Moved To Move: It's Official....We're "Moving"

Sunday, September 25, 2011

It's Official....We're "Moving"

(And if absolutely nothing about that statement means a thing to you, you can "catch up" here, here and here.)

Moving ahead, that is.

This blog has been in existence for quite some time but has been kept private until now. It has served as a diary of sorts; a place to store some of the details of what God seemed to be revealing in our lives.

And so, here we are....going public (with our news and with this blog).

After much prayer, much consideration, some trying to convince God that surely he didn't mean us; some rejoicing, some fear and LOTS of paperwork (and, really, it's only the beginning)........

WE ARE ADOPTING!

I have to be honest.....at this very moment, I feel like I should have SO much more to say but, really, what else is there?

We feel called to respond to the gospel in this manner. In His word, he said that he would not leave them as orphans. And we are His hands and His feet.

God has been so real in our lives in this regard and I will share more of this when I find my words....for now, we just wanted you to know and we covet your prayers for this exciting time for our family.

Somewhere in Ethiopia, we have a daughter; our boys have a sister.....will you pray for her too?

4 comments:

KimSeptember 29, 2011 at 9:48 AM
LOVE IT!!!! Praying!!! So excited to see how your journey unfolds!
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BeaubeckySeptember 29, 2011 at 10:13 AM
I am so excited for your family Kelley! Prayers!
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The MillsapsSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:06 PM
Kelley!! I am thrilled to hear your news. Welcome to the crazy world of adoption. I can not wait to see your story unfold and I hope our girls will be friends one day - maybe they already are!! I will be praying for your journey!!
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Valerie HulshofOctober 1, 2011 at 7:35 PM
I couldn't be happier for you two. You both are two of my very favorite people and I know your daughter will be BLESSED to have you as parents. In turn, I know she will bless you both even more :-) That's how God works. You set out on this journey thinking He will use you to help them and you find out along the way, that the blessings they heap on you are so much greater. It is not a simple journey but it IS rewarding. I'm praying for you and for the day when our sweet little brown girls can play together. God be with you.
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Our Adoption Timeline

October 22, 2013 - Our Preliminary Hearing was held in Ethiopia (we were not present for this one). July 25, 2013 - We accepted the referral of the most precious 6-year-old girl EVER! July 1, 2013 - We are (still) #2 on our agency's wait list. June 11, 2013 - Home Study Renewal appointment with our Social Worker. Officially changed our parameters to accept one child, age 2-6 or two children (sisters), up to age 8. June 1, 2013 - We are (still) #2 on our agency's wait list. May 1, 2013 - We are (still) #2 on our agency's wait list. April 27, 2013 - Received new I600a (previous one was good for 15 months and expired this month April 1, 2013 - We are #2 on our agency's wait list. April 1, 2013 - Jordan has fingerprints renewed. March 22, 2013 - Jeff & Kelley have fingerprints renewed. March 1, 2013 - We are currently (still) #2 on our agency's wait list. February 21, 2013 - Mailed request to USCIS for renewal of fingerprints. February 1, 2013 - We are currently #2 on our agency's wait list. January 1, 2013 - We are currently (still) #3 on our agency's wait list. November 28, 2012 - We are currently #3 on our agency's wait list. November 1, 2012 - We are currently #6 on our agency's wait list. October 18, 2012 - Received amended I171H; now approved to adopt a child, age 2-6 (formerly were approved for age 3-5) October 4, 2012 - Mailed request to amend i171h to USCIS (changing age range from 3-5 to 2-6). September 28, 2012 - We are still #9 on our agency's wait list. August 31, 2012 - We are #9 on our agency's wait list. August 1, 2012 - We are #14 on our agency's wait list. July 1, 2012 - We are #17 on our agency's wait list June 5, 2012 - We are #20 on our agency's wait list MAY 2, 2012 We are #21 on our agency's wait list APRIL 2, 2012 We are #23 on our agency's wait list MARCH 1, 2012 We are #25 on our agency's wait list FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Receive our I171-H..."Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition"....this means that, based upon our application (I600A) and subsequent fingerprinting, we have been approved by the US Customs & Immigration Services to bring an orphan into the USofA. FEBRUARY 3, 2012 We are #27 on our agency's wait list. JANUARY 12, 2012 We are #29 on our agency's wait list. JANUARY 11, 2012 Jeff, Kelley and Jordan fingerprinted at the USCIS office in Nashville. JANUARY 3, 2012 Jordan receives notice of biometrics (fingerprint) appointment (to be done on January 26, 2012). JANUARY 2, 2012 Dossier is delivered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia DECEMBER 18, 2011 Jeff and Kelley receive notice of biometrics (fingerprint) appointments (to be done on January 11, 2012 @ 10:00 am) DECEMBER 13, 2011 Received receipt of I600A from Department of Homeland Security NOVEMBER 28, 2011 Mailed I600A NOVEMBER 26, 2011 FedEx'ed dossier to Lifeline (Louisville, KY) NOVEMBER 25, 2011 Received final product, Home Study report, revised and notarized. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER Work on/Complete all educational requirements. Books: "The Connected Child" and "Adoption Parenting". Two online seminars and completion of Lifeline's "workbook" (includes trans-racial adoption exercises, identifying of resources, adoption - family, social, financial questionnaires, etc.). OCTOBER 21, 2011 Home Study Appointment (#2) - Jeff & I only OCTOBER 12, 2011 In-home Home Study appointment SEPTEMBER 27, 2011 Submitted signed Contract and Fee Schedule agreements to Lifeline SEPTEMBER 2011 Received and began working on Home Study Packet from Adoption Assistance, Inc. Submitted application to AA ($50.00 app fee) SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 Submitted our initial application to Lifeline Childrens Services with $250.00 application fee SEPTEMBER 2011 Begin researching agencies which turned out to be a harder job than expected.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

It's Official....We're "Moving"

4 comments:

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