News, news

In my last post, we had just found out that we would have to travel twice to Ethiopia.  Well, there has been another change.  The Ethiopia government has put that on hold....for now.  The agency said to plan as if we will be traveling twice because this could change.  Also, with the debated reformed healthcare bill we got some news that is in our favor.  As some of you may or may not know, there is an adoption tax credit available to adopting families.  This tax credit is $12,170.  This would be applied to our taxes next year if we finish our adoption process this year.  We had been told about 4-6 months ago that this adoption credit was going to go down to $5,000 next year.  Within the reformed healthcare bill, it has upped the adoption credit to $13,170 and has extended it until 2011!  WOW!  What exciting news!  God has been showing us in big and small ways that we are on the right path for this adoption.

God has also blessed us with a great car!  We ended up buying a 2003 Saturn Vue and we absolutely love it!

I found this cyst on the palm of  my left hand about 2 months ago.  It has grown since I found it and in a really bad spot.  YUCK!  I went to the doctor about it this past week and it's definitely nothing to worry about, but needs to be removed.  He said that they are pretty common.  I will be getting it removed on Tuesday.  So thankful that I don't have to go under for this.  The doctor said that it will take about 5 minutes and I can drive myself in and drive home.  I will be in an ace bandage for about a week, which will definitely be a hassle, but glad to get rid of this cyst.

We had our 4th and FINAL home study visit on Tuesday!  We should have our approved home study within the next couple of weeks. WOO-HOO!  This is an exciting time for us because this means that we will be able to apply for grants toward our adoption.  If anyone knows of any organizations out there that gives adoption grants please let us know!  I  know of two so far.  Shaohanna's Hope and helpusadopt.org.  I will definitely be doing my research because we want to tap into this resource with as much passion as possible.  Of course, these grants are not a guarantee, but you won't know till you try! =)

The unpredictability of international adoption

We got some news from our adoption agency America World that the Ethiopian government has made changes concerning the approval of our adoption in court.  We are now required to be in Ethiopia for our court date which means that we will have to travel twice.  Before the change, there was a representative of America World for the adopting family present in court and we would only have to travel once; the date of going to picking up our child.  We were warned in the beginning of our adoption process that it is unpredictable and that changes will happen along the way.  This is a big change because it means that the cost of our adoption just went up by $5,000.  Both parents are required to be in court for the first trip, but it's not a requirement for the second trip.  We want to be able to travel for both trips and bring Charis with us for at least one of the trips.  We are excited about the opportunity to see and experience Ethiopia twice.  It will be great to experience their culture and take a little bit of back with us.  We will definitely be able to visit with our son while there, but it will be so hard to leave.  Our first trip will take 5-7 days.  We will then wait 8-12 weeks after that before we can return to pick up our son.  That waiting time will be hard because we will have seen and gotten to know our little one.  Our second trip will take about 3 days.

We have both experienced peace about this news because we know that God has led on this journey of adoption and will provide the needed funds for it.  Thank you in advance for your prayers for us while we continue on this journey.  We don't know what other changes may occur, but it gives us great peace of mind knowing that God will not be surprised by any changes!

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.