We had some great news this weekend. What we didn't say publicly a couple of weeks ago is that our debit card also got stolen on the matatu that day. However, we specifically had our account set up to NOT allow overdrafts. After the theft, we immediately emptied out the little bit of money that was still in the checking account, so I figured we'd be OK..Besides, Kim had a few weeks longer in Kenya, so we planned to just close out the account when she got home.Unfortunately, we had a huge miscommunication over a year ago about what "No Overdrafts Allowed" meant.
A series of transactions cleared between the time when I was leaving Kenya and getting settled back home. Grrr. Long story short, the thieves were able to work the system and completely emptied our savings account....plus putting us another $500 into the hole. I vascillated between feeling extremely angry and extremely dumb. And usually both simultaneously.
However, we held out hope when our credit union believed us and did not even appear to suspect we were scamming. Particularly given recent events, this was a huge relief and breath of fresh of air. After a few days of paperwork exchange, the money got posted back to our account on Friday. Every last penny! We felt like the guy in the parable of the lost coin.
So, the morals of the story are twofold:
1. Just because you don't have overdraft set up doesn't mean that your related accounts with the same prefix are safe. Cancel your card immediately no matter what other backup security measure you think you have in place.
2. Somewhat shockingly, VISA actually does back up what they say about fraud protection. And APGFCU is a really good credit union.
I thanked the woman who helped me profusely. We even joked that it sounded like the perfect VISA commercial........Couple completes a long and arduous adoption process, then thinks they are in the clear. But the next week their son has a botched minor procedure. On the way to get more medicine for his son, the father is robbed of his cash and all his savings..... But VISA was there. We both got a good laugh.
Well, whether it is VISA or anyone/anything else that has met our needs, we still thank God for His faithfulness. However, if anyone out there is praying for God to "teach us patience", we respectfully request that you stop immediately!
Baba Sundi
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pictures we haven't had time to share...
We celebrated Jeromy's birthday on May 15th.
Sundi was very proud of the card she had made.
A visit to George's-Sundi loves being a big sister.
Jeromy is really gross. Here he is eating fish brains and eyes. No kisses for him for several hours!
You think this is a joke, but this man can eat chipati!!
Damon brought me flowers for Mother's day.
His presentation lacked smoothness....
but he tried....
These were for Bibi....via email...but we got so busy with the courts...sorry Bibi...but it is the thought that counts...kids colored this themselves
We love you, BIBI!!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Anxiously awaiting
It has been a mixture of joy and angst since I (Baba Sundi) landed in Baltimore Friday night. It has been a busy but great weekend. A friend's wedding on Saturday, a family gathering (for our 96 year old aunt) on Sunday, and trying to do various bills/phone business today. I start back at work tomorrow....and by the way, am very grateful to still have a job!!!!!
It has been wonderful to hug family and friends and have the opportunity to thank them in person for the incredible sacrifices that they made to keep the family intact. It has also been cool to hear other stories about even more people who pitched in to help and have been praying for us. The whole weekend was a non-stop reminder of how blessed we are as a family.
Mama Sundi says that every time there is a knock at the door, Damon thinks it is Daddy. Sundi is sad but we think is beginning to understand that I'm in another place and will eventually come back. Although we are still joyful about June 6th, we really miss each other already...although it is supposed to be all about the kids, selfishly I'm going through a bit of withdrawal!
On the good news front, I was able to obtain a special smoke alarm made for the severely hearing impaired. It not only varies pitch between high (Sundi can't hear) and low (Sundi can hear better), but it also has a very strong light that can go through the eyelids to wake a person up. Cool huh? Sundi sleeps like a rock, so we'll see if it works in the real world. I asked if it came with a supplemental robot that grabs your kid by both arms and shakes them and then pours water on the face of the parent, but this product has not yet been released.
PS-- To my old friend whose email I can't find....I did find that you did a fiddle duel with Charlie Daniels of "The Devil went down to Georgia " fame. That's just nuts. I think I'll have to get your autograph the next time I see you! Email my leveragesynergies gmail address if you get this.
It has been wonderful to hug family and friends and have the opportunity to thank them in person for the incredible sacrifices that they made to keep the family intact. It has also been cool to hear other stories about even more people who pitched in to help and have been praying for us. The whole weekend was a non-stop reminder of how blessed we are as a family.
Mama Sundi says that every time there is a knock at the door, Damon thinks it is Daddy. Sundi is sad but we think is beginning to understand that I'm in another place and will eventually come back. Although we are still joyful about June 6th, we really miss each other already...although it is supposed to be all about the kids, selfishly I'm going through a bit of withdrawal!
On the good news front, I was able to obtain a special smoke alarm made for the severely hearing impaired. It not only varies pitch between high (Sundi can't hear) and low (Sundi can hear better), but it also has a very strong light that can go through the eyelids to wake a person up. Cool huh? Sundi sleeps like a rock, so we'll see if it works in the real world. I asked if it came with a supplemental robot that grabs your kid by both arms and shakes them and then pours water on the face of the parent, but this product has not yet been released.
PS-- To my old friend whose email I can't find....I did find that you did a fiddle duel with Charlie Daniels of "The Devil went down to Georgia " fame. That's just nuts. I think I'll have to get your autograph the next time I see you! Email my leveragesynergies gmail address if you get this.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
London Calling: Final Hurdles
This is Baba Sundi, checking in during my London layover on the way back to the US. It was so hard leaving Kim and the kids, not to mention leaving everyone that we have come to love in Kenya. However, we rejoice in the knowledge that within a couple more months we will be together permanently, and are grateful for all that God has done to bring us this far. And of course we hope to return to Kenya often in the future!
We dropped off our paperwork at the US Embassy on Tuesday-- adoption certificate, adoption orders, adoption judgment, and court proceedings. Yeah! These are the formal Kenyan documents needed to complete the back-end of our kid's US immigration approval. All of the official Kenyan docs were ready within 7 business days of receiving our ruling, which was great news!!!
From this point, we need to focus on the US paperwork. It takes 30-60 days to review our paperwork for the I-600 to make sure it is all there and is valid. (Our I-600a and corresponding I-797-C are current.) It is our hope that this process goes faster than the norm, because we are anxious to all be together again! :-) US immigration law does not allow us to have the kids' mandatory medical examinations done until this paperwork is completed. Then the medical approval, then a US VISA cannot be issued until our kids are medically approved.
As with any law, there is always a reason. The reason that we were given for the delayed medical exam is that it takes awhile for the US government to approve our kids after Kenya gives the adoption orders. The specific example given was that if I were to get the official medical exams done today, then the medical exam might expire before the Embassy can finish processing our I-600. In that case the kids would need to be re-examined again before Kim leaves and we would have to pay two fees.
The medical exam is somewhat confusing. There are only a couple doctors who are approved by the US government to do the medical exam required for entry into the United States. Unfortunately, these doctors are not allowed to see us yet, even with our official adoption orders and certificate. They have a list of vaccinations that our kids will need, but it is also against policy to give an official list of which vaccinations are needed until the I-600 is approved. The other thing that is not published at all is a price list for the vaccinations-- these prices also can't be obtained until you receive your final bill upon medical examination. So even budgeting is a bit challenging.
We have also been told that it is against policy to accept vaccinations from other clinics within Nairobi, unless those vaccines were given before we took "foster" custody of the children. Even with knowing which ones are needed you are limited to one per child per week in nearly all Kenyan clinics. This is due to concerns that the children might react negatively to multiple simultaneous vaccines.
This is where the timing becomes tricky. Suppose 7 vaccinations are needed. That means that we wait 30-60 days for our I-600 paperwork to be approved, then we get a file number from the Embassy, then we are allowed to schedule a doctor's appointment, then we are officially allowed to get our kids vaccinated, etc. So, for 7 vaccinations you are looking at almost 2 months past the 30-60 days. So the worst-case scenario would put Kim home in September or October. Fortunately, the US Embassy doctors have the technology to give a half-dozen or more vaccinations at the same time without risking harm to the kids. Nevertheless, with the other steps we still may be looking at several weeks past the 30-60 days before the kids can come home...so maybe late August or early September. But the lady at the Embassy yesterday was empathetic and really wants to help, so we were encouraged by that.
Perhaps the most difficult part is that since the process is so new, there is no checklist to ensure that everything gets done. Bottom line is that this is still a very new/revised process and many of the kinks are still being worked out. But in the meantime there will still be some unavoidable confusion as the adoption program experiences "growing pains".
So, please pray for Kim as she flies solo and navigates the remainder of the paperwork process. We also pray that the kids will be home in time to enjoy at least part of the summer break with the various teachers in their lives, before school starts (especially Bibi!). We also want Sundi to have some time to adjust to America before school starts. Asante sana for all of your prayers and support.
Baba Sundi
We dropped off our paperwork at the US Embassy on Tuesday-- adoption certificate, adoption orders, adoption judgment, and court proceedings. Yeah! These are the formal Kenyan documents needed to complete the back-end of our kid's US immigration approval. All of the official Kenyan docs were ready within 7 business days of receiving our ruling, which was great news!!!
From this point, we need to focus on the US paperwork. It takes 30-60 days to review our paperwork for the I-600 to make sure it is all there and is valid. (Our I-600a and corresponding I-797-C are current.) It is our hope that this process goes faster than the norm, because we are anxious to all be together again! :-) US immigration law does not allow us to have the kids' mandatory medical examinations done until this paperwork is completed. Then the medical approval, then a US VISA cannot be issued until our kids are medically approved.
As with any law, there is always a reason. The reason that we were given for the delayed medical exam is that it takes awhile for the US government to approve our kids after Kenya gives the adoption orders. The specific example given was that if I were to get the official medical exams done today, then the medical exam might expire before the Embassy can finish processing our I-600. In that case the kids would need to be re-examined again before Kim leaves and we would have to pay two fees.
The medical exam is somewhat confusing. There are only a couple doctors who are approved by the US government to do the medical exam required for entry into the United States. Unfortunately, these doctors are not allowed to see us yet, even with our official adoption orders and certificate. They have a list of vaccinations that our kids will need, but it is also against policy to give an official list of which vaccinations are needed until the I-600 is approved. The other thing that is not published at all is a price list for the vaccinations-- these prices also can't be obtained until you receive your final bill upon medical examination. So even budgeting is a bit challenging.
We have also been told that it is against policy to accept vaccinations from other clinics within Nairobi, unless those vaccines were given before we took "foster" custody of the children. Even with knowing which ones are needed you are limited to one per child per week in nearly all Kenyan clinics. This is due to concerns that the children might react negatively to multiple simultaneous vaccines.
This is where the timing becomes tricky. Suppose 7 vaccinations are needed. That means that we wait 30-60 days for our I-600 paperwork to be approved, then we get a file number from the Embassy, then we are allowed to schedule a doctor's appointment, then we are officially allowed to get our kids vaccinated, etc. So, for 7 vaccinations you are looking at almost 2 months past the 30-60 days. So the worst-case scenario would put Kim home in September or October. Fortunately, the US Embassy doctors have the technology to give a half-dozen or more vaccinations at the same time without risking harm to the kids. Nevertheless, with the other steps we still may be looking at several weeks past the 30-60 days before the kids can come home...so maybe late August or early September. But the lady at the Embassy yesterday was empathetic and really wants to help, so we were encouraged by that.
Perhaps the most difficult part is that since the process is so new, there is no checklist to ensure that everything gets done. Bottom line is that this is still a very new/revised process and many of the kinks are still being worked out. But in the meantime there will still be some unavoidable confusion as the adoption program experiences "growing pains".
So, please pray for Kim as she flies solo and navigates the remainder of the paperwork process. We also pray that the kids will be home in time to enjoy at least part of the summer break with the various teachers in their lives, before school starts (especially Bibi!). We also want Sundi to have some time to adjust to America before school starts. Asante sana for all of your prayers and support.
Baba Sundi
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Father's Day / Celebration pictures !!!!
Yup.....you guessed it. My Daddy's first Father's Day. It's time to party!
We had an incredible Father's Day service at church in Soweto on Sunday. We began with some praise and worship, then Kim and I had an opportunity to share with the congregation about what God has done in the past few weeks. We thanked God for our June 6th "gotcha" day; many people in the church fasted and prayed for us on many of our court dates, including June 6th.
Pastor Samuel then said that the church was going to have time of praise and celebration, both for Father's Day but especially in honor of Sundi and Damon. It began innocently enough, by praying for us.
The choir then came out and presented us with leigh's/necklaces. Next thing you know, some men picked me off my feet and started a dance train around the church. A Luo man picked up Damon and carried him, and a Kamba woman carried Sundi. And the party began.
We then shifted gears pack to a heritage theme. They started with singing a Luo song for Damon, then a Kamba song for Sundi.
Pastor Samuel held Damon, and also danced with him for much of the song.
The kids also sang a few songs for the church. It was so cool. We actually got a lot of it on video also, which will be a great memory.
Our first father-son Father's Day photo!
The party then switched gears. Our lawyer had a party, to celebrate not only our adoption but also our friend Donna's adoption of Bernard. And there's Sundi and Bernard.
Below is my last futile attempt to get a serious-ish, smiling photo.
This picture is Mr. Musyimi (our lawyer's husband), along with a German family who has an adopted daughter. They were kind enough to present us with a really cool children's book about adoption, which was written by the father. It tells a story, set in Africa, about a baby rhino who wants to find a mother. Really tight book!
Pastor Samuel and his lovely wife, along with Mr. Musyimi and our lovely lawyer!
The "boys"...at left is Tyler Vaughn, who is in Kenya doing an internship. His Mom is the one who started the US-Kenya adoption partnership. So we automatically liked him!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A Father's Day for the Ages-- part 1
Today we had an incredible father's day. It started in the morning, when the kids brought out banana bread and homemade chocolate chip cookies that they helped Mommy make.
It continued at Pastor Samuel's church, where we had an amazing celebration with some fun surprises. We then moved to our friend's house, where we feasted on good Kenyan good and had a party to celebrate the miracle that happened over the past two months.
Sorry we have not blogged much this week. It isn't that there has not been much going on- in fact, it is exactly the opposite. So, we will plan to put some pics out there tomorrow.
Happy Father's Day to my Dad, and to the all the other Dads out there. To the other "future" Kenyan fathers-- can't wait to celebrate with you this time next year.
It is amazing how exciting your first Father's Day is.
It continued at Pastor Samuel's church, where we had an amazing celebration with some fun surprises. We then moved to our friend's house, where we feasted on good Kenyan good and had a party to celebrate the miracle that happened over the past two months.
Sorry we have not blogged much this week. It isn't that there has not been much going on- in fact, it is exactly the opposite. So, we will plan to put some pics out there tomorrow.
Happy Father's Day to my Dad, and to the all the other Dads out there. To the other "future" Kenyan fathers-- can't wait to celebrate with you this time next year.
It is amazing how exciting your first Father's Day is.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
TV and Real Life
TV
Several have asked us what was up with the TV crew. Last year a German TV station decided to do a program on international adoption, covering a few different countries. They stumbled on us and asked if they could cover our journey. Two of the three main crew covering the story have adopted children from Kenya. This made us comfortable that there wasn't any hidden agenda, so we obliged.
Little did they know how hard they would have to work on this story! Each time we have had an "unsuccessful" hearing we have half-joked with the TV crew that they will deeply regret choosing our family as their subject matter. It was very cool that one of the guys returned to work after his contract was over, just because he wanted to see the story through to the end!
We'll let everyone know when the story is published. Unfortunately, only those of you who are fluent in German will be able to fully appreciate it! However, the celebration we had last Friday was incredible. Our biggest concern, as it has always been, is that people see/hear our story and be scared away from adoption, whether in Kenya or elsewhere. Hopefully anyone in Germany who sees the story will have no doubt that it was 100% "worth the birthing pains" to now have Sundi and Damon as our legal kids!
Real Life
Damon had a minor outpatient procedure yesterday that did not go as smoothly as expected. In spite of the pain, Damon is almost back to his normal self today. He just says ouch a lot more than normal and is a bit less reckless with his body than normal. This morning I took Sundi to the pharmacist to get some medicine and other things for Damon's home care. We normally walk there, but because I was in a hurry we took a matatu (a public 14-passenger van).
On the way back, Sundi was on my lap. Some guy in front of me dropped some money on the ground near my feet and asked for my help picking it up. And I fell for it! I have even been warned about that trick....grrrrr! You guessed it. When I got off the matatu, my wallet was gone. We have gone the whole time here without ever being robbed on a matatu, which is better than many of our Kenyan friends have made out. And I normally keep my hands right on my pockets at all times....isn't it ironic?
I hoped against hope that I had dropped it in the pharmacy parking lot. Fortunately, in my other pocket I still had the exact change to go to the pharmacist and back, so I dropped Sundi at home and headed back. When I gave the next matatu driver my change, he asked for twice the normal amount. I told him that what I gave him is what I always pay. He told me that no, I had the amount wrong. At that point, I told him I would be happy to take my money back and walk, then asked the driver to stop. He said, "No, no, it's OK." We shortly reached our stop, and I got out. And I forgot again to tell him that Jesus loved him.
Well, the wallet wasn't there....and I remembered that I definitely had it in my pocket when I boarded. On the way home...you guessed it....a different conductor asked me for double fare. I told him (truthfully) that I had given him all the money I had, and that we travel this route all of the time and we know it is the proper fare. Annoying. But really not that serious.
It wouldn't be fitting for the last few weeks to be without a little drama, would it?!!! When I got home, I said a few things that I won't put on the blog. Mama Sundi calmed me down about losing the wallet and reminded me that, at the end of the day, we have our kids, and it is not that serious that we are missing a material possession.
Several have asked us what was up with the TV crew. Last year a German TV station decided to do a program on international adoption, covering a few different countries. They stumbled on us and asked if they could cover our journey. Two of the three main crew covering the story have adopted children from Kenya. This made us comfortable that there wasn't any hidden agenda, so we obliged.
Little did they know how hard they would have to work on this story! Each time we have had an "unsuccessful" hearing we have half-joked with the TV crew that they will deeply regret choosing our family as their subject matter. It was very cool that one of the guys returned to work after his contract was over, just because he wanted to see the story through to the end!
We'll let everyone know when the story is published. Unfortunately, only those of you who are fluent in German will be able to fully appreciate it! However, the celebration we had last Friday was incredible. Our biggest concern, as it has always been, is that people see/hear our story and be scared away from adoption, whether in Kenya or elsewhere. Hopefully anyone in Germany who sees the story will have no doubt that it was 100% "worth the birthing pains" to now have Sundi and Damon as our legal kids!
Real Life
Damon had a minor outpatient procedure yesterday that did not go as smoothly as expected. In spite of the pain, Damon is almost back to his normal self today. He just says ouch a lot more than normal and is a bit less reckless with his body than normal. This morning I took Sundi to the pharmacist to get some medicine and other things for Damon's home care. We normally walk there, but because I was in a hurry we took a matatu (a public 14-passenger van).
On the way back, Sundi was on my lap. Some guy in front of me dropped some money on the ground near my feet and asked for my help picking it up. And I fell for it! I have even been warned about that trick....grrrrr! You guessed it. When I got off the matatu, my wallet was gone. We have gone the whole time here without ever being robbed on a matatu, which is better than many of our Kenyan friends have made out. And I normally keep my hands right on my pockets at all times....isn't it ironic?
I hoped against hope that I had dropped it in the pharmacy parking lot. Fortunately, in my other pocket I still had the exact change to go to the pharmacist and back, so I dropped Sundi at home and headed back. When I gave the next matatu driver my change, he asked for twice the normal amount. I told him that what I gave him is what I always pay. He told me that no, I had the amount wrong. At that point, I told him I would be happy to take my money back and walk, then asked the driver to stop. He said, "No, no, it's OK." We shortly reached our stop, and I got out. And I forgot again to tell him that Jesus loved him.
Well, the wallet wasn't there....and I remembered that I definitely had it in my pocket when I boarded. On the way home...you guessed it....a different conductor asked me for double fare. I told him (truthfully) that I had given him all the money I had, and that we travel this route all of the time and we know it is the proper fare. Annoying. But really not that serious.
It wouldn't be fitting for the last few weeks to be without a little drama, would it?!!! When I got home, I said a few things that I won't put on the blog. Mama Sundi calmed me down about losing the wallet and reminded me that, at the end of the day, we have our kids, and it is not that serious that we are missing a material possession.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Weekend update
Not much to write about tonight, but we wanted to touch base. We had a great dinner celebration with our Kenyan families out here on Friday, went to Kiambethu tea farm on Saturday, and partied big time with Peter's church on Sunday. All in all, we have really celebrated what the Lord has done for our family. Each night we kiss our kids good night, we are so relieved and reminded of what a blessing it is to be parents. I imagine all parents feel that way when they reflect on their little blessings.
Keep Damon in your prayers. He had a minor surgery today and is feeling kind of puny. He will be fine, but for now, he is uncomfortable.
That's all for now. Pictures of the weekend to follow when we are not so tired.
Love to you all!
Mama S
Keep Damon in your prayers. He had a minor surgery today and is feeling kind of puny. He will be fine, but for now, he is uncomfortable.
That's all for now. Pictures of the weekend to follow when we are not so tired.
Love to you all!
Mama S
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Pics from our Official Adoption Day!
Damon playing tough guy!
Sundi helping the guys from German Tele to get Damon's reaction!
German camera crew-one last time. Interesting, the guy sitting down on the right was finished with his job and heading back to Germany with his newly adopted daughter. He chose to stay in Kenya until we were finished!
Damon thanking God for answered prayers.
Celebrating together!
Damon and his auntie Cathie. She has been a life-line for our whole family these past ten months. We've decided that her and Mary are just a part of our new forever as well.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Forever (part 2!)
Hi People! Tonight Mommy said that I could do the blog. Usually, she just lets me help with the pictures, but tonight is my special night, and she said that I could tell you all about it! Today, I got a new name, a legal family, and a forever home. Maybe I don’t understand all that happened today, but I do know that my life used to be very different. You see, I used to be an orphan. But today, I became a member of a forever family.
You know, it’s not that much fun to be an orphan. I know, I was one for five years. Even though I was in a good children’s home, it’s just not the same as living with a mom and dad. When you are an orphan, there is no one there to tell you how special you are. No one to hold you when you get hurt or hug you when you feel sad. No one to kiss you good night, or cuddle you in the morning. No tickles all your own, no hide and seeks, and no big strong arms to carry you when you feel tired. When you are an orphan, you have a lot of brothers and sisters, but sometime they leave and never come back. That makes you sad, but no one really has the time to make you feel better.
But today, that all changed for me. Today, God answered prayers and gave me my own family-now, I know how special I am, I have hugs, tickles, a little brother, kisses and cuddles and lots of love-all mine -FOREVER!
My new name is Sundi Lin Victoria Smith. My mommy and daddy have been crying and saying it all day. I think they are kind of funny, but I am glad they are so happy. Thank you for praying for me and my new family, and for adding your love to my new forever.
Love,
Sundi Lin Victoria SMITH
My little brother at our adoption day celebration!
Friday "the 14th" (part 1)
We have been so privileged to be showered with prayers, especially during the difficult past 2 months. We have been very touched at how many people have fasted for our kids. Many more have set alarms or even stayed up late/early so that they could pray for us at the exact time that we were in court. Last night was no exception. Among others, a group of about 10 Kenyan friends (and strangers!) stayed up all night long to pray for us. One of them, Pastor Samuel, showed up with heavy eyelids this morning at 8:30 to be with us when we received the ruling.
Thankfully we were listed first this time. After we entered the chambers, we waited a few minutes before the ruling was given. It seemed like an hour. The judge said he had a ruling, then was quiet for a moment. He said that we probably weren't interested in all of his reasoning, so he would skip right to the end. The words got jumbled in our ears at that point. But, we got the orders!!! Sundi and Damon are finally ours!!!! YEAAAAAAAAAH!
I (Jeromy)had this great idea about what I would say to the judge if we got a positive ruling this morning. Thanking him for trusting 2 children with us and promising to do our best to be worthy of that trust. But when the time came, I was totally speechless. I know-- shocker. I extended my hand to shake his, but that was about as much communication as I was capable of that moment. Then we left, and the celebration began!
We have some pictures to show you later tonight....plus Mama Sundi wants to share some things with everyone. But for now we want to get out the incredible news! Although the remaining process will take about 6 weeks, IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF IF the kids will come home with u....JUST "WHEN"! They are fully, legally "little Smiths"! Thanks for standing with us to be trust-builders, and thanks for investing so much of your hearts into 2 little kids that most of you have not yet been privileged to meet. Bwana asifiwe kabisa! We praise the Lord!!!!!!
Thankfully we were listed first this time. After we entered the chambers, we waited a few minutes before the ruling was given. It seemed like an hour. The judge said he had a ruling, then was quiet for a moment. He said that we probably weren't interested in all of his reasoning, so he would skip right to the end. The words got jumbled in our ears at that point. But, we got the orders!!! Sundi and Damon are finally ours!!!! YEAAAAAAAAAH!
I (Jeromy)had this great idea about what I would say to the judge if we got a positive ruling this morning. Thanking him for trusting 2 children with us and promising to do our best to be worthy of that trust. But when the time came, I was totally speechless. I know-- shocker. I extended my hand to shake his, but that was about as much communication as I was capable of that moment. Then we left, and the celebration began!
We have some pictures to show you later tonight....plus Mama Sundi wants to share some things with everyone. But for now we want to get out the incredible news! Although the remaining process will take about 6 weeks, IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF IF the kids will come home with u....JUST "WHEN"! They are fully, legally "little Smiths"! Thanks for standing with us to be trust-builders, and thanks for investing so much of your hearts into 2 little kids that most of you have not yet been privileged to meet. Bwana asifiwe kabisa! We praise the Lord!!!!!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Final Prayers
Barring further unforeseen issues, we will be handed our final ruling at exactly 9am tomorrow morning (2am EST). At this point, it is almost certain that the judge has made his final ruling.
These are our last-minute prayer requests:
1. No matter what ruling we receive tomorrow, we honor God with our response.
2. That we can continue to build trust on behalf of the adoptive parents who are coming behind us.
3. That by God's grace, we can be parents who are worthy of the trust that we have so desperately sought.
We look forward to sharing with you tomorrow.
Baba na Mama Sundi
These are our last-minute prayer requests:
1. No matter what ruling we receive tomorrow, we honor God with our response.
2. That we can continue to build trust on behalf of the adoptive parents who are coming behind us.
3. That by God's grace, we can be parents who are worthy of the trust that we have so desperately sought.
We look forward to sharing with you tomorrow.
Baba na Mama Sundi
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Thoughts for the week
Two days until the long-awaited ruling. Thanks for all of the prayers and encouragement; we even got a note from Tanzania today. Please keep praying. It is possible that the ruling has already been made. Then again, it is possible that it won’t be done until tomorrow night. Either way, we’ll find out in about 40 hours.
I noticed something disturbing on MD Senator Mikulski’s site. When you send a message, it asks you which topic you are commenting on….there are many options. One of them is Abortion, but Adoption is not one of them. I don’t question for one moment that abortion is an extremely important issue. I am not picking on her; but it does seem that adoption (and related issues) is just as important. Speaking for my home state, it has not yet been given the attention that it deserves.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
While we wait...
Three more days until June 6th, when we hope to get the elusive positive ruling we've been praying for. Please continue to pray that we can build trust with the High Court, as the judge could literally make his final ruling at any moment.
We have spent the last few days planning for what the next 6 weeks will look like if we are approved on Friday, working on the next phase of the IDP (internal displayed Kenyans) outreach effort (officially starting next week), and even doing a little relaxing.
Please don’t stop reading yet! Today and tomorrow are the last of 3 scheduled days to contact US leaders in supporting of NOT stopping all Vietnamese adoptions. Even if this campaign is not successful, it would be great for our legislators to be reminded one more time that Marylanders really do care about orphans. Emails are good, calls are great, both together are ideal. For
Ben Cardin: (202) 224-4524 and cardin.senate.gov/contact/
Barbara Mikulski: (202) 224-4654 and mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
Elijah Cummings (for our area): (202) 225-4741 and http://www.house.gov/cummings/contact.shtml
The suggested email (or phone message) is:
I urge the Senator/Congressperson to join the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Co-Chairs and sign their letter to Secretary Condoleezza Rice in support of the recommendations found in Joint Council’s A Child’s Right Campaign for
For more info, you can read A Child’s Right Campaign for Vietnam at www.jcics.org. If you are not from
As we said last week, there are people in both governments who have made valiant efforts to fight corruption. This is an extremely tough situation, with no easy answers. We don’t envy them one bit. But most importantly, we don’t want orphaned children from any nation to miss out on families because of the unethical behavior of adults. We applaud our government’s tough stance against corruption, but also ask that they not give up the fight.
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