So how does it relate to the latest developments in our adoption process? Well, I received a message from one of our social workers the other day that said the Intra Country Adoption Board (ICAB) has requested more paperwork. Apparently there was a discrepancy between the home study report and the doctors report so they are asking the we have the medical reports redone,again. Also, they wanted Luke (who is now 10 but wasn't when we had the initial paperwork done) to sign a paper that says he agrees with the decision to adopt. My initial reaction to the request for MORE paperwork was a big sigh of frustration..REALLY?..More? But then I realized that the fact that they are reading through our dossier and that they caught these things means that someone, somewhere in the Philippines is actually looking at our paperwork! And this I am truly thankful for!
The past week or two I have been trying to go about life as usual. I've kept the process and our little one in my prayers, but in my attempt to not fret and worry, I've tried not to make it the number one thing I think about. I'm trying to really enjoy Micah and Luke and our current family of 4 ;). The one thing that had been on my mind though recently, is "Did our paperwork make it to the Philippines?, Is anyone looking at it or is it just sitting on a desk in a pile somewhere?". We hadn't heard anything since sending it out and so I had begun to wonder. Well, my answer came with the request for more paperwork. It is NOT just sitting in a pile of papers somewhere. It DID make it over to the Philippines and yes, someone IS looking it over. And for this I am truly thankful!
Before reading the book "One Thousand Gifts", I may not have been able to take a deep breath and look for the positive in the situation. I think my first reaction would have been frustration and worry and it would have stopped there. I am still not happy to have to ask for more forms to be filled out, more papers to be notarized and more signatures to get. BUT, I am now able to look at this frustrating situation and find something to be thankful in it. I'm truly thankful to know that someone, somewhere in the Philippines is reviewing our Dossier and pray that this is one step closer to a referral!
"Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks IN all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19
