I have had more than just a few readers ask me when we are traveling and what is next in the process until Sweetie Pie and Sissy come home. We are just awaiting our I-800A to be processed and approved by USCIS. Then we will beable to travel at our earliest convenience for our first of three trips to Latvia. We are looking forward to this being before Thanksgiving.
My apologies to all of you dear friends who enjoy keeping up with our adventures via this Blog. I admit I have been absent from cyberspace for quite a while, but I have several great reasons..........Five boys, a husband, two beagles, homeschooling and two highschoolers on Fall varsity teams. Hopefully, I will be more attentive to this Blog when we travel.
Lots of Love,
Theresa
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Mountains need moving
I would like to thank everyone who has been keeping our adoption process in prayer. We are moving right along with the process and hope to travel in the next 2-3 months. We are committing the entire cost of this adoption to prayer. We have now held 4 fundraisers and were blessed with volunteers to assist us with each.
Our greatest need still remains to raise a large amount in a short time as each stage of the adoption process requires funding. We are now in the most need of angel donors to partner with us to give these little girls a loving home and family to call their own. If you or someone you know would like to be an anonymous angel donor, please contact Kayron Paramore at Disability Connections, our non-profit sponsor. Karen will provide you with a tax voucher to use for your charitable giving. The number to Disability Connections is 478-741-1425. The address is 170 College Street. Macon, GA 31201. Please place "Wollschlager Adoption" in the memo line if you are using a check. Please pass the link to this Blog on to anyone you know that might be interested in helping.
Our greatest need still remains to raise a large amount in a short time as each stage of the adoption process requires funding. We are now in the most need of angel donors to partner with us to give these little girls a loving home and family to call their own. If you or someone you know would like to be an anonymous angel donor, please contact Kayron Paramore at Disability Connections, our non-profit sponsor. Karen will provide you with a tax voucher to use for your charitable giving. The number to Disability Connections is 478-741-1425. The address is 170 College Street. Macon, GA 31201. Please place "Wollschlager Adoption" in the memo line if you are using a check. Please pass the link to this Blog on to anyone you know that might be interested in helping.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
YEAH!!!!!! We received our FBI clearance!!!
I am so impatient some days that it was making me slightly crazy to think of waiting until tomorrow to call the FBI again and find out if they would expedite our clearances. God knew that I could not wait and I really wonder how hard he was laughing when I was trying to convince my self two more days were not a big deal. Getting to the point....... I called the contact yesterday named "K" that I had befriended last Wednesday(it had at least been a full week that I contained myself). She happily announced that we had been cleared on July 30th and gave me the FedEx tracking number. "They should already be at the adoption agency", were comforting words to hear.
Next step, our home study will be written and delivered to us so we can send in our I-800A and get the next level of clearances and approval so that we may travel for our little girls.
Next step, our home study will be written and delivered to us so we can send in our I-800A and get the next level of clearances and approval so that we may travel for our little girls.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Hurry up and wait!!!
In the wonderful world of International Adoptions, we have learned the expression "hurry up and wait" so well that we become skilled at it. I'm not sure this is a good thing. I much prefer the steady pace where we pray for wisdom and God's guidance at every step of this process. I find that when I do this, I am not so stressed out and everything happens in God's timing whether or not I have to hurry and complete a task or wait for results.
This week was a perfect example. I was feeling anxious about the fact that the FBI is taking excessivly long to process fingerprint cards, as long as 12-13 weeks(unless you live in one of those great states that also do Live Scan electronic transmission to the FBI) Georgia is not one of them, they only do Live Scan for the state clearance. After calling the Central Processing Center in Virginia twice in the last week and being told that we were not showing in the system yet, I was really not a happy camper. Our prints had been received according to my certified return receipt on June 24th, which means we have another 8 weeks/2 months to wait possibly. This means our homestudy will pend being complete until then and we would also have to wait to send in our I-800A to USCIS for their approval. I was determined I had to do something, so yesterday evening I started to Google my predicament (you know we are never alone in our circumstances) and yep, there was an entry by another couple living in Georgia waiting and waiting and frustrated. I think their's may have been a domestic adoption, but, you get the point. Apparantly, their social worker had suggested that they drive a couple of hours to Tennessee and have the Live Scan done to get the results back in 5-10 business days. There was not a follow-up post so I do not know if they did it and the end result, but it sure sounded like a great plan.
So this morning as soon as I could, I called the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to make sure there were no hoops for residents of other states to jump through. If we were going to pack up the boys and take a day trip to Chattanooga, it had to be a successful venture. Well, the scoop is that "they can no longer do this for non-residents." Sounds like there were many others trying to honestly beat this crazy system too and someone figured out that it might be too efficient for the government to handle. Seriously, who in the Georgia Department of Whatever, decided that transmitting fingerprints electronically to obtain both state and federal level clearance at the same time was not an incredibly amazing idea! For sure not an adoptive parent!
O.k., now that I have vented about how my plan did not work, here is how God's plan is superior as always...........Mk 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
God knows I am persistant, but I want only His will to be done. So I decided to call the FBI processing center one more time to see if I was missing something or if this 12 week thing was a done deal. I was connected with an agent I will call K. and I asked her if it did not make a difference any more that we wrote EXPEDITE/INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION on the front of our envelope. I shared with her that in 2007 when we adopted our three sons that this was the process and we got our results in 3 weeks as opposed to the 8 weeks that it was taking back then.
She then told me that it did not make a difference any longer. Then she paused and asked me if we had "waiting children". I said, "oh yes, we have two little girls that our waiting for their family to come get them." She asked me what country and took down all of our information along with the name and address of our homestudy adoption agency. She asked me if I had my tracking number from my certified mail receipt and I gave it to her. She told me the words that comforted my heart, "We will track your cards down and work on expediting the clearance" She told me I could call her next Friday to get an update and hopefully news that our results were being sent to our caseworker. What a wonderful plan, God's plan. Thanks be to God!
This week was a perfect example. I was feeling anxious about the fact that the FBI is taking excessivly long to process fingerprint cards, as long as 12-13 weeks(unless you live in one of those great states that also do Live Scan electronic transmission to the FBI) Georgia is not one of them, they only do Live Scan for the state clearance. After calling the Central Processing Center in Virginia twice in the last week and being told that we were not showing in the system yet, I was really not a happy camper. Our prints had been received according to my certified return receipt on June 24th, which means we have another 8 weeks/2 months to wait possibly. This means our homestudy will pend being complete until then and we would also have to wait to send in our I-800A to USCIS for their approval. I was determined I had to do something, so yesterday evening I started to Google my predicament (you know we are never alone in our circumstances) and yep, there was an entry by another couple living in Georgia waiting and waiting and frustrated. I think their's may have been a domestic adoption, but, you get the point. Apparantly, their social worker had suggested that they drive a couple of hours to Tennessee and have the Live Scan done to get the results back in 5-10 business days. There was not a follow-up post so I do not know if they did it and the end result, but it sure sounded like a great plan.
So this morning as soon as I could, I called the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to make sure there were no hoops for residents of other states to jump through. If we were going to pack up the boys and take a day trip to Chattanooga, it had to be a successful venture. Well, the scoop is that "they can no longer do this for non-residents." Sounds like there were many others trying to honestly beat this crazy system too and someone figured out that it might be too efficient for the government to handle. Seriously, who in the Georgia Department of Whatever, decided that transmitting fingerprints electronically to obtain both state and federal level clearance at the same time was not an incredibly amazing idea! For sure not an adoptive parent!
O.k., now that I have vented about how my plan did not work, here is how God's plan is superior as always...........Mk 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
God knows I am persistant, but I want only His will to be done. So I decided to call the FBI processing center one more time to see if I was missing something or if this 12 week thing was a done deal. I was connected with an agent I will call K. and I asked her if it did not make a difference any more that we wrote EXPEDITE/INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION on the front of our envelope. I shared with her that in 2007 when we adopted our three sons that this was the process and we got our results in 3 weeks as opposed to the 8 weeks that it was taking back then.
She then told me that it did not make a difference any longer. Then she paused and asked me if we had "waiting children". I said, "oh yes, we have two little girls that our waiting for their family to come get them." She asked me what country and took down all of our information along with the name and address of our homestudy adoption agency. She asked me if I had my tracking number from my certified mail receipt and I gave it to her. She told me the words that comforted my heart, "We will track your cards down and work on expediting the clearance" She told me I could call her next Friday to get an update and hopefully news that our results were being sent to our caseworker. What a wonderful plan, God's plan. Thanks be to God!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Applebees Flapjack Fundraiser
We had a wonderful time yesterday at our Flapjack Fundraiser. Thank you to all of our guests and the many of you who could not be present, but bought a ticket and donated to our adoption fund. I am always amazed by how God weaves every detail of life into a beautiful tapestry that contains different threads and colors for each of us, but when we come together in fellowship and share our common love for Him, all of our colors blend and match into a design we could have never created on our own.
We hope to schedule another Flapjack Event in October and hopefully will have had our first trip to Latvia to bring our new daughters home.
We hope to schedule another Flapjack Event in October and hopefully will have had our first trip to Latvia to bring our new daughters home.
Psalm 37:7
I love God's word! I especially love it when He uses it to comfort us and speak to us at the times we need to hear His voice the most. I was sharing with a friend who asked what she could pray for specifically with regards to our adoption process and also the sale of our house that is currently on the market. After I gave her a detailed list, she said, "I have something I think God wants me to share with you."
She wrote on a bright orange post-it note the following scripture passage: "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."
Psalm 37:7
I do not always hear exactly what I would like to, especially when I am anxious for certain things to take place, but God always lovingly tells me what I need to hear. I am so grateful that I have a Father that knows me so well and provides exactly what I need at every moment and for each season of change.
I have treasured this little orange post-it with such wisdom and that comforts me and reminds me He is in charge of every detail.
Knowing that I am "In His presence", the waiting is not so hard, it is the "being still" part that I am working on.
She wrote on a bright orange post-it note the following scripture passage: "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."
Psalm 37:7
I do not always hear exactly what I would like to, especially when I am anxious for certain things to take place, but God always lovingly tells me what I need to hear. I am so grateful that I have a Father that knows me so well and provides exactly what I need at every moment and for each season of change.
I have treasured this little orange post-it with such wisdom and that comforts me and reminds me He is in charge of every detail.
Knowing that I am "In His presence", the waiting is not so hard, it is the "being still" part that I am working on.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy Fourth of July!!
We had a wonderful day yesterday at our 4th of July fundraiser. We had a booth at the Powder Springs 4th of July Celebration and it was our most attended event thus far. You may see some pictures by visiting our ministry Blog at
Now we are getting geared up for the Applebees Flapjack Fundraiser. Please send your ticket requests in for this event by July 14th as I must give a head count to Applebees by the 15th.
The breakfast is hearty and includes beverage of your choice.
Tickets are $7.50 each
There are two seatings 8-9:00am and 9:00-10:00am.
Please specify when requesting tickets which seating you would like to attend.
Patrons who attend the fundraiser will also want to have the "apple" on their ticket punched by their server to enjoy the added benefit of $5.oo off your next visit to Applebees. It's really a wonderful deal for everyone.
Our goal is to sell the maximum tickets allowed of 400. Please help us achieve our goal by inviting your family and friends to join us. As always you are free to pass the link to our Blog on.
To request tickets for this event please mail a check or money order payable to Theresa Wollschlager 2332 Targa Lane SW Marietta, GA 30064. Please include a phone number and/or e-mail so that I can confirm receipt of your order. I will send tickets promptly upon receipt of all requests received by the 14th.
Now we are getting geared up for the Applebees Flapjack Fundraiser. Please send your ticket requests in for this event by July 14th as I must give a head count to Applebees by the 15th.
The breakfast is hearty and includes beverage of your choice.
Tickets are $7.50 each
There are two seatings 8-9:00am and 9:00-10:00am.
Please specify when requesting tickets which seating you would like to attend.
Patrons who attend the fundraiser will also want to have the "apple" on their ticket punched by their server to enjoy the added benefit of $5.oo off your next visit to Applebees. It's really a wonderful deal for everyone.
Our goal is to sell the maximum tickets allowed of 400. Please help us achieve our goal by inviting your family and friends to join us. As always you are free to pass the link to our Blog on.
To request tickets for this event please mail a check or money order payable to Theresa Wollschlager 2332 Targa Lane SW Marietta, GA 30064. Please include a phone number and/or e-mail so that I can confirm receipt of your order. I will send tickets promptly upon receipt of all requests received by the 14th.
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