Patience continues to be the name of the game. We have not been updated as to our status or the status of the program in general for some time. As you may remember, the Albania program was closed to new families as of the Spring of this year. Bethany Adoption Services indicated that they were fearful of the dropping number of placements from the country and did not want to provide misinformation to new families. At the same time, they were informing existing families in the program that the wait could turn out to be longer than first expected. We thought long and hard and prayed continually about what we should do and decided to stay with the program.
We feel confident that this is the right decision and know that our daughter will be coming to us at the right time. But we have to admit, it gets hard to wait not having a distinct time table. Even with the timing that we are hoping for (spring of 2010), it is difficult to wait that long. I guess we'll find out if we have to wait even longer than that . . . I can only imagine what pending Adoptive Parents who don't already have children and are unable to become pregnant must feel like. Justin and Alex have definitely kept us busy and continue to amaze us. Sunshine will have some great big brothers to help care for and protect her. :)
For those of you who are considering adoption for your family, one thing to consider is your health insurance at work. Now, I know that there is a great deal of talk in the news about the pending Health Care Reform by the President and Congress, but lets just think about it from the perspective of what we know. Deb has been researching options for better care, cheaper rates and overall family coverage. We considered going with a plan that would give us a lump sum to spend as a family throughout the year, but decided that would not be wise as we are not sure if Sunshine will have any medical conditions which would need to be tended to when she comes home. Some of the other plans may be a bit more expensive, but could save us a great deal when we need the plan beyond what the cap might be. Just something to consider.
We continue to pray that God will have His hand on Sunshine and that she will be well cared for. Despite the longing and the lack of information, it is a joy to await her homecoming. Please pray with us that the timing will be right, the finances will be available and the journey will be smooth. My God is good and delivers what we need and can handle.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunshine Update - July 2009
The summer is progressing along and we are still without definite information about a referral for the adoption. We are trying to be as patient as possible and working to raise funds and prepare our hearts and minds for her arrival. We continue to believe that next spring we will be receiving a referral and traveling to meet Sunshine. Let me bring you up to speed on some of the things going on in the world of adoption.
Some good news on the adoption front . . . Check out this article from the Baltimore Sun about the state of Maryland's efforts to place orphan in permanent homes throughout the past year. It is very encouraging.
Please pray for Deb and I as we start to talk with Mountain Christian Church about beginning an Adoption Ministry. The need is great in Harford County as well as throughout the state of Maryland for adoption advocates; people who can provide information, legal and medical support and financial resources. We have a long way to go and need to get the church body on board with the vision, but I feel that there is great potential for a ministry like this to support families in all phases of Adoption.
And some bad . . . Something that has been bothering me over the past two weeks comes out of Hollywood. Warner Brothers Pictures has decided to release a film called Orphan. This is a film about a Russian child adopted by a couple who is unable to have biological children. The film is a horror flick and insinuates the dangers of adopting a child that you have not nurtured. Now, Hollywood has released films like this in the past and I don't necessarily have an issue with the storyline. My problem is with the title and the marketing of the movie. Originally the line "It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own" was stated in the trailer for everyone to see. This was later edited out by WB after many complaints by adoptive and foster families. What makes me more upset is the title of the movie coupled with the premise that with orphans come troubles. The public has an easily susceptible subconscious. In a time when children are awaiting a home, advertising a movie like this does nothing to further the cause of adoption. I only wish that WB had the foresight to see such an obvious misrepresentation of waiting children and I pray that families will not be discouraged from considering these children after seeing such a story.
Please also feel free to join us in our efforts to raise funds for the adoption. You can use the Chip In link from previous postings. Thanks to all who have already given and we look forward to putting all of the resources to good use.
Some good news on the adoption front . . . Check out this article from the Baltimore Sun about the state of Maryland's efforts to place orphan in permanent homes throughout the past year. It is very encouraging.
Please pray for Deb and I as we start to talk with Mountain Christian Church about beginning an Adoption Ministry. The need is great in Harford County as well as throughout the state of Maryland for adoption advocates; people who can provide information, legal and medical support and financial resources. We have a long way to go and need to get the church body on board with the vision, but I feel that there is great potential for a ministry like this to support families in all phases of Adoption.
And some bad . . . Something that has been bothering me over the past two weeks comes out of Hollywood. Warner Brothers Pictures has decided to release a film called Orphan. This is a film about a Russian child adopted by a couple who is unable to have biological children. The film is a horror flick and insinuates the dangers of adopting a child that you have not nurtured. Now, Hollywood has released films like this in the past and I don't necessarily have an issue with the storyline. My problem is with the title and the marketing of the movie. Originally the line "It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own" was stated in the trailer for everyone to see. This was later edited out by WB after many complaints by adoptive and foster families. What makes me more upset is the title of the movie coupled with the premise that with orphans come troubles. The public has an easily susceptible subconscious. In a time when children are awaiting a home, advertising a movie like this does nothing to further the cause of adoption. I only wish that WB had the foresight to see such an obvious misrepresentation of waiting children and I pray that families will not be discouraged from considering these children after seeing such a story.
Please also feel free to join us in our efforts to raise funds for the adoption. You can use the Chip In link from previous postings. Thanks to all who have already given and we look forward to putting all of the resources to good use.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Spring Is Almost Here . . . Again
Spring is almost here and we enter into what we hope will be the beginning of the countdown. The agency is pretty sure that by this time next year we will be in Albania meeting Sunshine. While I feel that the time can't go fast enough and my desire to meet her is peeked, we continue to need more time to get the place ready.
Last week, with the help of some good friends, we ripped out the old carpet in the living room and had some new carpet installed. Nice and clean and stainless . . . Next is the kitchen floor. Uncle Matt (my brother) will be coming over soon to help me install that. Deb and I have started scratching our heads over what to do with the guest bedroom. That will the room that she will call her own. Currently, we have a double bed and a closet full of my clothes. There's no room in Deb's closet for my stuff, so . . . we'll see. :)
The boys have been keeping us busy. They are very much into sports these days. Alex just finished his first basketball season and Justin is about to sign up for his second season of Football. Both are in a Tae Kwon Do class and both will be playing baseball in just a few weeks. Good times . . .
My sister in-law's pregnancy is also coming along nicely. We are expecting "Leven" (we call him that because he'll be the eleventh grandchild) on April 17.
Many of you have been asking how you can help with our adoption. You're desire and willingness is very much a blessing to Deb and I. I have created a Chip-In page (the widget above will take you to the site). There is also a breakdown of what we are expecting to lay out for the adoption. I understand that there are plenty of people asking for your money (some outright taking it in the name of "Change"), but we could really use your help with this life-altering experience.
Last week, with the help of some good friends, we ripped out the old carpet in the living room and had some new carpet installed. Nice and clean and stainless . . . Next is the kitchen floor. Uncle Matt (my brother) will be coming over soon to help me install that. Deb and I have started scratching our heads over what to do with the guest bedroom. That will the room that she will call her own. Currently, we have a double bed and a closet full of my clothes. There's no room in Deb's closet for my stuff, so . . . we'll see. :)
The boys have been keeping us busy. They are very much into sports these days. Alex just finished his first basketball season and Justin is about to sign up for his second season of Football. Both are in a Tae Kwon Do class and both will be playing baseball in just a few weeks. Good times . . .
My sister in-law's pregnancy is also coming along nicely. We are expecting "Leven" (we call him that because he'll be the eleventh grandchild) on April 17.
Many of you have been asking how you can help with our adoption. You're desire and willingness is very much a blessing to Deb and I. I have created a Chip-In page (the widget above will take you to the site). There is also a breakdown of what we are expecting to lay out for the adoption. I understand that there are plenty of people asking for your money (some outright taking it in the name of "Change"), but we could really use your help with this life-altering experience.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Dilemma of a Long Wait and a Slumping Economy
Scared, frustrated and confused . . . yet hopeful, trusting and determined. All of these words describe what has been going on in my mind and heart over the past few months. As we have all felt, the economy continues to nose-dive despite the posturing and actions of our elected officials to provide answers. Every day I see our 401K lose value, friends lose there employment and the stock market cut in half. I would be lying if I said that more thought has not been given to our travel plans and future expenditures in all areas of our family. But . . . this is where we are. This is where God has put us for this time in life.
Fortunately for our family, both Deb and I are still employed. Both of our employers have gone through the thinning process. Whether it's letting go of unproductive employees or eliminating of select positions, the cuts are hard. I pray that both of us will have demonstrated added value to the respective firms and that we will continue to enjoy employment. Both have also been in the process of reevaluating employee benefits. I hope and pray that this does not effect the Adoption benefits that both firms currently offer. Time will tell.
Sunshine's homecoming is not in my hands . . . only the Lord who commands all things despite our best laid plans will determine where the funds will come from and what jobs Deb and I will be in when that is to happen. Her life does not depend on the economy of the United States. Whether we continue in recession, deepen into depression or rebound, Sunshine still needs to come home. As much as I hate what is going on in the markets and despise what our politicians are doing to our debt/taxes/potential for growth, I have complete confidence in what God has planned for us.
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Prayer Request: Please pray that we would continue to manage our finances so that we can make Sunshine's homecoming a reality. Pray that she is safe and protected from harm in a loving environment. Please pray that Deb and I would remain safe from any future cuts in the job markets. And finally, pray that we would be able to raise the remaining funds necessary.
Fortunately for our family, both Deb and I are still employed. Both of our employers have gone through the thinning process. Whether it's letting go of unproductive employees or eliminating of select positions, the cuts are hard. I pray that both of us will have demonstrated added value to the respective firms and that we will continue to enjoy employment. Both have also been in the process of reevaluating employee benefits. I hope and pray that this does not effect the Adoption benefits that both firms currently offer. Time will tell.
Sunshine's homecoming is not in my hands . . . only the Lord who commands all things despite our best laid plans will determine where the funds will come from and what jobs Deb and I will be in when that is to happen. Her life does not depend on the economy of the United States. Whether we continue in recession, deepen into depression or rebound, Sunshine still needs to come home. As much as I hate what is going on in the markets and despise what our politicians are doing to our debt/taxes/potential for growth, I have complete confidence in what God has planned for us.
________________________________
Prayer Request: Please pray that we would continue to manage our finances so that we can make Sunshine's homecoming a reality. Pray that she is safe and protected from harm in a loving environment. Please pray that Deb and I would remain safe from any future cuts in the job markets. And finally, pray that we would be able to raise the remaining funds necessary.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The waiting game continues . . .
Our long journey continues. We have been waiting for a year now and we continue to be patient for our referral. We are starting the renewal process that is required each year. The estimated date on the paperwork for the referral is 1.1.10 with a placement date of 4.1.10. So it looks like we have a while to go but we're hopefull.
Christmas this year was a great time for our family. This year we were awaiting, hoping and praying for two new Ruizs. Along with Sunshine, we will have another little one added to the family. Our sister-in-law Tina is expecting in April.
We would like to thank all of our family and friends who have been so loving, generous, supportive and excited for us during this long process. Your gifts, prayers and blessings for our Sunshine are a testimony to the wonderful people that will surround and love her for the rest of her life. God called us to find her but we share this journey with you all.
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