Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I-800A SUBMITTED!
Well we got our copies of the home study today and proceeded to mail off our I-800A application. Come on fingerprint appointment. Ella and Allie, we are coming.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Many Steps Taken - Many Left to Go
Ron here-
I just finished updating the "Our Journey So Far" part of our blog. After seeing there are already over 50 entries I realize we have come a long way since July 7th but it still seems we have such a long way to go before we get to meet our girls. The cooperation we have gotten along the way so far has been tremendous. Our home study agency and social worker have been outstanding. The support we have gotten from our coordinator at our adoption agency has been unbelievable. Talk about an advocate for these children. Next step is to get our copies of the home study next week and submit our I-800A. Keep the prayers coming.
I just finished updating the "Our Journey So Far" part of our blog. After seeing there are already over 50 entries I realize we have come a long way since July 7th but it still seems we have such a long way to go before we get to meet our girls. The cooperation we have gotten along the way so far has been tremendous. Our home study agency and social worker have been outstanding. The support we have gotten from our coordinator at our adoption agency has been unbelievable. Talk about an advocate for these children. Next step is to get our copies of the home study next week and submit our I-800A. Keep the prayers coming.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
WONDERFUL update!
As we are pushing through the paperwork and getting our homestudy done, it gets a little sad to wait and wait for updates. Just when we needed it most, our wonderful contact at our adoption agency sent us an update! Allie's file had not been updated for what looks like a few years, and just a week after requesting a new picture, she sent us one. Check out the change in our girl:
Look how tall and healthy she looks. She looks well taken care of and we thank God for that! Doesn't Allie look happy? We can't wait to get our homestudy done + dossier submitted--then we are two steps closer to meeting our girls for the first time.
Thank you to everyone following our blog and sharing in this process--it means a lot to know that we have friends and supporters :)
Clark family
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Twice Blessed
Ron here-
Just when you think God can't possibly bless you any more He just keeps surprising. Trish and I have been led to bring another little girl home with Ella. I guess God knew I always wanted twins. :) Her name is Allie and she is about 9 months older than Ella. She is blind with some delays. I see the same things in her as I do in Ella. Beautiful little girls who need a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, a family to love them. We will do the best we can to honor God and do just that. Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
Kate will be updating the blog in the next few days with a picture of our 4th daughter. :)
Just when you think God can't possibly bless you any more He just keeps surprising. Trish and I have been led to bring another little girl home with Ella. I guess God knew I always wanted twins. :) Her name is Allie and she is about 9 months older than Ella. She is blind with some delays. I see the same things in her as I do in Ella. Beautiful little girls who need a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, a family to love them. We will do the best we can to honor God and do just that. Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
Kate will be updating the blog in the next few days with a picture of our 4th daughter. :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fundraising and other things
Kate here!
Now that Mom and Dad are flying through the paperwork part of the adoption, it's time to really get cracking on fundraising. We have a total of $16,000 to raise for the agency fees and such, which is a pretty staggering number. I have some ideas in mind, I hope to get them in motion soon. I love working so hard for something so meaningful.
I am really excited to get Ella involved with the special needs school here in WI. Many of my after-school kids went there, and it is such a great school. Kids can be cruel to those who are different, but there was none of that at this school. Such wonderful teachers that helped all the kids reach their fullest potential. After so many years in an orphanage, Ella will really thrive under such attention.
Now that Mom and Dad are flying through the paperwork part of the adoption, it's time to really get cracking on fundraising. We have a total of $16,000 to raise for the agency fees and such, which is a pretty staggering number. I have some ideas in mind, I hope to get them in motion soon. I love working so hard for something so meaningful.
I am really excited to get Ella involved with the special needs school here in WI. Many of my after-school kids went there, and it is such a great school. Kids can be cruel to those who are different, but there was none of that at this school. Such wonderful teachers that helped all the kids reach their fullest potential. After so many years in an orphanage, Ella will really thrive under such attention.
Church board affirmation
Trish here.
We had a church board meeting yesterday. During the new business part, I asked permission to borrow some of the tables for a garage sale we were planning as part of fundraising to bring Ella home. Not only did they say yes, one man said he would bring them and pick them up for us. The Pastor said his family had some stuff they would love to donate, as did the rest of the board. The youth leader said the teen group has been trying to find ways to help us during this process and would love to help us put this together and run it. Another person volunteered to help with a bake sale that will be held at the same time. Each person there was so happy to be able to help us in any way possible. Keep in mind that our church typically runs 50 to 60 on any given Sunday. This warmed my heart to see so many willing to do whatever they could to bring this little girl home.
On the way to church, the Casting Crowns song "the Voice of Truth" came on. Just when I needed to hear it. The thought of raising so much money is very intimidating. It reminded me that God is on our side, and that if we honor what He has told us to do, He will stand by us. Not to listen to the other thoughts in my head, are you crazy? How is this going to happen? But the "Voice of Truth" tells me, He is on our side. As another song tells us, Trust and Obey!
So, the board meeting was an affirmation to me that we are not alone in this adoption process and that our church family is as anxious as we are to bring home another blessed little soul. Thank you, church, and thank you, Voice of Truth for calming my fears and reminding me we are not alone in this. And not too much longer, our Ella will not only get the Clarks as family, she will get the Grace Harbor Church of the Nazarene family to love.
We had a church board meeting yesterday. During the new business part, I asked permission to borrow some of the tables for a garage sale we were planning as part of fundraising to bring Ella home. Not only did they say yes, one man said he would bring them and pick them up for us. The Pastor said his family had some stuff they would love to donate, as did the rest of the board. The youth leader said the teen group has been trying to find ways to help us during this process and would love to help us put this together and run it. Another person volunteered to help with a bake sale that will be held at the same time. Each person there was so happy to be able to help us in any way possible. Keep in mind that our church typically runs 50 to 60 on any given Sunday. This warmed my heart to see so many willing to do whatever they could to bring this little girl home.
On the way to church, the Casting Crowns song "the Voice of Truth" came on. Just when I needed to hear it. The thought of raising so much money is very intimidating. It reminded me that God is on our side, and that if we honor what He has told us to do, He will stand by us. Not to listen to the other thoughts in my head, are you crazy? How is this going to happen? But the "Voice of Truth" tells me, He is on our side. As another song tells us, Trust and Obey!
So, the board meeting was an affirmation to me that we are not alone in this adoption process and that our church family is as anxious as we are to bring home another blessed little soul. Thank you, church, and thank you, Voice of Truth for calming my fears and reminding me we are not alone in this. And not too much longer, our Ella will not only get the Clarks as family, she will get the Grace Harbor Church of the Nazarene family to love.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Home Study Done
We finished our home study last week! Ron worked over the 3 day weekend to get alot of paperwork done for the dossier, so much paperwork.
I've decided that at some point in my life (I don't remember when I would have done such a silly thing), I must have prayed for patience. Because that is surely something God is working on me with right now. I think being pregnant might have been easier in some aspects than adopting. At least when you are pregnant you have an idea how long you are waiting. You have an end date, of sorts. At this stage in the adoption, we still have no idea when we will be going to bring our Ella home. And waiting is hard! So, I figure God is teaching me patience during this time of waiting. It's probably a good thing for both me and Ella. The extra patience I learn during this season will be good for both of us. And so worth it.
I've decided that at some point in my life (I don't remember when I would have done such a silly thing), I must have prayed for patience. Because that is surely something God is working on me with right now. I think being pregnant might have been easier in some aspects than adopting. At least when you are pregnant you have an idea how long you are waiting. You have an end date, of sorts. At this stage in the adoption, we still have no idea when we will be going to bring our Ella home. And waiting is hard! So, I figure God is teaching me patience during this time of waiting. It's probably a good thing for both me and Ella. The extra patience I learn during this season will be good for both of us. And so worth it.
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About Me
- Ron and Trish
- In July 2011, we started our adoption story. We are waiting to bring our newest daughter home, and we hope you'll join us in following along on our blog!