Friday, February 02, 2007

And so it begins...

And so it begins...

I haven’t blogged much about our adoptiion. I can’t bring myself to do it and I don’t know why. For a long time I didn’t blog about it because I just felt discouraged. It just didn’t seem like anything was going forward. The task ahead of us seemed insurmountable. And then a one week’s time we had what we needed. (A post for another time.) Now, I have so much to tell but when I sit down to write I just draw a blank.

Today though. I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it because things are happening and I need to get them written down before this time passes.

Here’s the email that we recieved from our adoption agency early this week.

I received all of the documents to complete your dossier.  I need to pick up a notarized CWA document this evening, that needs to accompany your dossier, and then it will be ready to ship to D.C.  I will confirm with you that it has been shipped.


One week ago last Monday, we over-nighted our dossier to our agency. For international adoptions, a dossier, for those of you wondering about adoption, is a huge stack of papers, and I mean A STACK of papers, that esssential says that you are who you say you are and that you’re fit to adopt. We spent that morning getting the last few pages notarized, then we copied the whole thing and off to the DHL store. The DHL guy did realize what he was holding as he stuffed the document into the yellow and red envelope. I asked him if I could hold it for a minute more before he sent it off. “Sure.” he said. I held it one last time. I prayed a quick and silent prayer. And then I couldn’t help but cry, as the other 4 people in line looked on in confusion. “What a girl.” Pastormac said later. But he knew. He knew why I was crying. So much of us had gone into those papers. That collection of papers was going to change our lives, our family, our future. And it had been a long twisty road, full of quagmires of paperwork and speed bumps of financial challenges, that had finally brought us to the place where we could send our dossier on it’s way. God had forged a way and had brought us to this place. And so I cried with relief and I cried in anticipation and I cried with gratitude.

Today I know that our dossier is in Washington DC. It will visit the State Department and then the Ethiopian Embassy, as part of it’s final authenication. Next week it will head off to Ethiopia. Pastormac has chronicled it’s journey this week, please visit his blog and read his reflections.

And come back here. I promise in upcoming days that I will be blogging more about the adoption. I promise, I will!

13 comments:

Qtpies7 said...

congratulations on getting the Dossier sent off! I'm watching my friend go through her second international adoption. Its exciting and nerve wracking!
But ever so worth it.

DeAnna said...

Praise the Lord!!!! How exciting! Thank you for sharing this as well. I love hearing about others' adoption journeys. I can't imagine, I would be so impatient now wanting to hear something. :) I'll keep you in my prayers.

Beck said...

That's so EXCITING! My gosh, how can you stand it?

5KidMom said...

First of all, we have to get one thing straight. I am VERY interested in your adoption progress!!!!!!! 8^) This is a giant step, and I am SOOOO happy for you and your family!!

When I was putting our dossier together, we were in the middle of selling one house, buying another and preparing to move. I almost had a nervous breakdown. So, all of that to say, I definitely understand your tears.

Unknown said...

This is my first time visiting, thanks to you visit me from Photo Hunt. However, I couldn't not comment after reading this post to offer you my good wishes and prayers that the adoption process goes as quickly as it can for you and your family. I would have cried too.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on sending off your dossier. I know what a huge undertaking it is. We just received a referral for our daughter. It's an amazing feeling!

owlhaven said...

That's so EXCITING!

Overwhelmed! said...

Ann, as you know, we went the domestic adoption route. That, too, required a lot of paperwork for Homestudy and approval. As you said, so much of us went in that paperwork. Submitting it was both a relief and a nerve racking experience. And it changed our lives, so much for the better.

I pray for you and your husband that your journey will lead you to your child and that the building of your family through adoption will fulfill you and bring you as much joy and love as it has for us.

It's so exciting to know that your journey has officially begun! Please keep me posted.

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to hear more -- I hope the rest of the process goes super quick and easy.

Michelle said...

Well this is so exciting that things are moving forward like they are now! Congrats on getting the dossier sent off! Keeping you all in my prayers that everything goes smoothly from here on out!

Shalee said...

Woo hoo! The word is really out. Good for you Ann! I can't wait to see how God guides you all along the way, with and without the tears.

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

I couldn't leave without commenting on this. I just want to wish you the very best. May God bless you as you go through the rest of the adoption process!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! What a huge step! How exciting! I can so imagine the overwhelmed feeling you must have experienced when handing over your Dossier. It must have been like sending off a piece of your hearts.

Please do keep us posted on your progress. Thinking of you!