Update

I was informed by a friend that I'm not doing so great a job at keeping updates updated! (and I thank her for the reminder!) So, here's where we stand.

Our last meeting with the social worker was last Wednesday. She told us that she should have the homestudy completed by Friday (4/1). When that is completed, Kyle and I have to take it down to the USCIS office in New Orleans, get fingerprinted and wait for approval from them (immigration). We will also have all of our paperwork together and sent off to the secretary of state (in MS) 1st, then to the embassy in Miami 2nd. Once all that is back in our hands, we send it to our agency in TX and wait for a referral. I am estimating that by the end of May or beginning of June we should know who our daughter is, medical background, and birthdate. We will get to go visit soon after that for a few days. Then, 3-5 months later, we will be able to bring her home!

We will also begin applying for grants after our homestudy is complete. Please keep praying for this. We are in huge need of financial help and haven't been hearing very many people actually getting these grants. But, they go to someone, so we are praying that God will guide us to at least one that can help out with the cost.

Keep checking back. I promise to be more faithful in keeping this up!

We completed our medical forms today. I have to go back tomorrow to get the kids redone. I took their letters up there, but forgot it was supposed to be on the dr.'s letterhead! I thought I was on top of all this, but that small detail slipped my mind!

We'll also get fingerprinted to send to the state for police clearance. AFter that, we'll just be waiting on the homestudy to be finished (which I wish the social worker would get done with), and our FBI/state clearance letters. Then, this paperwork should be done with!

It's getting closer!

I new I'd be a slacker on keeping this up-to-date. We are well underway with the paperchase of adoption. I sent our I-600A last week, but just found out it will probably be sent back to us. Seems the New Orleans USCIS needs the completed homestudy to accompany the application. we'll wait and see. The good news is we can take it down there in person and be fingerprinted the same day!

I send our FBI clearance off today and will take care of our medical forms, state police clearance, and witness statements next week. The only thing we'll be waiting on next week is our social worker to finish up our homestudy and the clearance letters to return.

I know waiting will only get harder as we go along. I'm so impatient and want everything done yesterday.

We're still not sure how the money is going to come, but are trusting that God will provide. I'm brainstorming different fundraising ideas, but not sure that they would be supported too well. I'm also hesitant about asking people for money, but we'll do what we have to do!