My Long Awaited Update

I know it has been a very long time since I've updated you guys.  This is partly because very few major things have happened, and partly because I've been kind of depressed about the whole thing lately that I just didn't feel up to writing about the things that have happened.

When we initially applied for adoption, the entire process was estimated to be 5-9 months.  Well since then Ethiopia has shut down several orphanages that our agency partnered with, and therefore has lessened the number of children available in the program.  Ethiopia has also expanded the background checks on the children, also making things longer.  So at this point we are estimated to be a year and a half away from bringing home our baby.  Which, if that estimation is correct, means that the 5-9 months has turned into 2 years.  So I guess you can understand how that would make me depressed :)

I am trying not to be down about it.  I know that the timing is all up to God and that there must be a reason for the lengthened process.  But still, it's hard to refrain from being unmotivated about it all.  But I'm trying!

So here's what has happened:

We sent in our I-600A,  (This form is used by a U.S. citizen who plans to adopt a foreign-born child and enables USCIS to adjudicate the application that relates to the qualifications of the applicant(s) as prospective adoptive parent(s).)  went to our biometrics appointment at the Immigration Office in Dallas to be fingerprinted, and received our approval in the mail a few weeks ago.  Our dossier is completely compiled and ready to go.  We just have to pay the next payment before our agency can send our dossier packet to Ethiopia.  After that is sent, then begins the 12-15 month wait for a referral.  (to be matched with a child).

So there is a quick update just so everyone knows where we stand.  Our next fundraiser is another garage sale in March.  We have yet to pick a date, but we have a TON of stuff.  All the stuff is taking up our entire baby room right now haha.  So we're looking forward to that.  Continued prayers are appreciated!