MOVING ON UP

After a month of wondering, we did receive notice from our caseworker that we have moved up the waiting list.  She just sent us an email that said  . . .


Today, I wanted to pass along your updated waitlist numbers for April.  This month you are officially #138 on the girl’s list, #117 on the boy’s list, and #54 on the sibling’s list.  


So, while we continue to wait, it is reassuring to know things are in motion and somewhere out there a child (perhaps still unborn) is being prepared to be a part of our family.  In the meanwhile, we will continue to pray for God's provision and timing.  We also continue to talk to Tarek and Niah about their little brother or sister from Ethiopia.  Niah just recently started trying to say Ethiopia.  Thankfully we have some time for him to work on that:)

We're on the list . . . 3 different times

Well, the whole process of paperwork, more paperwork, being fingerprinted like we had committed a crime, and then filling out more paperwork is over for now.  We have submitted our dossier to All God's Children and it has been officially reviewed and accepted.  We also received our favorable determination letter from the government soon after we were fingerprinted.  This means that everything that we need to move forward is in and accepted.

Since we are on the waiting list, our next step will be to receive a referral.  This will be a while, though.  We are number 141 on the list for a girl, number 122 on the list for a boy, and number 56 on the list for siblings.  The projected timeline is 19-20 months to receive a referral.

We will receive an update each month as to where we fall on the waiting list.  As we wait, we plan to spend the coming months preparing what we can to have an additional member (or members:)) in our family.  We are going to try to move the boys into the same bedroom and build some bunk beds.   This may be as much or more of an adjustment than a new child!

Wait . . . Check the Mail . . . Wait . . . Check the Mail . . .

That's pretty much where we are in the process.  We finally got our homestudy approved and were able to submit an application to be fingerprinted by Homeland Security.  We received a letter stating that our application had been received and that they will send us an appointment date in the next month or so.  Until we get that appointment, we really can't do anything else.  Once the appointment is made we will be able to send in our dossier (legal paperwork).  Once our dossier has been approved, then we will officially be on the waiting list.  At that point we will have a better idea of a time frame moving forward.

For those of you who are praying for us, you could pray for the following:
1.  Patience :)
2.  Continued financial resources (God has provided in amazing ways already!)
3.  Wisdom in helping Tarek and Niah to understand and prepare for the upcoming changes.

The bank's got all the money you need

Our house appraised about where we thought it would and we were able to get all the paperwork completed for a home equity line of credit.  So, that means that any day now we'll be sending in the down payment along with all of the contracts.  So, the next step is to wait for all of the paperwork to come.  Our goal is to have that phase complted by year end.  We'll see if that's possible.  Fortunately we have everything from Tarek's adoption that we can use for cheat sheets so it should be a lot easier this time. 

PTL!!

Jamie received an email last night from AGCI (our adoption agency - http://www.allgodschildren.org/) that since we are adopting for the second time, the cost is reduced by $2,300.  It's amazing how God has already started to provide just as He did during Tarek's adoption.

Here We Go Again

Jamie and I have always planned on adopting again.  We just didn't know when.  Over the past months, the Lord has impressed upon our hearts that it is time to take action and begin the process of adopting another child from Ethiopia.  The process looks like it will take a little longer this time - probably two years or so.  We have submitted the application, so things should start happening soon.  We will post updates as things happen.  We appreciate your prayers as we embark on this exciting journey once again!