No News is Good News
Well, I really have very little to report in terms of movement on the wait list. Still holding on at #7. My good friend Tracy from high school reminded me that her birthday is 07/07/70 so I have a lucky charm there! The courts are coming to a close this week so it is my guess that after the last two travel groups go to Hannah's Hope this week and next, referrals will begin again. Not that I am in a hurry--quite the opposite. I hope to have very little time between my referral and my travel. If I were to have a referral soon, I'd have to look at that picture until November, at least, without any hope of traveling. I think that might drive me crazy! But, I am certain of one thing...I have absolutely no control at all over the process now, so I've turned it over to a higher being. Nothing left to do but pray.
Pray and play with my nieces and nephews! Last Sunday I had them for an overnight. How cute are they? We did arts and crafts, made dinner, had decorate-your-own sundaes, watched a movie--with permission of course ;)-- and played in my yard. It was magical watching them with the turtle that frequents my back yard, filling and re-filling the bird feeders, and smelling the flowers. They are a great bunch and I feel so blessed my sister and her husband provide me with the opportunity to be a part of their lives. I look forward to when their new little sister is old enough to stay, too! They have lots of great questions about the adoption and I can't wait for them to meet their new cousin!
Here are a few pics...the last one is my sister with her oldest and youngest~
So...what's next?
Below is an overview of an Ethiopian adoption process from the time my agency receives adoptive parents' completed dossier and home study.
Agency Sends Dossier for Authentication and Translation Check!
Agency will forward adoptive parents’ dossier to the U.S. State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication. Once processed, the agency will forward the dossier to our staff in Ethiopia where it is translated
Referral Process Check!
Once the dossier is in Ethiopia, adoptive parents can wait six to eight months for a referral of a child. Once referred, the agency will send the adoptive parents referral photos, medical information and the child’s background information, including any known family history. Upon acceptance of referral, the agency's foreign staff will submit adoptive parents’ dossier, with the referred child’s documentation to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA).
Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) Reviews Documentation Check!
MOWA is the branch of the Ethiopian government that reviews all documentation submitted by the adoptive parents and on behalf of the referred child recommends the adoption to be finalized to the Federal Court of Addis Ababa.
Federal Court Date November 11, 2008 Check!
Once MOWA recommends the adoption to be finalized, a court appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the judge can either finalize the adoption or ask for further documentation and set another court date. Once the adoption is finalized, the court decree, new birth certificate and passport are issued, and the adoptive parents can travel.
Travel December 6, 2008 - December 11, 2008
Adoptive parents should be ready to travel within two to four months after accepting a referral. One parent is required to travel and the in-country stay in Ethiopia is five to seven days. During this time, adoptive parents will complete the U.S. Embassy Immigration appointment for the adopted child, which is necessary to bring the child to the United States. The agency's in-country staff will accompany each family throughout their entire stay in Ethiopia.
Post-Adoption- Until the child turns 18 years old In Process
In Ethiopia, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, and 12 months on the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy appointment date. After the first year, family authored self reports are due every year until the child reaches 18 years of age.
1 comment:
I totally Agree! In my world no news is good news too! I would much rather have a short wait time between referral and travel. Once referrals pick up again though I am almost nervous. Right now I am content but boy when I see that little face I am afraid my patience and contentment will go out the window. I just have to rest in God's perfect timing!
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