Nothing new to report

The wait continues, but for how long we just don't know. Our name is moving up the list toward an official match with Twiggy Four and pre-identified, waiting children seem to be the priority over healthy infants. Our agency is hopeful that our adoption will be processed within a year. My gut feeling is that we'll be matched by the end of the year, or shortly thereafter. What happens then is a child history will be sent to us for review (with a doctor), then once we agree paperwork is begun to issue us the much awaited "To Whom It May Concern" letter inviting us to travel and take custody. That process could take 6-8 months, maybe shorter. My goal is to have Twiggy Four home before he turns 5, February of 2012. Any time before that is good with me. Age 5 just seems to be a turning point and I'd like a little bit of time with him before he becomes a big boy.

This may all seem discouraging, but I'm actually encouraged. Our agency has been corresponding with us more recently so that seems to indicate that action is happening on our behalf.

Twiggy One and I just returned from a mission trip to Twiggy Four's country to teach English. We were there in 2008 and it was fun to think that we were so close to Twiggy Four both then and on this trip. Prospective parents are not allowed to visit a child prior to taking custody and I was o.k. with that. It would have been fun to peek in on him from a distance, but that opens the door to heartbreak if we are not matched with him. I was at peace leaving it all in God's hands. I also know that he is in a good place and seems happy. That made it much easier.

Several students from my English class were from a home for children of Christian prisoners so I was able to pour out my mommy love on them for a few days. 45 students accepted Jesus' free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, two of them from my classes. Praise the Lord! I'm ready to go back...we'll see what next year holds.

The rest of the twigs are doing well. Twiggy Two and Three joined Twiggy One at the Christian school and all are thriving there. I was hired as the Children's Coordinator at our church (which is right across the street) so financially it made private schooling possible. That had been our goal all along and we are so thankful for God's provision. I only work part time and will be able to work from home once Twiggy Four arrives. God is so good!!!

Kary