Conversation With Agency

I received an e-mail from Radu at my Agency yesterday and my heart just about stopped. Radu was just e-mailing me with the Fed Ex Charges, but the conversation went like this:

Me: My heart skipped a beat when I saw your e-mail because I thought maybe I had a referral. Hopefully soon. Have a nice weekend.

Radu: no sooner than 3-4 months.

Me: I know, but I turn 50 in 2 months and I'm afraid that is going to scare them. I've been praying for a miracle, and miracles do happen! I'm going to keep praying.

Radu: let's keep praying.

The poor guy probably gets several e-mails a day from PAP (Potential Adoptive Parents) just like me. He has to tell us that the wait time is 3 to 4 months because it could take that long and he doesn't want to get our hopes up. But the truth is, the longest anyone has had to wait (that I am aware of) is 6 weeks. So, I keep praying.

No news to tell you about my construction. Is is exactly where it was the last time I posted. I sent an e-mail to the President of the management company, and even she hasn't responded. They cannot figure out who monitors the fire alarm. And they are the ones that set that up. Amazing . . . I have been reading blogs of others adopting from Ethiopia and they have really exciting things on theirs like photos of the baby's rooms and cute little outfits, etc. So this shall serve as your warning - next post is going to have photos - and you know I can't show her room yet!

Waiting for a Referral

My agency tells me my dossier will be in Ethiopia in the next day or two. I've joined several on-line Yahoo Groups for potential adoptive parents of children in Ethiopia, one specific to my Agency. The families (who have received referrals already) tell me to prepare myself. One couple received a referral for infant twins 3 hours after their dossier arrived!!! One woman received hers the day after it landed in Ethiopia. The longest anyone currently waiting to travel from my Agency had to wait was a month. They are currently waiting for court dates. The courts have been closed for 2 months because of the Ethiopian New Year festivities currently taking place. They will re-open the first of October.

Now if I can just get my construction finished. I have signed a Covenant required by the Association. It holds me liable for damage directly resulting from my improvements as long as I'm the owner. The document is to be recorded and runs with ownership. The Board, the management company and their attorney are terrible communicators. I can't get anything out of them, nor can my contractor or attorney. I've signed the document and we've complied with all the other items requested in their letter. All we want to know is can we finish the construction. A simple yes or no would be awesome - but all we get is silence. I suppose I should enjoy the "quiet" while I have it, right?

Some Good News - Some Not So Good News

The good news is that my dossier is authenticated and on its way to Ethiopia!!!! I ask for prayers for a quick referral because I so want my baby home for Christmas.

The not-so-good news is that I am still battling with my Home Owner's Association regarding my addition. They still aren't talking to me. Supposedly they want me to sign something assuming all liability for the building (yes, the entire building, not just my home) going forward. It has been an entire month since any work has been done. I continue to eat on the floor as all my furniture is jammed into my office, spare bedroom and kitchen. I have no door on my bedroom and no blinds on the wall or windows. I've jammed pillows in between the studs to keep inquiring eyes from being able to see anything (not that anything is really worth seeing).

I've contacted my attorney and he will call the Association attorney tomorrow.

Stay tuned . . .

A Minor Setback

I have not posted any updates lately because nothing has changed over the past few weeks. The construction is still as the pictures below depict because my HOA demanded the contractors stop and had their attorney send me a threatening letter. Yes, the HOA has put a halt to everything! Why? They claim they didn't know I was adding rooms inside my house. I have proof that they knew well before construction started - I have no idea why they waited until I was half way done to say something. I also have proof that my contractor did not adequately fill out the application, something the contract obligates them to do. The HOA Board is meeting tomorrow night (8/25), so I hope to have authorization to finish on Tuesday. If I am told I have to remove what is already there? Let's just hope we don't have to go there. . .

On a positive note - all my paperwork has been certified and sent to my Agency. This coming week everything will be sent to Washington D.C. for authentication. I am guessing that will take about a week. Then it all gets sent to Ethiopia and I wait breathlessly for the phone call that will tell me I have a referral.

I had a shower recently. My god-daughter Kathryn (and her mom, Marcia) wanted to have it for me before she left for school in Florida. I am so blessed that so many people care about me and support me in this endeavor. I don't know what I would do without all of you. Only 2 or 3 people have given me a hard time - it's hurtful, but I will learn to live with it.

I think being a Mother is the greatest gift that God could give to a woman. I am honored and blessed that He finds me worthy of caring for one of his orphaned children. I promise to do everything in my power to be the best Mom possible to this little girl, and I pray the day come soon when I see her face for the very first time.

Check for an update later in the week. Let's hope it's a positive one!

Thursday, August 8, 2008

The construction continues to evolve at a rapid pace. After only 4 days the new rooms are taking shape. I would take a walk on my new floor - but the big boarded "X" across the opening leads me to believe it's not quite safe. I guess I'll have to wait a few more days.

Construction - Day Three

These guys work fast!!!!

Let the Demolition Begin

For those of you who aren't aware, I am adding two rooms in my home. I have 20' ceilings over my living/dining areas and I plan to add a bedroom and playroom. My second bedroom was on the lower level and I was uncomfortable with the thought of having my soon-to-be daughter so far away from me at night. I will be posting photos of the construction periodically so you can check on the status of the new rooms. Here are a few photos of what it looked like when I left this morning (8/4/08).

JOYFUL!!! JOYFUL!!!

What a joyful day! Immigration approval (Form I-171H) arrived in the mail July 24, 2008. My entire Dossier (20 notarized documents) is on its way to the Secretary of State to be "certified". That process, I believe, takes approximately 2 weeks. Upon completion, the original, certified package will be forwarded to my agency (Adoption Avenues) in Portland, Oregon. They will then make arrangements to have my dossier "walked" through The Department of State and The Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C. where everything will be "authenticated". That process takes 2 or 3 days. I am not sure if everything goes back to my Agency or if the Embassy sends it directly to Ethiopia. Once it arrives in Ethiopia it will be translated and delivered to The Ministry of Women's Affairs who reviews it and provides the referral. I've done my part - the rest is in God's hands. And I trust Him 100%.

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.

But those who make their journey home
across time and miles,

growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,

are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us

by God's very own hands." (Kristi Larson)

Toukoul Orphanage

I am so happy. I FINALLY received Immigration Approval!!! As I wait for final documents to get back to me (next week), I find myself constantly searching for information about Ethiopia and its people. The internet is full of wonderful information. I was able to locate some on-line videos of the actual orphanage where my daughter will come from. I've posted the links to the right under "Great Links" as Toukoul Orphanage Parts 1 & 2. I hope you enjoy them.

Ethiopia

I have already come to love the beautiful country of Ethiopia and its people. It is situated near the Red Sea and is surrounded by the countries of Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan in Eastern Africa. Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. In fact, the oldest remains ever found (a woman given the name "Lucy") was recently unearthed there. Ethiopia is also the poorest country in the world. It's population is approximately 75,000,000, half of which are under the age of 20.

Ethiopia's seasons are different from ours. I am hoping to travel in October or November which is their Spring. Summer begins in January and I will definitely want to miss that! It's calendar system is also different from ours. They have 12 months of 30 days each and then a 13th month with 5 or 6 days. The beginning of each of their months begin in the middle of ours.

I am looking forward to traveling there and meeting the people. To see some incredible photos of the country, people and its beautiful orphans, go to http://www.whfc.org/ - click on Adoption Programs / Ethiopia / individually on 2007 Photos and 2008 photos.