Waiting.....

I feel like this will be my title for many, MANY months to come.  But, I have gained a peace about the waiting process that I didn't have before.  I realize that fretting and worrying is not going to speed up the process nor is it going to change the outcome.  God also plainly tells us to not worry about tomorrow.  So, I wait!   I wait for the phone call or email to come.  I have found out that "little man's" file is back in the parish of St. James and I am not certain if the investigation has actually started.  I have been reminded that there is no guarantee that he will be mine.  But, I just had a few new pictures tagged on facebook of him, and my heart wants to burst open.  Absolutely beautiful.....as they all are!!  

I wanted to give a short update just so you know what is going on in the process.  I go on with my life knowing that I will visit again either this summer or early fall, and continue to pray daily!  Please continue to pray with me.
Cindy

Roller Coaster!

My last post was not very encouraging, but since then, I actually got some good news!!   On Friday, April 1st, I called the CDA office in the region where the little man was born and spoke again with his original case-worker.   She remembered who I was and knew the child I was calling about without me even having to say his name.  That alone was huge in my book.   She then told me that they have opened an investigation to find his birth parents to try and get them to legally terminate rights.  If they are not able to find them, they will then run an ad in the paper trying to find any family for 6-8 weeks, I believe.  If no one comes forward at that point, the courts can legally terminate rights!!   I can wait!  I can wait as long as I know there is movement toward making this happen.   If I ever get to hear the words....."he will be your child"....I will go visit him many times until I get to bring him home!

I have my appointment at immigration on Friday the 15th to have my fingerprints done for my I600A.    This is one of my final steps in the paperwork journey.

 I am finding this to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster...but it will be SO WORTH the ride!!  Please continue to pray for me and this whole process whenever you feel led to do so!

God is Good!
Cindy

2 Steps forward, 1 Step Back.

Things were moving so smoothly!  Some might say..too smoothly.  Well, I hit a bump on Friday that left me sitting at my desk at school, crying my eyes out, during my lunch break.    My adoption case-worker (Ms. OConnor) is only in the Montego Bay office on Wednesdays.  So, I began trying to reach her during any break I could find during the day to get an update.  I finally reached her on Friday at another office.   She quickly informed me that little man is not available for adoption right now, and that I am NOT allowed to identify the child I would like to adopt myself.    Okay...I know you are asking...what does that mean??  Well, it means that although he has been in the care of the government since he was at least 6 months old, that they have never gotten the family to legally terminate rights.  CRAZY!!  He has been abandoned for 2.5 years and the parents still have to be located and rights have to be terminated.   What is even more frustrating, the name of his parents are in his file and the area where they were living is less than an hour away from their office???  AAAHHH!!    The birth certificate also appears to missing, however, we also know the hospital in which he was born.   So....as much as I would love to fly down there and take-over...I just can't!!   It is out of my control and I HAVE to let God take care of it.

So, where does that leave me today?   I have decided to take a few steps back and get myself back into the place of peace that I was in before I went to Jamaica.  I want the child that God has for me.  Not the one that I pick out for myself.   God is completely in control and knows who and when the timing is right!   I have to stop staring at his picture everyday and prepare my heart for the phone call telling me they have a son for me!!  I am anxiously awaiting that day and will love him with all of my heart.

On a sweet note, my students came back from lunch to see me in pieces.  I quickly scurried to the restroom to get myself together.  Several of my girls followed me in and hugged me from all sides.  So precious!  One of them went and told several other teachers to check on me.   They are really such loving kids and I am blessed to have them in my life!

Please keep praying and I will keep you posted!
Cindy

Back to routine!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the last 9 weeks of school, and God has to give me the strength to get busy with teaching my kiddos.  It is going to be difficult to get my mind out of Jamaica, but it is really out of my hands at this point except to pray and call every week to check on the progress.

Cute stories with little man..

I was trying to spend some one-on-time with him by taking him to the playground.  As we were walking there, we passed some of the older kids playing.   Little man kept saying "Da-ko-ta", "Da-ko-ta"...over and over. I asked him if we could swing...and I said PLease...and he would repeat...peeeesseee.  Then "dakota".   Finally, I took him back to where the big kids were and realized they were riding SKOOTERS!!  LOL.  He was saying The Skoo Ter!   So precious.

Then...there was a dog laying around asleep, and pointed at her and said  "nap-time", "nap-time".  :-))

I also survived my first temper tantrum.   He was mad at me because I couldn't keep picking him up to put the basketball in the goal.  I am a weakling.   I let him cry it out and told him he could come sit in my lap.  After a very short time, he walked over and plopped down in my lap and put 2 fingers in his mouth.   My heart melted~!!!

Needless to say, I am praying and going to fight to bring this little man home.  I am purposely leaving his name off for now, because I think it is best until I know something for sure.

Please continue to PRAY for speed and for "little man" with the great big smile!!

Blessings!
Cindy

Wednesday Arrived!!

Thank you all for your prayers!!   I truly felt like I and Ms. O Connor were covered today!!  I had my meeting this morning, and I feel that it went very well.   I should start by telling you that our trip to Robin's Nest yesterday was amazing.  I did make a special bond with a beautiful little boy, but I am not sure yet if he is available for adoption or if he is the son God has for me.  I met with Ms. O Connor (my case worker and adoption officer) this morning, and she said that I am approved, all of my paperwork is in order and that I am now on the list for her to find a son for me.  She IS going to check into the background of the "little man" I met yesterday, but I am going to keep my heart open to whoever God puts in my life!!   I am so EXCITED and feel like that the process is well on its way now!   Katie and I got enjoy some beach time today, a bon-fire on the beach tonight and more playing all day tomorrow.  40 has started out in a BIG way.

I do have tell a funny on myself.  I was so anxious about my meeting this morning, that when I left the room for breakfast all dressed and ready to go....I made it 10 steps before looking down and realizing I still had to hotel slippers on.  LOL....We chuckled all day about that.

I will be back on Friday and will share more of my experience at Robin's Nest at that point.  It you want to look at their website, it is www.robinsnestchildrenshome.org

Blessings!
Cindy

24 hours!!

As I sit here drinking my coffee, I can't believe I will be on the plane in 24 hours.  Normally, I would have had my bags packed with all my tanning stuff and sun dresses, but right now I have nothing prepared to go except for my binder full of documents for the CDA.   Amazing how different, and yet wonderful, this trip to Jamaica is!!   Yes...Katie and I WILL have some much needed relaxation and girl time amidst taking care of business.

To answer a question I am getting a lot...I do not have a child identified yet.  That is called a referral, and it doesn't take place until more approval has happened.  It is my prayer, that when the officer (Ms O Connor) sees that I have all my documents in place, she will be willing to discuss available children with me.  In my home study, we just put my preference is a little boy up to age 36 months!

I guess I better get off the couch and start figuring out what I need to pack and what I need to pick up at Target today:-).   Thank you so much for your continued prayers, ESPECIALLY at 9AM central time on Wednesday morning!!
Cindy

Getting Ready

Tomorrow is the home visit for my home-study.   I have installed 2 new fire alarms, bought a new fire extinguisher and bought kiddie locks for the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.  Cleaned and cleaned today and I am ready to show my house.  I cannot wait until I am ready to start decorating his new bedroom!!  That is going to be FUN!  I am thinking green and yellow where I can put a Jamaican flag on the wall and of course we can still have some Green Wave decor!

After the visit, I have to head to the bank to get 4 more documents notarized, then to get passport pictures and I may be finished with all of my paperwork at that point.   Whew....That is until something gets lost in the mail and I have to send it all over again.   I pray for everything to go smoothly.  (Not sure what the passport pictures are for since I already have a passport, but it is one of the things on the list).

If you feel inclined, it be wonderful it you would pray for me, the trip, and my future son.   Pray for our safety, pray for the government officials to have open hearts, pray the process goes quickly, pray that I have patience, pray for son's health and sweet personality.   I would love it if you would put my name on a post-it on your bathroom mirror and pray for me when you brush your teeth everyday!   Prayer is Powerful!

Thank you!
Cindy