Today was one of the more exciting days so far in our journey to Ethiopia.
We received news from both our dossier service and our caseworker that
we have been officially placed on the waiting list. What does that mean?
Well, now the wait begins. Up until now it has been a mixture of gathering
information, filling out mounds of paperwork, and giving FedEx a good
amount of business.
The most recent data leads our agency to estimate a 4-6 month wait from this
point for a referral.
J
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Blessings
I am just so amazed and blessed by our friends. We have such an amazing church family that supports us and has continued to pray for us through our adoption process. Today was one of those days that we just felt so blessed to be here (tcabc.com) and have the friendships that we do. God never ceases to amaze me in how he is a Faithful God and a Loving God!
Please continue to pray that our I-171H arrives soon. Once it does we will send it in and be on the waiting list! Praise Jesus!
S
Please continue to pray that our I-171H arrives soon. Once it does we will send it in and be on the waiting list! Praise Jesus!
S
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
CIS Fingerprints and Ethiopian Dinner
Yesterday we were scheduled to go to OKC for our appointment with USCIS. We received the the letter about 4 weeks in advance. At first we were pretty bummed out in that it was going to be on a random Tuesday. A week or so later, we received an e-mail from Gladney letting us know that they were planning a special Ethiopian dinner in Ft. Worth. Well, that's when we knew that we were given that Tuesday date for a reason. Under normal circumstances we probably would not of taken off of work and drove down to Ft. Worth, but since we were already going to be half way there by going to OKC; we went on down.
The USCIS appointment was pretty low key. I guess they send out appointments in blocks throughout the day. We were the 11:00 AM group. I was warned by a co-worker who has gone over there for fingerprints not to worry about getting in early, as they do not let you in early. Well, she was not kidding. We arrived at 10:41 AM (they had a cheap digital clock right in front of the metal detector). He advised us, after looking at our appointment letter, that we would have to wait outside until 10:45. Finally, the 4 minutes passed and he gave us the hand motion to come on in. We went through security, then went to the fingerprint appointment room. We were the first in, so right after 11:00 they called us back for processing. Please keep in mind that we have already had our fingerprints taken in Tulsa and they were sent off to the FBI for a criminal background check. Apparently FBI and USCIS/Homeland Security do not talk. So, we had to drive over to our "local" USCIS office for the biometric fingerprint scanning. The technicians were very friendly to both Sarah and I, even asking us about the adoption process and what country we were adopting from. After the couple of minutes of swiping our fingers across a flatbed scanner, we were done. Next stop was BJ's in Norman for an awesome pizza for lunch!
That afternoon we drove on to Ft. Worth to attend the Ethiopian dinner at Gladney's campus. This was our first time to be at the office, and were very impressed (not only with the building, but most of all the staff). Not only did we get the chance to meet Gladney staff that have already helped us out in the process (Tonia Anderson), but also were able to meet with our caseworker (Mary Thottukadavil). Belay Tafesse, In-Country Coordinator for the Ethiopia Program, and Travis and Joanna Norwood, In-Country representatives were in the United States for the past couple of weeks. In addition, we were pleased to have Ato Jima, Head of the Associations’ Registrations Office with the Ministry of Justice, and Ato Desalegn Berhe, President of the Federal First Instance Court of Ethiopia. Both of these gentlemen hold leadership positions in the Ethiopian government. In fact, Ato Desalegn Berhe has almost 80 judges who report to him. These judges are the ones that review the adoption cases. It was an honor to get to meet with them at the dinner. While Belay was in Ft. Worth, he was asked to appear on a "Good Morning Texas" interview. I have attached the link here: http://www.wfaa.com/video/nspparent-index.html?nvid=288305&shu=1
All in all, we were in thr carheading out that morning around 8:30 AM, and did not return home until around 2:45AM!
We hope to get our I-171H letter in the next few weeks, as at that time we will be on the "official" waiting list.
JW
The USCIS appointment was pretty low key. I guess they send out appointments in blocks throughout the day. We were the 11:00 AM group. I was warned by a co-worker who has gone over there for fingerprints not to worry about getting in early, as they do not let you in early. Well, she was not kidding. We arrived at 10:41 AM (they had a cheap digital clock right in front of the metal detector). He advised us, after looking at our appointment letter, that we would have to wait outside until 10:45. Finally, the 4 minutes passed and he gave us the hand motion to come on in. We went through security, then went to the fingerprint appointment room. We were the first in, so right after 11:00 they called us back for processing. Please keep in mind that we have already had our fingerprints taken in Tulsa and they were sent off to the FBI for a criminal background check. Apparently FBI and USCIS/Homeland Security do not talk. So, we had to drive over to our "local" USCIS office for the biometric fingerprint scanning. The technicians were very friendly to both Sarah and I, even asking us about the adoption process and what country we were adopting from. After the couple of minutes of swiping our fingers across a flatbed scanner, we were done. Next stop was BJ's in Norman for an awesome pizza for lunch!
That afternoon we drove on to Ft. Worth to attend the Ethiopian dinner at Gladney's campus. This was our first time to be at the office, and were very impressed (not only with the building, but most of all the staff). Not only did we get the chance to meet Gladney staff that have already helped us out in the process (Tonia Anderson), but also were able to meet with our caseworker (Mary Thottukadavil). Belay Tafesse, In-Country Coordinator for the Ethiopia Program, and Travis and Joanna Norwood, In-Country representatives were in the United States for the past couple of weeks. In addition, we were pleased to have Ato Jima, Head of the Associations’ Registrations Office with the Ministry of Justice, and Ato Desalegn Berhe, President of the Federal First Instance Court of Ethiopia. Both of these gentlemen hold leadership positions in the Ethiopian government. In fact, Ato Desalegn Berhe has almost 80 judges who report to him. These judges are the ones that review the adoption cases. It was an honor to get to meet with them at the dinner. While Belay was in Ft. Worth, he was asked to appear on a "Good Morning Texas" interview. I have attached the link here: http://www.wfaa.com/video/nspparent-index.html?nvid=288305&shu=1
All in all, we were in thr carheading out that morning around 8:30 AM, and did not return home until around 2:45AM!
We hope to get our I-171H letter in the next few weeks, as at that time we will be on the "official" waiting list.
JW
Monday, August 25, 2008
Gladney Approved & Final Copy of Home Study
Came home today and found a FedEx package on the door step. Inside was a certificate stating Sarah and I were officially approved for adoptive placement! In addition were two copies of our home study. One for our files, and another to be used in our dossier packet.
While this certificate does NOT place us on the waiting list for referral, it does put us one step closer. The home study was the last thing we needed for our I600-A application. We hope to get a letter in a few weeks with a date for us to travel to Oklahoma City (CIS)for fingerprints. Once we receive CIS approval (I-171H), we can then take all the paperwork we have compiled and send off for authentication. Once the paperwork has been authenticated on the U.S. side, we will then be on the "waiting list".
As we continue along in the process we will explain the process in more detail, and give more specific updates.
J
While this certificate does NOT place us on the waiting list for referral, it does put us one step closer. The home study was the last thing we needed for our I600-A application. We hope to get a letter in a few weeks with a date for us to travel to Oklahoma City (CIS)for fingerprints. Once we receive CIS approval (I-171H), we can then take all the paperwork we have compiled and send off for authentication. Once the paperwork has been authenticated on the U.S. side, we will then be on the "waiting list".
As we continue along in the process we will explain the process in more detail, and give more specific updates.
J
God is so good...
We had our home study July 22nd. It was fantastic. It has been such an amazing process for Jonathan and I to walk through with God. Through this our faith and trust in God has continued to increase. Through prayer God has continued to show us that this is the exact and perfect plan that he has for our lives. This is exactly how our family is supposed to be formed.
The home study took around 3 hours. I was nervous about what to say, do, etc. I had the cookies and lemonade set out and the house just right. I have no idea why I get nervous about things because God calmed my nerves once we answered the door. The lady was so sweet. She first visited with both of us for an hour and a half, then she visited with me for thirty minutes, then Jonathan for thirty minutes, for the last 30 minutes we were back together then showed her around the house.
To get this day and time was because of God. My birthday was the Saturday before and it couldn't be before that for age requirements. When she called she said that she was available July 22nd or July 23rd, besides that we were going to have to wait a while. July 23rd was not a good option because we were going out of town that day. So PRAISE GOD it was the soonest after my birthday to continue to keep everything moving smoothly and we were able to meet with her on July 22nd at 3pm.
Another little thing that God did to make me more at ease was one of the first questions she asked. What was one of your favorite childhood memories? I answered, "family vacation, actually we are leaving tomorrow for one". She asked where and I told her New Braunfels to go to Schlitterbahn. She became very excited and said that she had just returned from there two days before! She wanted to talk all about all of the things to do there. It was a great ice breaker!
During the home study she asked about our family, growing up, jobs, spouse, child raising, lots and lots of questions about children. Once we received the home study back about a month later it was our entire lives in 9 pages. I never knew that our 49 years combined of life (25 for me, 24 for him) could fit on 9 pages.
No matter how perfect I tried to have everything that day, it really didn't matter. God was in control and I should have known that. After we walked her out and let out a big sigh of relief since we have been waiting on our home study to be done for a year and a half Jonathan started laughing. I have been wanting to get something new to put up on our mantle and in the spot that I have been trying to fill sat the Pledge bottle. Oh well! God is Good!
S
The home study took around 3 hours. I was nervous about what to say, do, etc. I had the cookies and lemonade set out and the house just right. I have no idea why I get nervous about things because God calmed my nerves once we answered the door. The lady was so sweet. She first visited with both of us for an hour and a half, then she visited with me for thirty minutes, then Jonathan for thirty minutes, for the last 30 minutes we were back together then showed her around the house.
To get this day and time was because of God. My birthday was the Saturday before and it couldn't be before that for age requirements. When she called she said that she was available July 22nd or July 23rd, besides that we were going to have to wait a while. July 23rd was not a good option because we were going out of town that day. So PRAISE GOD it was the soonest after my birthday to continue to keep everything moving smoothly and we were able to meet with her on July 22nd at 3pm.
Another little thing that God did to make me more at ease was one of the first questions she asked. What was one of your favorite childhood memories? I answered, "family vacation, actually we are leaving tomorrow for one". She asked where and I told her New Braunfels to go to Schlitterbahn. She became very excited and said that she had just returned from there two days before! She wanted to talk all about all of the things to do there. It was a great ice breaker!
During the home study she asked about our family, growing up, jobs, spouse, child raising, lots and lots of questions about children. Once we received the home study back about a month later it was our entire lives in 9 pages. I never knew that our 49 years combined of life (25 for me, 24 for him) could fit on 9 pages.
No matter how perfect I tried to have everything that day, it really didn't matter. God was in control and I should have known that. After we walked her out and let out a big sigh of relief since we have been waiting on our home study to be done for a year and a half Jonathan started laughing. I have been wanting to get something new to put up on our mantle and in the spot that I have been trying to fill sat the Pledge bottle. Oh well! God is Good!
S
Monday, August 11, 2008
Waiting for rough draft of home study......
We are finally up and running....... Let us say from the start that we are not blog experts. We do not know the correct lingo, formats, etc. We just wanted to use this as a tool to keep all of our friends and family in the loop as we continue moving forward.
So stay tuned...
J
So stay tuned...
J
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