A few weeks ago, March 9th to be exact (Tyler's birthday...), we received word from our family coordinator it was time to update our dossier documents so we would be prepared to receive our referral (I MIGHT HAVE FREAKED OUT A LITTLE). Over the last four years we have had to update yearly our FBI fingerprints, U.S. Immigration status and home study, but since all those items were updated this past fall it was just time to focus on the other documents from our dossier that are now several years old. Prior to the last few years, paperwork had not been older than two years for any Ethiopian adoptions, however with the slow downs now Ethiopian officials (MOWCYA, Ministry of Women's, Children's and Youth Affairs) have not been approving families because of these outdated documents.
Now, when I say paperwork it's not just a handful of yes/no true/false questionnaires...if you have been through the process, probably just hearing the word "dossier" breaks you out into a cold sweat.
I bribed the boys with suckers and trips to the park and drug them around from doctors offices to police stations to banks to post offices and back again. Every single piece of paper must be notarized and several even have to make the trip to Little Rock for state certification. It is tedious and exhausting. It also has resulted in a stress-induced cold sore that is equivalent in size and surface to the moon.
This time I hit the ground running because I finally have view of the finish line. We are waiting on 2 documents in the mail to have all the updates complete. I powered through the list in about half the time as I did in 2011, partly because it isn't my first rodeo and partly because this is the only time during this whole process where you can DO SOMETHING that moves the process forward, and I am so there. All that paperwork from the last 4 years is meticulously organized in a 10lb. binder that I carry with me everywhere I go. In springtime during tornado warnings I grab the boys, the binder and bicycle helmets and head to the laundry room (don't judge, Tyler is always working during severe weather and I may or may not have made my kids storm-phobic lunatics). That binder is my 10lb. baby that is about 3 years overdue.
So now...
Question: When will you receive a referral?
{Side note, I sometimes forget everyone might not understand the process. A referral is when our agency will call to tell us we have been chosen as a family for an orphan that is within our, U.S. Immigration and social workers parameters, ours is a female 0-3 years old. At referral we will get a picture of the child and any information they have about her health and personal history}
Answer: We don't know!
I know that's shocking since we have known exactly how this thing would play out since day one, not.
In all honesty, it could be tomorrow or it could be weeks from now. Ahhhh the unknown.
Question: What can we do to help?
Oh how nice of you to ask. We have been so blessed by friends and family that have partnered with us on paperwork, finances and most importantly, PRAYER. Each of you have a part in making one less orphan in the world. So, don't stop the prayers now! Specifically pray for the children in Ethiopia. This slowdown isn't because there aren't children who need families. Please pray for government officials who process paperwork that they do so with softened hearts and swift efficiency. Lastly, pray for us as we continue to wait to see our daughter's face for the first time.
Now, when I say paperwork it's not just a handful of yes/no true/false questionnaires...if you have been through the process, probably just hearing the word "dossier" breaks you out into a cold sweat.
I bribed the boys with suckers and trips to the park and drug them around from doctors offices to police stations to banks to post offices and back again. Every single piece of paper must be notarized and several even have to make the trip to Little Rock for state certification. It is tedious and exhausting. It also has resulted in a stress-induced cold sore that is equivalent in size and surface to the moon.
This time I hit the ground running because I finally have view of the finish line. We are waiting on 2 documents in the mail to have all the updates complete. I powered through the list in about half the time as I did in 2011, partly because it isn't my first rodeo and partly because this is the only time during this whole process where you can DO SOMETHING that moves the process forward, and I am so there. All that paperwork from the last 4 years is meticulously organized in a 10lb. binder that I carry with me everywhere I go. In springtime during tornado warnings I grab the boys, the binder and bicycle helmets and head to the laundry room (don't judge, Tyler is always working during severe weather and I may or may not have made my kids storm-phobic lunatics). That binder is my 10lb. baby that is about 3 years overdue.
So now...
Question: When will you receive a referral?
{Side note, I sometimes forget everyone might not understand the process. A referral is when our agency will call to tell us we have been chosen as a family for an orphan that is within our, U.S. Immigration and social workers parameters, ours is a female 0-3 years old. At referral we will get a picture of the child and any information they have about her health and personal history}
Answer: We don't know!
I know that's shocking since we have known exactly how this thing would play out since day one, not.
In all honesty, it could be tomorrow or it could be weeks from now. Ahhhh the unknown.
Question: What can we do to help?
Oh how nice of you to ask. We have been so blessed by friends and family that have partnered with us on paperwork, finances and most importantly, PRAYER. Each of you have a part in making one less orphan in the world. So, don't stop the prayers now! Specifically pray for the children in Ethiopia. This slowdown isn't because there aren't children who need families. Please pray for government officials who process paperwork that they do so with softened hearts and swift efficiency. Lastly, pray for us as we continue to wait to see our daughter's face for the first time.