Part of God's Answer...

I sent out an email to our Filipino missionary group explaining my need for an apartment or room to rent. Within 10 minutes, I had two responses that might actually work!

One is with a family in Riverside, which is an ideal location because its still reasonably close by and I know the house. The house is huge and the room has an on-suite bathroom. After the initial response, I emailed back and explained my situation, that I'd really only be there part time, etc etc. Oh, and that I have an 18 month old.

The response was that they think I would fit in well! They are an expat couple new to the Philippines with three small children (ages 3 and under). I'm planning to meet them sometime in the next few days. You can continue praying that it would work well, and that the price would be right.

Unexpected Timing

The email I received today:

Here is the latest.

We were just informed that Daniel's certification for adoption is cleared.

This means that he is now to be presented at Local adoption and then hopefully, forwarded on to international adoption.

We will be submitting a case study that indicates he is in a foster home and there is already substantial bonding with the foster mother. We will also state that the foster mother has expressed interest in pursing adoption.

We are not out of the woods as you know DSWD has all the power and control (other than God).

Minet [the GH social worker] thinks that you will need to [actually] move because of your makati address and DSWD will indeed do a home visit for an adoption.

I am quite surprised with the timing of all this. we didn't expect daniel's paperwork to get finished.

our case is fairly strong but we still need to pray and convince them that the reasons for adoptions are strong.

does that make sense?

So, what do you need to pray for?

~ That I can find a room or apartment to rent ASAP, and possibly (hopefully) still keep my house.
~ That DSWD sees and understands the bond and matches Daniel with ME, not with another family.
~ For my heart, as this is the BIG step, and I need to be clearly hearing God on his plan for both Daniel and me.

Oh, this is big. Real big. And I covet your prayers right now.

IT'S OFFICIAL!

On April 20th, I got the message that my foster license was signed and released, making me an official foster parent. I was told that I had to be "matched" with a child (um, with DANIEL, hello!!) before I was officially HIS foster parent. Most people get their license first, you know, and then get a child. Our situation happened to be just a little different.

Well, I was told the matching would be completed by the end of the next week. The end of the week came...no match. As of yesterday, it was more than 2 weeks. Apparently the office was "behind", and there was nothing to do but wait. And pray. So I prayed.

This morning I got a text from Charity that I am officially matched with Daniel as a foster parent. Wahoo! Praise God, and thanks for praying for this step!

Now to start looking at the adoption process...