We're in the thick of it.
Our homestudy process is coming close to be completed. I posted on my FB page recently that I hadn't finished college, but in the last few weeks I've felt like I had completed an entire semester. There has been an incredible amount of reading and writing. Its amazing to me how much studying it takes to be able to bring an orphan home. I mean, its ok and all, its just a lot of work. Craig and I both had to write our autobiographies, and I was wiping my brow at my 4 1/2 pager. But, Craig. Ooooh, Craig. He TOTALLY showed me up when he announced he was through with his. 4 1/2 pages was NO.THING. compared to his 12 page novel. I had no idea that my Hercules would cram that much information into this little project. Little did I know, though, that an autobiography was just the beginning. THEN I had to start the Hague training. Ten hours of reading. Now, I CAN read, I just don't like to read (and yes, I homeschool my children. The believe I like to read. Ssssshhhhh.). I can't sit still long enough to really get into something and enjoy it. I kind of did a speed read course and finished it with . . .ummm . . .kinda flying colors. Sort of. I took the quizzes and did just fine. I printed the certificate, and BAM . . .its in the binder. Craig is carefully reading every a, and, and the and making sure he understands every little phrase, which is good. He's very thorough, and all of that, my friends, just goes to show you how beautifully different we really are. Opposites attract.
Our friends that live downstairs, Kurt and Laura, are saints. Seriously. When we got into all of this, we had no idea how involved they would be. As of this point, they might as well adopt a kid, too. They've been fingerprinted, questioned by our social worker, they've been asked to be expeditiously fingerprinted again (you know, like we find out we needed them YESTERDAY to get them back quickly), they have to have physicals, AND they'll have to go to Birmingham with us for our biometrics. All of this because they live here. They could've easily just packed up and disappeared as to avoid all of the unneccessary invasions of privacy and time, but they've been PRECIOUS about the whole thing. God knew. When we rented out our basement, he knew what was coming, and he knew who could handle it. He was right on, as usual. LOVE. THEM.
Once our homestudy is completed, we'll begin the process of applying for adoption grants. We have five agencies we're applying to, so hopefully we'll be eligible to receive some of the funds that are available for special needs international adoptions. Whether we receive on or two or none, God is providing, and will continue to provide. We've seen his provisions so many times in our lives, and we're already seeing it again in this process. He's good . . . all the time. ALL the time.
Once our homestudy is all wrapped up, we'll begin work on our dossier. This is just a stack of official paperwork that will be sent to Bulgaria. Once everything is reviewed and approved, we'll receive our travel dates to go and spend five days with Maya. The hard part will be spending five days with her and then leaving without her. Ugh. I almost can't fathom leaving her in that orphanage. Anyway, once we return, the rest of the paperwork will be processed and when that's done, we'll return back for another 5-7 days and finally get to bring her home.
There you go. Nothing imminent, but its all steadily rolling along. Pray for our baby girl, that she'll be taken care of until we can get to her. Not only her, but also for the rest of those sweet souls waiting for their families.
Love,
Paige
