hours (as long as it's during business hours). Generally, I would think this would be standard operating procedure for any adoption agency, but after talking to and communicating with some other families, this is apparently a perk and not a commonality.
Anyway, our caseworker is always so upbeat. Much like myself . . . not really, but one can dream. She is one of those people that always makes you feel encouraged just from having a five minute conversation. Normally, our calls are pretty run-of-the-mill though. Just a quick run through of what's going on, but today, I decided to get brave and ask her how far along she thinks we are in the whole process. I'm always a little hesitant to ask this because let's face it, with my glass half empty mentality, I just figure I'm better off not knowing. That's me all sunshine and daisies. But today I asked. And I was pleasantly surprised. She said she really thinks that we are looking at receiving a referral anywhere from 18 - 26 months after being registered. We've been registered 13 months so I guess we are at least halfway there. The deal is the MOJ is not issuing referrals in the order in which you are registered. They match children to families based on the parameters each family sets, and our caseworker said they're a bit all over the place. Older children and special needs adoptions always get first priority, but still, we are in a good place. Also, the MOJ has been meeting weekly which is awesome, and we should be seeing some more referrals this month. We don't know who they're for yet, but we do know they are coming. Any movement is good movement.
Of course, this is all very tentative. I was fully prepared to wait threeish years so it was refreshing to hear that we may not have to wait quite so long, but either way (even if we wait three years or more . . . ugh, I hope not) I know it's in God's hands. That's the other thing our caseworker reminded of today. God has our child ready for us. He has a plan for us, and it is good.
So tonight I'm asking for specific prayers. I hope they don't sound too selfish. I always worry when I ask for prayer that I'm sounding self-centered. But either way, I'm asking for prayer that things really do begin moving in Bulgaria for all families, but more specifically that our wait is shorter than we anticipated. Please pray that we come in under the 24 month mark, and very specifically (I've used the word specific in some form three times in the last four sentences . . . oops) that I have favor at work when it comes to time off and travel. I don't want to fight with anyone, but I do need to travel when the referral comes in. If we could go in May or June of 2013 that would be amazing. That's extremely optimistic thinking, but it would be amazing none-the-less. No matter what, it's in God's hands. We know that, and like I said earlier, He has a plan for us, and it is good.
I'm leaving you with a picture of Anthony reading Andrew his bedtime story. Sweet way to end a long day.
1 comment:
Courtney,
I have to say, my heart goes out to you all.It must be extremely hard to wait that long. We adopted an older child so it was lightening quick in comparison and it still felt like FOREVER! It is crazy to be in love with a child whose face you can't see (or even imagine), whose given name you don't know, whose story is still being written. You just know that she is "out there somewhere" and it's breathtaking to ask parents to wait so long! Oh my, oh my, do I understand that!
All I can say is please remember that her times and your family's times are in God's hands.
There will be a moment when you see WHY it happened the way it did. Why this or that was asked of you. Why you stayed at this/that hotel... the list of what could be is long but I'm trying to say don't rush anything- you'll see all the "why's" one day soon. Pray and ask the Lord to let you see how it all came together. I will pray that the Lord will give you an insider's view. It is one of the most humbling and reassuring experiences to stand in the cross hairs of God's timing and get a glimpse of how HE WORKED ALL THESE THINGS TOGETHER.
He loves her more than you do and He's working out the details to bless this little girl's life. Part of that blessing is stretching your patience load bearing ability- which trust me- you'd rather have all that stretching out of the way before she arrives. :)
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