Tonight God brought this to mind, and I just felt the need to share. There was a time, about 3 1/2 years ago while we were waiting for a baby to adopt, that one night while I was praying through the tears for God to bring us a baby. I felt God clearly saying to me (not audibly, of course) that I needed to stop praying for God to bring us a baby, but to start praying that God give the babies a home.
There are so many orphaned and abandoned children in South Africa. God loves each and every one of those children. Please pray that they have a home and are loved, but even more importantly, please pray that they come to know and experience the love of God in a relationship with Him!
I am so grateful to God for giving us Mya to love. She brightens every one of our days!
Mary's Musings - thoughts of a missionary, home school mom
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Adoption Info
Our adoption was different as we are US Citizens in South Africa on a temporary residence permit, but thought I would share a little....
When the magistrate said that the laws had changed and we now needed an apostille for our paperwork, I wondered, "What in the world is an apostille, and how do I go about getting it?" and NOBODY could give me an answer! After months of trying to find out, I finally stumbled across a website that could help me, so thought I would pass on what I learned. I actually think that as I was looking for information the websites were being updated with it, because it took several search sessions before I could find anything.
We were trying to keep our adoption costs to a minimum, and therefore trying to avoid the fees it would cost to get the help of a lawyer (which we succeeded in doing).
We had to have an apostille for US documentation, which included a marriage certificate and the copies of our passports. The apostille for the marriage certificate comes from the state in which you were married. Each state has their own application process and costs. The following website is helpful, just search for your state and follow the website link: http://www.eslstarter.com/how-to-apostille-documents.php.
Then this is where we sent our copies of our passports (once they were certified by the Consulate because they were simply photocopies):
"The Department of State, Authentications Office is responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State (22 CFR, Part 131) providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. This office receives a variety of documents from commercial organizations, private citizens, and officials of the Federal and State governments. Documents include but not limited to: company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademarks, diplomas, transcripts, distributorship agreements, articles of incorporation, good standing certificates, home studies, letters of reference etc. It also ensures that the requested information will serve in the interest of justice and is not contrary to U.S. policy."
It was a long journey with many challenges along the way, but I would love to be a help to anyone else trying to give a precious child a home! Please send me a message if you have a question, and I'll be happy to help if I can! Even if it's just to listen. :)
When the magistrate said that the laws had changed and we now needed an apostille for our paperwork, I wondered, "What in the world is an apostille, and how do I go about getting it?" and NOBODY could give me an answer! After months of trying to find out, I finally stumbled across a website that could help me, so thought I would pass on what I learned. I actually think that as I was looking for information the websites were being updated with it, because it took several search sessions before I could find anything.
We were trying to keep our adoption costs to a minimum, and therefore trying to avoid the fees it would cost to get the help of a lawyer (which we succeeded in doing).
We had to have an apostille for US documentation, which included a marriage certificate and the copies of our passports. The apostille for the marriage certificate comes from the state in which you were married. Each state has their own application process and costs. The following website is helpful, just search for your state and follow the website link: http://www.eslstarter.com/how-to-apostille-documents.php.
Then this is where we sent our copies of our passports (once they were certified by the Consulate because they were simply photocopies):
"The Department of State, Authentications Office is responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State (22 CFR, Part 131) providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. This office receives a variety of documents from commercial organizations, private citizens, and officials of the Federal and State governments. Documents include but not limited to: company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademarks, diplomas, transcripts, distributorship agreements, articles of incorporation, good standing certificates, home studies, letters of reference etc. It also ensures that the requested information will serve in the interest of justice and is not contrary to U.S. policy."
It was a long journey with many challenges along the way, but I would love to be a help to anyone else trying to give a precious child a home! Please send me a message if you have a question, and I'll be happy to help if I can! Even if it's just to listen. :)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Stuff
This morning we found out that the magistrate has approved Mya's adoption, and now we're just waiting for papers from Pretoria saying that Mya is officially a Hawkins. Once we receive those papers, we will have to go to Home Affairs to have her first name changed to Mya.
We also started our new school year today! It wasn't as good of a day as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad, either. We got through Math
, Spelling
and KONOS
, and called it a day after a few interruptions stretched it out longer than I had intended. We are busily doing a week of Cowboys to finish up our study on Obedience
from last year before we jump into a study on Orderliness
. I am looking forward to the change, and to diving into our Apologia Science book on Astronomy
.
We went out to Spur tonight for dinner with the Pages & Embrees to celebrate this step in Mya's adoption. It is such a relief to know that all the running and trying to figure out what papers we need is over!
I have been so tired the last week or two! I am trying to start going to bed no later than 10, so that I can get up in the morning and have time for my quiet time and a bit of exercise, along with my morning routine of housework before we start school. These are my first attempts at self-discipline, throwing off weights and bringing my body into subject, though I'm sure that this is just the beginning of a life-long journey!
We also started our new school year today! It wasn't as good of a day as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad, either. We got through Math
, Spelling and KONOS, and called it a day after a few interruptions stretched it out longer than I had intended. We are busily doing a week of Cowboys to finish up our study on Obedience from last year before we jump into a study on Orderliness. I am looking forward to the change, and to diving into our Apologia Science book on Astronomy.We went out to Spur tonight for dinner with the Pages & Embrees to celebrate this step in Mya's adoption. It is such a relief to know that all the running and trying to figure out what papers we need is over!
I have been so tired the last week or two! I am trying to start going to bed no later than 10, so that I can get up in the morning and have time for my quiet time and a bit of exercise, along with my morning routine of housework before we start school. These are my first attempts at self-discipline, throwing off weights and bringing my body into subject, though I'm sure that this is just the beginning of a life-long journey!
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