Just wanted to give a very quick update -- the Embassy interview went smoothly on 1/14! The very next day we received an email from Embassy that the i-604 investigation was complete. We were told it could take 1-2 weeks for our PAIR letter to arrive, but we were thrilled to receive it 1/20. What does this all mean? We have been CLEARED on the United States side of things. We are waiting on only ONE thing - MOWCYA approval.
Our original MOWCYA date was back on 10/29. It did not happen that day, and instead we were made aware of several documents we needed to redo and resubmit. Since then, we have not heard of a new MOWCYA date. Many other families from our agency have had theirs, so we are hopeful we hear something soon. We have no sense of a timeline, because EVERYTHING is contingent on MOWCYA. If the review date is soon, and they approve, we could travel 1-2 weeks after that!!!! We are praying that we hear something soon! Please join us! We so badly want to meet our sweet A!
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Latest
It's been almost 3 months since my last blog update, and since then we have had to re-do more documents, pay more bills, and mostly just continue to "hurry up and wait." In an effort to keep this update somewhat short, I'll just do a timeline of sorts of what's been going on. To make things easier to understand, keep in mind that anything to do with "PAIR" involves the investigations on the part of the United States, and anything with "MOWCYA" deals with the Ethiopia side of things.
11/1/14 - Received an RFE (Request for Evidence) from USCIS.
11/19/14 - MOWCYA is requiring new POA (Power of Attorney) paperwork that needs to be notarized, state certified, and authenticated. We immediately got it notarized and sent it to be state certified.
11/25/14 - our new POA arrived at our agency. They take it to the State Department & Ethiopian Embassy to be authenticated.
12/2/14 - received a grant from the RubyMyles Fund!!!!
12/5/14 - POA sent to Ethiopia
12/10/14 - documents needed for RFE received and immediately printed off & sent to USCIS
12/21/14 - received our updated i-171h (this had expired in mid-November) - need to notarize, certify, & authenticate a copy.
12/23/14 - received notification of PAIR filing - our case has moved to Embassy
1/2/15 - received certified i-171h and sent to agency to be authenticated.
1/5/15 - received request from Embassy to set up interview with relinquishing relative/finder.
- also received notice that MOWCYA is requesting another new document - agency's commitment to post-placement services. This is something that our agency's Pennsylvania office will fill out & get notarized. MOWCYA is not requiring us to certify & authenticate this!!
1/6/15 - notified that Embassy interview will take place 1/14.
- also on 1/6, received notice that MOWCYA is also requesting new application letters. We needed to write a new letter & have it notarized, but do not need to certify & authenticate. MOWCYA is allowing copies (for a limited time) so we can scan it immediately to AWAA.
1/10/15 - Travel vaccines
1/12/15 - received notarized Agency Commitment to Post Adoption Services, scanned & emailed to AWAA.
That pretty much brings us up to date! Lots of redoing documents, which always means lots of money! We are so thankful that our grant from the RubyMyles Fund covered it all! And isn't it neat that we found out about it on the 3rd anniversary of when all our paperwork was originally sent to Ethiopia? :)
Our i-171h is in the process of being authenticated, and should be on it's way to Ethiopia on Friday! We are still waiting to hear when our MOWCYA date will be rescheduled from it's original date of 10/29.
TOMORROW, at 5am our time (1pm Ethiopian time) a very important interview will be taking place at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. If all goes well and no RFEs are requested, we could be completing the PAIR process within the next 1-2 weeks! We are very cautiously optimistic that we will hear good news tomorrow, but there is always a possibility an interview will not be able to take place. Please pray along with us that a favorable interview happens tomorrow!
11/1/14 - Received an RFE (Request for Evidence) from USCIS.
11/19/14 - MOWCYA is requiring new POA (Power of Attorney) paperwork that needs to be notarized, state certified, and authenticated. We immediately got it notarized and sent it to be state certified.
11/25/14 - our new POA arrived at our agency. They take it to the State Department & Ethiopian Embassy to be authenticated.
12/2/14 - received a grant from the RubyMyles Fund!!!!
12/5/14 - POA sent to Ethiopia
12/10/14 - documents needed for RFE received and immediately printed off & sent to USCIS
12/21/14 - received our updated i-171h (this had expired in mid-November) - need to notarize, certify, & authenticate a copy.
12/23/14 - received notification of PAIR filing - our case has moved to Embassy
1/2/15 - received certified i-171h and sent to agency to be authenticated.
1/5/15 - received request from Embassy to set up interview with relinquishing relative/finder.
- also received notice that MOWCYA is requesting another new document - agency's commitment to post-placement services. This is something that our agency's Pennsylvania office will fill out & get notarized. MOWCYA is not requiring us to certify & authenticate this!!
1/6/15 - notified that Embassy interview will take place 1/14.
- also on 1/6, received notice that MOWCYA is also requesting new application letters. We needed to write a new letter & have it notarized, but do not need to certify & authenticate. MOWCYA is allowing copies (for a limited time) so we can scan it immediately to AWAA.
1/10/15 - Travel vaccines
1/12/15 - received notarized Agency Commitment to Post Adoption Services, scanned & emailed to AWAA.
That pretty much brings us up to date! Lots of redoing documents, which always means lots of money! We are so thankful that our grant from the RubyMyles Fund covered it all! And isn't it neat that we found out about it on the 3rd anniversary of when all our paperwork was originally sent to Ethiopia? :)
Our i-171h is in the process of being authenticated, and should be on it's way to Ethiopia on Friday! We are still waiting to hear when our MOWCYA date will be rescheduled from it's original date of 10/29.
TOMORROW, at 5am our time (1pm Ethiopian time) a very important interview will be taking place at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. If all goes well and no RFEs are requested, we could be completing the PAIR process within the next 1-2 weeks! We are very cautiously optimistic that we will hear good news tomorrow, but there is always a possibility an interview will not be able to take place. Please pray along with us that a favorable interview happens tomorrow!
Friday, October 24, 2014
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
In reality, we know that all things are working together for good in our adoption process! But some days are easier than others.
There are 3 things that need to happen before we can go to Ethiopia for our court date:
1) Letter from MOWCYA (Ministry of Women, Children & Youth Affairs),
2) Birth Relative/Finder Interview
3) PAIR letter
The first 2 are things that need to happen on the Ethiopian government side of things, and the PAIR process is US. We were finally submitted to PAIR 9/29. So far we have not heard any updates. We are hopeful that we will at least hear that we have been assigned an officer soon.
A few weeks ago, we heard from our agency that the first two things had been scheduled for 10/29! Even though we were told approximately 40% of people do not get the MOWCYA letter on the first try, our hopes were high! Especially because it also meant there was a *very slight* possibility we would not need to renew our i-171h, saving us over $700. Things were finally moving!!! (I even bought "A" a Christmas stocking yesterday......just in case!)
Unfortunately, our excitement was short-lived. We started hearing rumors, and then our agency confirmed, that all MOWCYA are involved in a meeting that started October 20. It is anticipated that these officials will be back in their offices the first week of November. However, during these meetings no MOWCYA letters have been written. Along with this information, AWAA provided us with new information that MOWCYA is going to be changing the way they write these important recommendation letters....
"MOWCYA announced a new procedure regarding recommendation letters that we would like to explain. Previously, recommendation letters were written following the review of a case by a single MOWCYA expert. Due to concerns about the thoroughness of the review, a new system is now in place that requires multiple MOWCYA experts to review a family’s case in order to write recommendation letters. The Director of MOWCYA must also approve all recommendation letters. Once the recommendation letter has been approved it can then be released to the court in order for the adoptive family court date to be issued. MOWCYA hopes this new procedure will result in more comprehensive reviews of adoption paperwork and reduce the likelihood of unethical processes."
And then of course..... "The new procedure of writing and approving recommendation letters will lengthen the time it takes for them to be issued. This is due in part to the schedule of MOWCYA’s Director, as her duties require that she attend regular meetings and trainings throughout Ethiopia."
We are happy - really honestly happy - that Ethiopia continues to take steps to make sure adoptions are ethical!!! Terrible, horrible things can happen in the world of adoption. We are so thankful to be adopting from a country who loves and cares for their children so much that they are continually improving their adoption regulations. We know that ultimately God is in control of all timing!! Sometimes though, monthly updates are just not enough. We just want our boy home.
There are 3 things that need to happen before we can go to Ethiopia for our court date:
1) Letter from MOWCYA (Ministry of Women, Children & Youth Affairs),
2) Birth Relative/Finder Interview
3) PAIR letter
The first 2 are things that need to happen on the Ethiopian government side of things, and the PAIR process is US. We were finally submitted to PAIR 9/29. So far we have not heard any updates. We are hopeful that we will at least hear that we have been assigned an officer soon.
A few weeks ago, we heard from our agency that the first two things had been scheduled for 10/29! Even though we were told approximately 40% of people do not get the MOWCYA letter on the first try, our hopes were high! Especially because it also meant there was a *very slight* possibility we would not need to renew our i-171h, saving us over $700. Things were finally moving!!! (I even bought "A" a Christmas stocking yesterday......just in case!)
Unfortunately, our excitement was short-lived. We started hearing rumors, and then our agency confirmed, that all MOWCYA are involved in a meeting that started October 20. It is anticipated that these officials will be back in their offices the first week of November. However, during these meetings no MOWCYA letters have been written. Along with this information, AWAA provided us with new information that MOWCYA is going to be changing the way they write these important recommendation letters....
"MOWCYA announced a new procedure regarding recommendation letters that we would like to explain. Previously, recommendation letters were written following the review of a case by a single MOWCYA expert. Due to concerns about the thoroughness of the review, a new system is now in place that requires multiple MOWCYA experts to review a family’s case in order to write recommendation letters. The Director of MOWCYA must also approve all recommendation letters. Once the recommendation letter has been approved it can then be released to the court in order for the adoptive family court date to be issued. MOWCYA hopes this new procedure will result in more comprehensive reviews of adoption paperwork and reduce the likelihood of unethical processes."
And then of course..... "The new procedure of writing and approving recommendation letters will lengthen the time it takes for them to be issued. This is due in part to the schedule of MOWCYA’s Director, as her duties require that she attend regular meetings and trainings throughout Ethiopia."
We are happy - really honestly happy - that Ethiopia continues to take steps to make sure adoptions are ethical!!! Terrible, horrible things can happen in the world of adoption. We are so thankful to be adopting from a country who loves and cares for their children so much that they are continually improving their adoption regulations. We know that ultimately God is in control of all timing!! Sometimes though, monthly updates are just not enough. We just want our boy home.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Submitted!
We are rejoicing! This morning I finally received the phone call from our family coordinator at AWAA saying that we had all of the needed documents to submit to PAIR (Pre-Adoptive Immigration Review). PAIR is "the process by which the US can pre-determine a child's prospective eligibility to receive a US Visa before the adoption is finalized in Ethiopia." It was not difficult to submit - our FC emailed me all of the documents that were needed. It did take most of the afternoon to print and organize all the documents and their translations. (Of course it didn't help that I ran out of ink after printing 2 documents and had to run to KMart to get more!)
Everything is now on it's way to USCIS in Texas! Typically it takes around 30 days to be assigned an officer who will complete our investigation. The investigation itself may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Our FC seems to think our paperwork is in good shape and should not need any more documentation. As for a timeline, it is still possible that we will travel for the first time before the end of the year!! We are certainly hoping for things to happen as quickly as possible, butwe are content to rest in God's sovereign timing.
I can't even begin to explain the weight that has been lifted! Exactly 4 months from the day we accepted A's referral, we are moving forward!!! Thank you, Jesus!!
Everything is now on it's way to USCIS in Texas! Typically it takes around 30 days to be assigned an officer who will complete our investigation. The investigation itself may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Our FC seems to think our paperwork is in good shape and should not need any more documentation. As for a timeline, it is still possible that we will travel for the first time before the end of the year!! We are certainly hoping for things to happen as quickly as possible, butwe are content to rest in God's sovereign timing.
I can't even begin to explain the weight that has been lifted! Exactly 4 months from the day we accepted A's referral, we are moving forward!!! Thank you, Jesus!!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Happy Birthday A....and Happy 2007!
The weekend was a little bittersweet for us. Mostly sweet, thanks to our trust in the Lord and in HIS timing. It is amazing the peace he has given us through this time of waiting. We are trusting that all things are working together for good (Romans 8:28), and He has generously allowed us to have a few glimpses of why His timing is better than ours (which maybe I will write about another day).
We had a lot to celebrate over the past several days - Ethiopian New Year, A's birthday, and the one year anniversary of some wonderful friends arriving in the US. Carly and I made some cookies to celebrate these special events.....you may be able to tell who was on sprinkle duty. :)
Our local Ethiopian restaurant had a special running for New Years, so Jon and I had a little date and stuffed our bellies full of delicious Ethiopian food, coffee, tea, and honey drink. We chatted with the sweet Ethiopian owner, who confirmed that we are pronouncing A's name correctly :) We are so blessed to have an Ethiopian community, restaurant, and grocery that are relatively local. I was able to stock up on my berbere (common spice in Ethiopia) and it was exciting to realize that most likely the next time I buy it, we will be in Ethiopia! If you are local and an adventurous eater, try Addisu Ethiopian! Better yet, invite us to go with you :)
A few days ago, our A turned 7. Seven seems so old. Especially when we thought he was 5 just a few months ago! It was difficult to miss his birthday, but birthdays aren't really celebrated in Ethiopia, and he doesn't even know his birthday, so to him it was probably just another day. We wanted to do something special to celebrate, so we bought a couple blue balloons (his favorite color) and the kids wrote messages on them and then we took them to a field and released them. As much as I told the kids they won't make it to Ethiopia, I think they still have in their minds that it's a possibility!
I was hoping for a sweet, magical time. Carly did not share my sentiments, and sobbed over having to let "her" balloon go. Since the best field we could find without too many nearby trees and no other people happened to be a cemetery, we didn't feel it was best to hang around with a sobbing child. We prayed for A, released the balloons, and hightailed it out of there!
We love you A, and we hope we don't miss another of your birthdays for a long, long time.
We had a lot to celebrate over the past several days - Ethiopian New Year, A's birthday, and the one year anniversary of some wonderful friends arriving in the US. Carly and I made some cookies to celebrate these special events.....you may be able to tell who was on sprinkle duty. :)
Our local Ethiopian restaurant had a special running for New Years, so Jon and I had a little date and stuffed our bellies full of delicious Ethiopian food, coffee, tea, and honey drink. We chatted with the sweet Ethiopian owner, who confirmed that we are pronouncing A's name correctly :) We are so blessed to have an Ethiopian community, restaurant, and grocery that are relatively local. I was able to stock up on my berbere (common spice in Ethiopia) and it was exciting to realize that most likely the next time I buy it, we will be in Ethiopia! If you are local and an adventurous eater, try Addisu Ethiopian! Better yet, invite us to go with you :)
A few days ago, our A turned 7. Seven seems so old. Especially when we thought he was 5 just a few months ago! It was difficult to miss his birthday, but birthdays aren't really celebrated in Ethiopia, and he doesn't even know his birthday, so to him it was probably just another day. We wanted to do something special to celebrate, so we bought a couple blue balloons (his favorite color) and the kids wrote messages on them and then we took them to a field and released them. As much as I told the kids they won't make it to Ethiopia, I think they still have in their minds that it's a possibility!
I was hoping for a sweet, magical time. Carly did not share my sentiments, and sobbed over having to let "her" balloon go. Since the best field we could find without too many nearby trees and no other people happened to be a cemetery, we didn't feel it was best to hang around with a sobbing child. We prayed for A, released the balloons, and hightailed it out of there!
We love you A, and we hope we don't miss another of your birthdays for a long, long time.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Answered Prayers for Progress!!!
I bought about 80 pounds of tomatoes this morning, and I'm in the middle of canning pizza sauce, my kitchen is a WRECK, and I need to make dinner before I head out the door to volunteer at school, but I just received an email and I'm overjoyed to share some good news! Everything else will just have to wait! We received the following information from our family coordinator...
"I got an update today that the social worker successfully gathered documents for A! They are being sent through the regional government for a final signature and then will need to be translated.
I am regularly following up with our staff so you are going to be prioritized with them. They know to keep pushing this paper work along as much as they can!"
So, so happy to hear that all the documents were collected last week! Now we are praying for that final signature and those translations to be accomplished. All of the paperwork needs to be done to US standards, so it is not uncommon to to have 2 or 3 attempts at translating!
On our side of things, we are prepping to have another Home Study update. We will go in for our 3rd set of FBI fingerprints soon, and once we get all of our clearances back, we will send it all to our new social worker so he can get started! Thanks for your prayers!
"I got an update today that the social worker successfully gathered documents for A! They are being sent through the regional government for a final signature and then will need to be translated.
I am regularly following up with our staff so you are going to be prioritized with them. They know to keep pushing this paper work along as much as they can!"
So, so happy to hear that all the documents were collected last week! Now we are praying for that final signature and those translations to be accomplished. All of the paperwork needs to be done to US standards, so it is not uncommon to to have 2 or 3 attempts at translating!
On our side of things, we are prepping to have another Home Study update. We will go in for our 3rd set of FBI fingerprints soon, and once we get all of our clearances back, we will send it all to our new social worker so he can get started! Thanks for your prayers!
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Praying for Progress This Week!
We are so hopeful that this is the week we will hear news of some forward progress in our adoption journey. We did hear from our family coordinator that AWAA has purchased a plane ticket for the social worker at A's former orphanage. The social worker is supposed to go to A's hometown THIS WEEK to collect the documents needed. These documents will all need to be translated, and then we can finally be submitted to PAIR. Please pray along with us that this does happen, that obtaining the documents is a smooth process, and that our PAIR submission happens soon. It is getting so hard to wait. We know that God is working behind the scenes, and His timing is perfect. But with our human eyes, all we are seeing is.....nothing happening.....and that can be really discouraging!
In the meantime, here on the homefront, we've been keeping busy! School started this past week, and I had my first day of being an "empty-nester," since Carly will be in school (K4) for the first time on Tuesdays & Thursdays. I was so happy to hear that both kids LOVED school this week :) We were also able to take a little day trip to New Jersey yesterday to visit with college friends, and today spent the day at Dutch Wonderland. Life is great with the 4 of us, and we can't wait until we can change that number to 5!
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement! Along with the paperwork issues, please be praying for our little guy's heart! I can't even imagine the transitions he has gone through over the past several months.
In the meantime, here on the homefront, we've been keeping busy! School started this past week, and I had my first day of being an "empty-nester," since Carly will be in school (K4) for the first time on Tuesdays & Thursdays. I was so happy to hear that both kids LOVED school this week :) We were also able to take a little day trip to New Jersey yesterday to visit with college friends, and today spent the day at Dutch Wonderland. Life is great with the 4 of us, and we can't wait until we can change that number to 5!
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement! Along with the paperwork issues, please be praying for our little guy's heart! I can't even imagine the transitions he has gone through over the past several months.
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