As we just reported, there has been a slight delay in our adoption process. After speaking with our adoption coordinator last month, she really encouraged us to start our process quickly as the time frame could change the longer we waited. After my doctor's appointment last month, we knew were going to be delayed almost 2 months...and that slightly worried me.
Yesterday, I got an email from Gladney announcing they are now offering adoptions in VIETNAM!!! I was thrilled. We wanted to go with Gladney in the beginning but they didn't offer Vietnam adoption. God really gave me instant peace that this delay is for the best. After a little more research, we found out that the cost to adopt through Gladney is the same as through Children's Hope - I mean the exact same amount - God is good!
Additional peace came when I found out that instead of 12-14 months through Children's Hope, Gladney's time frame is only 5-8 months. So, not only are we able to adopt through Gladney, we have reduced our waiting time by several months.
More to come after the surgery next month......
We're having another boy!!!!!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Vietnam on Hold
Just wanted to check in with everyone and let you know that our Vietnam plans on currently on hold. After a recent visit to the doctor, I was encouraged to undergo an out-patient surgery to determine the exact reason we have not been able to get pregnant. This surgery is scheduled for November 13th. The doctor was very positive and felt that the previous diagnosis of infertility may have been wrong.
We seriously had the adoption papers filled out and ready to mail them the day after our appointment. This was kind of emotional, yet exciting news. Please continue to be in prayer for us as this next month will determine where everyone will first meet baby sasser....the airport or the hospital!
We seriously had the adoption papers filled out and ready to mail them the day after our appointment. This was kind of emotional, yet exciting news. Please continue to be in prayer for us as this next month will determine where everyone will first meet baby sasser....the airport or the hospital!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
God has the Answer!
Sometimes we don't know why God puts us in situations and allows trials to come into our lives. But we know God has the answer! Without going into too much detail, please be in prayer for us as we make some important decisions in the next month or so. We continue to feel God's presence in our lives and we know He has a plan for us....and our baby!
God is really teaching Candi patience and taking her out of the "always in control" mode! It's very easy to say that we have allowed God to guide us but in the long run..have we? He is reminding us daily He is STILL in control.
Thank you to our family and friends for your continued prayers and support.
God is really teaching Candi patience and taking her out of the "always in control" mode! It's very easy to say that we have allowed God to guide us but in the long run..have we? He is reminding us daily He is STILL in control.
Thank you to our family and friends for your continued prayers and support.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Kevin William Sasser
Assuming that we get a boy...we have decided on a name for our baby. Ready?? Kevin William Sasser. And here's the story behind it....
Kevin was George's (Ben's dad) middle name. And for those of you reading this that don't know, George passed away almost 2 years ago. Ben and I are thrilled to name the baby Kevin. I know George would be proud! William is Candi's dad's middle name. I know he's excited we're using his name, too. Now the baby has name history from both his grandfathers.
During church today, our pastor made a comment that really made an impression on me. He said that "a daddy isn't a daddy because he's in the delivery room when the baby is born. A daddy is a daddy because of the relationship with the child." What a blessing that is!!!
My mother-in-law, Gail, gave me a journal for my birthday today and wrote the sweetest message on the inside cover. I get to start writing to our baby about our journey to him. I've already written in it for today and I can't wait to update it daily.
Kevin was George's (Ben's dad) middle name. And for those of you reading this that don't know, George passed away almost 2 years ago. Ben and I are thrilled to name the baby Kevin. I know George would be proud! William is Candi's dad's middle name. I know he's excited we're using his name, too. Now the baby has name history from both his grandfathers.
During church today, our pastor made a comment that really made an impression on me. He said that "a daddy isn't a daddy because he's in the delivery room when the baby is born. A daddy is a daddy because of the relationship with the child." What a blessing that is!!!
My mother-in-law, Gail, gave me a journal for my birthday today and wrote the sweetest message on the inside cover. I get to start writing to our baby about our journey to him. I've already written in it for today and I can't wait to update it daily.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Vietnam Timeline
I think the #1 question everyone has asked us is "how long". Well, here's your answer....
- September 28: Application submitted to Children's Hope International (CHI).
- approved in 2 weeks
- After approval, 2-4 months - Home Study and Immigration paperwork process
- Dossier **pronounced dosea*** (paperwork, application, immigration paperwork, fingerprints, etc.) go to Vietnam.
- Waiting period 4-5 months (for a boy) after Dossier arrives in Vietnam. We will be contacted within that time frame when our baby is identified - also known as a referral.
- After we receive our referral, we travel to Vietnam in 4-5 months.
- We will spend 14-18 days in Vietnam. While there, we stand before a judge, with the baby, to get Vietnam's blessing. After that, we spend our days bonding with our baby, site seeing, meeting other families and learning as much about the Vietnam culture as possible.
- When we travel back home, the baby is automatically a US citizen.
In summary, the longest this process will take is 14 months. The shortest is 10 months! All in all, this time next year, we'll either be packing or unpacking.
- September 28: Application submitted to Children's Hope International (CHI).
- approved in 2 weeks
- After approval, 2-4 months - Home Study and Immigration paperwork process
- Dossier **pronounced dosea*** (paperwork, application, immigration paperwork, fingerprints, etc.) go to Vietnam.
- Waiting period 4-5 months (for a boy) after Dossier arrives in Vietnam. We will be contacted within that time frame when our baby is identified - also known as a referral.
- After we receive our referral, we travel to Vietnam in 4-5 months.
- We will spend 14-18 days in Vietnam. While there, we stand before a judge, with the baby, to get Vietnam's blessing. After that, we spend our days bonding with our baby, site seeing, meeting other families and learning as much about the Vietnam culture as possible.
- When we travel back home, the baby is automatically a US citizen.
In summary, the longest this process will take is 14 months. The shortest is 10 months! All in all, this time next year, we'll either be packing or unpacking.
Our Family
Not a day goes by that we aren't completely thankful for our families.
Last night we took Ben's mom out to dinner to let her know she was going to be a grandma! She was thrilled and her only question was how long it would take for the baby to get here!!!!
Today, we had a family get-together at the Craig's for Candi's birthday. We were able to share our news with them and everyone was very excited. They already have baby clothes coming and all!!!
Having the support from our families makes this journey so much easier.
Last night we took Ben's mom out to dinner to let her know she was going to be a grandma! She was thrilled and her only question was how long it would take for the baby to get here!!!!
Today, we had a family get-together at the Craig's for Candi's birthday. We were able to share our news with them and everyone was very excited. They already have baby clothes coming and all!!!
Having the support from our families makes this journey so much easier.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Children's Hope International
Step one of the decision making process started today when we finally decided to go with Children's Hope International as our adoption agency. The staff's strong faith in God, coupled with ours, makes this process even more exciting. I know I speak for Ben when I say that we both feel God's hand and His control in our lives.
The word "control" has a completely different meaning to us now. A year and a half ago when we decided we wanted to start a family, we thought we had control over the situation. God told us VERY quickly that we didn't. We began praying from that point on for His guidance and to give us wisdom. We completely and whole-heartedly gave our baby over to God.
What an amazing year and half we've had. Never in a million years would we have thought that God would allow us to adopt a baby! What an honor that God would trust us with...not with just any baby...a baby that He created for us. A baby that He, in all His wisdom, hand-picked for us to love.
The word "control" has a completely different meaning to us now. A year and a half ago when we decided we wanted to start a family, we thought we had control over the situation. God told us VERY quickly that we didn't. We began praying from that point on for His guidance and to give us wisdom. We completely and whole-heartedly gave our baby over to God.
What an amazing year and half we've had. Never in a million years would we have thought that God would allow us to adopt a baby! What an honor that God would trust us with...not with just any baby...a baby that He created for us. A baby that He, in all His wisdom, hand-picked for us to love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
