Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Whoop!!!
Okay that's for you Aggies out there :) But we are celebrating..
OUR 171H has arrived!!! We are APPROVED to adopt two children from the country of Ukraine!! Praise the Lord!!
I guess I have not been posting much on the paperwork process - it just seems soooo boring! Well, to fill you in - we sent our I600A application to USCIS in early February - maybe even January. It took quite awhile to get our fingerprint appointment - that was March 22nd.
Then we waited...
and waited...
and received in mid-May...
a document stating that our homestudy was missing some items - it was basically like wording was needing to be redone. So, we had our social worker revise the homestudy, add everything that could possibly be needed, had new background checks run (as required by this document), and overnighted it to San Antonio on May 19th. Not to get sidetracked, but does anyone know why USCIC wants these basic background checks run when they are running full-blown, fingerprinted FBI background checks?
Anyways, we had initially thought that we would be able to submit our paperwork in June. Now as I understand it, had that been the case, we would have missed out on submitting at the appropriate time due to missing the 171 and would have had to wait to get in line for 2009!!! But of course God's timing is always perfect and it turns out we will not be submitting until probably August - just the right amount of time to get everything remaining appostilled, translated, and mailed to Ukraine. We have truly seen God's hand in the timing of these events.
And one other thing - just so that I will not forget. We were with a different agency at the beginning - one that will remain unnamed but that we have left for what we believe were unscrupulous practices. We had sent them the initial payment in December when Nastya was here because we were told we had to get signed up in this 'line'. Well, it quickly seemed that this had been foolish and hasty to send this money to them - which we will probably never be refunded - with the concerns we already had. We were kicking ourselves when we realized that we could no longer trust this agency to continue with them. BUT - had we not done that, we would not be in that 'line' and would not be submitting our dossier until at least mid 2009. In other words - it would have put us back and entire YEAR.
Anyways, we are thankful to have this big step of getting the 171H.
OUR 171H has arrived!!! We are APPROVED to adopt two children from the country of Ukraine!! Praise the Lord!!
I guess I have not been posting much on the paperwork process - it just seems soooo boring! Well, to fill you in - we sent our I600A application to USCIS in early February - maybe even January. It took quite awhile to get our fingerprint appointment - that was March 22nd.
Then we waited...
and waited...
and received in mid-May...
a document stating that our homestudy was missing some items - it was basically like wording was needing to be redone. So, we had our social worker revise the homestudy, add everything that could possibly be needed, had new background checks run (as required by this document), and overnighted it to San Antonio on May 19th. Not to get sidetracked, but does anyone know why USCIC wants these basic background checks run when they are running full-blown, fingerprinted FBI background checks?
Anyways, we had initially thought that we would be able to submit our paperwork in June. Now as I understand it, had that been the case, we would have missed out on submitting at the appropriate time due to missing the 171 and would have had to wait to get in line for 2009!!! But of course God's timing is always perfect and it turns out we will not be submitting until probably August - just the right amount of time to get everything remaining appostilled, translated, and mailed to Ukraine. We have truly seen God's hand in the timing of these events.
And one other thing - just so that I will not forget. We were with a different agency at the beginning - one that will remain unnamed but that we have left for what we believe were unscrupulous practices. We had sent them the initial payment in December when Nastya was here because we were told we had to get signed up in this 'line'. Well, it quickly seemed that this had been foolish and hasty to send this money to them - which we will probably never be refunded - with the concerns we already had. We were kicking ourselves when we realized that we could no longer trust this agency to continue with them. BUT - had we not done that, we would not be in that 'line' and would not be submitting our dossier until at least mid 2009. In other words - it would have put us back and entire YEAR.
Anyways, we are thankful to have this big step of getting the 171H.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Disappointing News...
Well how's that for a bummer of a post title! We are a little bummed - we found out the visas appointment for the girls trip this summer is not scheduled until early August. I don't know why this was not done much earlier, but the bottom line is now there is nothing we can do to change it. So, we are still hosting the girls but instead of 10 wonderful weeks, we will have three super fun weeks. We are praying that the visas are granted at this appointment. If they are not, the trip will be cancelled for the summer and then we may try to visit them in Ukraine before school starts. But we may not be able to schedule it that fast. The girls are very sad to not be here, and we think all the time that they should be enjoying the fun things we are doing.
Benjamin asked the other day, "Mom, is it summer now?"
I answered, "Yes, that's why it's hot and we are swimming a lot."
Benjamin then asked, "Then why aren't Nastya and Katya here? They are supposed to be here in the summer!"
We all agree!!! But, we know that God's timing is absolutely perfect so we will trust in that! And it will give us a bit of time this summer to prepare for the girls coming.
Benjamin asked the other day, "Mom, is it summer now?"
I answered, "Yes, that's why it's hot and we are swimming a lot."
Benjamin then asked, "Then why aren't Nastya and Katya here? They are supposed to be here in the summer!"
We all agree!!! But, we know that God's timing is absolutely perfect so we will trust in that! And it will give us a bit of time this summer to prepare for the girls coming.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Talked to Them Just Now!!
Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.
Proverbs 25:25
How wonderful it was to hear "Good Morning" at 11:00 at night!! We are so thankful to hear their sweet voices and to just have a sweet, lighthearted conversation with them! They think it is so funny when we say 'ya tebe lebleu' which is 'i love you' in Ukrainian:) I guess we sound kinda funny with our American/Texas accents. They are just precious. I must admit that at times I get caught up in the process of the adoption and I don't realize that I have forgotten how very much I love these girls until I hear their voices and a get a quick glimpse into their lives. We thought it was a neat glimpse into their hearts that they when they realized that it was nighttime here, they were so concerned that we had stayed up late to call them (it is 8 hours later there). We told them that we were more than happy to stay up!!
It had been way too long since we had been able to talk to them - issues with phone service over there and busyness on the part of our translator has made it difficult over there. I have been missing them a lot this week and just praying for God's protection over their lives. We are really hoping and praying that the visas are issued QUICKLY!!! Please pray with us for them!
Proverbs 25:25
How wonderful it was to hear "Good Morning" at 11:00 at night!! We are so thankful to hear their sweet voices and to just have a sweet, lighthearted conversation with them! They think it is so funny when we say 'ya tebe lebleu' which is 'i love you' in Ukrainian:) I guess we sound kinda funny with our American/Texas accents. They are just precious. I must admit that at times I get caught up in the process of the adoption and I don't realize that I have forgotten how very much I love these girls until I hear their voices and a get a quick glimpse into their lives. We thought it was a neat glimpse into their hearts that they when they realized that it was nighttime here, they were so concerned that we had stayed up late to call them (it is 8 hours later there). We told them that we were more than happy to stay up!!
It had been way too long since we had been able to talk to them - issues with phone service over there and busyness on the part of our translator has made it difficult over there. I have been missing them a lot this week and just praying for God's protection over their lives. We are really hoping and praying that the visas are issued QUICKLY!!! Please pray with us for them!
Monday, May 26, 2008
A Few Things~
We are not happy to report that the summer plans are looking a bit bleak right now. For varying reasons that I am not really sure of, the hosting group that the girls should be coming with is having trouble getting visas - actually with getting a visa appointment with the American Embassy in Kiev. It seems very possible that the trip will either be greatly shortened or cancelled. Originally the plan was for them to arrive this coming weekend! That date was changed to June 10th and now we are being told that it should be later June. While we are sad for every day that are not able to be here this summer, we are still cautiously optimistic that we will have at least eight weeks or so with them.
To update on the adoption process, we are just about done with the dossier - we were holding off of finalizing a few things because we didn't want things to expire. We have also had to redo a few documents already. The only thing we are still waiting on is that darn 171H form!!! About a month ago we recieved a letter from CIS saying that we were missing a few things in our homestudy. It has been updated and sent off, so hopefully we will get the 171H very soon. We are hoping that the homestudy is sufficient this time - we can't imagine why it wouldn't be. Our facilitator is pretty sure that our names will be posted to submit in August based on our number and what numbers are listed for June and July submissions. So if that works out to submit in August then we could be traveling to adopt these girls by maybe mid-November. This is all a huge guess on my part with tons of things that could change, but I am such a planner I just can't help myself! Okay so that is all I've got for now!
One other thing - we should get to talk to the girls tomorrow morning (afternoon for them).
To update on the adoption process, we are just about done with the dossier - we were holding off of finalizing a few things because we didn't want things to expire. We have also had to redo a few documents already. The only thing we are still waiting on is that darn 171H form!!! About a month ago we recieved a letter from CIS saying that we were missing a few things in our homestudy. It has been updated and sent off, so hopefully we will get the 171H very soon. We are hoping that the homestudy is sufficient this time - we can't imagine why it wouldn't be. Our facilitator is pretty sure that our names will be posted to submit in August based on our number and what numbers are listed for June and July submissions. So if that works out to submit in August then we could be traveling to adopt these girls by maybe mid-November. This is all a huge guess on my part with tons of things that could change, but I am such a planner I just can't help myself! Okay so that is all I've got for now!
One other thing - we should get to talk to the girls tomorrow morning (afternoon for them).
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Happy Birthday Katya!
Katya had a birthday a few days ago and we were able to call her the morning of her birthday (well afternoon for her). We all stood in our kitchen before the kids went to school and sang her Happy Birthday. It was so much fun for us and I think she was pretty excited too :) She was very giddy on the phone. Then, one of her caretakers took her and Nastya and a few friends out to celebrate with ice cream and other goodies. I pray that she would just see a glimpse of how precious she is and how loved beyond measure she is by the Lord. I am thankful that we can bless her in this small way.
I just got pictures today of the fun they had. I am happy to share pictures of the girls with you if you ask - I know lots of people post pictures on blogs of children they are trying to adopt but I just don't feel good about their pictures being so accessible at this point. So just ask and I will email you - I would love to share their pics with people I know!
I was able talk with the girls a few days before that and we had probably the best phone conversation we've had yet. (Sometimes the phone talks are a little difficult with the translations and background noise - we are so glad we can talk but sometimes it just feels a little awkward). Anyways, last week I was driving to NASA for a field trip for Allee and was actually in the car alone because Allee was riding with her friend for awhile. I called the translator and talked to the girls - we talked so easily about summer and swimming and they wanted to know all about what the our kids were up to. I asked them if they knew how to swim - they said yes and Katya asked if we could swim ALL day one day this summer :) We talked about Katya's birthday and about their schoolwork. They asked about riding horses and we talked about that too. They told me all about being in the hospital with chicken pox and how glad they are that is over now. I told them at least they won't ever get it again. Katya said she knew one boy who got it twice but I told her that was pretty rare and not to worry about it :) Anyways I am glad for a good talk.
Please be in prayer about the visas for the summer trip - we have reason to be at least a little concerned that they either may not get the visas or that the trip will become very short. It has definitely been shortened by about 10 days - that is not too bad but we are just worried that with the difficulties in Ukraine that it could take a long time to get the visas and delay it even furthur. But at this point we can't dwell on it and are just planning for them to be here.
I just got pictures today of the fun they had. I am happy to share pictures of the girls with you if you ask - I know lots of people post pictures on blogs of children they are trying to adopt but I just don't feel good about their pictures being so accessible at this point. So just ask and I will email you - I would love to share their pics with people I know!
I was able talk with the girls a few days before that and we had probably the best phone conversation we've had yet. (Sometimes the phone talks are a little difficult with the translations and background noise - we are so glad we can talk but sometimes it just feels a little awkward). Anyways, last week I was driving to NASA for a field trip for Allee and was actually in the car alone because Allee was riding with her friend for awhile. I called the translator and talked to the girls - we talked so easily about summer and swimming and they wanted to know all about what the our kids were up to. I asked them if they knew how to swim - they said yes and Katya asked if we could swim ALL day one day this summer :) We talked about Katya's birthday and about their schoolwork. They asked about riding horses and we talked about that too. They told me all about being in the hospital with chicken pox and how glad they are that is over now. I told them at least they won't ever get it again. Katya said she knew one boy who got it twice but I told her that was pretty rare and not to worry about it :) Anyways I am glad for a good talk.
Please be in prayer about the visas for the summer trip - we have reason to be at least a little concerned that they either may not get the visas or that the trip will become very short. It has definitely been shortened by about 10 days - that is not too bad but we are just worried that with the difficulties in Ukraine that it could take a long time to get the visas and delay it even furthur. But at this point we can't dwell on it and are just planning for them to be here.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Summer
Well, first to update...Katya FINALLY made it back to the orphanage from the hospital on Sunday - which was Easter in Ukraine. It is a huge holiday and I think most things are closed this whole week. I heard that she was extremely happy to be out of the hospital - of course!!! We are supposed to be able to talk with the girls tomorrow.
For those who do not know, we are officially planning to host the girls for the summer! The cost turned out to be much less than what we thought and we get to have them for the ENTIRE summer (pending visa approval)!!! Ukraine has been incredible slow with adoptions right now and things are unstable in general, but our facilitator thinks/hopes that we can submit our dossier by late summer - which would mean traveling several months after that. So it will likely be after Christmas at the very earliest. Of course, that is just the best guess I can have right now and could change at any time :) So much for my nature to be a planner.... I am learning to not look to far into the future and how very little I am in control of.
We are not even 100% sure that they will be able to get the visas to come this summer - I am a little worried about this as Ukraine seems to be tightening up on hosting trips and apparently larger groups do fine but small groups like ours are a little iffy. So we are praying for those visas and are so excited about them coming. We will get to finally meet Katya in person - we kind of feel like we know her from all the phone talks, letters, and pictures. God has given us a love and compassion for these two girls, and I know that He has caused our lives to intersect at this time... It is amazing to see the plan unfold, there are still lots of unanswered questions and some things are quite frightening, but we trust not in ourselves, our ability to figure things out, but in the God who created us and who created these girls. Okay, in all honesty, at least this is what we aspire to do - sometimes I freak out :) We are praying for God to work in their lives, to pour out His mercy on them, for His glory to be shown in this journey. For His perfect will for them, which He knows far better than we do.
So now it is ONE MONTH FROM TODAY when they are scheduled to come! We are trying to prepare and plan for what our daily plans will be, chore lists (yes we will put them to work), fun things we want to do (swim, ride horses, roller skating, swim, ride bikes, swim, paint nails, art camp, swim, fish...) Okay so we are really excited about swimming. My parent's have this amazing natural pool that we pretty much live in every chance we get. It is sparkling clean but with practically no chlorine. Although I want them to learn English, get some dental work done, and other important things - I do want them to just be children - lighthearted, carefree, laughing children. I want to tube the river, play games (how I have missed those uno games), watch movies, and I want them to just be able to let down a bit and feel taken care of and loved. I pray that even though we may not have the words to explain, that we can reflect the love of Christ to them. That they can sense His presence and His love and that they can drawn to Him. I pray that they would get even a glimpse of God's special love for them...that this time would plant seeds in their hearts.
I will post as soon as I get word on the visas - maybe in about a week...
For those who do not know, we are officially planning to host the girls for the summer! The cost turned out to be much less than what we thought and we get to have them for the ENTIRE summer (pending visa approval)!!! Ukraine has been incredible slow with adoptions right now and things are unstable in general, but our facilitator thinks/hopes that we can submit our dossier by late summer - which would mean traveling several months after that. So it will likely be after Christmas at the very earliest. Of course, that is just the best guess I can have right now and could change at any time :) So much for my nature to be a planner.... I am learning to not look to far into the future and how very little I am in control of.
We are not even 100% sure that they will be able to get the visas to come this summer - I am a little worried about this as Ukraine seems to be tightening up on hosting trips and apparently larger groups do fine but small groups like ours are a little iffy. So we are praying for those visas and are so excited about them coming. We will get to finally meet Katya in person - we kind of feel like we know her from all the phone talks, letters, and pictures. God has given us a love and compassion for these two girls, and I know that He has caused our lives to intersect at this time... It is amazing to see the plan unfold, there are still lots of unanswered questions and some things are quite frightening, but we trust not in ourselves, our ability to figure things out, but in the God who created us and who created these girls. Okay, in all honesty, at least this is what we aspire to do - sometimes I freak out :) We are praying for God to work in their lives, to pour out His mercy on them, for His glory to be shown in this journey. For His perfect will for them, which He knows far better than we do.
So now it is ONE MONTH FROM TODAY when they are scheduled to come! We are trying to prepare and plan for what our daily plans will be, chore lists (yes we will put them to work), fun things we want to do (swim, ride horses, roller skating, swim, ride bikes, swim, paint nails, art camp, swim, fish...) Okay so we are really excited about swimming. My parent's have this amazing natural pool that we pretty much live in every chance we get. It is sparkling clean but with practically no chlorine. Although I want them to learn English, get some dental work done, and other important things - I do want them to just be children - lighthearted, carefree, laughing children. I want to tube the river, play games (how I have missed those uno games), watch movies, and I want them to just be able to let down a bit and feel taken care of and loved. I pray that even though we may not have the words to explain, that we can reflect the love of Christ to them. That they can sense His presence and His love and that they can drawn to Him. I pray that they would get even a glimpse of God's special love for them...that this time would plant seeds in their hearts.
I will post as soon as I get word on the visas - maybe in about a week...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
