Our Adoption Journey

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me.”  Matthew 18:5

• 06/17/08 - Praise God!!!!  We received a phone call from our adoption agency saying that we were finally approved by PGN.  It should now only be another 2-3 months before we can bring Gabriela home!  Praise God!!!!!
• 05/30/08 - We found out that PGN released 10 approvals today!  This is great news since it has been over a month since there have been any cases released.  Praise God!  Please pray that our case is released soon!
• 05/29/08-06/02/08 - 2nd Visit Trip to Guatemala - Tom and I had a wonderful time playing with Gabriela!  We celebrated her 9 month birthday on Sunday.  She is on the move now crawling, pulling herself up, and walking with assitances.  She will be walking on her own in no time now!  We got to see Amparo and Samuel, the foster parents again.  It was great to see how much they love and care for Gabriela!  They are the greatest blessing!
• 05/26/08 - Birthmother interview - According to our agent in Guatemala, Claudia, and the foster mom, Amparo, it went very well.
• 05/12/08 - My first Mother’s Day, unfortunately without my little angel.  It was difficult.
• 05/10/08 - Friends and family, including my oldest and dearest friend, Laura Migl, hosted a beautifuly shower for Gabriela in Bryan, TX!  Gabriela received many wonderful gifts!
• 05/07/08 - we received an email from Gladney today stating the following: “We were able to speak with the PGN secretary today.  She confirmed that cases are still moving from reviewer to reviewer in the PGN.  However, once the file is either approved or rejected with a previo, the case will not be handed back to the attorney because of the new birth mother interviews.  We also inquired about the wait it would take to start processing cases as normal and she said that it will be at least a month until cases are processing as they were before the change went into effect.  She also told us that many of the cases that entered the PGN in March are still with the first reviewer because of the backlog of cases presently there.  We have asked the attorneys to let us know when the birth mother interview has been scheduled for each individual case.  We plan to continue sending updates as we receive more information.”  Please pray that our case is reviewed quickly and allowed to continue in the PGN review process.
• 05/06/08 - Gladeny sent us an email today stating “We have also been informed today that the PGN plans to interview all birthmothers for every case now in PGN and that they expect this to take at least 30 business days.”
• 04/28/08 - Our adoption agency, Gladney, informed us that “PGN has posted a memo on the front door stating that until further notice no files will be released or accepted into the PGN.  This regulation has been issued by the new PGN director, amid accusations of corruption and  is appropriation, in order to asses whether in process adoptions under the old PGN administration have been conducted properly and that relinquishments have been voluntary.   This will affect everyone whose file has not already been approved and released from PGN back to the attorney.”  Please pray that they complete processing our application soon despite this news.
• 04/27/08 - Church Baby Shower - The ladies at Grace Reformed Baptist Church gave a lovely baby shower for Gabriela. 
• 04/22/08 - We received word from our adoption agency that we had made it to the second reviewer of 3 in PGN.   This is great news because we had not made it this far with the past 3 attempts.  Praise God!!!!
• 04/14/08 - After being in PGN for the third time for three weeks, we found out that our application is still with the first of 3 reviewers.  There is no way to expedite the review.  It must go through the entire process again.  Further more, it is taking ~30 days to get a birth certificate for Mixco, the city she was born in.  The birth certificate can not be requested until our application is approved by PGN. 
• 03/24/08 - We found out we were kicked out of PGN again with the same previo.  PGN did not look at the correction.  The attorney re-submitted the application and is trying to find out who to talk to in order to get our case expedited. 
• 03/11/08 - Gladney was able to confirm with our attorney in Guatemala that our application re-entered PGN but have not been able to determine when.
• 03/04/08 -  We found out that our application has not gone back into PGN for review and the PGN review is taking about 4 weeks.  Please pray we get back in soon and that our application gets approved quickly.   
• 02/29/08 - 03/03/08 - Visit trip to Guatemala - We had an awesome visit trip with Gabriela.  She is the sweetest, most loving baby!  She is also the cutest baby in the world!!! Thank you all for your prayers!  Everything went so smoothly.
• 02/13/08 - We found out from Gladney that our case was registered with the Central Authority.  Now we must wait for our application to go back through PGN’s review. 
• 02/07/08 - We received confirmation that the updated name declaration form was sent to Guatemala today.  However, based on updated on the JCICS (http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm) and Guatadopt (http://www.guatadopt.com/index.html) websites our application will not be going back into PGN any time soon.  The new Central Authority still has not started issuing the “contrasenas” that are needed to re-enter PGN.  It is a very frustrating situation.  Please pray that Guatemalan government finishes allowing cases to be registered and issues the “contrasenas” soon.   Also, please pray for our visit trip.
• 01/29/08 - We found out that the previo that caused our application to be kicked out of PGN was that one of the ways my name appears in the application was not listed on my name declaration form.   Therefore we must re-complete the form, have it signed by a notary, send it back to the lady that prepared the dossier who will review it then have it couriered to the Texas Secretary of States office to verify the notary, then have it couriered to the consulates office, then have sent back to Glandney, and then send it to Guatemala.  Based on this, we have decided to do a visit trip to Guatemala February 29-March 2.
• 01/24/08 - We learned today that our application was kicked out of PGN on 01/11/08 with one previo and will not re-enter PGN until the registration process is complete.  It is hard to tell now when we will be able to get her based on this news.  We are hoping our adoption agency, Gladney, can find out some more information for us. 
• 01/17/08 - Well the saga continues.  On 01/01/08 PGN, the agency that reviews the applications in Guatemala, stopped the processing of all pending adoption cases including the acceptance of new cases, acceptance of cases with previos and the review of cases previously submitted. The processing of pending adoptions will begin with the registration of those cases with the Central Authority no later than 30 business days after January 1, 2008 (approximately February 11, 2008)”  (http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm, 01/14/07).  The new agency, the Central Authority, that was created by the bill passed in December, has been formed and representatives appointed.  However, within days of President Alvaro Colom’s inauguration, he replaced the representatives (http://www.guatadopt.com/index.html, 1/17/08).  With these changes, our adoption could possibly be delayed for up to 6 more weeks!  Please pray that our case is registered with the Central Authority by 2/11/08 and that they start to process the applications again soon!
• 01/14/07 - Gladney announced that people are allowed to make visit trips to Guatemala.  However, you must take all the items that the baby would need for the time you are there, you can not leave the hotel, you have to pay a fee, and other requirements.  Tom and I are trying to decide if we should go or not. 
• 12/30/07 - We completed all of our Hague required training! 
• 12/14/07 - Positive news from the JCICS (http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm).  It appears that our case is grandfathered and will not require registry with the Central Authority.   Praise God!!! “However, Joint Council does remain concerned that the recent elections have left a void in leadership within the Guatemalan government.  As a result, obtaining a clear ruling from a competent authority is increasingly difficult.  We also have concerns as to the registering of cases with the Central Authority, given that no such authority will exist until sometime in mid-January, at the earliest.”
• 12/7/07 - The JCICS is concerned about the cases in transition due to the ambiguity of Bill 3735.  Here is their statement: “As part of the Joint Council Guatemala 5000 Initiative and our ongoing assessment of the situation in Guatemala, we now have considerable concerns regarding the processing and completion of all transition cases.  We call on the Guatemalan Congress and the Berger administration to publicly clarify the process by which the adoption of those children who have been referred to a family will be completed.  As previously announced, the Guatemalan Congress hopes to review and vote on Bill # 3735 on December 11, 2007.   It is the assessment of Joint Council that Article 56 of Bill # 3735 could in effect, preclude the completion of in-process adoptions under current law.  Article 56 states that all pending cases must register with the Central Authority within 30 days.  Given that the 3735 also requires the creation of a new entity as the Central Authority, we express our concern that a new entity may not be created with sufficient time to allow for the registration.  Joint Council calls on the Guatemalan Congress to amend Article 56  to clearly state the process by which registration will occur.  It is our recommendation that Article 56 and require all adoptions with Powers of Attorney as of December 30, 2007 to be registered with the PGN by January 31, 2008 as a condition for continuing the adoption process under current law. In the event the Guatemalan Congress does not vote or pass Bill # 3735, Joint Council calls on the Berger administration to issue a similar clarification of the process by which the government will process all pending adoption cases.  Joint Council urges the administration to permit and require all adoptions with Powers of Attorney as of December 30, 2007 to be registered with the PGN by January 31, 2008 as a condition for continuing the adoption process under current law.”
• 12/6/07 - The Asociacion Defensores De La Adopcion (ADA) posted and review of the Bill 3735 which is the revamped Ortega Law on 12/2/07.    It is more restrictive and has the same problems as the Ortega Law.  Here is the website: http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/.  Please pray that a better revision is approved than this one.
• 12/3/07 -  The JCICS announced today that “a new adoption law was introduced, through a first and second reading, into the Guatemalan Congress.  A final reading, review and vote, including possible amendments is currently scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2007.”
• 11/26/07 - The JCICS announced ”The expected introduction, reading and vote on an adoption law into the Guatemala Congress this week will not take place.  Joint Council has received reports that various protests outside of the Supreme Court, National Palace and Congress has resulted in a delay in the introduction.  Apparently there are now concerns that President Berger may veto the bill if passed.  It is our understanding that members of the Guatemalan Congress have requested a meeting with the Berger administration to ensure that if passed, President Berger will not veto the legislation.”  Please pray that the heart of President Berger will be changed.
• 11/19/07 - I confirmed with the JCICS that no legislation has been passed yet that would grandfather the cases in progress.  However, the JCICS said that are hopeful still that the cases in progress will be allowed to continue.  Please continue to pray that God will move this mountain!
• 11/8/07 - The US Department of State announced “Whether the Guatemalan government elects to implement the Hague Convention on December 31st or later in the spring of 2008, pending cases would not be affected if, as expected, the final legislation includes a transition provision that allows pending cases to be processed to conclusion under current law.”  (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3840.html)  Praise God!!!  However, the JCICS has not made any announcements to this effect yet.
• 11/7/07 - The JCICS reported “that members of the Guatemalan Congress, including numerous party chiefs, have submitted a new legislative proposal for implementing the Hague Convention.”  The proposed legislation includes a strong grandfather clause and designates April 30, 2008 as the effective implementation date of the Convention.  The new legislation is scheduled to be introduced to Congress early next week.  Please pray that this legislation is passed!
• 11/3/07 - The JCICS announced that the letters to Guatemalan President Oscar Berger and UNICEF were sent.  Here are links to the letters: http://www.jcics.org/BERGER%20Letter.pdf, http://www.jcics.org/UNICEF%20Letter.pdf
• 10/29/07  - The Guatemala 5000 Initiative has resulted in 203 Members of the United States Congress supporting the completion of all in-process adoptions via their signature on letters being sent today, October 31, 2007 to Guatemalan President Oscar Berger, UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman and UNICEF Guatemala Director Manuel Manrique.  The 203 Senators and Representatives represent the largest number in the 22 year history of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and the first time the Coalition has addressed UNICEF.
• 10/22/07 - The Joint Council on International Children’s Services issued another update:  http://www.jcics.org/Update%20(October%2022).pdf.  This one seems more positive.
• 10/15/2007 - The Joint Council on International Children’s Services issued the following update: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala_5000_Update.pdf
• 10/8/2007 - The Joint Council on International Children’s Services was able to get the State Department, the Hague Permanent Bureau, and UNICEF-Guatemala to support amending Bill 3217 to allow for continuing the adoption in progress.  Also, the Joint Council can confirm that an amendment to Bill # 3217, permitting the continuation of adoptions initiated under the current notorial and judicial laws, has been approved by the Children’s Committee in Guatemala and will be reviewed and voted on by the Guatemalan Congress.  This amendment, while a major step towards ensuring the completion of adoptions already in process, has not been passed by the Guatemalan Congress.  A vote on this and all other amendments should occur in early November 2007.   Please pray that the amendment allowing the adoptions to continue passes!  (http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm#)
• 10/5/2007 - Hague joins in supporting a transition period for in-process families to complete their adoptions. 
• 10/3/2007 - JCICS indicates that a Grandfather clause is likely, details not specific.
• 9/27/2007 - According to the U.S. Department of State, during a meeting of the international community sponsored by the Hague Permanent Bureau, the Berger administration announced the following: 
  • As of January 1, 2008, (the date the Hague Convention goes into force in Guatemala), all adoption cases must meet Hague standards.  This includes all pending (in-process) adoptions including those filed prior to January 1 2008.
  • As of January 1, 2008, Guatemala will not process adoptions for non-Hague countries including the U.S

  President Berger’s plans also would have the affect of suspending adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents.  If President Berger’s plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely.
  This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have lovingly chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala. We were encouraged to contact our US Senators, US House Representative,  UNICEF

• 9/26/2007 - Department of State issues warnings to US families adopting from Guatemala - “The Department of State urges American citizens not to commence an adoption process from Guatemala at this time because of impending changes in both US and Guatemalan adoption laws.”
• 9/25/2007 - Received first Progress Report and Photos
• 9/6/2007 - Referral! Dulce Maria Cuz Caal, born 9/1/2007 at 2:30 PM, weighing 7 lb. 8 oz., measuring 19 1/4 inches!
• 9/5/2007 - Dossier: Received TX Background check clearance
• 8/19/2007 - Received I-171H Approval form from CIS
• 8/10/2007 - Re-fingerprinted for TX Background check, mailed to TX DPS
• 8/10/2007 - Dossier: Received Reference Letters from 2 close friends
• 8/5/2007 - Dossier: Name Declarations Pages
• 8/3/2007 - Got fingerprinted by CIS
• 7/28/2007 - Dossier: Letters of Employment
• 7/28/2007 - Dossier: Homestudy written report received
• 7/22/2007 - Dossier: Two Affidavit letters
• 7/6/2007 - Submitted I-600, G-28, and Notarized Letter to Mr. Roma to Gladney in preparation for referral
• 6/29/2007 - Home study conducted
• 5/18/2007 - Got fingerprinted for TX Criminal Background Check — note: had to redo this one because of mixup with Fingerprinting results routing
• 5/14/2007 - Dossier: 8-10 color photos
• 5/14/2007 - Doctor Forms completed
• 5/7/2007 - Completed Gladney Application (Directions to home, Gladney App, Risk Forms,Reference Forms,Proof of Insurance, Child Preference Form,Notarized Agreement, Birth Certs, Marriage Certs, Sketch of Home, Pet Vaccination Forms)
• 5/4/2007 - Medical exams for Gladney App and Dossier
• 4/29/2007 - Chose KBS Dossiers for Dossier preparation
• 4/29/2007 - Reviewed Getting Started Document
• 4/26/2007 - Filed I-600A
• 4/23/2007 - Requested Gladney Application
• 4/23/2007 - Orientation call with Judy Hayes
• 4/17/2007 - Requested Birth Certificates
• 4/14/2007 - Attended Gladney Information Seminar
• 4/1/2007 - Filed Information Sheet with Gladney