Called By Name
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Big 4
Just a quick update: Our "Big 4" documents have left the Haitian Consulate and will arrive Monday morning before 10:30. This means we can get things ready to send to Haiti! Praise God. Celebrating each step along the way. Thank you, Lord!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sober reminder...
From David Platt (http://bhglobalblog.org) via Karen Boggs (http://boggsfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/):
"My goal is certainly not to paint a grim picture of adoption, and many children in foster and/or adoption situations are perfectly healthy. But adoption is not easy, and children are indeed needy. It’s important to realize...that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued. And in this way, the gospel uniquely portrays, compels, and ultimately sustains adoption." -David Platt
"My goal is certainly not to paint a grim picture of adoption, and many children in foster and/or adoption situations are perfectly healthy. But adoption is not easy, and children are indeed needy. It’s important to realize...that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued. And in this way, the gospel uniquely portrays, compels, and ultimately sustains adoption." -David Platt
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Never Alone...
Our journey to discover our "new Donahue" continues. Wow. You know how you don't really understand something until you've actually done it yourself? For instance, you don't really know what it's like to be a mom or dad until you're a mom or dad...then you enter into this "club" of people who empathize with you, and finally you understand the lingo and have sources of support and encouragement.
This is what the adoption process is like. Often I'm asked "how are things going with the adoption?" When I respond, it sounds like I'm speaking a foreign language, and it's hard to explain and hard for the other person to truly understand. The easiest part to explain will be the "we are leaving for Haiti to pick up our child" part. Ultimately, that's what is most important.
However, having a friend or two who have walked this path (or are walking it now) is refreshingly helpful, and a reminder that I'm not alone (or crazy). Empathy is an amazing source of comfort. I know God provides people around us who can empathize and can encourage us when we feel like no one understands, or we're confused or stressed about something in particular.
Last week, Don and I got a lot done in regard to paperwork. Most of the adoption papers have to be notarized, and on top of that, they have to be certified by the county clerk *in* the county where the notary has his/her license (for example, our home study papers were all notarized by a Knox county notary... so we had to mail our documents to Knoxville for certification). After certification, the papers have to be "authenticated" by the Secretary of State...luckily for us, the SofS is right in Nashville.
So, all of our documents are notarized, certified and authenticated. Now, they are being translated into French Creole. Once translated, we'll send them to Miami to the Haitian Consulate for approval. When Miami sends them back, we can send them to Haiti! Whew...
That's only Phase 1, though. Phase 2 is more waiting...a LOT of it from what I understand! Gratefully, there are others who have waited and are waiting...not that I'm glad they're waiting...but I'm grateful that we won't wait alone, and God has placed people in our lives to provide encouragement and reassurance.
Whether you've traveled this same road or not, we would be honored by your prayers of support and footprints in the sand. Our God is so awesome, and He is delighted when He hears the voices of many on behalf of others. Ultimately, all of you are part of our adoption story...so, we adopt together. Thank you for prayerfully remembering us and all of those who travel a similar journey... We are NEVER alone!
This is what the adoption process is like. Often I'm asked "how are things going with the adoption?" When I respond, it sounds like I'm speaking a foreign language, and it's hard to explain and hard for the other person to truly understand. The easiest part to explain will be the "we are leaving for Haiti to pick up our child" part. Ultimately, that's what is most important.
However, having a friend or two who have walked this path (or are walking it now) is refreshingly helpful, and a reminder that I'm not alone (or crazy). Empathy is an amazing source of comfort. I know God provides people around us who can empathize and can encourage us when we feel like no one understands, or we're confused or stressed about something in particular.
Last week, Don and I got a lot done in regard to paperwork. Most of the adoption papers have to be notarized, and on top of that, they have to be certified by the county clerk *in* the county where the notary has his/her license (for example, our home study papers were all notarized by a Knox county notary... so we had to mail our documents to Knoxville for certification). After certification, the papers have to be "authenticated" by the Secretary of State...luckily for us, the SofS is right in Nashville.
So, all of our documents are notarized, certified and authenticated. Now, they are being translated into French Creole. Once translated, we'll send them to Miami to the Haitian Consulate for approval. When Miami sends them back, we can send them to Haiti! Whew...
That's only Phase 1, though. Phase 2 is more waiting...a LOT of it from what I understand! Gratefully, there are others who have waited and are waiting...not that I'm glad they're waiting...but I'm grateful that we won't wait alone, and God has placed people in our lives to provide encouragement and reassurance.
Whether you've traveled this same road or not, we would be honored by your prayers of support and footprints in the sand. Our God is so awesome, and He is delighted when He hears the voices of many on behalf of others. Ultimately, all of you are part of our adoption story...so, we adopt together. Thank you for prayerfully remembering us and all of those who travel a similar journey... We are NEVER alone!
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