Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hope and a Prayer


Hope. It refers to many things in my life right now. This week, it is all about November 11th. November 11th is important for many reasons. My friend Joel was born on Nov. 11. The number 11 stands for transcendental knowledge, adversity, and strength. And, my first court date will be on November 11th. I have been advised to stay calm and collected about this court date as the new decree was not in effect when it was assigned, however, there is a smidgen of a fraction of a chance my case will be heard next Tuesday. There is also the more likely chance that my case will be rescheduled for a day at the end of December or early January. It is my belief that everything happens in the time it is meant to happen so I am not trying to rush the plan that is in place. I only ask for your prayers next Tuesday, in the event that S. is meant to get through court briskly and come home to her family in Virginia.

And finally...I won't get political. I won't. I am not a member of a political party; I am a member of the human race. And today I am especially proud to be an American. Four decades ago, the 44th president of The United States of America, Barack Obama, couldn't have voted for himself. I LOVE that history is being made and we are progressing as a nation. I truly believe no matter your political beliefs, it is clear that we have evolved as a community of thinkers, believers, and voters. I can't say what will happen in the next four years; however I can see how much has occurred in the last forty.

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6 comments:

Three2Five said...

I hate the way my heart flutters with the thought that we may make it through court. We don't know our date and yet I still feel the excitement...!

November 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Jana said...

Thank you Melissa, we are thrilled and this is good news for you too!!! And yes, I am super excited about Obama too!

November 5, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Jocelyn Zarr '86 said...

Tuesday Tuesday tuesday.. girl, we will most definitely be thinking of you and baby S! You are always in my thoughts...I know the global & national ramifications are just so mind bending that i just love being here for it!

November 5, 2008 at 9:39 PM
cb4swife said...

I'll be praying for you...Our court date is November 10...God Bless...Shannon

November 6, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Shauna said...

I will hang on to that smidgen of hope with you....
And I fully agree with your Obama comments. Its so very exciting.

November 7, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Maria and Family said...

This really is a proud time for Americans!

November 12, 2008 at 10:22 AM

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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.