Adoption Update

Here is the latest in my adoption journey…..drum roll please!!!! I submitted my dossier this week!! Woohoo!! My dossier is now on it's way to Washington DC for authentication!!! This is a MAJOR step in my adoption journey!

For those of you who are not familiar with adoption lingo are probably wondering what a dossier is and what all of this means.....right? First of all, it is pronounced DAH-see-ay (um.....yes, I was mispronouncing it for quite a while!). A dossier is a collection of documents that are necessary to meet the legal requirements for adoption from a foreign country (Ethiopia for me!) as well as the immigration requirements of the U.S. government. A dossier represents you or you and your family (if you are married or single with children) to the foreign adoption authority.

So, what are the documents that are needed for a dossier? Basically, every legal document about you! Seriously! My wonderful adoption agency provided me with a LONG list of documents I needed. Here is an example of some of the required documents:

• Birth certificates for Cameron and me
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Homestudy report
• Homestudy agency license
• USCIS approval or Form I-171H (this is an EXTREMELY important form!)
• State criminal background (I'm as clean as it gets! Not even a parking ticket!)
• Medical report
• Power of attorney
• Reference letters
• Financial statements
• Copy of my passport
• Pictures of myself, Cameron, and our home

Whew! Long list right?! Well, that was only SOME of the required documents. YES, even more documents were required! All of the documents have to be authenticated. When you gather all of the required documents, you have to have them notarized....even things that you make a copy of such as my passport. After all of your documents are correctly notarized, the next step is to be apostilled by the Secretary of State. Apostille (pronounced AH-pah-steel) is a state level seal which verifies that the notary's commission has not expired. For me, getting my documents apostilled by my Secretary of State required three trips to Lincoln, Nebraska. I am so thankful to my cousin/sister/best friend Jameca for keeping me company on those trips to and from Lincoln!!! After becoming apostilled, my dossier was sent to my dossier coordinator in Maryland, then to Oregon, then to Washington, D.C., and then to ETHIOPIA!!! Right now my dossier is en route to Washington, D.C.!!! 

One thing I learned while in the Army was to make tons of copies of all paperwork! Two copies accompanied my dossier and the other copies will stay safe with me! As I put all of my documents into the small FedEx box, my heart raced with excitement and nervousness! This is really happening! Praise the Lord! I am one step closer to bringing her home!

Well, there you have it....the latest on my crazy journey to bring my daughter home! 

Thank you to all of you for your continued spiritual and financial support! I am constantly reminded that it takes a village!!!! Thank you for being part of my village!!!! Stay tuned for the next update!!! :)

Pinewood Derby

Cameron and I experienced our first Pinewood Derby last Saturday! This day proved to be one of excitement, disappointment, and life lessons. 

The morning of the derby, Cameron was so excited!! I was too (um...maybe a little bit more than Cameron)!! He was so excited to race his car that he worked so hard to create and to be with his friends! Once we pulled into the parking lot, the adrenaline was PUMPING!!! We quickly prayed, grabbed the car, and the graphite powder! (For those of you who do not know about racing pinewood derby cars...graphite powder looks like powder made from pencil lead and it is applied to the tires before racing). 

We anxiously awaited the results from the scale to make sure the car was under the required weight.....the weight rule is that the car has to be 5.0oz or LESS!!! Not a whole lot of weight to say the least!!!) Cameron and I both took a deep breath and waited for the magic number to appear....4.95oz!!! Whew! We are off to a fantastic start! 

The race consisted of 5 heats for each car. Cameron was so excited to hear his name being called when the line-up of cars was announced (there's something about hearing your name being announced!!!). He loved watching his prized car race down the track and to see his times flash on the screen! To make a long story short....Cameron did not place. The look of disappointment on his face crushed my heart. I had to remind my dear boy that it did not matter if he won or not, what was important is that he was able to create something and see it through to the end. It was important to be a good support and to congratulate the winners. It was important that he tried and never gave up. It was important to know that I was so proud of him regardless of a win or loss. And the most important lesson he learned was to praise God despite the outcome! Most times life lessons can only be learned and appreciated by experiencing them.

Despite not winning the race, Cameron did receive a medal for the "Most Realistic Derby Car"!!!!! Proud Mom Moment: hearing his name called, seeing him accept his medal, high-fiving me, and giving thanks to God!!!! Life lessons: He has learned to give God praise and that hard work does pay off! 

As we left the race, Cameron told me that he was happy that he won a medal but even happier that his good friend won a medal. I told him that it was really great that he was so happy for his friend. Cameron told me that he had been praying to God, asking for his friend to win something so his friend would not be sad. Cameron informed me that he always prays to God for his friends and his family. I asked him why he prays...Cameron proudly answered, "Because God loves me and listens". Of course this melted my heart....to hear my son praying for others. Wow! What a life lesson for me: to pray for others and not just myself....to put away my selfish ways and to put others before myself and to praise God whom all blessings flow regardless of the circumstance....once again the child shall lead them! Reflecting on this, I am reminded of the verse from Psalm 116:2 which says...."Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!" What a wonderful verse and a great way to end an exciting day!

A Boy Shall Lead Them......

So I have been meaning to post this......so here it goes!

Last Tuesday evening, Cameron and I were busy grocery shopping and talking (as usual!). While we were deciding on cereal boxes and apples (green versus red.....this can be a huge decision!) we talked about Lent and what each of us were planning to give up during the 40 days. I thought to my self....oh this should be really funny or interesting!! As we headed to the bakery section of the store, I asked Cameron if he was going to give up doughnuts for Lent. For those of you who do not know Cameron....Cameron LOVES, LOVES, LOVES DOUGHNUTS!!!!! Cameron just stared at me as if I was speaking a different language so I repeated myself. Apparently that was the WRONG thing to suggest! Ha! Who knew right?! Cameron told me that he could never, ever give up his "precious doughnuts"! I tried so hard to keep a straight face, trying to keep from laughing! I told him to think about what he wanted to give up for Lent and to let me know. Before leaving the grocery store, we decided to eat Chinese food (this grocery store offers hot and fresh Chinese food) for dinner. While eating Cameron announced that he FINALLY figured out what he was going to give up. Once again, I thought....oh this should be good! I thought he would say Lego building or chips......instead he told me that he was going to give up playing video games on his Wii. I asked him if he was sure because he loves Wii just as much, if not more than DOUGHNUTS (Wii is right up there with bacon!!!). Without hesitation, Cameron said that he was confident about his choice and said, "Mom, if Jesus suffered on the cross for me, than I can suffer for Him." I was blown away. In that moment, I was so proud of my little boy who is growing into young man determined to serve God!!!

I humbly realize that my son has become my teacher as I am reminded of the verse found in Isaiah 11:6 which says, "A little child shall lead them." I realize that Cameron was leading me in humility (Matthew 5:3). He was also pure in his mind, heart and deed. The Bible teaches us to possess the purity of children (Psalm 51:12; Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; Philippians 4:8). Cameron was sincere in his decision to give up something that would cause him to suffer as Jesus Christ suffered for us. A child says what he thinks, he does not camouflage or sugarcoat. A child tells the facts unlike adults who tend to be deceptive.Romans 12:9 tells us..."We need to be sincere in our love for one another." Cameron's love for Jesus is sincere and pure. Cameron was confident about his choice. I am reminded to have the same unwavering confidence in my heavenly Father (Philippians 4:19). I realize that Cameron is witnessing to me and reminding me of where all my blessings flow!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this treasured son of mine. I realize you have entrusted Cameron to me but I know he ultimately belongs to you. Like Hannah offered Samuel, I dedicate Cameron to you, Lord. I understand that Cameron is always within your care.

Help me, Lord, as a parent with my many weaknesses and imperfections. Give me strength and wisdom to raise Cameron within you Holy Word. Please help me to keep Cameron walking on the path which leads to eternal life with You. Help Cameron to overcome temptations of this world and the sin that would easily trap him. 

Please, God, send your Holy Spirit to guide him. Assist him in growing strong in wisdom, kindness, and love. May Cameron continue to serve you faithfully and have an intimate relationship with your Son, Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name,

Amen, Amen, Amen

My First Fundraiser!!!!

Are You Looking For a New Purse or Tote? An Easter or Mother’s Day Present? Do You Want to Help Bring Cameron’s Sister Home? Well….I Have a Solution for You! A Thirty-One PARTY!!!

Last month as I was busy helping Cameron make Valentine’s cards and writing out treatment plans for my patients, I was also surfing the internet looking for fundraisers to help with the cost of my adoption. I quickly found a Thirty-One consultant named Anne Little. Anne Little is a wonderful woman who donates all of the proceeds she makes for her Thirty-One parties to families currently going through the adoption process. How awesome is that??? Since I know several of you who LOVE Thirty-One products, I thought this would be an easy way for you to get involved in helping to bring Cameron’s sister home!

Anne and I have scheduled a 21 day Thirty-One party this month with all of the proceeds going towards bringing Cameron’s sister (aka my daughter!!!) HOME!!

Our shop opens today and will continue until March 25^th! To shop, please go to https://www.mythirtyone.com/AnneLittle/, click on “My Parties” and shop under Mathis Family Adoption Fundraiser. The special for the month of March is: for every $35 spent, you get one of five for half price! ****HOW TO ENTER A SPECIAL: Enter at least $35 in products at regular price. Then enter the item number of the tote you would like at half price followed by the letter “S” (4093S). It will show up in your cart at the special price.

My goal is that within the next 21 days, I will raise $1250 for my adoption! How can I do this? This can be accomplished by having $5000 of Thirty-One products sold! Would you please consider shopping at Thirty-One, sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter? Please continue to pray for Cameron and myself as I continue to raise funds to bring HER home!

Thank you so much!

Nicole

Well......here it is! My FIRST BLOG POST!

Welcome to themathisstory.blogspot.com! I am Nicole and I am excited to share my adoption journey with you! I can't believe I FINALLY have a blog! I have been entertaining the idea of starting a blog for quite a while now but have been so hesitant to start. I finally stepped out on faith and started my blog!!!! I have decided to start blogging as a way for friends and family to keep up with my life, Cameron, and my journey of adoption to bring my little girl home! This blog is definitely a work in progress.....just like me!! I am nervous and excited at the same time to start this blog but I hope you enjoy this journey, I like to call life, with me! Hold on tight, here we go!!!!!