This update
is way overdue. I am asked multiple times a week, “When do you travel?” I wish I had a better answer, but…
The short
answer is: We don’t know.
On July 2,
we received verbal approval from the Judge, which officially approved our
adoption. This was something we had been praying for since December! I think
this was our fourth court hearing- I can’t keep track. Anyway, we were super
thankful to receive that approval.
At that
point, we moved into the travel stage, HOWEVER, it’s still a long process…
After the
verbal approval, we wait for the written orders which are needed to get her
passport. The passport must be in hand for us to make any travel arrangements. Written
orders usually take about 3 weeks. The passport can take 6-8 weeks. So, add up
the math and that puts our travel about 2-3 months from our approval date. September
was looking probable for travel.
Today, we
received our written orders, which is great news. HOWEVER, there was some
misinformation, so the orders will have to be redone, which can take 15 days or
so. I know 15 days doesn’t sound that long, but that’s an additionally two
weeks tagged onto our timeline, which pushes our possible travel back to
October.
In the
meantime, MOST of our paperwork will expire…
Home study
expires September 17.
USCIS approval
expires September 24.
David’s
visa expires October 4.
So instead
of reading tourist books about India or buying baby supplies, we’re back to the
grind of paperwork. Thankfully, most of these renewals will be fairly simple,
but they will be costly.
This month,
it’s been difficult to sift through the discouraging news to see that light at the
end of this very long tunnel. It seems like every time we get closer to meeting
her, another delay meets us. But, our family coordinator gave me these very
previous words, “All her years with you
will far outweigh this period of time that feels so long right now.” Those
are words I will cling to during this last, long stage.
Last week
we received a little glimmer of hope: seven new pictures of our sweet
daughter!
We had been
praying for new pictures because we had not received any since last September. My
eyes filled with tears as I opened my e-mail inbox to “Updated photos and
measurements”. She looks so happy and so healthy and it literally takes every
ounce of self control not to post them here! I wish I could share her smile
with you, but that will have to wait until we’re in India…
Thank you
for your prayers and questions of curiosity about our adoption story.
Sooner or
later, we will bring her home!
Blessings,
Melissa
