It's official, Joracin's a Manbeck

We received another exiting update yesterday on the status of Joracin's adoption. His adoption file is out of Courts. The Court stage is where the civil court document and Act of Adoption get created. This means that Joracin has legally become our child and has taken our family name of MANBECK. How very exciting.

The process continues to move at a consistent and steady pace. It is certainly not happening at lightning speed, but we continue to be pleased with the progress and that it seems to be moving forward with no unexpected delays.

The next big step is getting his Haitian passport. The orphanage is working on some additional signatures and then they will start that application process.

These photos are from our February update from GLA (the orphanage). Since it was February, they focused on Love. The love that God has for each and every one of us and the love that we can share with one another.

The person putting the update together asked Joracin to name some of the things he loves and here is what he had to say.

"He told me that his favorite thing to do in school is science experiments.  He loves the colors white and green.  When he is in the yard at the Toddler House he loves to ride the bikes and scooters and his favorite people to spend time with are Papouche and Mickenson.  If he could choose to eat anything he would pick corn flakes and cereal.  If he could have any animal he would chose a dog.  He told me it would be brown but he is not sure what he would call it."

Now when we shared this with Katie and Eli, they thought it was really cool. They said they love science experiments  The school colors for our High School are Green and White. And, we have a little brown dog at home just waiting to lick Joarcin's face.

We are no longer in the month of Love, but I want to encourage you to carry that theme throughout this spring. Think of how you can share God's love among those that you interact with. Peace to you all.

Our Dossier has exited Parquet

We got great news today. Our Dossier was approved by Parquet. Here is what GLA the orphanage sent to us.

"Great news! Your adoption of Joracin has just been approved by Parquet. This week, we are preparing your dossier to enter the courts, in which we will create the civil court document and the Act of Adoption. This is when Joracin will legally become your child and take your family name of MANBECK."

After the Court stage, our Haitian documents are legalized in both the Department of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs (MAE). These steps together – courts, attestation signature, legalization, and MAE – should take approximately 2-3 months to complete.

It is still to soon to predict a travel date as there are steps after the ones listed above, but we continue to make progress. I was just talking to friends recently about how we needed some good news on movement related to the adoption. It felt like we had been stuck in a holding pattern or stuck in the doldrums. Then low and behold, we get some fantastic news.

And in case, you didn't catch it above, there will legally be a Manbeck loose in Haiti in about 3 months. LOOK OUT Haiti!

Let's celebrate the Dossier clearing Parquet

In front of the Christmas Tree at GLA

Another Milestone

We made it on to the next stage. Our Dossier moves from Parquet in the Court.

Three Years Ago

Yesterday was the three year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti. I've seen a handful of people share thoughts and reflections on this anniversary and it allowed me an opportunity to do the same.

A good way to summarize my thoughts and feeling is with the word juxtaposition  On one hand, you have the death, destruction and heartbreak caused by the earthquake. On the other hand, I believe that it raised global awareness of a huge amount of need for the people and the country of Haiti.

Granted, I am much more tuned into the activity, aid and goings on in Haiti now that we are in the process of adopting. But I really believe that a lot of the great things happening there are the result of people being moved by the earthquake.

And on a much more micro level, the earthquake was the catalyst for Leslie and I consider adoption. We thought we had the plan for our family figured out, but God had a different plan.

I've always struggled with the idea of tragedy and how God allows it to occur. And, I always hear how good things, amazing things come from those tragedies. That never really registered with me, and least not in my heart. Now, we get to experience the amazing things that come from tragedy.

Joyeux Noel

Here is a link to some photos of the Christmas celebration at the Toddler House at GLA where Joracin is living. This is yet another example of what a great and loving orphanage GLA is and continues to be.

As a bonus, Joarcin is in 4 of the photos. Can you find him?

In terms of progress with the adoption, we don't have an official change in status since our last blog post. We are still at the Parquet stage. However, we are not discouraged. We know that things continue to progress and that he will be home with us before we know it.

Interview with the Birth Mother went well

We got an update today that the interview with his birth mother at the Embassy went well. Here is what the orphanage had to say.

"His birthmother had her interview at the Embassy this week and all went well."

And we got our November update on him complete with pictures.

Little Mister Christmas Style

Praise be to God!

Radical Gratitude

Our senior pastor talked about Radical Gratitude in his sermon this past Sunday. Here is a summary of what makes up Radical Gratitude.

1. Thank God in advance. Make your requests known to God.
2. Trust that God is doing more than you can see.
3. Count your Blessings No Matter What

Here is how that message of Radical Gratitude resonates with me this Thanksgiving.

1. Thanking God in advance. Joracin is not yet home and we still have some work to do to make that happen. However, the opportunities and education already bestowed on my family and me through this process is priceless. I am thankful, knowing that those opportunities and education will continue even after Joracin is home.
2. Trust that God is doing more than you can see. For me this applies both literally and figuratively. We can’t see the daily care, love and attention that Joracin receives, but we know that it happens and that gives us peace. I also know that God is great and he is doing things that are truly humbling all around the world. I am so thankful to be part of His grand plan.
3. Count your blessing no matter what. I had lunch with a friend today and he was telling me about a caregiver working for members of his family. This caregiver is from a foreign country and is in the US legally. However, his wife and child are still back in his home country. Every night he Skypes with his wife and son. It is a young son that he has never held in his arms. He is working hard to bring his family to the US, but it will be at least two more years. Two more years until you can hold your child for the first time. That puts our adoption journey into perspective and makes me thankful for our blessings.

I hope that you can experience some Radical Gratitude this Thanksgiving.