It Has Been A Year...

It has been a year.

It truly has almost been a year since my last post.  When 3 1/2 years go by and you are still waiting to see what is up about the adoption there is not much you can say.  In a year recap this is what has happened in life...

 

- An incredible spiritual warfare year.

- Personal attacks on the family.

- A closed door for Stacy

- And an open door for Stacy.

- Disappointment.

- Refocus.

- A question.

- Unity.

- Stretching of ministry experiences.

- Discipline.

- Love.

- Testing.

- Waiting and wondering.

- Confirmation.

- Surgery and a healing.

 ....and on and on.

 

But, I am writing with a bit of GREAT news. About four weeks ago on my way home from work, I felt impressed to ask the boys if we got one girl where would she sit at the dinner table.  So when I got home they both were in the kitchen so I proceeded with my question. The immediate answer was a point to a location at the table where they both agreed. Funny...they never agree.  It was on Ridges right side, which would be to my left at the end of the table.  They left the kitchen - so I preceded to set her place...a plate, bowl, a triangle napkin, fork, knife and spoon.  When the boys came back for dinner they wondered who was coming for dinner.  I told them their future sister was and we were preparing for her. They both smiled.

 

Fast forward to last Tuesday, October 8...Stacy called me and said we got a phone call and email from our Agency.  As we opened the email together it was confirmed that we have been chosen for a beautiful 8 1/2 year old little girl named Susie from the Philippines. Below is her picture.  So our journey continues...

 

Please be in prayer for us as we begin these next steps in US and Filipino paperwork, acquiring finances, waiting and future travel.  We do not have specific time frame but we do have a confirmation on what I am calling my little butterfly.

 



A Year Of Waiting...

Winter, Spring, Summer and now Fall again.  I know it has been some time since you have heard from us but we are still here and all is well.

The adoption of our two girls from the Philippines is still in the works.  It has been a year of waiting...really...a lot of waiting.  We haven't said much about it, but through this whole year we know we could get a phone call any day.

In the Spring we had a great visit with two ICAB Team Members when they came to Tennessee.  These were two of the five government officials that make the decisions for the whole Philippine country. It was a privilege to meet them, shake hands with them and talk with them.

Side note...
It's kind of funny when you think of this perspective in what adoptive parents have to go through for their children in comparison to birth parents.  Just a thought...and wonder how many would actually follow through with it if they had to do the "administrative adoptive process".  

Our meeting with ICAB was great.  Was able to understand their dilemma and delay.  Though it was not what we wanted to hear, it was great to have good communication.  So we wait...a little longer.

Please keep us in your prayers for the days ahead...waiting, finances, travel, Stacy, the boys (Ridge and Garrett) and the "unknown" little butterflies (girls) Christ has for us.

Continuing To Serve,
Rusty

A New Day...

In the midst of incredible tornado damage and clean up of our Cleveland/Bradley County areas, a beam of sunlight comes through. Today we received our International Adoption Approval from the Philippines. That means we are able to pursue and receive referrals for our two girls. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to save our finances and take the coming steps.

Blessings,
Rusty

...and the waiting continues.

Have you ever had one of those feelings that something big is about to happen? Me too.

Hey friends, just wanted to update ...since I just realized that my last update was in November. Well, welcome to 5 months later. Just wanted to bring you up to par on what was happening.
- We had a glitch in December and our agency mis-translated a few things that had to be returned for clarification. Also, after doing the complete paperwork and fulfilling all requirements they wanted to have additional pictures of our home. So with translations corrected and pictures taken...off again goes our paperwork.

In April we got word that all our information was on their desk in the Philippines. So we wait, pray and see what incredible things will take place in the coming days.

Blessings,
Rusty

Enjoying and praying through the waiting game...

We have gotten word that all our paperwork has been sent, recieved and in the process overseas in the Phillippines. As it (paperwork) is in the process they say we have about a 2 month process as it goes through the ICAD steps. Please join us in prayer as it continues to take these vital steps for our desire to adopt to healthy and beautiful little girls.

More to come...

Rusty

Psycho-Healthy...Confirmed Results!!!

Well today was a confirmation...WE ARE NOT crazy! OK maybe just a little, but I have a Doctor of Psychology and a 700+ psychological test with confirmed results that says we are normal and psycho-healthy.

We are glad this part of the journey is over, though quite a funny part of the journey, it gave us a great deal of confirmation on 20 years of marriage, something to think about and gut busting laughter. We are very thankful to our new found friend Dr. Blackburn, and her psychological practice, for their support and encouragement in her final report that is to be sent to our agency and the Philippines.

Our next step is to finalize our massive pile of paperwork. Also, special thanks for all the letters of recommendations that will be included in our packet.

Things to pray about as these approach...
1. I-800 International REQUIRED Hague/Homeland Security 11 Page Form
2. Federal Finger Print Checks
3. Homeland Security Check and Clearance
4. Our personal passports (and boys original adoption decrees be returned...we had to surrender them to allow them to pursue their passports...they were Russian Passports. We are suppose to get these back.)

Until next time,
Rusty, Stacy, Ridge and Garrett

Step 3...Get a psychological test.

On Thursday, May 6, Stacy and I went for our psychological interview and tests with a great company in Chattanooga. Our counselor, Dr. Amanda Blackburn was a joy to sit with and tell our story too. She will have do a full report for us both. This requirement is to fullfill the necessary components for part of the Phillipines adoption paperwork.

As you know us both, we were not hindered from telling our history and future. We spent about an hour with her and we will send other information so she will have the necessary input to complete our report. Next was the fun part. We had to take two psychological test that will be included in our report. Test#1 - 550 questions...Test #2 - 175 questions. These were true/false questions that were bubble in the space type answers.

Here's a sample of the test questions...
#1 Do you like hunting?
#10 Does loud noises bother you?
#43 Do you believe in the life hereafter?
# 50 Does your head hurt?
#101 Do you see dead people?
#276 Do you like to see animals suffer?
#324 Do you like dirt?
#461 Do you like it when people play jokes on you?
#521 Are you afraid of the dark?
#633 Do you love your mother?
#711 Do you speak in other voices besides from being sick?

There were times when Stacy and I looked up at each other and just had to laughed. Well only God knows how this will turn out.

We will let you know the results as we get them...until then, thanks for following.

Rusty