Here's the latest news! Ooley's birth mom is in Port Au Prince and has met with Mr. Beetoven (an attorney for Chances For Children) once this week. They are supposed to be meeting in the court Friday for her to sign all the documents needed to release Ooley. The birth mom is 22 years old and the birth father passed away due to an illness. Bobby allowed the birth mom to see Ooley once he was confident that she would not try to stop the adoption process. I'm still not sure how that went. But Bobby says he sees no possible problems.
We were also informed that Ooley has a 5 year old brother at Good Sam as well. We will be having someone small talk with the brother and ask if he has any siblings. If he knows that Ooley is his brother and knows that he has been moved from Good Sam, we could be looking at adopting him as well. The situations in Haiti are much different than here, and it's very possible that he doesn't know he has siblings. We've said from the beginning that we won't split up siblings. So, if they know about each other then we will do what we feel is best and not split them up. As scary of a thought that it might be to deal with Madem Lucine again and to possibly be adopting another child, we will follow our hearts on this one whichever way that might be.
Madem Lucine has proven to not be completely honest, but she no longer has any power to stop things at this point. She hasn't given money to birth mom as we had agreed. Everything is a money issue with Madem Lucine now, and that's okay because we can still move forward with or without her help. We still owe her some money and will follow through will our end, as it's the honest thing to do.
The way things are looking right now, Ooley will be moved to his new home for the adoption process at Chances For Children on Friday! That means the official adoption process can begin! We have contacted the adoption agency and are getting the ball rolling on the U.S. end now too! I've told them that our goal is to have Ooley here at home before next Christmas. They told me that although that seems to be a "lofty goal", let's get on it and shoot for it! They must not understand how amazing my God is, or they would know that this is going to be the most amazingly quick and simple adoption process they will ever have handled! Plus, we have ALL of you backing us up in prayer too!
Financial funds are going to be needed quickly, so if you have fundraising ideas or would like to make a donation please let us know! Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Let's get this going! HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Slow pace is better than no pace
Things may be moving slow, but at least they are still moving along! We talked to Bobby this morning and Ooley is still doing well! He's enjoying playing with Bobby's nephew still, and I'm sure he's enjoying being fed! I think Daniel is still processing his recent trip to Haiti, because talking about his experience with Ooley has not be easy or detailed. As soon as he is able and willing, I hope to get him to blog about it.
We are still waiting for the birth mother to arrive to sign the documents needed on her behalf. Madam Lucine keeps saying she's on her way, but does not seem to have accurate information or urgency. Bobby has been in contact with our attorney in Haiti and they have Ooley's birth certificate and the birth father's death certificate already. All we need is the birth mother's part and Ooley can then be placed in the Chances For Children and the adoption process can start.
Part of me wishes that Ooley could just stay with Bobby's family through the adoption process. But we understand that Chances For Children is the place for the adoption process to work best. Please pray for Ooley through all this moving around. Pray that he adjusts easily to each new place. Pray that Ooley will know our love and the love of God wrapping him in His arms. Pray for Bobby as he is helping us in this process. And please continue to pray for us. This is harder emotionally than I think either of us are willing to admit. We want our son here, home. But in the mean time, we are trusting that God is working out the details in His perfect timing.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have ideas to help raise funds for this process, please contact me at amber@salonendeavor.com
We are still waiting for the birth mother to arrive to sign the documents needed on her behalf. Madam Lucine keeps saying she's on her way, but does not seem to have accurate information or urgency. Bobby has been in contact with our attorney in Haiti and they have Ooley's birth certificate and the birth father's death certificate already. All we need is the birth mother's part and Ooley can then be placed in the Chances For Children and the adoption process can start.
Part of me wishes that Ooley could just stay with Bobby's family through the adoption process. But we understand that Chances For Children is the place for the adoption process to work best. Please pray for Ooley through all this moving around. Pray that he adjusts easily to each new place. Pray that Ooley will know our love and the love of God wrapping him in His arms. Pray for Bobby as he is helping us in this process. And please continue to pray for us. This is harder emotionally than I think either of us are willing to admit. We want our son here, home. But in the mean time, we are trusting that God is working out the details in His perfect timing.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have ideas to help raise funds for this process, please contact me at amber@salonendeavor.com
Monday, December 13, 2010
Daniel is home, and the ball is still rolling!
Daniel made it home safe on Saturday afternoon! Man, does he have stories to tell! Maybe I can get him to blog about his experience....maybe all of you should tell him you want to hear it so that he will :)
Although we were hoping for more to be able to be accomplished before he left Haiti, we are thankful for the progress that was made. Here's the short of it:
Bobby picked up Ooley on Saturday before lunch time and will continue to to care for him until able to place him in Chances For Children, the Creche (adoptable orphanage). Bobby will be our voice and the person able to help meet with anyone needed and take Ooley wherever necessary. Bobby called Daniel this morning and said that Ooley is happy and was eating breakfast and enjoying playing with Bobby's nephew. It's good to know that Ooley will be fed and taken care of from here out!
Expected to happen today, Ooley's birth mom will be meeting with Madam Lucine in the courts to sign some documents to relinquish her rights. Then she will need to meet with Chances For Children and their attorneys as well. Ooley's official birth certificate, the relinquish papers from the birth mother, and the death certificate of the birth father must all be gathered before we are able to move Ooley to CFC and start the adoption process. Please pray that all documents are easily acquired and that the birth mom will be easy to work with as well.
We will be needing to travel to Haiti quite a bit during this process, but Bobby has already been and will continue to be a great help! If you have any fundraising ideas, please contact me via email at amber@salonendeavor.com . We have been told the rough estimate will be $25,000 for the adoption, not including all this preliminary stuff or our travel. Of course we are believing that this process will go way faster than the 12-18 months they say, and way less expensive than they say as well. But these are the facts at the current time and we'll let you know when we hear otherwise.
Although we were hoping for more to be able to be accomplished before he left Haiti, we are thankful for the progress that was made. Here's the short of it:
Bobby picked up Ooley on Saturday before lunch time and will continue to to care for him until able to place him in Chances For Children, the Creche (adoptable orphanage). Bobby will be our voice and the person able to help meet with anyone needed and take Ooley wherever necessary. Bobby called Daniel this morning and said that Ooley is happy and was eating breakfast and enjoying playing with Bobby's nephew. It's good to know that Ooley will be fed and taken care of from here out!
Expected to happen today, Ooley's birth mom will be meeting with Madam Lucine in the courts to sign some documents to relinquish her rights. Then she will need to meet with Chances For Children and their attorneys as well. Ooley's official birth certificate, the relinquish papers from the birth mother, and the death certificate of the birth father must all be gathered before we are able to move Ooley to CFC and start the adoption process. Please pray that all documents are easily acquired and that the birth mom will be easy to work with as well.
We will be needing to travel to Haiti quite a bit during this process, but Bobby has already been and will continue to be a great help! If you have any fundraising ideas, please contact me via email at amber@salonendeavor.com . We have been told the rough estimate will be $25,000 for the adoption, not including all this preliminary stuff or our travel. Of course we are believing that this process will go way faster than the 12-18 months they say, and way less expensive than they say as well. But these are the facts at the current time and we'll let you know when we hear otherwise.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Overwhelmed but still trusting
Things in Haiti are changing by the hour. The UN had originally thought the riots and barricades would calm down by late afternoon yesterday. But it turns out that things got worse over night. It's hard for us to understand why the Haitian people would do these things because they aren't happy with something, but that's the only way they know. The people who aren't happy are determined to let their "voice be heard" somehow. Apparently their way to be heard is to demonstrate their anger by blocking roads, as if the overwhelming smell of burning tires is going help matters. However, their demonstrations and attempts to shut Haiti down has been successful so far.
Daniel has told me that he is safe, but unable to get to Ooley. All flights are still canceled. If at all possible, someone will be getting Ooley to Daniel some time today. But with all the roads blocked we aren't sure who could do that at this time. Courts are still closed and everyone, especially those who aren't Haitian, are being encouraged to stay put and not attempt to travel.
I know Daniel and Ooley are not only safe in God's hands, but that they have some of the best people able to help them if something extreme is necessary. They've been told that U.S. Marines will be brought in to help clear the barricades and stop the rioting demonstrations, but no timeline has been given last I've heard. Daniel has been in contact with me with any information he knows and if he's able to have a second of Internet access has been posting updates on his Facebook. I'll stay on it the best I can from my end too.
We are still in contact with Chances For Children, but are just all having to sit and wait at this point. Waiting is not fun.
Please pray for Daniel and Ooley's safety, as well as everyone with them. This is another reminder to not take our freedom here in America for granted. Pray for the troops that will be traveling to Haiti to help the Haitian people too.
Thanks everyone for your messages and comments on Facebook and for your texts. Knowing that you are praying and supporting us gives us strength to endure. This will all make for a really cool story later I'm sure!
Daniel has told me that he is safe, but unable to get to Ooley. All flights are still canceled. If at all possible, someone will be getting Ooley to Daniel some time today. But with all the roads blocked we aren't sure who could do that at this time. Courts are still closed and everyone, especially those who aren't Haitian, are being encouraged to stay put and not attempt to travel.
I know Daniel and Ooley are not only safe in God's hands, but that they have some of the best people able to help them if something extreme is necessary. They've been told that U.S. Marines will be brought in to help clear the barricades and stop the rioting demonstrations, but no timeline has been given last I've heard. Daniel has been in contact with me with any information he knows and if he's able to have a second of Internet access has been posting updates on his Facebook. I'll stay on it the best I can from my end too.
We are still in contact with Chances For Children, but are just all having to sit and wait at this point. Waiting is not fun.
Please pray for Daniel and Ooley's safety, as well as everyone with them. This is another reminder to not take our freedom here in America for granted. Pray for the troops that will be traveling to Haiti to help the Haitian people too.
Thanks everyone for your messages and comments on Facebook and for your texts. Knowing that you are praying and supporting us gives us strength to endure. This will all make for a really cool story later I'm sure!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Riots have stopped the transfer Ooley for tonight.
Daniel and the people with him were headed to get Ooley from Good Sam when it became too dangerous. The roads were beginning to be blocked and it was too unsafe to continue. They had to negotiate to be allowed to leave the area they were in when they turned back to head to safety. So, Ooley is still at Good Sam and Daniel and the others are now back at their rooms and will remain there the rest of the evening. It is getting dark there and nothing more can be accomplished safely. Ooley's transfer to Bobby's house will resume tomorrow.
Please pray that all goes well tonight. Pray that Ooley is safe and taken care of and knows we love him. Pray for Daniel's safety and good health for tonight and the rest of the trip. Pray for the riots to end so the roads will be open and they can move Ooley first thing in the morning. And for the riots to end so flights can resume as well. This is not easy, but this is where we trust that God holds us and Ooley.
Expecting miracles and more good news tomorrow!
Please pray that all goes well tonight. Pray that Ooley is safe and taken care of and knows we love him. Pray for Daniel's safety and good health for tonight and the rest of the trip. Pray for the riots to end so the roads will be open and they can move Ooley first thing in the morning. And for the riots to end so flights can resume as well. This is not easy, but this is where we trust that God holds us and Ooley.
Expecting miracles and more good news tomorrow!
Ooley (Woodley)'s birthday has been confirmed!!!
It seems the document process may be taking a little longer than we were expecting. This could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Daniel said that when he saw Ooley (Woodley) this morning he was happy to see him and was NOT happy to see him leave at all! They will be going back this afternoon to get Ooley and he will be staying with Bobby who be our contact and liaison for the duration of the transfer. Bobby is a trustworthy contact who works with Mission of Hope. He will be caring for Ooley in his home along with the help from Bobby's sister. He will have Internet access and a phone so we can contact him somewhat easily. Ooley may not be with Bobby's family too long, and we are confident that this will be the best care for him at this time.
The real birth certificate is in the court, but Daniel has seen a copy. Ooley is two and a half years old! His birthday is June 22, 2008....put that in your calenders :)
Daniel says things are running the Haitian way, which means slow and are changing every minute. But we know God has the ultimate timing and it is perfect!
The real birth certificate is in the court, but Daniel has seen a copy. Ooley is two and a half years old! His birthday is June 22, 2008....put that in your calenders :)
Daniel says things are running the Haitian way, which means slow and are changing every minute. But we know God has the ultimate timing and it is perfect!
Riots may shut down Port au Prince, but they can't keep Daniel from moving Ooley!
The new president has been announced and some of the Haitian people are not happy. Not happy Haitians equals riots. Riots equal Port au Prince shut down completely which means all roads closed and no courts open. No flights in or out either. Today will be spent getting the plans for tomorrow in order.
Madam Lucine has been given half of the money up front to get the ball rolling. She knows a judge and is trying to contact him today to get Ooley's process first on the docket for tomorrow. Ooley's birth mother must be present as well as Dr. Jack and the attorneys from Chances For Children where Ooley will be moved. Daniel will be in contact with everyone needed today to make sure everyone is where they need to be for tomorrow.
I talked to Daniel this morning and he said they were working on plans of where Ooley can stay for tonight and if needed a few extra nights as well. He may be held at Mission of Hope, but Otis has said that if that's not possible then they will just gather supplies and take Ooley to the hotel with them. Although that sounds nice and all, I don't think that would be easy for Daniel and I think he may not want to come home after spending the night with Ooley. If the documents and court process cannot be completed within the next day or so, we will have people helping wrap that up for us after Daniel returns. We have been so blessed with contacts who are trustworthy and are willing to help us when needed.
Chances For Children's new location is located in Port au Prince so there is no way that Ooley will be able to transferred there today. But regardless, he will be taken to a place with great care and be loved on! I'm sure he will be super happy to see his Daddy today! It's pretty amazing how he already loves Daniel, God is cool like that.
As of now, we are not sure if flights will be open for Daniel's trip home tomorrow. I will keep you posted with all I know when I know it. Please continue to pray for safety and health as things there are pretty crazy right now. It's not easy on Daniel to be handling all this, but we know God is our strength!
We cannot thank Otis and all the people of Mission of Hope enough! We cannot express our gratitude enough for everyone who is with Chances For Children who is helping us! We are SO thankful for them and for each of you! Thanks for your continued prayers and support! The adoption process will begin as soon as we can get Ooley moved and get the paperwork started. If you are able and interested in helping with the funding you can make a donation into the Amber and Daniel Johnson Adoption fund at any Communication Federal Credit Union location, or can give through paypal by clicking the link on this blog. Prayers mean A LOT, and we really appreciate each one!
Love you all and look forward to sharing more great news with you!
Madam Lucine has been given half of the money up front to get the ball rolling. She knows a judge and is trying to contact him today to get Ooley's process first on the docket for tomorrow. Ooley's birth mother must be present as well as Dr. Jack and the attorneys from Chances For Children where Ooley will be moved. Daniel will be in contact with everyone needed today to make sure everyone is where they need to be for tomorrow.
I talked to Daniel this morning and he said they were working on plans of where Ooley can stay for tonight and if needed a few extra nights as well. He may be held at Mission of Hope, but Otis has said that if that's not possible then they will just gather supplies and take Ooley to the hotel with them. Although that sounds nice and all, I don't think that would be easy for Daniel and I think he may not want to come home after spending the night with Ooley. If the documents and court process cannot be completed within the next day or so, we will have people helping wrap that up for us after Daniel returns. We have been so blessed with contacts who are trustworthy and are willing to help us when needed.
Chances For Children's new location is located in Port au Prince so there is no way that Ooley will be able to transferred there today. But regardless, he will be taken to a place with great care and be loved on! I'm sure he will be super happy to see his Daddy today! It's pretty amazing how he already loves Daniel, God is cool like that.
As of now, we are not sure if flights will be open for Daniel's trip home tomorrow. I will keep you posted with all I know when I know it. Please continue to pray for safety and health as things there are pretty crazy right now. It's not easy on Daniel to be handling all this, but we know God is our strength!
We cannot thank Otis and all the people of Mission of Hope enough! We cannot express our gratitude enough for everyone who is with Chances For Children who is helping us! We are SO thankful for them and for each of you! Thanks for your continued prayers and support! The adoption process will begin as soon as we can get Ooley moved and get the paperwork started. If you are able and interested in helping with the funding you can make a donation into the Amber and Daniel Johnson Adoption fund at any Communication Federal Credit Union location, or can give through paypal by clicking the link on this blog. Prayers mean A LOT, and we really appreciate each one!
Love you all and look forward to sharing more great news with you!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Ooley is good and things are going!
SO much to say, where do I start?! I personally didn't get much sleep last night, but today's news has made everything great! Daniel traveled to Haiti with a couple other guys that were going to work with Mission of Hope for other reasons. He called me this morning around 9:30a to quickly let me know that they arrived safely and are being taken care of. Then came the long day of waiting on my end and a lot of work on Daniel's end.
Daniel contacted me at 4:15p our time, 5:15p there. Connection in Haiti is horrible so Facebook and Skype were near impossible. Through very broken conversation and finally a quick phone call we were able to swap information. For the record I had a couple really great friends come by the salon and help me set up an International calling deal. I am waiting for Daniel to get the info of what to do to set it up on his end via email or Facebook when he can get a connection.
So here's the scoop:
They were about to head to Good Sam where Ooley is and made a stop by Mission of Hope. When they got to MOH, they found the Madam Lucine from Good Sam was there and that she had some of the children there visiting the clinic. Turns out Ooley was one of those children. Although it's not good news to hear the Ooley was in need of medical attention, he is ok and getting treated for an eye infection and has a low fever. Ooley being at the clinic is a huge blessing! This saved Daniel from having to travel into the villages to talk to Madam Lucine! The documents on the paperwork at MOH have Ooley listed as "Charles Woodley" and they call him Woodley...and that is pronounced as we have been spelling it apparently. Daniel will know for sure once he sees the birth certificate!
Madam Lucine has the documents needed for us to adopt Ooley and has put a price tag of $1,500 U.S. for them. She did say that we could go ahead and move him and get her the money needed after he has been moved. We found out that Ooley's birth father is deceased, but his birth mother is still alive. Madam Lucine knows where his birth mother is and she must go to the court and sign over her rights to allow us to be able to adopt Ooley. There are some other smaller fees in the court process and paying for the travel and meals for the Madam Lucine and Ooley's birth mother to get to the court. We are looking a at few additional hundred dollars for the court process to get Ooley moved.
Daniel is trying to get in contact with the staff of Chances For Children where Ooley needs to be moved to. Once we can contact them, Ooley can be moved at any time. Daniel will be dealing with the court and Ooley's birth mother tomorrow. Please pray for complete favor on our side!Our God is HUGE and can do ANYTHING!
Daniel has some video and some pics of Ooley and will be posting them on Facebook at the mercy of the reception. I will drag them to the blog and post as soon as I have access to them. Ooley is doing good and Daniel had a great time playing with him and getting him to laugh! Laughter is the best thing to hear coming from a child, especially your own! We are looking forward to bringing Ooley home and are so excited to get this going faster!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support! I will post more info as soon as I know it! Stay posted here!
Daniel contacted me at 4:15p our time, 5:15p there. Connection in Haiti is horrible so Facebook and Skype were near impossible. Through very broken conversation and finally a quick phone call we were able to swap information. For the record I had a couple really great friends come by the salon and help me set up an International calling deal. I am waiting for Daniel to get the info of what to do to set it up on his end via email or Facebook when he can get a connection.
So here's the scoop:
They were about to head to Good Sam where Ooley is and made a stop by Mission of Hope. When they got to MOH, they found the Madam Lucine from Good Sam was there and that she had some of the children there visiting the clinic. Turns out Ooley was one of those children. Although it's not good news to hear the Ooley was in need of medical attention, he is ok and getting treated for an eye infection and has a low fever. Ooley being at the clinic is a huge blessing! This saved Daniel from having to travel into the villages to talk to Madam Lucine! The documents on the paperwork at MOH have Ooley listed as "Charles Woodley" and they call him Woodley...and that is pronounced as we have been spelling it apparently. Daniel will know for sure once he sees the birth certificate!
Madam Lucine has the documents needed for us to adopt Ooley and has put a price tag of $1,500 U.S. for them. She did say that we could go ahead and move him and get her the money needed after he has been moved. We found out that Ooley's birth father is deceased, but his birth mother is still alive. Madam Lucine knows where his birth mother is and she must go to the court and sign over her rights to allow us to be able to adopt Ooley. There are some other smaller fees in the court process and paying for the travel and meals for the Madam Lucine and Ooley's birth mother to get to the court. We are looking a at few additional hundred dollars for the court process to get Ooley moved.
Daniel is trying to get in contact with the staff of Chances For Children where Ooley needs to be moved to. Once we can contact them, Ooley can be moved at any time. Daniel will be dealing with the court and Ooley's birth mother tomorrow. Please pray for complete favor on our side!Our God is HUGE and can do ANYTHING!
Daniel has some video and some pics of Ooley and will be posting them on Facebook at the mercy of the reception. I will drag them to the blog and post as soon as I have access to them. Ooley is doing good and Daniel had a great time playing with him and getting him to laugh! Laughter is the best thing to hear coming from a child, especially your own! We are looking forward to bringing Ooley home and are so excited to get this going faster!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support! I will post more info as soon as I know it! Stay posted here!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
God is starting to show off now!
We got word that there is a possibility that the orphanage Ooley is in may not be licensed. If that is the case, that could be great news for our process! No license could mean that they would have no true custody of Ooley. In that case, it would make the transfer less complicated by not having to have documents signed in the presence of a judge, which I'm sure isn't easy to come by. If this is confirmed to be the truth, we will be able to make one trade of papers and whatever is negotiated for them and leave with the documents and Ooley!
The creche (adoptable orphanage) we were wanting to place Ooley in for the adoption process is a go! Originally they weren't looking at being open til January. But get this: Daniel leaves December 6th and the creche confirmed they will be operational on December 5th! God is showing off big time and we are super thankful! They have agreed to take Ooley into their care and start his paperwork for the adoption process once he is moved in. All that is needed is a clear medical check for Ooley, which won't be an issue, and Ooley's documents. Once Ooley is in his new creche, we will be able to start the adoption process on our end her in the U.S. as well.
All the little details are coming together! We are believing to have Ooley home by next Christmas and by Thanksgiving would be a bonus! Please believe with us and we promise to keep you posted on all the little details that all make a huge difference!
If you are interested in helping with our funds for this process, deposits can be made into the "Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund" at any Communication Federal Credit Union location.
Every prayer counts, so thank you to each of you who are a part!
The creche (adoptable orphanage) we were wanting to place Ooley in for the adoption process is a go! Originally they weren't looking at being open til January. But get this: Daniel leaves December 6th and the creche confirmed they will be operational on December 5th! God is showing off big time and we are super thankful! They have agreed to take Ooley into their care and start his paperwork for the adoption process once he is moved in. All that is needed is a clear medical check for Ooley, which won't be an issue, and Ooley's documents. Once Ooley is in his new creche, we will be able to start the adoption process on our end her in the U.S. as well.
All the little details are coming together! We are believing to have Ooley home by next Christmas and by Thanksgiving would be a bonus! Please believe with us and we promise to keep you posted on all the little details that all make a huge difference!
If you are interested in helping with our funds for this process, deposits can be made into the "Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund" at any Communication Federal Credit Union location.
Every prayer counts, so thank you to each of you who are a part!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Now you are in the loop of events!
The Bring Ooley Home dinner and live auction was really fun! We had about 250 people show for the event! Thanks to all of you who came to be a part, and to all of you who weren't able to come because you weren't feeling well, I hope you are better! If you weren't there, you missed a great time and me (Amber) dancing around in a tutu. We raised just around $6,000 that night for Ooley's adoption fund! We had SO many items up for auction, that we simply ran out of time....that is a great problem to have rather than not having enough! The people and businesses that donated and/or came and set up as vendors are amazing! Please please support the businesses that helped us with this event.
We will probably be having another event of some sort later after all the holidays. If you have suggestions of fun events, hit me up!
Daniel's trip to Haiti in December is looking like it's going to be successful! We had a conference call with Vivian from Chances For Children last night! Of course there is always a chance of obstacles, but we don't believe that they will happen. CFC had shared a concern that they may not be able to take Ooley in at the time Daniel is in Haiti due to not having the staff at the new creche/orphanage in time. But after last night's call, it's all coming together! Vivian said it's looking like the timing will all work out and we just need to work out some details.
We are expecting to hear back from Vivian by the end of this week with the logistics of what needs to take place in December. We are so grateful that she is helping us with getting step by step order of things together and even some possible obstacle solving options in case needed too. We know our situation isn't the same as most other adoptions in that we aren't just being matched with a child already in an adoptable orphanage/creche. Our process is a lot more intricate, but it allows us to play a lot bigger role in finding Ooley the best home through the adoption process.
So, to recap on where we are and what's going on next: We know that Madam Lucine of Good Sam currently has the guardianship of Ooley and all the needed documents to make him legally adoptable. We know that Md Lucine has to release her rights to a creche so that we can move forward with adopting Ooley. Daniel leaves for Haiti December 6th. He will travel to Haiti with Otis of Mission of Hope and meet with all the needed translators and such to talk to Md Lucine. Once negotiations are figured out and Md Lucine agrees to release her rights, Ooley will be removed from her care. Then Ooley will be taken to his new home for the duration of the adoptions process where we will be able to visit!
After Daniel gets back home, we will begin the adoption on our end. Meaning all the home studies and stuff will begin. Of course people are warning of all the possible obstacles, but I would like to warn all those obstacles of how big my God is! And in that case, I would like to have everyone expect with us that God will move mountains and that miracles will take place in this situation. That steps will be skipped and that all the paper work will be moved more quickly than ever seen before. That somehow, some way, Ooley will be home so soon that people will be amazed and know it's God!
We look forward to sharing more with you as we know it! Thanks SO much to all of you for your prayers and support!
We will probably be having another event of some sort later after all the holidays. If you have suggestions of fun events, hit me up!
Daniel's trip to Haiti in December is looking like it's going to be successful! We had a conference call with Vivian from Chances For Children last night! Of course there is always a chance of obstacles, but we don't believe that they will happen. CFC had shared a concern that they may not be able to take Ooley in at the time Daniel is in Haiti due to not having the staff at the new creche/orphanage in time. But after last night's call, it's all coming together! Vivian said it's looking like the timing will all work out and we just need to work out some details.
We are expecting to hear back from Vivian by the end of this week with the logistics of what needs to take place in December. We are so grateful that she is helping us with getting step by step order of things together and even some possible obstacle solving options in case needed too. We know our situation isn't the same as most other adoptions in that we aren't just being matched with a child already in an adoptable orphanage/creche. Our process is a lot more intricate, but it allows us to play a lot bigger role in finding Ooley the best home through the adoption process.
So, to recap on where we are and what's going on next: We know that Madam Lucine of Good Sam currently has the guardianship of Ooley and all the needed documents to make him legally adoptable. We know that Md Lucine has to release her rights to a creche so that we can move forward with adopting Ooley. Daniel leaves for Haiti December 6th. He will travel to Haiti with Otis of Mission of Hope and meet with all the needed translators and such to talk to Md Lucine. Once negotiations are figured out and Md Lucine agrees to release her rights, Ooley will be removed from her care. Then Ooley will be taken to his new home for the duration of the adoptions process where we will be able to visit!
After Daniel gets back home, we will begin the adoption on our end. Meaning all the home studies and stuff will begin. Of course people are warning of all the possible obstacles, but I would like to warn all those obstacles of how big my God is! And in that case, I would like to have everyone expect with us that God will move mountains and that miracles will take place in this situation. That steps will be skipped and that all the paper work will be moved more quickly than ever seen before. That somehow, some way, Ooley will be home so soon that people will be amazed and know it's God!
We look forward to sharing more with you as we know it! Thanks SO much to all of you for your prayers and support!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A picture is worth 1,000 words, a bunch of squealing, jumping out of my seat, and tap dancing around the house!
Sitting in church is a great place to be.......except when getting a new pic of your son from Haiti!!! Daniel's phone notified him of a new email from Otis, our contact with Mission of Hope who is currently in Haiti, and he had to check it right away. Thankful that we received this email toward the end of the service because I personally about lost it! The last few minutes of church felt like forever as I was fidgeting in my seat just waiting for church to end so I could squeal and share the photo with all my family and friends! Ooley was being checked over by a doctor in the newest pic, so he may not look happy but he's healthy! We are told there are more pics coming and waiting, not so patiently in my case, to see them! I hope there is one of him with a smile too!
We got in contact with the orphanage that we are hoping can take Ooley in when Daniel is there in early December. They sounded as if the timing of their new orphanage opening won't work with our timing, but we are planning a conference call to see what we can work out. We don't want him to have to be moved around a lot so we are believing that all the details will come into place quickly with the orphanage we would like to work with. We do not want to leave him in the care he is currently in once the documents are signed and Madam Lucine has released her rights. Our concern is that she will not be honest and could move or harm him to get more money from us. So, please join us in praying that the perfect orphanage will agree to take little Ooley into their care so we can get on with the actual adoption process!
This Saturday is the Bring Ooley Home from Haiti Dinner & Live Auction! If you haven't already planned to come be a part, please do. It's going to be a great night of dinner and fun! It's casual so please bring the family and enjoy the evening with us!
Thanks for your prayers and support! And most importantly thank God for continuing to protect Ooley and work out the details perfectly!
We got in contact with the orphanage that we are hoping can take Ooley in when Daniel is there in early December. They sounded as if the timing of their new orphanage opening won't work with our timing, but we are planning a conference call to see what we can work out. We don't want him to have to be moved around a lot so we are believing that all the details will come into place quickly with the orphanage we would like to work with. We do not want to leave him in the care he is currently in once the documents are signed and Madam Lucine has released her rights. Our concern is that she will not be honest and could move or harm him to get more money from us. So, please join us in praying that the perfect orphanage will agree to take little Ooley into their care so we can get on with the actual adoption process!
This Saturday is the Bring Ooley Home from Haiti Dinner & Live Auction! If you haven't already planned to come be a part, please do. It's going to be a great night of dinner and fun! It's casual so please bring the family and enjoy the evening with us!
Thanks for your prayers and support! And most importantly thank God for continuing to protect Ooley and work out the details perfectly!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Flight is booked & a gift is bought for Ooley!
WOW, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind! The Bring Ooley Home Dinner & Live Auction is THIS SATURDAY November 20th! We have had so much support from family, friends, and strangers that it has been amazing! Let's see, what all can I catch you up on?
We have had some airline miles donated and Daniel will be heading to Haiti December 6th with our friend Otis! While there, Daniel will be meeting with some people face to face to help sort out our next step. We are believing for extra favor in being able to speak with the right people with the right authority to get things moving quickly. He will be going to Good Samaritan where Ooley is and talking to Madam Lucine to see what it will require for her to sign over her rights. Of course we are believing for Madam Lucine to have a soft heart and that she will be easy to deal with. Our goal is to get the documents needed and to move Ooley from her care to another place during Daniel's trip. We are waiting for a return call from the organization and orphanage we have been speaking with for some more details.
The most important part of Daniel's trip will be loving on Ooley! I am jealous that I can't go this trip, but am super excited that Ooley will be loved on by his daddy! We bought our first item to give to Ooley! After going to numerous stores, we found the perfect stuffed animal. It's a cute little monkey and Ooley will love it! We are ready to move this along! Once Ooley is moved, the official adoption process can begin and we are believing for a very God speed process! We want Ooley home before Christmas 2011 and know that our God is bigger than any timeline!
That's the latest in a nutshell, along with so much preparation for our fundraising event. Hope to see you all there!
If you would like to donate funds &/or airline miles to help us travel to Haiti throughout the process, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com .
Thanks again for your prayers and support!
We have had some airline miles donated and Daniel will be heading to Haiti December 6th with our friend Otis! While there, Daniel will be meeting with some people face to face to help sort out our next step. We are believing for extra favor in being able to speak with the right people with the right authority to get things moving quickly. He will be going to Good Samaritan where Ooley is and talking to Madam Lucine to see what it will require for her to sign over her rights. Of course we are believing for Madam Lucine to have a soft heart and that she will be easy to deal with. Our goal is to get the documents needed and to move Ooley from her care to another place during Daniel's trip. We are waiting for a return call from the organization and orphanage we have been speaking with for some more details.
The most important part of Daniel's trip will be loving on Ooley! I am jealous that I can't go this trip, but am super excited that Ooley will be loved on by his daddy! We bought our first item to give to Ooley! After going to numerous stores, we found the perfect stuffed animal. It's a cute little monkey and Ooley will love it! We are ready to move this along! Once Ooley is moved, the official adoption process can begin and we are believing for a very God speed process! We want Ooley home before Christmas 2011 and know that our God is bigger than any timeline!
That's the latest in a nutshell, along with so much preparation for our fundraising event. Hope to see you all there!
If you would like to donate funds &/or airline miles to help us travel to Haiti throughout the process, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com .
Thanks again for your prayers and support!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Two Choices Turned Out to be The Same One!
Of all the many many places we had contacted regarding help with Ooley, only two were positive and interested in helping. One place is Wasatch International Adoptions, and the other is Chances For Children. We were exploring our options after having communicated with both of these organizations, trying to figure out what the best route would be. This morning while on phone with Chareyl of Wasatch, we were discussing the ideas she had for places to transfer Ooley to. She was leery of giving me the names of places she was thinking until she had one confirm their ability to take Ooley in. But when I told her I had been speaking with Vivian from Chances For Children, Chareyl got very excited!
It turns out that Chances for Children is actually the main place that Chareyl was thinking& we didn't even know they worked together! It's pretty amazing when God works like this! Wasatch isn't a "Christian run" organization, but when Chareyl said "I just got chills and pretty sure this is the route we are supposed to take", I'm certain she knows Who's hand is involved! Chances For Children is opening a new orphanage in Port au Prince, with hopes to be able to take in children soon! We are believing for them to be able to take Ooley in by the time Daniel goes to Haiti in December. Emails have been sent to Chareyl and Vivian and they will be contacting each other to work on details.
God is working out the details and we are very excited to watch His plan unfold!
In case you haven't heard, there is a potential hurricane heading toward Haiti. Please pray for this not to happen. The Haitian people have enough to deal with right now, they don't need more tragedy.
It turns out that Chances for Children is actually the main place that Chareyl was thinking& we didn't even know they worked together! It's pretty amazing when God works like this! Wasatch isn't a "Christian run" organization, but when Chareyl said "I just got chills and pretty sure this is the route we are supposed to take", I'm certain she knows Who's hand is involved! Chances For Children is opening a new orphanage in Port au Prince, with hopes to be able to take in children soon! We are believing for them to be able to take Ooley in by the time Daniel goes to Haiti in December. Emails have been sent to Chareyl and Vivian and they will be contacting each other to work on details.
God is working out the details and we are very excited to watch His plan unfold!
In case you haven't heard, there is a potential hurricane heading toward Haiti. Please pray for this not to happen. The Haitian people have enough to deal with right now, they don't need more tragedy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Now is a good time for a happy dance!!!
Every step in this process is a big deal, but this step is like a giant leap! There is no exact address for Good Samaritan, so it has been difficult to find individuals to help us check on Ooley without being able to send them to the right place. Today we got a very good description of the exact location of Good Samaritan. This has been a vital piece for us in our process of having someone check on Ooley for us soon!
The even more amazing part is that we got word today that Ooley is definitely legally adoptable! We have been told that Madam Lucine who runs the Good Samaritan where Ooley lives has all the needed documents to allow Ooley to be adopted. The next important step is for Madam Lucine to release her rights and allow us to have Ooley's documents and move him to another orphanage. This convincing will require face to face meetings where deals and money or compensation will be necessary as well. Again, we will do whatever it takes to bring our son home!
Contacts are being made at Mission of Hope and we are hoping to hear more good news soon! JR, the children's pastor at MOH, knows Madam Lucine very well and is being contacted to see if he will be able to help us in dealing with her. His help would be great! Daniel will be returning to Haiti as soon as arrangements can be made to get some things moving and meet with Madam Lucine. Although we would both like to return, it would require twice as much funding for two people and we would like to use our funds wisely in this adoption process. We are so appreciative of our contacts with Mission of Hope, and are confident that Daniel will be in the best company and safe while traveling and in Haiti. Daniel's trip will hopefully be able to be coordinated with Otis from Mission of Hope who has been an amazing help in our process. If you know Otis, please tell him that you are a part of our support in bringing Ooley home, and take time to show him your apprecitation for helping us. :)
We will keep you posted with every bit of info we get. Please believe with us for all the details to be worked out in God's perfect way and timing. We are believing that Madem Lucine's heart is being softened and that she will be very easy to deal with. We are believing that Ooley is and will remain safe and healthy through the cholera outbreak and any other illness that may be a threat. We are believing for favor with contacts, organizations, and government officials needed to help this process. And we are believing for peace in our lives as we have an eager longing to bring Ooley home from Haiti!
Celebrate with us in every step! Now is a great time for a happy dance, a belly laugh, and absolutely a big THANK YOU GOD!
Each of you who are following our process are a huge part too. Thanks for your prayers and support! Keep it going, things are happening and God is Good!
The even more amazing part is that we got word today that Ooley is definitely legally adoptable! We have been told that Madam Lucine who runs the Good Samaritan where Ooley lives has all the needed documents to allow Ooley to be adopted. The next important step is for Madam Lucine to release her rights and allow us to have Ooley's documents and move him to another orphanage. This convincing will require face to face meetings where deals and money or compensation will be necessary as well. Again, we will do whatever it takes to bring our son home!
Contacts are being made at Mission of Hope and we are hoping to hear more good news soon! JR, the children's pastor at MOH, knows Madam Lucine very well and is being contacted to see if he will be able to help us in dealing with her. His help would be great! Daniel will be returning to Haiti as soon as arrangements can be made to get some things moving and meet with Madam Lucine. Although we would both like to return, it would require twice as much funding for two people and we would like to use our funds wisely in this adoption process. We are so appreciative of our contacts with Mission of Hope, and are confident that Daniel will be in the best company and safe while traveling and in Haiti. Daniel's trip will hopefully be able to be coordinated with Otis from Mission of Hope who has been an amazing help in our process. If you know Otis, please tell him that you are a part of our support in bringing Ooley home, and take time to show him your apprecitation for helping us. :)
We will keep you posted with every bit of info we get. Please believe with us for all the details to be worked out in God's perfect way and timing. We are believing that Madem Lucine's heart is being softened and that she will be very easy to deal with. We are believing that Ooley is and will remain safe and healthy through the cholera outbreak and any other illness that may be a threat. We are believing for favor with contacts, organizations, and government officials needed to help this process. And we are believing for peace in our lives as we have an eager longing to bring Ooley home from Haiti!
Celebrate with us in every step! Now is a great time for a happy dance, a belly laugh, and absolutely a big THANK YOU GOD!
Each of you who are following our process are a huge part too. Thanks for your prayers and support! Keep it going, things are happening and God is Good!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Cholera Panic Overshadowed by God's Peace
The cholera outbreak in Haiti sent us into a little panic. The thought that your child is in a place where they could be exposed to a life threatening illness is horrifying. The thought that you can't do anything to help them is even worse. These moments of panic have been foreshadowed by the knowledge that God holds Ooley in His hands and a lot of people are praying for him.
With cholera claiming lives rapidly, it is vital to pray for Ooley's safety as well as all the Haitian people. Please continue to pray for lives to be saved and this outbreak to come to an end. This could have been prevented with clean water. We have got to do something to get Haiti clean water! It's so upsetting to know that people are losing their lives by drinking water and trying to survive. The very thing they think is hydrating them is killing them.... this is not ok. Aid is there and more is on the way to help the Haitian people with this illness. More manpower is needed to get the treatments to those who need it. If you could help with medical aid, I suggest that you contact an organization such as Mission of Hope and travel to help as soon as possible. You will not regret helping the Haitian people.
With the initial panic of the cholera outbreak came a begging for contacts to check on Ooley. We were given the info for Bobby, a friend of our contact through Mission of Hope who could help us check on Ooley on a regular basis. We have also been told that our contact is waiting to here from someone about helping us gather documents. Yes, more waiting and waiting and waiting...
We will be purchasing an international calling card asap and contacting Bobby to work out the details of Ooley's welfare checks. We would like him to be able to take pictures of Ooley and send us updates at least once a week. This will require a monthly wired payment for Bobby and Internet access which can be hard to find. I'm sure God has all those details already worked out, and we are excited to see something being done!
Knowing Ooley is safe will be a great relief, but it is still important to get him moved to another facility as quick as we can. Slow steps, but steps none the less. We are grateful for every bit of info we acquire and will not take for granted the little things that get us an inch closer to getting Ooley home!
Daniel is planning to try to return to Haiti in December or January to have some meetings and get some things done that require leg work. Please pray for the resources needed and all the right doors to be opened to allow this trip to be successful and safe.
So begins the travel and financial requirements. We are expecting things to move at a speed only God can make happen! We are expecting this process to be so smooth that it will be obvious that it's God! Please join us in believing for God to open doors and supply resources. We appreciate each of you for your prayers and support. Donations can be made to the "Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund" at any Communication Federal Credit Union location.
With the initial panic of the cholera outbreak came a begging for contacts to check on Ooley. We were given the info for Bobby, a friend of our contact through Mission of Hope who could help us check on Ooley on a regular basis. We have also been told that our contact is waiting to here from someone about helping us gather documents. Yes, more waiting and waiting and waiting...
We will be purchasing an international calling card asap and contacting Bobby to work out the details of Ooley's welfare checks. We would like him to be able to take pictures of Ooley and send us updates at least once a week. This will require a monthly wired payment for Bobby and Internet access which can be hard to find. I'm sure God has all those details already worked out, and we are excited to see something being done!
Knowing Ooley is safe will be a great relief, but it is still important to get him moved to another facility as quick as we can. Slow steps, but steps none the less. We are grateful for every bit of info we acquire and will not take for granted the little things that get us an inch closer to getting Ooley home!
Daniel is planning to try to return to Haiti in December or January to have some meetings and get some things done that require leg work. Please pray for the resources needed and all the right doors to be opened to allow this trip to be successful and safe.
So begins the travel and financial requirements. We are expecting things to move at a speed only God can make happen! We are expecting this process to be so smooth that it will be obvious that it's God! Please join us in believing for God to open doors and supply resources. We appreciate each of you for your prayers and support. Donations can be made to the "Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund" at any Communication Federal Credit Union location.
If you haven't already confirmed your attendance for the
Bring Ooley Home From Haiti Dinner & Live Auction
you can do so via Facebook or
email amber@salonendeavor.com .
We look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, October 18, 2010
At a turtle pace and wanting to run!
(Amber's thoughts)
Sometimes I have to remind myself that slow and steady wins the race. But this is not one of those times that I feel slow and steady will benefit anything at all. I would prefer the be the rabbit in this case instead of the turtle, but if the turtle and the hare story is really life applicable that would only set us up for losing. And we aren't going to lose in this situation!
Waiting on other people to see the urgency in our situation and help us isn't easy. I guess we can't expect someone else to really have the same passion as we do when it's not their child they are helping. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people really do care. It's just that no one has that same longing in them for this child. Even our connections have begun to tell me that it just may not be possible, but again it's not the same passion driving them.
Do I really have to keep reminding people how big our God is? I mean come on, the governments do have a say so, but our God is much bigger than even them. I am sticking to my guns that nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is impossible for God. No paperwork, no age limitations, no government, no language barrier, NOTHING is greater than my God! And it's this faith that keeps us driving forward without doubt.
When God opens doors, no man can close them. So, bring it negative opinions, you don't stand a chance!
Our situation isn't nearly as simple as just going through an agency and letting them place a child with us. Ooley is not in the normal "easy" situation here, but that doesn't mean that this can't become easy. Things can change in any minute. All it takes is the right person to say yes and really be able to help us get the documents needed. With 1 yes, the 99 no's will mean absolutely nothing!
So, we'll hold tight to God's promise and the longing in our hearts. Tears are more frequent with the slow pace at which things are moving. But just like those 99 no's won't matter later, these tears will hold no relevance when we are able to hold Ooley in our arms. It's a journey that is intense and we are still moving forward. Slow as the turtle we seem to be traveling along, waiting for the right people at the right places to move this along to where we can actually see results. And slow as a turtle we will continue to move until God speeds things up. Because we aren't going to grow weary and quit, Ooley is waiting on us too!
If anyone has any ideas that could help our situation, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com and we'll explore our options. If anyone has any connections with government officials that could have a voice, that would be great as well.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that slow and steady wins the race. But this is not one of those times that I feel slow and steady will benefit anything at all. I would prefer the be the rabbit in this case instead of the turtle, but if the turtle and the hare story is really life applicable that would only set us up for losing. And we aren't going to lose in this situation!
Waiting on other people to see the urgency in our situation and help us isn't easy. I guess we can't expect someone else to really have the same passion as we do when it's not their child they are helping. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people really do care. It's just that no one has that same longing in them for this child. Even our connections have begun to tell me that it just may not be possible, but again it's not the same passion driving them.
Do I really have to keep reminding people how big our God is? I mean come on, the governments do have a say so, but our God is much bigger than even them. I am sticking to my guns that nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is impossible for God. No paperwork, no age limitations, no government, no language barrier, NOTHING is greater than my God! And it's this faith that keeps us driving forward without doubt.
When God opens doors, no man can close them. So, bring it negative opinions, you don't stand a chance!
Our situation isn't nearly as simple as just going through an agency and letting them place a child with us. Ooley is not in the normal "easy" situation here, but that doesn't mean that this can't become easy. Things can change in any minute. All it takes is the right person to say yes and really be able to help us get the documents needed. With 1 yes, the 99 no's will mean absolutely nothing!
So, we'll hold tight to God's promise and the longing in our hearts. Tears are more frequent with the slow pace at which things are moving. But just like those 99 no's won't matter later, these tears will hold no relevance when we are able to hold Ooley in our arms. It's a journey that is intense and we are still moving forward. Slow as the turtle we seem to be traveling along, waiting for the right people at the right places to move this along to where we can actually see results. And slow as a turtle we will continue to move until God speeds things up. Because we aren't going to grow weary and quit, Ooley is waiting on us too!
If anyone has any ideas that could help our situation, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com and we'll explore our options. If anyone has any connections with government officials that could have a voice, that would be great as well.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Bring Ooley Home Fundraiser is in the works!
Gathering things for our live auction and gathering people to help out with the event. Asking people for donations definitely tops the list of the least favorite things to do. But it's gotta be done to be able to raise the funds to continue the process to bring Ooley home, so we are still doing it.
We've gotten a few vendors to set up that night and some really great items for the auction so far! We'll have homemade pies, home decor, specialty gifts, sports memorabilia, and SO much more! Another important part of this whole process is YOU! We want YOU to come to our event and enjoy a fun night of fellowship and empty your pockets....I mean, buy some great items just in time for Christmas ;)
Please mark your calenders for the evening of Saturday, November 20th.
If you are interested in helping in any way or know of some great auction item ideas, please contact Amber asap at amber@salonendeavor.com .
Look forward to having you be a part!
We've gotten a few vendors to set up that night and some really great items for the auction so far! We'll have homemade pies, home decor, specialty gifts, sports memorabilia, and SO much more! Another important part of this whole process is YOU! We want YOU to come to our event and enjoy a fun night of fellowship and empty your pockets....I mean, buy some great items just in time for Christmas ;)
Please mark your calenders for the evening of Saturday, November 20th.
If you are interested in helping in any way or know of some great auction item ideas, please contact Amber asap at amber@salonendeavor.com .
Look forward to having you be a part!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A crack in the closed door!
I spoke with a lady named Chareyl from Wasatch International Adoptions (www.wiaa.org) on the phone today about our situation. There is no way around it, paperwork is necessary. Legal documents may not always be easy to acquire, but we must acquire them somehow. Once we have gotten the necessary legal documents we will be able to contact Chareyl again. She can't "promise" that an orphanage would take Ooley in, but she is pretty confident that she can find an honest reputable place to care for him.
We also just got contacted by our contact with Mission of Hope saying he has sent an email to ask for names of organizations that they recommend to work with. We hope to hear something soon.
First things first is finding a source to help us get the paperwork. We have put our needs in the ears of our contact from Mission of Hope and are hoping to get in contact with the right person to be able to get these papers for us...... and believing that they won't take our arm and leg in the process.
So, it may not seem like more information, but it is! It's a crack in the closed door and we are excited about any movement in the process. We believe that once the door is opening more that things will move quickly and with ease.
Please pray for the director of the orphanage Ooley is in to begin to have a soft heart and open to releasing Ooley. And please pray that we can get the documents needed quickly so we can move forward in getting him to a new place!
We'll let you know more info as soon as we get it!
Don't forget to mark your calenders for the evening of November 20th for our dinner and live auction. And if you are interested in donating items, helping us gather items, helping that day, or helping in any way, please contact amber@salonendeavor.com .
We also just got contacted by our contact with Mission of Hope saying he has sent an email to ask for names of organizations that they recommend to work with. We hope to hear something soon.
First things first is finding a source to help us get the paperwork. We have put our needs in the ears of our contact from Mission of Hope and are hoping to get in contact with the right person to be able to get these papers for us...... and believing that they won't take our arm and leg in the process.
So, it may not seem like more information, but it is! It's a crack in the closed door and we are excited about any movement in the process. We believe that once the door is opening more that things will move quickly and with ease.
Please pray for the director of the orphanage Ooley is in to begin to have a soft heart and open to releasing Ooley. And please pray that we can get the documents needed quickly so we can move forward in getting him to a new place!
We'll let you know more info as soon as we get it!
Don't forget to mark your calenders for the evening of November 20th for our dinner and live auction. And if you are interested in donating items, helping us gather items, helping that day, or helping in any way, please contact amber@salonendeavor.com .
Monday, September 27, 2010
New Blog- Bring Ooley Home
Welcome to the our new blog designed specifically to keep you informed about our adoption process with Ooley! If you haven't been keeping up, you can check out Amber's blog at http://www.skepticaltrust.blogspot.com/ for all the previous blogs. Since we can't copy and paste them from there to here. But here's a little mini run down of what brought us to where we are today.
We went to Haiti and worked with Mission of Hope which is a great organization that you should look into! While there we visited another local orphanage and encountered a little boy approximately 18months old named Ooley. He wasn't in good health and we helped get him to a clinic for treatment. In our short time with this child, we discovered that he is our son. There's no explaining that feeling, it's a knowing more than just a feeling. With little to no interaction with him since he slept most of the time, we didn't and still don't know many details about him. But when God bonds hearts together, we know that He has does so for a reason.
We are now in the process of adopting Ooley. It has not been a fast or easy process, we've had little help gathering information and been told by many organizations that they can't help us. So here we are, knowing our son is in Haiti and trying to figure out how to get him here. We are still contacting numerous organizations and believing that one will help us soon. Ooley is in a place that cannot adopt so the first step is getting the lady who runs that place to release her rights and let us move him elsewhere. Along with that, we must find his parents or a relative to sign over their rights as well. Then we will be able to move to the next step in the adoption process.
Haiti has some requirements in their adoption laws that we don't meet. One of them being that at least one of the adopting parents must be 35 years or older. We are both about to turn 3o. Another is that we must be married a minimum of 10 years, but we will hit our 10 year in March of 2011 so that shouldn't be too hard to get cleared. For us to be able to adopt being under 35, we must get a Presidential waiver from the President of Haiti. There is a new president coming into office in October and we are believing for him to make choices that will give us favor in our adoption!
We must travel back to Haiti to be able to meet with the right people to get Ooley moved to another place. Flights are not cheap, running about $800 round trip for one person. So we have opened the "Amber and Daniel Johnson Adoption Fund" and donations can be made at all Communication Federal Credit Union locations. We have been putting money into that fund as we can afford and have been blessed to have some friends and family make some contributions as well.
We are planning a dinner and live auction fundraiser event to be held the evening of November 11th, 2010 at Crossroads Church. We are looking for items for our auction as well as local or individual business vendors to set up that night and donate a portion of their sales. We will be needing help to prepare for the event and clean up after it as well and will be putting together groups of people who are interested.
If you are interested in helping in any way or have some contacts for donations, or contacts that could help our adoption process, please email Amber at amber@salonendeavor.com and we'll be in touch soon!
Thanks for your support through our process! Please continue to pray that God will open doors and grant us favor with all right people. And please pray for Ooley to be healthy and safe!
We love you all so much!
We went to Haiti and worked with Mission of Hope which is a great organization that you should look into! While there we visited another local orphanage and encountered a little boy approximately 18months old named Ooley. He wasn't in good health and we helped get him to a clinic for treatment. In our short time with this child, we discovered that he is our son. There's no explaining that feeling, it's a knowing more than just a feeling. With little to no interaction with him since he slept most of the time, we didn't and still don't know many details about him. But when God bonds hearts together, we know that He has does so for a reason.
We are now in the process of adopting Ooley. It has not been a fast or easy process, we've had little help gathering information and been told by many organizations that they can't help us. So here we are, knowing our son is in Haiti and trying to figure out how to get him here. We are still contacting numerous organizations and believing that one will help us soon. Ooley is in a place that cannot adopt so the first step is getting the lady who runs that place to release her rights and let us move him elsewhere. Along with that, we must find his parents or a relative to sign over their rights as well. Then we will be able to move to the next step in the adoption process.
Haiti has some requirements in their adoption laws that we don't meet. One of them being that at least one of the adopting parents must be 35 years or older. We are both about to turn 3o. Another is that we must be married a minimum of 10 years, but we will hit our 10 year in March of 2011 so that shouldn't be too hard to get cleared. For us to be able to adopt being under 35, we must get a Presidential waiver from the President of Haiti. There is a new president coming into office in October and we are believing for him to make choices that will give us favor in our adoption!
We must travel back to Haiti to be able to meet with the right people to get Ooley moved to another place. Flights are not cheap, running about $800 round trip for one person. So we have opened the "Amber and Daniel Johnson Adoption Fund" and donations can be made at all Communication Federal Credit Union locations. We have been putting money into that fund as we can afford and have been blessed to have some friends and family make some contributions as well.
We are planning a dinner and live auction fundraiser event to be held the evening of November 11th, 2010 at Crossroads Church. We are looking for items for our auction as well as local or individual business vendors to set up that night and donate a portion of their sales. We will be needing help to prepare for the event and clean up after it as well and will be putting together groups of people who are interested.
If you are interested in helping in any way or have some contacts for donations, or contacts that could help our adoption process, please email Amber at amber@salonendeavor.com and we'll be in touch soon!
Thanks for your support through our process! Please continue to pray that God will open doors and grant us favor with all right people. And please pray for Ooley to be healthy and safe!
We love you all so much!
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