Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Fork.

The road to international adoption is a bumpy one with lots of twists and turns (yes, we knew the road was like this when we started this process). There are quite a few large potholes (careful not to fall in), and some forks too. Well, we have come to another fork in the road.
The first fork happened in August and it consisted of the Zambia program being put on hold and us changing to Ethiopia. We learned about the second fork yesterday while we were at the Colorado Secretary of State Office trying to get our last documents for the dossier certified. We were all set to send our dossier on Friday. We had some problems at the SOS office and I needed to call Love Basket to see if they could email us the forms we need to get certified because the person who notarized it did not have the correct stamp format. When I called Love Basket our adoption supervisor told us that she was just sending out an email to the families in the Ethiopia program to let them know that they had not been getting referrals as quickly or as frequently as they were expecting and they did not know when they would be getting the next set of referrals. She also went on to say that if something does not change, they would have to look at putting the Ethiopia program on hold for a while until they could figure it out. Well, as you can imagine, we were quite upset. We have been so very, very close to being done with all the paperwork. I have our dossier in an envelope ready to send in. There were tears yesterday, lots and lots of tears. Tears of frustration, not tears of throwing in the towel on our Ethiopian adoption. Our daughter is still there, somewhere in Ethiopia.
Last night, we made the decision of contracting with a new adoption agency and filled out our information for that agency online last night. Thank goodness this new agency will take our home study. We have to take a few steps back. This new agency will have to approve us into their program and we will have to fill out their application information, but then hopefully we will be able to send in our dossier soon. For now, we are enjoying the scenery the new fork has lead us too. Yes, the road to international adoption is one of the bumpiest roads I have ever traveled, but it is filled with kind people, dreams of our Ethiopian child, views of foreign lands, and shaped by God's very own hand.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your extremely large bump in the road! I wanted to ask you which agency you switched too since Love Basket was one of the agencies on our list of agencies to look into. Good luck with your new agency and I will be praying for things to move quickly.
Lori Matthews

{B} said...

Hi Lori, we are looking into Gladney...the Bottomlys seemed to have such a good experience that we decided to check them out.

Amanda Purvis said...

Britt, why didn't you call me!

{B} said...

Amanda, I was going to, but I was having a hard time holding it together last night...and I was so tired.

Amy said...

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry Brittlee! Really sorry. I think you will be happy with your decision to switch to Gladney..I am just so sorry you are having to go through this! Baby Girl Ethiopia is waiting and I will pray you guys meet SOON!

~Laura~ said...

I'm so very very sorry. I would be so disappointed. We are with Gladney and have been VERY pleased with them. Have you looked into them? I can't say enough wonderful things about them. I'll be praying for direction for you guys!

Courtney O. said...

I am so sorry to hear about the frustration and disapointment you guys are experiencing. Even though you go into adoption knowing that the road is bumpy it's still really painful at times. I'm glad that you're looking into another agency already. I will really pray that it works out with the new company. I know your heart is aching for your daughter. May you feel some peace today.

{B} said...

Thank you so much for all the encouraging words! Our home study agency is looking into Gladney to see if they are able to work with them...I guess there is some strange Colorado law. Hopefully we will find out soon. Thanks again to all!

{B} said...

Thank you so much for all the encouraging words! Our home study agency is looking into Gladney to see if they are able to work with them...I guess there is some strange Colorado law. Hopefully we will find out soon. Thanks again to all!

Erica said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. Praying for your family as you press on even through this trial. I've heard wonderful things about Gladney.

Courtney O. said...

on a slightly different note... have you seriously raised almost $7k towards your adoption already????!!!! that is AWESOME!!!

Mommato4miracles said...

We are praying that from here on out the road is straight and narrow with God's angles guiding your path and the path of all the government agencies here and in Ethiopia that are a part of your bringing your little girl home. God bless you!!!

{B} said...

I know Courtney! We are so excited about the amazing funds that have come in!

Hannah said...

oh, britt, wow - what a discouraging "fork", yet i admire you for trusting in God's amazing plans and his faithful provision. he is so faithful! I will be praying for ya'll as you continue to pursue your daughter.

Chris said...

HI . I have following you rblog . I was sign up with Zambia also and switch for Ethiopia pretty much at the sane time as you did:)
I sign up with Hope Adoption Agency in early October and I should have a referral before christmas or before. The Director is great . He is Ethiopian and spend 1/2 of his time in Ethiopia . If you need more information let me know.
dandcmartel@comcast.net
good luck .
Chris