Not a lot has changed regarding HG's adoption process, but poco a poco, it is getting done. Just to catch you up from the last post about the adoption:
US Embassy
After emailing back and forth with the US Embassy for almost 1 month, they decided to have a conference call with me to clarify their position. We had that on 11 January and while I do understand more clearly what they are requesting, I don't necessarily agree with it. It will be faster, however, to comply with their request than it will be to fight it and we're preparing the paperwork needed for that now. One of the main pieces we need is an amended birth certificate for HG that includes information that she has "protective measures" in her case. Guatemala has tried to revamp their system for issuing birth certificates to be a more centralized process, much like we have here in the US. Try is the operative word because their system is far from perfect. Please pray for the folks at RENAP, the entity that will issue this new birth certificate. We are supposed to hear back from them on February 2 and I pray that we aren't going to get a status update at that point but will actually get the new birth certificate at that time. There are some other forms that we need to have completed for the US Embassy which will require the signature of the orphanage director from the last orphanage where HG lived. We didn't exactly end on great terms and so I am hoping and praying that her heart will be softened and she will do the right thing for HG by signing these papers without a fight. Once we get all of this submitted, we then wait for the Embassy to issue a paper for the case. One step at a time, of course, but I pray that it will come quickly.
PGN/Attorney General's Office
While in Guatemala last month, the PGN stated that they now wanted yet another document. With the holidays, it has been impossible to obtain. :( We are hoping that we can get it in the next week or so. We're actually supposed to have word back on it today/Friday, but I've also been told that for the last 2 Fridays, so I don't know. Until we get it, we are sitting in the same spot where we have been since August 2009. Boo.
Time
One of the girls that works part-time in my Center sent me an email a week or so ago. She said that when she had her quiet time with the Lord that day, she felt led to send me the devotion from that day. Oh how timely it is! It also is along the same line as a conversation I had with my dear friend, Chick-A-Dee, a week or so. Here's what it said:
God Sees the Big Picture
We don't always understand God's methods. His ways don't always make sense to us, but we have to realize that God sees the big picture. God has to do a work in another person or situation before your prayer can be answered according to God's will for your life. All the piece have to come together for it to be God's perfect time. But, never fear; God is getting everything lined up in your life. When it is God's timing, all the forces of darkness can't stop Him. When it's your due season, God will bring it to pass. Don't try to make things happen in your own strength. The answer will come and it will be right on time! Let God do it His way.
Praises
--Even though the earthquake in Guatemala on Monday, 18 January, measured 6.0 in magnitude, HG is fine. Want to know how we found about the earthquake since it wasn't widely reported? God took care of that one for us! HV's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. B., knows about HG's adoption journey. She called a friend, Ms. M., from our church that teaches with her (Ms. M and Mrs. B teach together). Ms. M had a friend over that also attends our church and so they called us. Thank you again, girls!
--HG is being so well cared for by her foster family. She loves them and they love her. They remain committed to caring for her until she can come home with us. When we left Guatemala at the end of August 2009, we had NO idea that she would be with the foster family this long. We naively thought it would be just a month or so. Well, here we are, wrapping up the 5th month of her living with them. Part of the mess with the Embassy too was that they thought that HG needed to be living back in her orphanage! EEK! So, going into that conference call, I was scared that they were going to force her return. HG's mind is fragile. Even though she's 5 years old, she isn't a "normal" 5 year old. Had that happened, I fear that we would have "lost" her--not literally lost her at the orphanage but lost the capacity to reach her mind. So, I'm SO thankful that it did not happen. We did clear up with the Embassy that we do have a judicial order for HG to live with the family (or with me should I be in a position to return to Guatemala and care for her myself).--We continue to have the support and love of so many good friends, like you. There's no way we could do this without you all and your prayers for us. Some days, we're just able to put one foot in front of the other and other days we are able to run. We're moving, however, every day and it's with help from God that we can.
Needs
--Continued prayers and support, not just for J and myself but for HM and HV too. They miss their sister. They speak of her daily. The strain that we feel as adults is felt by the girls too. No, they don't worry about her well-being nor do they worry about the finances. They just know that we (K and J) are stressed out. Again, when we began this adoption journey 2 years ago, we had no idea that HG wouldn't be home at this point.
--Financially, things aren't good. Many of you were SO generous and gave money already. There are always more expenses than what we anticipate. In addition to the regular $600/month that we pay, we have had about $1000 worth of extra expenses since the beginning of December. Ouch! I know that God will provide. Humility is something we have had to learn during this journey as well and so if you are able to help with the expenses, we are forever grateful. We have the funds for the final payment due to the attorney and for the foster care for February. That's it.
The anniversaries of picking up HV and HM are approaching in the next week or so. For me, it makes me want HG home even more as I think and reflect back on the days we picked up our other daughters.
Hugs and love to all!
No comments:
Post a Comment