It's been a while since we have update our blog on chipin partly because we had the fundraiser set to end in May so it became difficult to find our blog unless you had a link directly to it, also because there wasn't much we could do but wait until Russia opened it's doors to American adoption once again.
So, with that being said, Russia is once again letting Americans adopt! We have been essentially catching up for the past couple months. We were advised to not close out our home study that was just about completed because there was going to be additional stuff required and other stuff would just need to be updated. So, our home study has been reformatted to fit the new requirements of Minnesota and updated to include anything Russia needs. We have sent off our I600A for Immigration Approval for our daughter, got fingerprinting and application sent off for FBI clearances and and we spent a little time on Friday at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to get State clearance. A few more documents and another set of fingerprints to go when we get an appointment with the Immigration office and then we will be able to get our dossier submitted to Russia! We are currently in the waiting state between documents. We will then need to get new physicals done as they cannot be more than 3 months old when we send our dossier and then we wait for our referral!
So, initially we were planning to have our daughter this year for Christmas. That's obviously not going to happen so we are hoping and praying for Summer 2011.
In the meantime, we have launched a Christian Apparel line and doing trade shows in hopes of earning extra income and I am starting a paper craft business to make and sell cards, scrapbook pages and more out of paper.
I talked to my Dad today and he said that he's going to tell our daughter every chance he gets about the hard work it took to get her here. I'm not sure that's necessary but we are glad that we can do something to raise some money.
Below I have copied and pasted from our old blog in case you haven't had the chance to read about our adventure.
If it's on your heart to contribute to our adoption and would like to make it tax deductible you can send a check to:
Compassionate Care
Hwy 64 West RR 3 Box 12B
Oakland City, IN 47760
From Carrie:
A few weeks ago we were sent a whole additional packet of papers to fill out for our home study because the MN Dept of Health and Human Services changed the forms. Much of it was the same as it had been previously just in a different format. So we filled them out and got them in
So as of now we have completed most of the home study requirements and are now in limbo waiting to see what happens in the world of Russian adoption in light of the news of the 7 year old boy being sent back to Russia after being adopted by an American woman.
As of now, all Russian adoptions have been put on hold until there is a resolution between the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Russia and whoever is in charge state side. I talked to Diane from Compassionate Care Adoption Agency this morning and she informed me that American diplomats are scheduled to meet in Russia to come to an agreement on future adoptions.
At this time we have been told to hold off on our home study being completed until we've found out if there are going to be any additional requirements.
We are still very excited about our daughter to be and can't wait to meet her. We pray in her room every night over her to prepare us to pray with her in her room every night. It's become a rewarding ritual.
Our hearts go out to the families who have met their Russian children, as there were MANY families in Russia waiting to walk into the court house and finalize the adoption and that hope has been delayed for an unknown time. Please, pray for those families who are struggling with the emotional turmoil of a temporary loss that they have been so looking forward to.
Our friend Renee had sent us an encouraging email last Sunday reminding us of the verse:
A few weeks ago we were sent a whole additional packet of papers to fill out for our home study because the MN Dept of Health and Human Services changed the forms. Much of it was the same as it had been previously just in a different format. So we filled them out and got them in
So as of now we have completed most of the home study requirements and are now in limbo waiting to see what happens in the world of Russian adoption in light of the news of the 7 year old boy being sent back to Russia after being adopted by an American woman.
As of now, all Russian adoptions have been put on hold until there is a resolution between the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Russia and whoever is in charge state side. I talked to Diane from Compassionate Care Adoption Agency this morning and she informed me that American diplomats are scheduled to meet in Russia to come to an agreement on future adoptions.
At this time we have been told to hold off on our home study being completed until we've found out if there are going to be any additional requirements.
We are still very excited about our daughter to be and can't wait to meet her. We pray in her room every night over her to prepare us to pray with her in her room every night. It's become a rewarding ritual.
Our hearts go out to the families who have met their Russian children, as there were MANY families in Russia waiting to walk into the court house and finalize the adoption and that hope has been delayed for an unknown time. Please, pray for those families who are struggling with the emotional turmoil of a temporary loss that they have been so looking forward to.
Our friend Renee had sent us an encouraging email last Sunday reminding us of the verse:
Jeremiah 29: 11-12
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
God has given us exceedingly abundant joy in His promise and we rest in the arms of his mercy and plan. Thank you to everyone who has lifted us up in your precious prayers. We continue to praise and thank God for this opportunity to travel the world in search for our daughter and even though it means waiting a little longer we know that our faith and patience may be tested and we will be sharpened and refined.
- April 15 1:59pm
1st Home Study Visit
From Carrie:
We had our first visit from our Social Worker for our Home Study today. We look forward to getting our second visit out of the way next Tuesday and move onto further steps.
He (the social worker) told us that our daughter will be very fortunate when we get her here. I told Mike that he probably says that to all the families and we agreed that this time he meant it!
Thanks to all who continue to lift us up in prayer.
We had our first visit from our Social Worker for our Home Study today. We look forward to getting our second visit out of the way next Tuesday and move onto further steps.
He (the social worker) told us that our daughter will be very fortunate when we get her here. I told Mike that he probably says that to all the families and we agreed that this time he meant it!
Thanks to all who continue to lift us up in prayer.
- February 10 5:05pm
We're flyin now...
From Mike
So, its been a while sice we have updated here, but things are going well. We sent out a large packet of paperwork last Saturday and that had all of the dcuments for the INS, Background checks, and the majority of stuff for the home study. God works in amazing ways. We (I) really never thought that we would get very many donations, but He has really shown me that this is truly His plan for us lately. Through family and friends, we have received over $4000.00! That paid for the entire home study up front. Thank you all so much!
I also ordered my passport and set up our two home sudy visits which will be done in February.
We are moving faster than I had planned honestly. Not to drag my feet, but I kinda feel like when you step into a river and the current knocks your feet out from under you and takes you in its grasp, but in a good way.
So we will have to take a day off in mid February for our second home study visit. My Birthday even! We hope our daycare families understand. Our coordinator only works Monday thru Friday, so we have to get there when he's there.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. Without your help, we would likely still bei in the talking about it phase.
May God bless you all in this new year!
So, its been a while sice we have updated here, but things are going well. We sent out a large packet of paperwork last Saturday and that had all of the dcuments for the INS, Background checks, and the majority of stuff for the home study. God works in amazing ways. We (I) really never thought that we would get very many donations, but He has really shown me that this is truly His plan for us lately. Through family and friends, we have received over $4000.00! That paid for the entire home study up front. Thank you all so much!
I also ordered my passport and set up our two home sudy visits which will be done in February.
We are moving faster than I had planned honestly. Not to drag my feet, but I kinda feel like when you step into a river and the current knocks your feet out from under you and takes you in its grasp, but in a good way.
So we will have to take a day off in mid February for our second home study visit. My Birthday even! We hope our daycare families understand. Our coordinator only works Monday thru Friday, so we have to get there when he's there.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. Without your help, we would likely still bei in the talking about it phase.
May God bless you all in this new year!
- February 1 6:49pm
Next Steps are just around the corner
From Carrie:
I talked to our adoption coordinator about her recommendation for the next steps. She suggested that we get our passports ordered and our Home Study started before we file immigration papers. So, of the $1500 now donated, we will get our passports ordered (about $220), get our background checks and fingerprints completed ($140) and send $1100 to the Home Study agency ($500 needs to be sent just to submit our paperwork to the home study agency and another $1500 to get our appointments set up so the $1100 will get us most of the way started with our home study).
During our Christmas break that's coming up, we are going to begin getting our daughter's room ready! It's the only time we will have more than a couple days until next Summer so we decided that this is the right time to get it done.
We are so greatful for more donations that came in as our Christmas gifts from our daycare families and we count ourselves so blessed that they are so supportive of us going on this adventure.
We pray that everyone's Christmas is safe and that we all remain focussed on the TRUE gift of the season: God's Son being given into this world!!
I talked to our adoption coordinator about her recommendation for the next steps. She suggested that we get our passports ordered and our Home Study started before we file immigration papers. So, of the $1500 now donated, we will get our passports ordered (about $220), get our background checks and fingerprints completed ($140) and send $1100 to the Home Study agency ($500 needs to be sent just to submit our paperwork to the home study agency and another $1500 to get our appointments set up so the $1100 will get us most of the way started with our home study).
During our Christmas break that's coming up, we are going to begin getting our daughter's room ready! It's the only time we will have more than a couple days until next Summer so we decided that this is the right time to get it done.
We are so greatful for more donations that came in as our Christmas gifts from our daycare families and we count ourselves so blessed that they are so supportive of us going on this adventure.
We pray that everyone's Christmas is safe and that we all remain focussed on the TRUE gift of the season: God's Son being given into this world!!
- December 20, 2009 8:22am
Humbled
From Mike:
Wow. Thank you everyone who has donated to our adoption and to those who are praying for us and our little girl. It is so humbling to see the support from those around us. I grew up in a family that never asked anyone for help. My dad was "strong" and independant. His philosophy was "if we don't have the money for it, we don't get to have it." There was no asking your friends for help. Carrie and I have gone round and round about asking others for money. I am still less than comfortable doing it and so when I see the donations coming in, it really affects me. To think that we have impacted others in such a way that they want to see Carrie and I have a child, I am very moved.
I am truly thankful for all of you who are walking with us on this journey. May God bless you all.
Wow. Thank you everyone who has donated to our adoption and to those who are praying for us and our little girl. It is so humbling to see the support from those around us. I grew up in a family that never asked anyone for help. My dad was "strong" and independant. His philosophy was "if we don't have the money for it, we don't get to have it." There was no asking your friends for help. Carrie and I have gone round and round about asking others for money. I am still less than comfortable doing it and so when I see the donations coming in, it really affects me. To think that we have impacted others in such a way that they want to see Carrie and I have a child, I am very moved.
I am truly thankful for all of you who are walking with us on this journey. May God bless you all.
- December 17, 2009 3:14pm
We are officially official
From Carrie:
Yesterday the application with $300 and pictures went to the adoption agency. Today we got our passport pictures taken and we will file immigration papers and order our passports by the end of the month.
We have set a timeline for the next few months while there are things we can control, after that it goes a fast as God wants it to and we just need to trust that He will provide.
Tonight I did some research on fundraising, grants and loans. I found a very interesting project called "Both Hands" helping widows and orphans at the same time as an adoption fundraising effort. We may need some volunteers.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27 NIV)
www.lifesongfororphans.org
www.bothhandsfoundation.org
www.projectanna.org
I cannot contain the excitement when I think about our daughter. I hope we can bring her home quickly.
Yesterday the application with $300 and pictures went to the adoption agency. Today we got our passport pictures taken and we will file immigration papers and order our passports by the end of the month.
We have set a timeline for the next few months while there are things we can control, after that it goes a fast as God wants it to and we just need to trust that He will provide.
Tonight I did some research on fundraising, grants and loans. I found a very interesting project called "Both Hands" helping widows and orphans at the same time as an adoption fundraising effort. We may need some volunteers.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27 NIV)
www.lifesongfororphans.org
www.bothhandsfoundation.org
www.projectanna.org
I cannot contain the excitement when I think about our daughter. I hope we can bring her home quickly.
- November 19, 2009 5:26pm
Christmas
Hey everyone, I forgot to add this into my last post.
For Christmas this year, if you had planned to get us any kind of gift, please consider putting that money toward our adoption. Every dollar helps so much. Carrie and I are not going to exchange gifts this year and are going to use that money toward the adoption.
Chipin is a free service, we just pay the fees to paypal. It really is a blessing to us to know that you are following our progress out here.
For Christmas this year, if you had planned to get us any kind of gift, please consider putting that money toward our adoption. Every dollar helps so much. Carrie and I are not going to exchange gifts this year and are going to use that money toward the adoption.
Chipin is a free service, we just pay the fees to paypal. It really is a blessing to us to know that you are following our progress out here.
- November 16, 2009 2:36pm
Sooo much paperwork... and other random thoughts
From Mike:
Wow. That is a lot of paperwork to fill out. And we just chose our home study agency. I printed off 5 packets of paperwork we have to fill out for the home study.
The good news is that we found a home study agency in St. Paul that is considerably less than the others we have been looking at. About $700.00 less actually. So that is pretty exciting.
We feel a little bit bad about trying to find the best deals or the least expensive agencies, but I have to keep in mind that the less it costs, the sooner we will be able to complete the process. Carrie has been so great, she has everything mapped out in our budget. The dates we can do the steps and how much each step will cost etc...
Its all kind of a whirlwind right now. The application page says "name of adoptive father" Wow. that really brings it close to home!
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. It really means a lot to us.
Wow. That is a lot of paperwork to fill out. And we just chose our home study agency. I printed off 5 packets of paperwork we have to fill out for the home study.
The good news is that we found a home study agency in St. Paul that is considerably less than the others we have been looking at. About $700.00 less actually. So that is pretty exciting.
We feel a little bit bad about trying to find the best deals or the least expensive agencies, but I have to keep in mind that the less it costs, the sooner we will be able to complete the process. Carrie has been so great, she has everything mapped out in our budget. The dates we can do the steps and how much each step will cost etc...
Its all kind of a whirlwind right now. The application page says "name of adoptive father" Wow. that really brings it close to home!
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. It really means a lot to us.
- November 16, 2009 2:31pm
The paperwork begins.
From Carrie:
We're so excited! We got our packet today and got the application filled out. We also found out that we need to get our passports, file immigration papers and choose an agency to do our homestudy before we send in our application. So the $300 application that we were so excited for will be about $2850 to just get started.
The application is already filled out, now it's getting the other stuff done. Our hope is to have this much done by January.
Every day we are getting more and more excited to meet her!
We're so excited! We got our packet today and got the application filled out. We also found out that we need to get our passports, file immigration papers and choose an agency to do our homestudy before we send in our application. So the $300 application that we were so excited for will be about $2850 to just get started.
The application is already filled out, now it's getting the other stuff done. Our hope is to have this much done by January.
Every day we are getting more and more excited to meet her!
- November 9, 2009 2:44pm
Thank You
From Carrie:
I just wanted to Thank everyone who has visited this blog so far and have offered their prayers, shared in their financial support or both. The encouragement that we've already gotten is overwhelming. We welcome the comments and touching emails. Thank You so much.
Our prayer is that our journey not only helps us to bring home our child, but somehow blesses others in the process.
I just wanted to Thank everyone who has visited this blog so far and have offered their prayers, shared in their financial support or both. The encouragement that we've already gotten is overwhelming. We welcome the comments and touching emails. Thank You so much.
Our prayer is that our journey not only helps us to bring home our child, but somehow blesses others in the process.
- November 6, 2009 8:10am
Carrie & Mike,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you...it's kind of strange that since we don't each other that well...we are still family by blood and by His blood. Just reading through the previous posts, it just warms my heart that you will have your little girl....
Take care!