I wanted to update everyone on our process seeing as though I have not posted in a while!
In our last blog we had just turned in our dossier and i800 paperwork for our daughter. We waited about 2 weeks and after emailing and calling we received our cable letter (letter from U.S. government) which allows you to apply for DS260 (U.S.legal application requesting a name change for our daughter and has to do with her entering the Country). After we turned in our DS260 we waited what seemed like an eternity (but it wasn't) for NOC (no objections certificate issued by sissy's orphanage and uploaded to CARA the Indian database). Now that we have NOC we are awaiting an Indian court date!
In the next week or so we should have an Indian court date. At that time I will announce the court date so that we all can be in prayer for a SPEEDY court case. The court case can take anywhere from 2-5 months depending on the judge that picks up our file so please join with me in prayer that God will prepare and soften the heart of the judge and that he will be thorough but efficient and speedy! Once we pass court we await "writtens" this could take about 2 weeks to receive and then we are in the GO zone. At that point we are sent her birth certificate, passport and we LEAVE TO GET HER!!
We can not wait to HAVE her!
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Friday, May 18, 2018
Beyond Blessed
We are so grateful for all of the generosity that has been poured out on our family and all of the support in bringing sissy home! We could NOT have done any of this without all of the support. Our expectations for our family golf tournament were exceeded and we were able to pay off a large portion of our fees because of the holes sponsored, teams registered and donations given. What a GREAT God we serve and what great people he has used to aid in our process!
These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions! We were matched almost a month ago and after much praying and seeking wisdom we turned in our paperwork to officially begin our legal adoption of our daughter. Soon after we sent in our paperwork we received an incredible email from Jeeah's Hope/Lifesong approving our match grant request! The funds raised at our golf tournament were MATCHED! This will allow up to pay off a LARGE portion of our balance so that we are one GIANT step closer to going to get sissy from Pune, India. We are taken back by the call of this organization to help families in their process to bring their sweet babies home! If you are looking to give to an incredible organization please look up lifesong and consider donating to such a wonderful cause!
As if that is not enough, God continues to amaze us! Guys, when God promises he delivers and He has made it abundantly clear that He is delivering on a promise made to myself and my husband long ago. We received a congratulations email from JSC approving us of a very generous grant! We are taken back and almost still in shock because these past two weeks have been filled with God's blessings one behind the other! Another incredible organization devoted to helping those called to foster and adopt bring their babies home! If you are looking to give to a wonderful cause look up JSC foundation and give today!
When beginning our process we knew God would guide and provide because we were sure of our calling. We know our family will not look like most and it makes us EXCITED! I love the uniqueness and the beauty of our diverse family. I can not wait to love her deep like we love Liam. I can not wait to see her and Liam become the best of friends. Lord thank you for your many blessings! Thank you for your Faithfulness!
NOT TO MENTION! We were connected with another family adopting from the SAME orphanage that our sweet daughter is at and they leave to pick up their darling baby in two weeks SO we get to send gifts to sissy when they leave in two weeks! We got sissy a audio book where Steven and I can record ourselves reading so she can hear our voice <3 I put a picture of all three of us in the front of the book so she can see us while she listens to our voice! HOW COOL!
God you are AWESOME!
These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions! We were matched almost a month ago and after much praying and seeking wisdom we turned in our paperwork to officially begin our legal adoption of our daughter. Soon after we sent in our paperwork we received an incredible email from Jeeah's Hope/Lifesong approving our match grant request! The funds raised at our golf tournament were MATCHED! This will allow up to pay off a LARGE portion of our balance so that we are one GIANT step closer to going to get sissy from Pune, India. We are taken back by the call of this organization to help families in their process to bring their sweet babies home! If you are looking to give to an incredible organization please look up lifesong and consider donating to such a wonderful cause!
As if that is not enough, God continues to amaze us! Guys, when God promises he delivers and He has made it abundantly clear that He is delivering on a promise made to myself and my husband long ago. We received a congratulations email from JSC approving us of a very generous grant! We are taken back and almost still in shock because these past two weeks have been filled with God's blessings one behind the other! Another incredible organization devoted to helping those called to foster and adopt bring their babies home! If you are looking to give to a wonderful cause look up JSC foundation and give today!
When beginning our process we knew God would guide and provide because we were sure of our calling. We know our family will not look like most and it makes us EXCITED! I love the uniqueness and the beauty of our diverse family. I can not wait to love her deep like we love Liam. I can not wait to see her and Liam become the best of friends. Lord thank you for your many blessings! Thank you for your Faithfulness!
NOT TO MENTION! We were connected with another family adopting from the SAME orphanage that our sweet daughter is at and they leave to pick up their darling baby in two weeks SO we get to send gifts to sissy when they leave in two weeks! We got sissy a audio book where Steven and I can record ourselves reading so she can hear our voice <3 I put a picture of all three of us in the front of the book so she can see us while she listens to our voice! HOW COOL!
God you are AWESOME!
Monday, May 14, 2018
MATCHED
MATCHED!
I wanted to elaborate on our match and let everyone know how GOOD, how GREAT our God is. We had all expectations to wait multiple months after we received CARA approval. God has allowed our adoption process to move along so smoothly and we are so grateful for our agency Lifeline!
Once we received approval from CARA (Indian database) and our i800a was approved (approval to be adoptive parents) we thought we would be sitting back and waiting for a lengthy amount of time BUT God blew us away and we got a call saying we had been matched only 1 WEEK later!
Let me just tell you..when you were given a promise years ago (in high school) that you would adopt internationally and have a very diverse family and you get a call that you have been matched...it is surreal but SO exciting. God is a promise maker and a promise keeper! When the Lord blessed us with Liam and we found out we would be parents Steven and I were bursting with joy. When we got to announce our pregnancy to those we love it was an incredible feeling. I am so thankful God gave us the ability to conceive and I loved carrying Liam! When we were matched we had the same feelings! We were so excited and we could not wait to share the news.
The only information we can share is that she is 8 months old AND her birthday is ONE day after Liam's so they are EXACTLY one year apart! We almost passed out when we saw the birth date. Liam and sissy will be very close and they will have one another as best friends.
Now we work to legally adopt sweet girl and get her home to us. Next steps include i800 for her, dossier and her passport then we get to go to India!!
Thursday, April 5, 2018
CARA APPROVAL!
CARA APPROVAL!!!
We have some exciting news! After registering into the Indian database (CARA) our case worker informed us the wait time is anywhere from 3-12 weeks until we receive approval. She told us that with India they randomly select family files rather than viewing according to date submitted. Our family file was "red" and we needed to see "green' for approval. Honestly, Steven and I set ourselves up for the 12 week waiting time. The Indian government selected our file for review and approved it in record timing just under 3 WEEKS! Our case worker called and yelled "green" basically and we all cheered. We are so blessed to have Lifeline with us throughout this entire process.
This is a HUGE step for us because it means all the documents, evaluations, history, family dynamic and Steven's legal alien status was approved with NO additional questioning from the Indian government. Let me say that the approval with no additional questioning is due to our case worker and lifeline helping us along the way with our documents, wording etc. we could NOT have done this so gracefully without their knowledge guiding us along the way. We can officially start receiving files of potential matches! Once we mail in our Fee C we can be matched at any moment. We are so excited and we can not wait for the next step in our adoption journey.
We have some exciting news! After registering into the Indian database (CARA) our case worker informed us the wait time is anywhere from 3-12 weeks until we receive approval. She told us that with India they randomly select family files rather than viewing according to date submitted. Our family file was "red" and we needed to see "green' for approval. Honestly, Steven and I set ourselves up for the 12 week waiting time. The Indian government selected our file for review and approved it in record timing just under 3 WEEKS! Our case worker called and yelled "green" basically and we all cheered. We are so blessed to have Lifeline with us throughout this entire process.
This is a HUGE step for us because it means all the documents, evaluations, history, family dynamic and Steven's legal alien status was approved with NO additional questioning from the Indian government. Let me say that the approval with no additional questioning is due to our case worker and lifeline helping us along the way with our documents, wording etc. we could NOT have done this so gracefully without their knowledge guiding us along the way. We can officially start receiving files of potential matches! Once we mail in our Fee C we can be matched at any moment. We are so excited and we can not wait for the next step in our adoption journey.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Lifeline Children's Services
Why did we decide on LIFELINE as our agency and T-shirt fundraiser updates.
As Steven and I were praying about which agency to use and we were gathering information and speaking with adoptive families about their thoughts on agencies, we were nervous at first. I am the type of person that puts A LOT of pressure on each and every decision I make. We have been praying for doors to open and close and we have been praying for overwhelming supernatural peace to help us in our decision making. I heard good things about lots of agencies and we were beginning to get a bit nervous.
A couple of things happened that allowed us to have complete confirmation and strong sense of peace going with Lifeline adoption agency. Lifeline is a Christian based agency and a LARGE part of their application process is about your relationship with the Lord, your spouses relationship with the Lord and how you show Christ in your home environment and in the world around you. Lifeline sees the process as a calling as it should be!
The final confirmation for us was hearing about a friend and her husband going through a very emotional event in their adoption process where the Country they were adopting from suddenly changed their requirements and it would have eliminated them from moving forward in the process for quite some time. Lifeline fought for their case walking hand in hand with them the entire way. They did not abandon them but they fought for the family and PRAISE be to God they were able to move forward!
We trust Lifeline completely and we are so thankful for what they stand for.
https://lifelinechild.org/what-we-believe/
Friday, March 9, 2018
God's Timing
Steven and I discussed at the beginning of the adoption process that we would take the challenges as they come with an understanding that God knows our daughter and has to keep us on track with her. It is easy to say this and pray this BUT to live this is an entirely different ballgame.
Our home study process that is estimated to take 3 months has taken 5 months for us. For me, God always brings me to a place where I HAVE to relinquish control and learn patience because I like being in control and I do NOT like to be patient. Without going into too much detail, towards the end of our Home study India added a requirement and without completing the requirement you could not progress into the next step of the process.
I am telling you the lengthy process of completing the additional requirement was nothing short of supernatural because outside of the supernatural it made no sense. I tried so hard to force things, push people to act faster, take control....but two Wednesday nights ago our worship team sang "It is well with my soul" and God gently said "Brit, I have got this.. CHILL." I completely stepped back and began to let God take it.
Yesterday and today have been a whirlwind of happy news and excitement. Just as long and drawn out as the home study was these steps took place supernaturally FAST over a two day period.
Yesterday the the final requirement was completed and submitted. This morning we received our finalized home study( A Home Study is both a process and a report. The Home Study process is a series of interviews and supporting documentation. All documents, including the application, provided or completed by the applicants are a part of the Home Study process. The Home Study report is written by a licensed social worker and is a summary of all the information gathered during the Home Study process) allowing us to finish applying for grants, mail our immigration paperwork (I800a This is an immigration document in which the parents commit to adopting a child) and move forward in the adoption process.
THEN...about 2 hours later we received word that we have been preregistered on CARA which is the Indian central authority (governing body) that oversees the adoption process in India. CARA operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Their offices are located in New Delhi, India. Once registration is complete the estimated wait time for approval from CARA is between 4-6 weeks. Once we are approved our next round of money is due (feeC) then we will be open for MATCHING!
Guys, we could know who our daughter is in the next few months! We are sending off our i800 paperwork for immigration on Monday! Please be in prayer that we would have patience and understand that our daughter has to be ready for us and if that means waiting for months and months that is OK. Also please pray we will use wisdom and God would give us peace and confirmation when we see OUR daughter. Also, pray for Liam and that he will transition wonderfully and we will have wisdom to help him in the transition period.
Now comes lots of blood, sweat and tears...and we are ready! We have applied for grants and we pray for favor in that area but we are putting our hands and minds to work! We are HOSTING a GOLF TOURNAMENT to bring home sissy! The largest portion of funds will be required after we see sissy's face but before we can travel and bring her home. Our golf tournament is May 10th and you can support by entering a team, sponsoring a hole or donating prizes. If you would like to help at the registration table or with set up we would LOVE that as well! Please see slide below for more information and please contact us at Spaine73@gmail.com Britlane23@gmail.com on PM us on facebook.
We LOVE and appreciate you all!
Our home study process that is estimated to take 3 months has taken 5 months for us. For me, God always brings me to a place where I HAVE to relinquish control and learn patience because I like being in control and I do NOT like to be patient. Without going into too much detail, towards the end of our Home study India added a requirement and without completing the requirement you could not progress into the next step of the process.
I am telling you the lengthy process of completing the additional requirement was nothing short of supernatural because outside of the supernatural it made no sense. I tried so hard to force things, push people to act faster, take control....but two Wednesday nights ago our worship team sang "It is well with my soul" and God gently said "Brit, I have got this.. CHILL." I completely stepped back and began to let God take it.
Yesterday and today have been a whirlwind of happy news and excitement. Just as long and drawn out as the home study was these steps took place supernaturally FAST over a two day period.
Yesterday the the final requirement was completed and submitted. This morning we received our finalized home study( A Home Study is both a process and a report. The Home Study process is a series of interviews and supporting documentation. All documents, including the application, provided or completed by the applicants are a part of the Home Study process. The Home Study report is written by a licensed social worker and is a summary of all the information gathered during the Home Study process) allowing us to finish applying for grants, mail our immigration paperwork (I800a This is an immigration document in which the parents commit to adopting a child) and move forward in the adoption process.
THEN...about 2 hours later we received word that we have been preregistered on CARA which is the Indian central authority (governing body) that oversees the adoption process in India. CARA operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Their offices are located in New Delhi, India. Once registration is complete the estimated wait time for approval from CARA is between 4-6 weeks. Once we are approved our next round of money is due (feeC) then we will be open for MATCHING!
Guys, we could know who our daughter is in the next few months! We are sending off our i800 paperwork for immigration on Monday! Please be in prayer that we would have patience and understand that our daughter has to be ready for us and if that means waiting for months and months that is OK. Also please pray we will use wisdom and God would give us peace and confirmation when we see OUR daughter. Also, pray for Liam and that he will transition wonderfully and we will have wisdom to help him in the transition period.
Now comes lots of blood, sweat and tears...and we are ready! We have applied for grants and we pray for favor in that area but we are putting our hands and minds to work! We are HOSTING a GOLF TOURNAMENT to bring home sissy! The largest portion of funds will be required after we see sissy's face but before we can travel and bring her home. Our golf tournament is May 10th and you can support by entering a team, sponsoring a hole or donating prizes. If you would like to help at the registration table or with set up we would LOVE that as well! Please see slide below for more information and please contact us at Spaine73@gmail.com Britlane23@gmail.com on PM us on facebook.
We LOVE and appreciate you all!
Monday, January 1, 2018
Home Study UPDATE
HOME STUDY UPDATE
Happy 2018! We are so excited about what this year will bring for our family. We see Liam's heart being prepared for sissy. On our visit to see Steven's sister and her two children, Liam was very interested in Anna his 4 month old cousin. Liam wanted to learn how to be loving and gentle and he wanted to sooth her and calm her when she was upset. Liam has a very caring demeanor for other children especially those younger than him. Liam loves diversity and already sees the beauty in it. He loves to interact with those that look different to him and you can see his mind working and I know God is doing a beautiful work on his tiny heart.
An update on our home study..We just completed our second home study where a home evaluation was conducted and we passed (yay!) our FINAL home study is January 12th and we are so excited! What exactly does this mean for us? After January 12th we will hopefully be approved through our agency so that we can submit our 2nd installment of money and final documents involved in the home study process. Our case worker will then write an over all review to include with all our documentation and our home study will be sent to CARA for approval from the Indian Government so that we can move on to phase 2...our dossier which is a HUGE portfolio of every document about myself. Steven and Liam that you can imagine. The timeline of acceptance from CARA is between 4-6 weeks. After we are approved from the Indian government we could potentially be MATCHED! We need your prayers..
Please be in prayer for peace and mutual, complete confidence of our daughter when we see her. Please also pray for our daughter if she is born already that she will be with a Godly caregiver and she will be receiving everything she needs (food, water, warmth, attention, love etc). Pray that God will prepare our hearts for what is ahead as it will be taxing spiritually and emotionally. Please pray God will multiply our finances and efforts so that finances do not stand in the way of getting our daughter to us as quickly as possible.
If you feel the Lord is tugging on your heart to consider adoption, foster care or sponsorship I encourage you to visit LifeLine Children's services website to get more information. Lifeline is a Christian agency and we have felt such support throughout our whole process.
http://lifelinechild.org/
Happy 2018! We are so excited about what this year will bring for our family. We see Liam's heart being prepared for sissy. On our visit to see Steven's sister and her two children, Liam was very interested in Anna his 4 month old cousin. Liam wanted to learn how to be loving and gentle and he wanted to sooth her and calm her when she was upset. Liam has a very caring demeanor for other children especially those younger than him. Liam loves diversity and already sees the beauty in it. He loves to interact with those that look different to him and you can see his mind working and I know God is doing a beautiful work on his tiny heart.
An update on our home study..We just completed our second home study where a home evaluation was conducted and we passed (yay!) our FINAL home study is January 12th and we are so excited! What exactly does this mean for us? After January 12th we will hopefully be approved through our agency so that we can submit our 2nd installment of money and final documents involved in the home study process. Our case worker will then write an over all review to include with all our documentation and our home study will be sent to CARA for approval from the Indian Government so that we can move on to phase 2...our dossier which is a HUGE portfolio of every document about myself. Steven and Liam that you can imagine. The timeline of acceptance from CARA is between 4-6 weeks. After we are approved from the Indian government we could potentially be MATCHED! We need your prayers..
Please be in prayer for peace and mutual, complete confidence of our daughter when we see her. Please also pray for our daughter if she is born already that she will be with a Godly caregiver and she will be receiving everything she needs (food, water, warmth, attention, love etc). Pray that God will prepare our hearts for what is ahead as it will be taxing spiritually and emotionally. Please pray God will multiply our finances and efforts so that finances do not stand in the way of getting our daughter to us as quickly as possible.
If you feel the Lord is tugging on your heart to consider adoption, foster care or sponsorship I encourage you to visit LifeLine Children's services website to get more information. Lifeline is a Christian agency and we have felt such support throughout our whole process.
http://lifelinechild.org/
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