Not on the list?!

Got an email today from our agency representative, Sara.  She wanted to let me know that she had heard that our paperwork was getting reviewed by the orphanage and we should hear something from them soon.  Trying to contain my excitement I emailed her back wanting to know if that meant a referral would soon be coming our way.  She quickly crushed my excitement and explained that the orphanage has to approve our family as a future recipient of one of their children.  After we receive the acceptance letter then we will be put on the list.  WE ARE NOT EVEN ON THE LIST?!  We also learned that 7 other agencies use the same orphanage.  Sigh.  So our wait has yet again been lengthened.  She indicated that we could start watching our mailbox in December or January for the approval letter.  THEN the real wait begins.  (What do you call what we have been doing for the past 9 months...I could have given birth by now).  Am I the only one who thinks it is strange that the state of Ohio thought we'd be a good family, the US government says we'd be a good family, the COLOMBIAN government says we be a good family, BUT now we are waiting on the orphanage to decide if we are a good family?  I told Sara that I would promise to send Carlos (head of the orphanage) cookies and a Christmas card if it would speed things up... I didn't hear back so I've started to create a paper ma-shay of our family for his office (just kidding, I only know that paper ma-shay has something to do with wet newspaper, a glue like substance, and normally a blown up balloon).  Anyway, at least it's news and for that I am grateful...really.  At least that gives us more time to raise money for the adoption.

As you know we have an adoption benefit coming up.  My friend Elaine has been walking the city of Lancaster asking for donate-able items to auction off at our dinner.  She has been extremely successful, but sadly one business was appalled that she would be trying to help raise money for a family for an adoption...and an international adoption at that.  She was telling me that the woman she was talking to said that if we wanted a child then we should have to just pay for that ourselves and to adopt out of our own country was a slap in the face.  Another woman spoke up and was judging our family for adopting outside of our country.  Makes me sad.  BUT maybe some of you have the same question.  Here's our answer...
1) Children are children no matter what color they are or where they came from.
2) Costs are similar (not always) to what one might have to spend in the US.  As a matter of fact, some international adoptions are cheaper because of the need of the child.
3) As soon as our feet hit American soil with our little one, he is ours forever and no one can take him from us.
4) Because we want to...and feel God has led us to Colombia.
(Can't mess with the good Lord, you know.)

Now, I would hope that children in this country get every opportunity to find a forever home and I know some VERY wonderful and happy families with domestic adoption stories.  Not every adoption story, domestic or international, goes smoothly.  Most have hiccups.  Some are down right frightening.

Again, please pray for our family and other families in need of encouragement during this trying time.  I know one day I'll look back and remember our wait and I might even say "well, that wasn't as bad as I thought."  (Kind of like what I said about grad. school...)

Thank you for all of the love, support and prayers.  We feel each one...truly!
Blessings my friends.
Jeri

Benefit/ Silent Auction/ Concert October 20th

An Adoption Dinner/Silent Auction/Concert 

Some terrific friends have organized the Blackwell Adoption Benefit to assist with our 

adoption expenses. 



Saturday, October 20th is going to be a fun evening with good food, a terrific silent

auction, and a concert by our long time friends Lost n Found from Parkersburg, WV. 



The event will be held at the FOP in Lancaster, Ohio (the old train station in downtown 

Lancaster). 



We are super excited about this event so PLEASE mark your calendars and plan to join us

on October 20th. 

Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child, 0-3 are free.

Please contact Elaine, myself, or Jodi Stiriz Bird for more information. 

AUCTION ITEMS...to only mention a few....

• Tickets to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
• Golf clubs and 2 -18 hole passes
• Signed Art by American Folk Artist Billy Jacobs
• Tickets and VIP passes to Diamond Rio
• Birthday Package from Tiki Bowling Lanes
• NUMEROUS Baskets full of goodies..... 

PLUS MUCH MORE! 


We are very excited about this benefit and we really hope that you will plan to spend this 

fun evening with us.