Paperwork in Progress

I am happy to report that we've finished nearly all of the paperwork that is within our control during the "paper chase" part of the adoption process.  Since officially signing our adoption agreements with America World last December, I have requested, collected, notarized, and organized countless documents.  The required home study visits by our social worker were accompanied by the following paperwork:  autobiography written by Kent and I, our residential history, background/police checks on both of us, child abuse checks on each, medical reports on each adult and all three kids, birth certificates for each person in our family, marriage certificate, recent tax returns, net worth statements, verification of employment letters, three letters of reference, guardianship agreements, and eight other forms to be filled out/notarized.    And that's only for the home study.  Our dossier (the official pack of documents that will be sent to Ethiopia) includes a list of twenty-one required documents/letters/forms; each meticulously requested, collected, and notarized (some also require the seal of the Secretary of State).  As a final step, the entire dossier will be copied in triplicate and mailed to our agency who in turn sends it to Ethiopia.

I am patiently waiting for my maiden name background check to be completed by the Department of Criminal Investigation.  Once that's received, our home study can be finished by our social worker.  The finished home study will be sent to the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS).  We will then be granted an official fingerprinting appointment and (hopefully) receive the coveted I-171H form (USCIS approval).  And THEN our dossier will be complete and we can officially end the collecting part of the process and move on to the next stage (waiting).  I have to admit,  I took great pleasure in checking items off of our list.  But now that I'm waiting on the things that other people and agencies have to provide, the thrill is gone.  {In a big way.}

Why Ethiopia?

In regard to an Ethiopian adoption, I've been asked this question multiple times over the past few months. Why Ethiopia?   I've {mainly} suppressed my first reaction (why not?).  The truth is, the question isn't easy to answer.  In short, God led us to Ethiopia.  We began our foray into international adoption several years ago and our desire to adopt (first from El Salvador, then Guatemala, and finally China) was met with multiple roadblocks; eventually our adoption plans were set aside.  God planted the seed of Ethiopia in my heart nearly a year ago and it has grown into my heart's desire.  Why Ethiopia?  Quite simply, because that's where our sovereign God has led my heart and our family.

In addition to it being God's sovereign plan {as if more evidence was needed!?!} I've learned:

• One in six children in Ethiopia will die before their 5th birthday
• 1/2 of all children in Ethiopia will never attend school
• 4.6 million orphans live in Ethiopia
• There are more Ethiopian doctors in Chicago than there are in Ethiopia

So why Ethiopia?  I feel like saying {you} ask God.  Instead, I will try (in 20 words or less) to explain that it is where God has led us and that my heart has already been changed forever.  I'd better practice the brevity part.