We received travel dates this past Tuesday. We are to be in country on the 30th for our appointment which means we leave Saturday morning. It's not much time to prepare, but thankfully this isn't our first adoption and we know how to prepare.
Once we have our appointment, we will board a train for Katarina's region. We will meet her, accept her referral, visit with her and then head back to the capital. At that point we will receive Dalton's referral and then travel to his region, meet him, accept his referral, visit with him, head back to the capital and then fly home.
After the "meet and greet", there is a committee which must review our children's file to insure that our home study and our children's files agree i.e. the ages, gender and special needs for which we are approved. This process can take about 30 days. Once we receive their approval a court date will be scheduled and I will return to go to court and spend some time with the kids. Usually there is a 30 day waiting period after court; HOWEVER, that 30 days can be waived for medical reasons. We are hoping that will be the case. If so, I will stay until I can bring them home. If not waived, I will come home again and wait for the 30 day period then return to bring them home.
We've not talked much about our children's special needs because we are a family which emphasizes our capabilities rather than disabilities. But it's true that they both have significant needs and we're praying that we can get them home ASAP. We've already spoken with our specialists and they are aware and ready to begin treatments in whatever manner that presents.
Pray for us while we are away. Pray for those who have come along side us and are supporting us with their time and efforts. It's been wonderful to once again see the Hand of God work miracles on our behalf. And please pray for the financial support we need. Adoption is very expensive. You'd be gobsmacked if you know how much we had spent on adoption in the past 9 years. Really though, it's not our money any more than they are our kids! It's His money and these are His precious babies. He entrusts us with both to do His good pleasure. We just get to come along for the ride!
