Dossier, Birthdays, and Matching Grants

So...at this point in our journey, I get asked at least 2 or 3 times a day, "How is the adoption going?" I always wish I had easier answers.  I realize what most people are really asking is, "How much longer?"  Believe me, I yearn for an answer to that question more than anyone.
Unfortunately, I still don't have that answer.  However, let's celebrate the steps that are getting us closer to being there!  Our dossier has been completed!  A dossier is a legal paper representation of us, and our adoption to the Colombian government.  It was shipped to Colombia at the end of last week.  It is our hope that ICBF (Children's Services for Colombia) will have an available appointment this week to begin the process of reviewing.  Our in country representative will meet with them to start this process.  They then have up to 40 days to review our dossier.  They can then either approve or request more information from us.  (Our big prayers are a speedy review and approval without extra information).  After approval, we wait for an "Official Referral."  This will include full files on our sweet twins!  Clothing sizes, education, medical information, behavior analysis, birth family information, etc.  We will then (of course) accept the official referral.  At that time, ICBF will give us travel dates!  WooHoo!
Each one of these steps also is accompanied by fees.  Some fees go to the US government.  Some fees go to the Colombian government. Other fees go to our adoption agency.  Finally, we will also need to pay for our full travel costs.  Sounds overwhelming, right?!  However God has blessed our family immensly!  We are $2000 from being fully funded!  That is incredible!  We started this process with no idea how we would come up with $40000, but God had big plans to show how BIG and GREAT He is!

So now that you have a better idea of how the adoption is going, let me tell you about the other exciting part of our week.  Our incredible babies will turn 3 this week!  Now I'd be lying if I said the only emotion connected with that day is excitement.  This momma wants to be with them!  Like now!  So, will you bless us and our babies on their birthday?  Below are 2 birthday boards.  One for S and one for J.  For their birthday, will you sponsor a present?  You choose a square and make a donation of that amount (aka - square #3 is a $3 donation).  Your donation will be doubled by an awesome matching grant we have through Brittany's Hope!  So that sponsorship of square #3 actually gets us $6 closer to full funding!  In fact, all donations made from now until we are fully funded will be doubled!

 

Thank yall for following our journey, supporting our dreams, and praying big prayers with us!