Happy Friday! Just wanted to give you an adoption update.
This Monday, one of Johanna's relatives wrote a letter of completely fabricated ugliness. Without giving details, it really rattled all of us. So since it has been nearly three months since our "No" from the government in the DR, we have decided it is time to go down and get in front of some people to light a fire under the adoption.
We head down on November 30 and are trying to get appointments for the 2nd-3rd and maybe 4th-5th as well, if we can make some headway. This could end several ways. Our prayer is that it will end with the government agreeing to allow the adoption to proceed as an "exception" to their legislation. If that DOES happen though, they will STILL have to ask family if they want her. This is the INCREDIBLY scary part. A year ago, no one would have cared but there seems to be a relative rattling the cage for reasons unbeknownst to us, but the reasons seem icky and NOT in her best interest. Anyway, our best bet is to help CONANI (like child services over there...AKA the people who have total control over all of this) see that Joha is SO attached to us and us to her that it would in her best interest to stay with us. We will spend most of our visit getting them to see this. She will come with us to the appointments. We have a 38 page photo book that shows the depths of our relationship with her. She is SO sure she is a Chittenden.
 |
| You cannot see but it says "Johanna Chittenden." Sweet girl! |
Prayers, PLEASE. We need to cover this whole trip with tons of heartfelt prayers.
1. Safe travel for Tim and me, and physical and emotional safety of our kids while we are gone. Dakota and Shannon will be staying with them. You guys ROCK!
2. That the hearts and ears of those at CONANI will be softened to our situation and that they'll see that Johanna's best options are with us.
3. That no one would contest or desire to fight us for her.
4. That Johanna will have confidence to speak her mind when she needs to. She can be shy with strangers but we all KNOW she is strong in her convictions.
5. That we will have the finances to keep on until the end. The time it is taking plus our monthly obligations to her schooling and care are draining her account slowly but surely.
GOD'S GOT THIS!!!! Let's storm the gates for His glory for this precious one!
Thanks guys. We will continue to keep you updated.
Love,
Chris and Tim
