Packet from AAI

In today's mail we received our first packet from AAI! This is the "welcome" packet, which consists of contracts and forms for us to fill out. We have a list of things we need to return to AAI asap, in order for us to be considered "active clients" and to get the ball rolling. Here are the things on the list:

Marriage certificate, Insurance letter (confirming coverage for adopted child), Letter of Commitment, Family photo, Family Questionnaire, Communication form, Release of Homestudy form, and the Adoption Processing fee for the agency ($1800).

The Letter of Commitment is kind of neat. Our agency requires that all families participate in some way to care for the children who are left in the orphanage who may not/will not be adopted. We are expected to commit to some kind of help for these children; whether it be monthly financial assistance, donating supplies, offering skills/talents, etc. I look forward to figuring out how we are going to help in this area. I know for sure that I want to bring as many supplies as possible with us for the orphanage when we travel. I have thought about getting our young married group to help donate items, or encouraging donation items in lieu of baby shower gifts. Anyway, Brian and I will have fun praying about this one to see how God leads us.

Also in the packet was a book as part of our "required reading" called Raising Adopted Children. I look forward to learning about a lot of the general situations with adoption, and down the road will study deeper into bi-racial adoptions.