Standing Firm!!!

After a conversation with my case manager today, I’m left with an overwhelmingly stunned feeling. It’s evident that our adoption process is taking far more time in preparing than the normal process for adopting a sibling group (which on average is running about 6-10 months from start to finish – and often times even less than 6 months). Ours has exceeded 19 months now, yet we continue on with plenty of hope that our day will come soon. The past emails from our case manager offered hints of pessimism throughout and even gave suggestions on how we’d need to have updates and supporting documentation in place during the months of February and March of 2008 to bring our documents up to date. I was completely stunned -- MARCH! Bear with me for a moment, I mean I’m all for being prepared, but this is way out of my focus range. I mean MARCH??? I thought we’d be back from Colombia with our new children by then. After all, we’re seeking to adopt siblings which tend to move rather quickly. To think that our dossier might still be up for review with no approval one whole year after submittal is totally absurd (and unheard of). At last check, for siblings as we've requested, ICBF's processing time was within 1 to 3 months of dossier submittal. Upon hearing this news I’m left to think, “How little faith does that display?” “Do they really think our adoption is going to go into another year?” The short answer comes rather quickly when I think back and realize that I’ve been filled with non-truths (or half-truths) throughout the entire process and why would this time be any different? Now comes the tricky part where I need a little timeout for myself! Breathe in, breathe out…. Breathe in, breathe out …whooooooo …..sorry, just had to take a few deep breaths just to gather my senses again! Okay, now back to reality…news is news and any info is subject to scrutiny, and really this is just mere guesswork on their part and offers up no rationalization or justification. So I'll not waste my time pondering over their whole pessimistic viewpoint, I must STAND FIRM with my beliefs and in my way of thinking! It restores my senses just knowing I must continue on, just as any strong believer in Christ would, placing complete faith that He will see it through. God is the divine matchmaker and will place these children before us when His timing is right. Focus musn't be lost in His divine plan for our family. My faith must remain intact and shall not waiver. I must stand firm, and if challenged, bounce right back to stand firm again.

Our family needs your prayers. I’ve certainly sensed an overwhelming need for prayer lately, and am learning to seek prayer from others. I really feel we are much, much closer to finalizing the adoption than our agency even realizes, and I strongly sense that the enemy knows that too and is using every tool possible trying to dash our hopes. We ask that you please find it in your hearts to lift our family in prayer to overcome the struggles that lie ahead, and that we continue to stand firm as strong believers trusting completely in the faith of God’s promises.

Sending our love,
Genece (and Rick)