Logistical Tears

We have officially started our Dossier process! Right before we left for a kid-free week away we raced to the post office to send off our 1-800 paperwork letting the US government know what we're up to. If that didn't feel real enough we've since received confirmation of our intent to adopt and a preliminary acceptance from the country of origin.

Last night Tony walked me through our Dossier process and I have to say, if I didn't have the King of Paperwork at my disposal I would be a useless mess. Our agency and Tony have taken a process that would otherwise wreck me and made it look manageable and, in fact, achievable in within the next month before our US government paperwork is finalized. Working with Tony on this journey has been one of the many exposing, exhilarating and lovely things that affirms our decision to adopt.

Thinking he'd gotten me through the hardest part, (organization and planning are not my forte) Tony left me with the FAQ for travel to the country of origin. What neither of us was expecting was that while he was off making cookies I was crying my way through the logistical underpinnings of bringing home our child. I'm not sure why, and when I told Tony about it he actually smirked and said, "You cried through the frequently asked questions of the travel document? That's weird."

That's the thing about adoption. It's not logical and it takes you off guard at every turn. Complete trust and surrender are required, while making sure that all your i's are dotted and t's are crossed. You have to be utterly at the whim of the process and completely perfect in your execution.

As we continue in this process Tony is proving, yet again that he is the unwavering captain. He is stalwart and easy-going. He honestly makes this look easy. And while most of the time I'm right there with him, there are moments when I find myself facing fear, inadequacy and discouragement. I like to think of these times as dips in the process.

I am grateful Jesus meets me in the dips. In theses times He helps me realize I am not capable and if were up to my humanity I'd be tempted to give up. He fills my heart with love and as I lean on Him He strengthens me. He brings me into the light of His love and reveals His good plan. He reminds me that He is not only holding our child, He is also holding my hand.

As we move forward, I ask that you continue to pray for our hearts. We ask for strength and peace. My heart needs patience and perseverance. Obviously we are also in need of concrete physical things.

Dossier paperwork is specific and unforgiving. Pray for clear minds as we finish up paperwork and start compiling our "lives" to send off to be approved.

In addition please pray for funding. We are researching grants however most will not be awarded until after the adoption is finalized and cannot be submitted until we receive our Letter of Acceptance from the country of origin. However most of our balance to Bethany and the country of origin must be paid before we travel. Please pray for wisdom as we proceed and for financial support as we prepare for our son's arrival.

Thank you for your continued support and prayer! We are so excited for the future and we are rejoicing in the process!

If you would like to follow our story or join our team of support visit our YouCaring site.
Originally Posted: 7/1/12 on our YouCaring site.