Hello friends and family! It's been an information and emotion filled week since last Saturday. This post might be a little long, so if you have time, grab a cup of coffee. Brandon and I are doing well, he is coming into his busy season once again for work. My job is going very well and all the critters are doing well. Although lil Miss Remmie has been earning her old nickname of the, "Tasmanian devil". She must sense that spring is close by. She's been running through the house like it's a play ground. All the doggies have been loving running around outdoors, swimming in our pond and tracking all of the fresh mud (from there feet) through our freshly vacuumed and mopped house!! :) Ahhhh, the joy of our four legged family. We just have to smile :) I continually tell Brandon that they are adequately preparing us for children :)))
So on to our weekly update....First, we are asking for prayer once again regarding a potential baby girl in our future. I'm not prepared to share details just yet but some news was shared with us last Saturday of a baby girl soon to be born and we are praying for this baby girls future right now! Our prayer has been that she goes to the PERFECT home that God has picked out, just for her. If that is our home, we will feel tremendously blessed but right now we are just praying for her birth mom and her future.
Regarding Vietnam and the state of affairs with adoption there, well it continues to look more and more "uncertain". There is once again SO much chatter regarding the potential shutdown on Sept 1, 2008. We have been given no definitive news on this but my gut feeling is now telling me that Vietnam will close down come September. With that potential shutdown their will be many families and children amidst the process and it will be left up to Vietnam to decide who will be able to continue the process of finishing their adoption. There has been "TALK" that "POSSIBLY" anyone who has a dossier logged in will be able to complete their adoption. Therefore, we were contacted by our agency yesterday and told to begin our dossier. As you may remember, we were not slated to begin our dossier until April 2009 at the earliest, so this came as a HUGE surprise. My thought is that our agency is doing this to help all "in process" families finalize their adoptions and bring their children home. This does not mean that our timeline has changed regarding our Vietnam adoption, it is still looking like approx 12-18 months away. With that, we ask for prayer for ALL in process families and children. Also, I have attached a petition that will be going to our Vice President when enough signatures are added. If you feel lead to sign it or pass it along we would be much appreciative. After you have signed the petition, it (the organization) gives you the option of making a donation...We want you to know that it is not required for your voice to be heard via your signature.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/AmericansforVietnamOrphans/http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/AmericansforVietnamOrphans/
Last but certainly not least, I have attached another website with very detailed information on what is happening regarding Vietnam/U.S. adoptions, if you are interested.
http://www.bringourchildrenhome.org/
We just want to thank all of our friends and family for their support. You truly have no idea how blessed we feel to have had so many of the people we know and love support us in this process. It can be truly taxing and emotional at times and we are so thankful for all of you and the genuine LOVE you have shown us. We truly feel blessed!!!
Many blessings to you all!!! HAPPY EASTER!!!!
Let us remember this weekend that yesterday Jesus gave his life on the cross and paid the ultimate price for ALL, so that we could have eternal life with our Father in heaven one day; if we only accept and embrace His gift of salvation.
Tomorrow we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, (Matthew 28)
AMEN!
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!!
Hugs,
Brandon and Robin
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Weekly Update
Hello everyone! I hope you all had a good week and will be enjoying a relaxing weekend.
We received our weekly update from our agency on Friday. It had an encouraging tone to it. It was shared that our agency (FTIA) is continuing to match families with children. There were not any actual referrals but the matching is encouraging. There is news that JCICS had a successful meeting while in Vietnam recently. They continue to advocate for Vietnam adoptions to continue and for a new MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) which is set to expire on Sept 1, 2008 be rewritten to everyones satisfaction and be renewed before Sept. 1st. If it is not renewed, our agency along with many other organizations for adoption are encouraging Vietnam to allow those "in process" to continue. We aren't quite sure what the definition of "in process" will be at this time because it has not yet been defined but we continue to be hopeful and prayerful that the MOU will be renewed on or BEFORE Sept 1, 2008.
As we continue to wait and see what the weeks and months hold we look to James for encouragement:
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
We received our weekly update from our agency on Friday. It had an encouraging tone to it. It was shared that our agency (FTIA) is continuing to match families with children. There were not any actual referrals but the matching is encouraging. There is news that JCICS had a successful meeting while in Vietnam recently. They continue to advocate for Vietnam adoptions to continue and for a new MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) which is set to expire on Sept 1, 2008 be rewritten to everyones satisfaction and be renewed before Sept. 1st. If it is not renewed, our agency along with many other organizations for adoption are encouraging Vietnam to allow those "in process" to continue. We aren't quite sure what the definition of "in process" will be at this time because it has not yet been defined but we continue to be hopeful and prayerful that the MOU will be renewed on or BEFORE Sept 1, 2008.
As we continue to wait and see what the weeks and months hold we look to James for encouragement:
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Update dating back to last Friday, 3/7/08
Hello all :) Last Friday brought some amazing news for another family adopting from FTIA! They were referred an absolutely precious baby girl!!! I was able to see her picture and she is SO adorable!!!
Our agencies report last week (3/7/08) had a positive tone to it....They said that March should be a busy month with referrals resuming. This is also very exciting news!
We still haven't heard anything concrete regarding the MOU being renewed. There is still MUCH speculation among those adopting from Vietnam as to if we will experience a shutdown or not. Brandon and I have been fortunate not to get caught up in the speculation and I KNOW that comes from God and through much prayer. I belong to two yahoo groups for parents who are adopting (or would like to adopt) from Vietnam and there is continual frustrations and upheaval voiced daily among those adopting from Vietnam. I have made it a point to scan the posts before reading them, as to not get sucked into the ups and downs and drama of it all. As for concrete news, we did read what I've cut and pasted below regarding the current meetings in Vietnam (www.jcics.org - this is the joint council of childrens internationl services) There mission is: To advocate and protect the right of every child to a safe, permanent and loving family. They are involved in the current discussions among the US and Vietnam regarding renewing and rewriting the MOU. This is what they had to say on March 7th:
March 7, 2008
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is pleased to clarify Joint Council's position regarding the current Vietnam negotiations, specific to an earlier post issued on March 7, 2008:
Joint Council continues to advocate for all JCICS member and affiliate organizations with programs in Vietnam and those hoping to establish them. It is, however, important to bear in mind that Joint Council is not alone in this conversation. As we all know, there are multiple entities, governmental and non-governmental, involved in the on-going negotiations around re-establishing the MOA between the US and Vietnam. As a contribution to these negotiations, Joint Council offered the recently created Standards of Practice for Vietnam – a document all involved parties recognized as "a key element of elevating child welfare services...."
Joint Council encourages Vietnam's movement toward functional implementation of the Hague Convention and, pending that eventuality, strongly supports continuation of programs and agency licensure based on best practice as outlined in the Joint Council Standards of Practice for Vietnam.
Additionally, we have issued a post regarding the “rolling nature” of the COA/DOS list of Hague accredited agencies initially released on February 29, 2008. Our newest post can be accessed at http://www.jcics.org/Hague.htm. The Hague list of accredited agencies issued on February 29th was only an initial release. As we noted on March 3rd, many other Joint Council agencies will finalize their Hague Accreditation and be added to the list, both before and after April 1, 2008.
Again, Joint Council continues to advocate on behalf of all our member and affiliate organizations. Adoption service providers and prospective adoptive families are encouraged to contact Joint Council staff and the Joint Council Board of Directors with any questions regarding the “rolling nature” of the Hague accreditation process as well as for up-to-date information regarding Joint Council members currently pursuing accreditation.
March 7, 2008
This week Joint Council had the honor of presenting the Joint Council Vietnam Standards of Practice to the Vietnam Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and to the United States Embassy in Hanoi. We are proud to report that all parties expressed their appreciation for and support of the collective efforts of Joint Council, its Member Organizations and non-member organizations in addressing the ongoing concerns related to intercountry adoption. All parties uniformly stated that the Standards are a key element of elevating child welfare services to a level consistent with the tenants of the Hague Convention and the hopeful continuation of permanency and humanitarian services to the children and families of Vietnam.
During numerous meetings with MOLISA and MOJ, their desire to implement the Hague Convention was reconfirmed. Joint Council understands that the MOJ, as part of aligning practices with Hague standards, will permit the continuation of adoption licenses for agencies receiving Hague accreditation by the U.S. Central Authority. While the timing and other specifics remain uncertain, Joint Council and the U.S. Department of State have requested clarification. In addition, Joint Council has strongly advocated for the following.
All adoptions in which a referral has been issued are permitted to continue through to the finalization of the adoption.
Recognizing that a list of Hague accredited agencies has been announced by the U.S. Department of State via the Uniform Notification Date (February 29, 2008), agencies accredited as of April 1, 2008 (the date the Convention goes into full effect in the United States) be used to determine the continuation of licensure by the Vietnam MOJ.
Joint Council supports the MOJ and its continuation of licensure for Hague accredited agencies. Our support of this initiative is based on both principles and practicality. Given Joint Council’s long standing support of a functional implementation of the Convention in the U.S. and other countries, we encourage Vietnam’s movement toward that end. Given the expiration of the current MOA between the U.S. and Vietnam in less than six months (on September 1, 2008), this decision by the MOJ is a strong indicator of Vietnam’s serious intent to continue permanency and humanitarian services via a new or amended MOA.
While some may see the continuation of licensure for only Hague accredited agencies as overly restrictive, Joint Council fully recognizes this utilization of Convention principles as a means of ensuring both best practices and a key element for the continuation of finding permanent, safe and loving families for the children of Vietnam.
Please know that Joint Council will continue to engage all stakeholders and inform you of events as they unfold.
Our agencies report last week (3/7/08) had a positive tone to it....They said that March should be a busy month with referrals resuming. This is also very exciting news!
We still haven't heard anything concrete regarding the MOU being renewed. There is still MUCH speculation among those adopting from Vietnam as to if we will experience a shutdown or not. Brandon and I have been fortunate not to get caught up in the speculation and I KNOW that comes from God and through much prayer. I belong to two yahoo groups for parents who are adopting (or would like to adopt) from Vietnam and there is continual frustrations and upheaval voiced daily among those adopting from Vietnam. I have made it a point to scan the posts before reading them, as to not get sucked into the ups and downs and drama of it all. As for concrete news, we did read what I've cut and pasted below regarding the current meetings in Vietnam (www.jcics.org - this is the joint council of childrens internationl services) There mission is: To advocate and protect the right of every child to a safe, permanent and loving family. They are involved in the current discussions among the US and Vietnam regarding renewing and rewriting the MOU. This is what they had to say on March 7th:
March 7, 2008
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is pleased to clarify Joint Council's position regarding the current Vietnam negotiations, specific to an earlier post issued on March 7, 2008:
Joint Council continues to advocate for all JCICS member and affiliate organizations with programs in Vietnam and those hoping to establish them. It is, however, important to bear in mind that Joint Council is not alone in this conversation. As we all know, there are multiple entities, governmental and non-governmental, involved in the on-going negotiations around re-establishing the MOA between the US and Vietnam. As a contribution to these negotiations, Joint Council offered the recently created Standards of Practice for Vietnam – a document all involved parties recognized as "a key element of elevating child welfare services...."
Joint Council encourages Vietnam's movement toward functional implementation of the Hague Convention and, pending that eventuality, strongly supports continuation of programs and agency licensure based on best practice as outlined in the Joint Council Standards of Practice for Vietnam.
Additionally, we have issued a post regarding the “rolling nature” of the COA/DOS list of Hague accredited agencies initially released on February 29, 2008. Our newest post can be accessed at http://www.jcics.org/Hague.htm. The Hague list of accredited agencies issued on February 29th was only an initial release. As we noted on March 3rd, many other Joint Council agencies will finalize their Hague Accreditation and be added to the list, both before and after April 1, 2008.
Again, Joint Council continues to advocate on behalf of all our member and affiliate organizations. Adoption service providers and prospective adoptive families are encouraged to contact Joint Council staff and the Joint Council Board of Directors with any questions regarding the “rolling nature” of the Hague accreditation process as well as for up-to-date information regarding Joint Council members currently pursuing accreditation.
March 7, 2008
This week Joint Council had the honor of presenting the Joint Council Vietnam Standards of Practice to the Vietnam Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and to the United States Embassy in Hanoi. We are proud to report that all parties expressed their appreciation for and support of the collective efforts of Joint Council, its Member Organizations and non-member organizations in addressing the ongoing concerns related to intercountry adoption. All parties uniformly stated that the Standards are a key element of elevating child welfare services to a level consistent with the tenants of the Hague Convention and the hopeful continuation of permanency and humanitarian services to the children and families of Vietnam.
During numerous meetings with MOLISA and MOJ, their desire to implement the Hague Convention was reconfirmed. Joint Council understands that the MOJ, as part of aligning practices with Hague standards, will permit the continuation of adoption licenses for agencies receiving Hague accreditation by the U.S. Central Authority. While the timing and other specifics remain uncertain, Joint Council and the U.S. Department of State have requested clarification. In addition, Joint Council has strongly advocated for the following.
All adoptions in which a referral has been issued are permitted to continue through to the finalization of the adoption.
Recognizing that a list of Hague accredited agencies has been announced by the U.S. Department of State via the Uniform Notification Date (February 29, 2008), agencies accredited as of April 1, 2008 (the date the Convention goes into full effect in the United States) be used to determine the continuation of licensure by the Vietnam MOJ.
Joint Council supports the MOJ and its continuation of licensure for Hague accredited agencies. Our support of this initiative is based on both principles and practicality. Given Joint Council’s long standing support of a functional implementation of the Convention in the U.S. and other countries, we encourage Vietnam’s movement toward that end. Given the expiration of the current MOA between the U.S. and Vietnam in less than six months (on September 1, 2008), this decision by the MOJ is a strong indicator of Vietnam’s serious intent to continue permanency and humanitarian services via a new or amended MOA.
While some may see the continuation of licensure for only Hague accredited agencies as overly restrictive, Joint Council fully recognizes this utilization of Convention principles as a means of ensuring both best practices and a key element for the continuation of finding permanent, safe and loving families for the children of Vietnam.
Please know that Joint Council will continue to engage all stakeholders and inform you of events as they unfold.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Roller coaster ride, anyone???
Here is the days latest tid bit of info. It's a confusing process to those not involved but this does a pretty good job of summing up what is currently going on with the U.S. and Vietnam. A friend that I have met through International Adoption (also adopting from Vietnam) passed this along to me this morning.
I continually ask myself how anyone could EVER go through this process with out true FAITH in God!
http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/
Love and hugs to everyone! Have a great day today!!! :)
Robin and Brandon
I continually ask myself how anyone could EVER go through this process with out true FAITH in God!
http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/
Love and hugs to everyone! Have a great day today!!! :)
Robin and Brandon
Saturday, March 1, 2008
March should prove to be informative
Good Morning everyone! Anyone ready for Spring to arrive??! Ok, family and friends in Florida & Georgia can stop laughing. We've had what feels like a longer than usual winter and I'm ready for some HOT SUN!!! :) Hence our upcoming trip to FL!!!
Well, I know it's been a few weeks without an update but I just haven't had much to report b/c we haven't heard much. We did get a glimmer of info that will help put things into perspective regarding the MOU and where that could lead us. Below I have cut and pasted information that was released from Children's Hope International to families in their Vietnam program. It's a great explanation of where we (and everyone else adopting from Vietnam) are right now.
Key note of the US State Department warning:
The 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), required by Vietnamese law to authorize adoptions between the United States and Vietnam, expires on September 1, 2008. The US State department is warning families just now applying to agencies for the Vietnam program. Due to the timing of the process, a family now applying will not receive a referral or submit their completed adoption paperwork to Vietnam prior to the MOU expiring in September. If there is a short moratorium (in English this means shut down, all of this adoption lingo gets confusing), during which the two countries come to a new agreement if necessary, the impact could be minimal to our families and another agreement may be signed soon thereafter. Hanoi Quarterly US Embassy Meeting: Thuy, our main representative in Vietnam, attended the quarterly US embassy meeting in Hanoi for all adoption agencies. The new I-600 procedures were discussed for agencies whose families had not yet traveled under the new I-600 (immigration form for internationally adopted children). A group of US officials will travel to Vietnam in March to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Vietnam government. In March, written letters may be exchanged between the two governments to resign the MOU which expires this year. If the written letters are not exchanged in March, then the MOU will expire on September 1, 2008, and agencies will no longer be allowed to submit new dossiers after this time. Therefore, more details concerning the MOU will be coming soon. (I bolded this section in black b/c this tells us in a nutshell that if they (the U.S. and Vietnam) don't get things resolved this month adoptions will cease come September 1) For us that would mean our process is halted (whether it be temporarily or permanently)
The above info tells us that we will know where we are, one way or another during the month of March. We are not concerned or nervous about the pending decision because we have all of our faith in the path the Lord has lead us down. We have discussed that maybe He has lead us down this path to detour us on another route, we just don't know but we are faithful and certain that NO MATTER WHAT, we are in the right place right now. We are praying about this and asking everyone to please join us in prayer. As always, the toughest part of this process is the waiting. We know this will all turn out the way it's suppose to, but we really struggle DAILY with the WAIT (patience in this process is certainly not my strong suit) So, we ask for prayers of patience! :)
On a much lighter note, I'm still SHOPPING!!!! (haha) I have a picture of the latest lil peanut outfit for you all to see (above). This one is honor of my hubby....Duckies!!! (And if you promise not to say anything.....Shhhh, I even got a pair of camo overalls- hehe)
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!! I think I just saw the SUN peak out from the clouds!!! Looks like it might brighten up enough to be a horsey riding weekend!!!!
Hugs, love and kisses!!!!
Rob & B
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