While I knew all along that the process to bring you home would be a long one, I don't think I could have imagined how it would really feel. It seems like we started so long ago but yet we still have so far to travel (and not just in miles).
The process has been moving along gradually since my last post. We completed the enormous undertaking of the homestudy, that in itself was a huge milestone. We applied to the Department of Homeland Security for your orphan visa approval. We left for Jacksonville on Christmas night to make our appointment on Dec.26 to have our fingerprinting completed by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). We were then waiting for the approval. On Jan. 24 we received notice from USCIS that they want Alex (who turned 18 just after the homestudy was complete) to be finger printed as well. Now, mind you, we have all been fingerprinted already by the Children's Home Society. This was done in order to complete the homestudy. We were really not expecting to have to take Alex through the USCIS process as well. So, as of right now we are waiting for his appointment date to take him to, yes Jacksonville. Once we have completed that step we will wait for the final approval from them. We have to have this approval before we can send our Dossier to Ethiopia. The Dossier is the bundle of documents, applications and certificates that the Ethiopian Embassy requires to consider/process your adoption request.
We know beyond any doubt that the moment we see your beautiful face in the referral picture, this will all fade away and we will be left with hearts full of you. Until then we will be patient and endure this process. We know there are so many out there going through the same steps we are. We also know tht there are many who will wait years before they bring a child home, and some may never see that dream come true. We are thankful for God's peace in this and we rely soley on Him to see us and you through this.
We love you already!
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