What happens next?

I have had several people ask what happens next for us.  It is a very detailed process and a lot of things still have to take place before we can travel.  That is why it will most likely be the beginning of next year. We are praying that it is quick and smooth.  We know God's hand is in this completely and He can do amazing things that we'd never expect.  He's already showed us that!

Here is a simplified order of the process:

• Apply with agency
• Home Study Process
• Home Study Approval
• File USCIS Paperwork
• Complete USCIS fingerprinting and biometrics screening
• Assemble International Dossier for Ethiopia
• International Dossier authenticated in Washington D.C.
• Accept Referral of our baby boy
• File PAIR agreement
• PAIR letter submitted to Ethiopia
• Embassy issues PAIR approval letter
• Approval Letter Authenticated in Washington D.C.
• Submit case to Ministry of Women, Youth and Children's Affairs in Ethiopia
• Court issues first court date for birthmother
• MOWYCA submits letter of favorable determination
• We get issued OUR court date and make arrangements to travel.
• We meet our boy face to face!
• We go to court.
• Our case passes court.
• Court issues adoption documents
• Our agency applies for new birth certificate and passport for our boy.
• He has a medical appointment by an Embassy approved physician.
• Submit case to Embassy
• Clear Embassy
• GO GET OUR BABY BOY AND BRING HIM HOME!!!!

So at this stage of the game, we are waiting for our PAIR (Pre-Adoptive Immigration Review) to be approved (8-12 weeks).  This is a new step implemented September 1 this year.....lucky us....for all adoptions in Ethiopia.  This process still happened before, but typically after meeting the child and the court date.  Now, we file and have to get approval before we can go to court.  It is also supposed to cut down on the amount of time between our two trips to Ethiopia and ensure you can complete the process.  Our trips will most likely be 2-3 weeks apart.  The first trip will be meeting him and going to court where (if we pass) he will be officially be our son!  Then, we wait for all the documents, birth certificate, passport and Embassy Doctor's appointment before we can clear Embassy and go back and get him!  

Goosebumps.

As our puzzle started taking shape, I started thinking about what the back would look like once we finished it.  This morning the glue had dried and I turned it over.  I got goosebumps.  You have no idea what this picture does to me.  God's provision through so many different people that mean so very much to us.  We are truly blessed by this picture and what it means.

Camden's passport arrived!

This week, Matt's renewed passport arrived and Camden got his as well! 

We're ready to go!

OUR PUZZLE IS FINISHED!!!!!!!

We have sold 1000 puzzle pieces!

Let me say that one more time....We have sold 1000 puzzle pieces! 
We are in complete shock.  Honestly, when we started this huge undertaking we figured there would come a time that we'd just have to finish the puzzle because no one else would want to buy anymore pieces.  Isn't God in the business of blessing our socks off!?!?!  Later this week, we will add the final pieces to the puzzle.  All glory goes to God. 

To us, it is a beautiful picture of all the relationships we've had over...well, forever!  We have family members,  friends, church members, neighbors, former youth students, loved ones that have passed away and even family pets on our puzzle pieces!  

This will be a treasure in our house forever.  Thank you.  We are truly humbled by the generosity of all of the people in our lives.

You may ask, what next?  Well, let me assure you that we still have a long ways to go to meet our $28,000 fund goal, but God has been faithful every step of the way.  

Here are a few more fun ways you can support our family in the upcoming days if you'd like:

1.  My sweet friend is hosting a Thirty-One party in honor of Endale!  All proceeds will go to our adoption costs.  You can come to the party or you can shop online.  Click here to begin shopping.

2.  Some wonderful ladies from Paragon Church have been working on a Silent Auction and Dessert Auction.  It will be October 20 at 6:30pm at FBCRR.  If you haven't seen our sweet boy yet, you will get a glimpse of his pictures and the video of him that night!  Watch for more details to come!

3. We are going to order T-shirts in the next week. We will have a few for sale the night of the auction or you can pre-order your size by this Friday.  The shirts will be $15 (local) or $20 (shipped to our friends outside of NM.)