It's been a while since we've shared with our family and friends where we are in the adoption process. The reason for that is much of our time has been spent obtaining/processing paperwork. All of the work we've (well, mostly my wonderful husband) been doing has been put together to form our dossier. This is a large packet of documentation that is sent to Latvia first for translation prior to review by the ministry of affairs. Once all of that takes place, we will receive an invitation to go to Latvia for our first court appearance (we will make 3 trips total). I am so happy, and thankful, to say that our dossier went to Latvia a week ago with a family traveling on their final adoption related trip! That is a HUGE weight lifted! We are now awaiting our information from the US Dept of Immigration. They have scheduled our fingerprinting (this will make the second time we will have to be fingerprinted) for Nov 5. Once that is done we should receive our immigration documents within approx 8 days. Then we will send that paperwork to Latvia.....and wait.
We heard from our adoption liason that our hopes of getting Viktorija here by Christmas are very slim. But, we know God's timing is best. We speak to Viktorija on the phone once a week. She sounds so good! She is so full of hope (thus the middle name we've chosen for her...HOPE). She seems at peace now with whatever the time frame is. Although, she would like to come home now, she has gained understanding about the adoption process through her foster mom, her psychologist, and our openness about each step of the process.
With every day that passes we love her even more. We so look forward to the day when we can hug her again! When we asked her what she is looking forward to most she responded, "to see you and hug you and kiss you". When asked what will be her favorite thing about coming to America she responed, "having a family!".
I try to imagine how it will feel for her to come home and know that she never has to leave again. All of the little things we take for granted, she thinks are fantastic. We have spent a lot of time in the mountains this month and we constantly find ouselves saying, "I'll bet Viktoirja would like to see that sunrise", or "I'll bet Viktorija would like to see the "Fall colors", and the list goes on. Everything will become so new again, looking through the eyes of a child.
Please pray for all the orphaned children that will be coming for 5 weeks at Christmas with New Horizons For Children. I've been watching their pictures on the website and with every child that is selected by a host family, I thank the Lord. This is another opportunity to make a huge impact on a child's life. I'm so thankful that we chose to follow God's lead in the Summer when we hosted Viktorija. I am now so humbled that I will be her mom. I can't imagine loving a child more!
