6 Months old and What happened at Court........

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Jakey! WE LOVE YOU!





This is a copy of the e-mail I received at about 10:30 this morning. I was standing in Meijers and wanted to yell, jump up and down, run around and then sit down and cry with Joy. Needless to say, I restrained myself but I sure was grinning like a fool.


We are so excited to tell you about this day. We worked in the nursery until it was time to go to court for Jake. His cooing and smiles are so heart-warming. He LOVES people. As people approach him he smiles with contentment. He is the friendliest baby in the nursery.

Before we went to court we went to our post office box and your documents were there!!!!! Your court hearing held no surprises. The judge asked the usual questions. Before she started the usual questioning she asked for your documents so PRAISE THE LORD we had the documents ready to hand in.

Jake's mom, sister, and grandmother were all present in court today. They seemed pleased with the compliments we gave them about Jake but they seemed more anxious to have the adoption just be completed. Even though they love Jake the adoption process is an inconvenience and they want it to be completed so they can 'move on'. They are waiting for their homestudy. They wanted us to do everything in our power to 'rush' the social workers in getting this homestudy completed.

Here is what still needs to happen in Taiwan (the blue is the time that lapses between each step):
- Birth mother/family homestudy visit
1 week
- His Hands homestudy visit (we speak on your behalf)
2-3 weeks
- Social worker writes a report summarizing her visit and sends it to the judge
2-3 weeks
- Judge makes a decision about your adoption petition based on all the evidence including the social worker's homestudy
2-3 weeks
- Judge sends out First Decree - this states that Jake is legally your son if neither party protests the decision within ten days - we have had Jake's mom sign a waiver of her right to protest
3-4 weeks
- Judge sends out Second Decree

The previous outline is a rough estimate. We have had experience where all of the previous steps have taken place within one month and other times these final steps have taken up to 4 months.

"The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;The Lord turn His face toward youand give you peace." Number 6:24-26
Praying for His peace as you continue to wait,

Trena and Holly

Playing with his buddy Owen.



Listening to Bible stories with his buddies, Owen and Jasper.