Well, I called our agency representative on Monday like I said I would. I got someone in the department, who didn't know our names, where we were in the process, who our rep was.... and everyone was out to lunch. So, I left my number to have whoever call me back. They never did. Ummm.... not good.

So, I checked caller ID to make sure, and the machine of course. Then Tuesday I called in the afternoon..(giving a whole 1/2 day for them to attempt to call me back). They didn't so, I made the 2nd call. Again, the questions, "what is your name?" "How do you spell it?" (It's almost as easy as Smith) "Where are you in the adoption process?" Oh boy, I bit my tongue hard to be patient and polite. They transferred me to my representative, who of course began to apologize for not calling me back the day prior, saying she dropped the ball. My end ... silence. I had to consciously think don't say anything...because usually I'll say something inane like "That's okay", but in reality it was not okay with me. So, our rep informs me that a note on our former reps desk said our dossier was sent to Russia on August 13th. I immediately corrected that with August 3rd, and sent an email to back it up. Then she asks what we've requested to adopt.... Oh brother.... is their nothing there stating that? Really?! She gave me her contact information and then asked if there was anything else she could do for me today? I was very proud of myself for saying that I was disappointed in the lack of communication from the headquarters in St Louis. I was calling to find out if our dossier did indeed arrive in Russia, and if it was translated yet? Plus, I learned of the change in the Russian department, but no one had contacted me as of yet to inform me of it. Again I re-iterated that our communication and dealing with the satellite Nashville office has been stellar. I did all of this very professionally and politely, yet firmly. She heard me, and I think we have a new understanding of what communication will look like between the two of us.

So, that is the update on our agency. She did email the Moscow office and our dossier is there. It is not however, translated as of yet. I am not sure why they are waiting. For those of you who may not know... we are requesting two sibling girls under 4 years old or twins. When you request siblings our agency holds our dossier at the Moscow office until a referral is found in a specific region, and then they send it on. It can take 14 months or longer to find a sibling referral of girls. We are okay with that... (for now) lol!, but after we've been waiting 6-12 months well ask me again.

Please be praying for the children God has for us. Pray for protection for them, for their health, for the birth mother, and if they are in an orphanage already, pray for loving caregivers. Please also be praying for the accreditation to happen for our agency in Russia.