Monday, June 23, 2008

The Dossier is on the Way!

Last week, while we were in upstate New York on vacation, our dossier was on the move. It went first for county certification, then to state certification. Right now, it is in Houston at the Chinese Consulate for authentication. After it leaves there, it will be going to China! Then it will be translated and "logged in" - this is when our official waiting time begins. Right now it is estimated to be about 2 years. But with the Olympics this summer, we will have to wait and see how things change.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Dossier almost ready to go!

We finally got our approval from CIS. The actual form that goes in our Dossier. Well, it's just a sheet of paper from Homeland Security that approves us to bring one child into the country. But that's what we needed!

So I met with our social worker today to tie up loose ends. And we had a few more than we would have hoped. Last week the rules changed. China now requires all the dates on signed forms and certificates to be no older than 6 months. We would have had no problem with this, except that CIS approval took 4 and a half months – much longer than the expected 2-3 weeks. So we have to get a few things signed again. Just a little maneuvering, and we should be good to go! This has caused a little inconvenience for us. It has caused major problems for other families – like dossiers sent back! I am so grateful that we were delayed, so that our dossier can go out correct. Also, other families are still waiting to get their approval from CIS. Our social worker was very excited that we already got ours. People that filed a month or so before us are still waiting.

But even though we've had some unexpected waiting time, everything really is falling into place perfectly. And that is only one reason. God has His hand on every step, every paper, every person and even every penstroke. Each time we pass another hurdle, I can see how God has arranged for each step to occur in His time. I do sometimes have to remind myself that His hand is guiding us. The prayers, support and excitement that you ALL give to us is evident everyday. And today it was greatly needed.