The last few months have been a whirlwind. Basically, since our last blog post we finished a big work project, completed an intensive course, started to get settled into our home, joined a church, Josh switched jobs, switched placing agencies, finished our home-study, and got a referral. OH AND THIS JUST IN… ACCEPTED A REFERRAL!!
Last week we got the phone call we’ve been waiting years for. “We have a match for you!” Our caseworker continued to fill us in on a sweet little boy and offered to send us his full write up and photos. She asked that we send his info off to a medical adoption clinic for review, pray about it, and give an answer in the next two weeks.
It’s an odd feeling having someone just email you a photo of your potential son. On the one hand there’s excitement and joy. But on the other, there’s also a sense of sadness and pain for the birth parents. There’s hesitancy and frustration in the wait but elation in what may come. A roller coaster for sure… but in all I’d say there is great assurance and peace. The more we talk about this little guy as a family, the more we can’t wait to have this him join us!
For those who are curious, he is a super cute Korean BOY. He has big dark eyes, a sweet little nose, and round cheeks. He just turned one in May. He appears to be extremely healthy which is a great blessing from the Lord.
We received a photo June 1 with all of the info. We just got an updated picture and measurements on Monday when we verbally accepted. They’ll keep sending us photos and measurements every month until we are able to travel. At this time we are not sharing his photos publicly online… but feel free to ask us in person and we’ll be happy to share!
Yesterday we took a huge load of paperwork to a notary and today we sent in our official acceptance!!
So, what comes next? THE REAL WAIT.
We’ve been waiting all this time for this wait. haha. We have submitted the bulk of our next steps paperwork and will wait for approval and clearance on both the US and SKorea side. This will likely take 10-16 months. Then we’ll take two trips to SKorea and on the second, God-willing, will be able to bring him home. I know the wait is long, and it’s something we’ve had to wrestle through, but we believe it’s worth it. In the meantime we plan to send packages, apply for grants, and learn some Korean.
I received a book the other day, called The Bridge that Love Built. Its words have been reassuring to me, reminding me that even if we can’t see him, experience his first steps, hold him, hear his laughter and his cries, God can. Even before we knew who he was, God has been with Him and us every step of the way, aligning our paths, and continuing to do so. It helps me rest knowing that he is in the Lord’s care even right now while we wait.
In other news, we had to take a trip to Milwaukee on Tues to report to immigration for our I-600A. We made a trip of it by visiting cousins and going to the Milwaukee Zoo. As you can see- lots of fun and totally wiped out the kids.
Looks like it’s been a bit since we’ve posted (although our facebook page is usually up to date and we sent an e-newsletter). See below for a more through rundown.
In case people are following our crazy timeline:
Mother’s Day (May) 2015: Started adoption process. Emailed friends, researched, interviewed, chose an agency.
Feb 2016: Applied to Lifelink & their SKorea program. (Josh suddenly got an amazing job!)
Feb-Aug: Saved and Fundraised like mad. God provided.
July: Lifelink Madison closed down (our home-study agency). Switched to LSS for home-study
Oct-Jan: Trudging away at our home-study. Moved. Delays. Waiting. Got ready to send in everything.
Jan 2017: Lifelink Intl (our placing agency) closed. Switched to Dillon Intl.
Feb-April: Revised paperwork. (A few more delays) Josh gets another awesome job.
April 5: HOMESTUDY APPROVED. Sent to SKorea
JUNE 1: REFERRAL!!
June 12: REFERRAL ACCEPTED!!!
*Next up: Wait on Emigration Permissions (10-16 mths)
