Adoption Drama

Well, we have been very busy compiling paperwork, going to our doctor's, getting police background checks, letter from our accountant, etc. for the adoption. We had a big scare a few days ago when we got an e-mail from Lavian Family Affairs saying they cannot clear Gertrude for international adoption right now because she had said "no" to foreign adoption back in March when interviewed. I didn't notice "March" at first and thought they had just interviewed her. It was devastating and I was sick to my stomach and cried. I told Scott and he had us go back and re-read the letter and we noticed she was interviewed in March before she came to visit. We called Helen (one of the chaperones that was here that works with the orphans & courts) and she assured us most kids say no when they are interviewed out of the blue like that. Gertrude has been at camp since she returned to Latvia and just got back Aug. 17 so they will interview her again soon. Helen is going to talk to her to make sure she knows she will not lose contact with her sister if she is adopted. We (especially me!) are very anxious but trying to stay calm, pray and trust God through this. We are moving ahead with the paperwork, with the expectation we will soon hear some good news.

A couple days ago we sent in our first batch of paperwork--our home study (not all of it but enough to get started with interviews, etc.) and our I600A to our government (which had to wait for our corrected birth certificate and marriage license delaying us about 3 weeks), which we finally got. We have our first appointment with our social worker next Friday Aug 25 for the first of four interviews to complete the home study. This is so exciting! Things are finally moving along. We just keep praying for that one crucial bit of news, that Gertrude is ready to be adopted and move to America.