So, what's next? We need to complete our I600 A for immigration and set up another appointment to be finger printed. Once we finish this big step, we will be completely referral ready.
We also want to apply for grants. There are some wonderful organizations that offer financial help to families who are adopting. You have to have a completed home study in order to apply for most grants, so we were waiting for that. Of course, we will continue to fundraise. Justin will continue to take pictures and we are hoping to have a big garage sale in the spring. We still have plenty of t-shirts, so if you would like one please let me know. We have adult sizes in chocolate brown and charcoal gray.
We also have kid sizes x-small-large in sand.
The other thing I want to do while we wait is to continue my own adoption education. If you have adopted or are adopting, what books would you suggest we read while we wait. What book was your favorite? What books have been the most helpful? I would love your suggestions.
We would also loved your continued prayers. I know the Lord has a lot to teach us while we wait.
Congrats on making the list!! And isn't that great news that they shortened our wait times?! I was stoked when I first heard that!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I know! I almost expected her to tell me they were extending the wait. I was so happy, that i was in tears.
ReplyDeleteI just oredered Parenting the Internationally Adopted Child. A few of the other adoptive moms highly recommeded it. I was also soooo excited with the shortened wait times. I heard 12 months...is it actually 9-12 months? That is even better!!
ReplyDeleteShe told us that they were now telling families, 9-12 months. When I asked about how that was possible with our numbers being so large, she said it was because Hannah's Hope is now getting children from 2 new regions, so they should be able to make new referrals. It sound good to me.
ReplyDeleteI have just read the series by Rita Simon and Rhonda Roorda 'In Their Own Voices', 'In Their Parent's Voices' and 'In Their Siblings' Voices'. They are a series of interviews with Transracially Adoptive Families and they are really useful- they are not books about what you 'should' do, rather the realities for several families and how they have coped. I liked these books because it gave my husband and I good starting points for discussion-how we would react, what we think, what we feel. Highly recommended:)
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so EXCITED to hear about the wait times getting shorter!! Praise God!!
ReplyDeleteI really 'There Is No Me Without You' by Melissa Faye Greene and I would highly recommend it. It is a very eye opening book and provides some insight into Ethiopia's history & culture as well as the orphan crisis. Other families on the listserv recommended it when we were on the waiting list for Silas.
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