Approved!

Ok, so we were approved for the Embryo Adoption concurrent adoption on 7/15/2008 :D

So now what happens is . . . .

We're waiting to adopt 2 different ways, but waiting at the same time. So whichever program is matched first, the other program is put on hold until either (of course dependent on which program is first):

a. a child placed through domestic infant adoption's adoption is finalized

or

b. a child born through embryo adoption is 6 months old.

At that time then we update the homestudy, update the profiles, and go back into the waiting pool of the other program.

The only real problem would be if we end up with twins or more in the embryo program first, because then we're ineligible for the domestic infant program and would lose our program fee. We could however, go into the international program, but again, that domestic infant program fee is not transferable and not refundable.

But we're soooo excited! We can hardly wait to see where God leads us now. We're approaching the 1 year mark (11/30) for domestic infant, and that's the average wait time for the domestic infant program in this office at this time (it does change over time, so this is the average based on when we were approved).

I spoke yesterday with Nancy at the NEDC. What happens now (they have our profile and all other paperwork etc.) is we're in the matching process.

If we're matched with a closed adoption, we're sent matching possibilities and then we pray over them and decide and if we move forward, then we let them know and we start moving forward.

If we're matched with an open adoption, then first we're sent to the donor couple. Then if they chose us, we're sent their non-identifiable info and we pray over them and decide. And if we move forward with them then what happens is someone from the Bethany office will call both the donor couple and us and arrange the open adoption agreement at which time we pay an additional $3000.

If we want fully open there's no further fees. But if it's semi open through Bethany, we pay an additional $4000. However, if it's semi open and we just set up a private email just for communication between us, then there's no additional fee.

Sound complicated yet? :D

Ah well. I know whatever happens that God is the one moving us forward and doing the real matching.

We are very excited to see where God leads us and also to see which program comes first now! I hope you're just as excited!

We continue to pray for the expectant parents and the genetic parents, that God would guide them in their decisions, and that they are blessed by whatever they decide to do as they follow God's will in their lives.

Love,
Julie & Joerg