moving along

...... we received notice from the Department of Homeland Security that USCIS has received our paperwork and we should be going to Birmingham for our "biometrics" appointment in about two weeks (fingers crossed). Biometrics is the fancy term for fancy fingerprints. I emailed our agency today asking when we should expect to be approved by India since that seems to be the last stage in this process, assuming our fingerprints are accepted without any snags. We are (maybe super-duper overly) optimistic that we will have a referral by early 2013.

Our adoption fundraising is plugging along, too. We've raised $5,000 with my photography business exchanging donations for free photo sessions. All together we've raised about $9,500 since June. Not too shabby and proof of God's faithfulness. He has provided every penny and right on time.

When I can remember, I take a photo of the checks I receive for photo donations. A third party is handling all donations and sending them to our agency. It's been such a blessing to see how God has used what was once a hobby, turn into a part-time career, turn into to a way to help not only bring our orphan home but one day help other orphans, too. I often say I am living Proverbs 16:3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. What other way can I explain how all of this has fallen into place? 

Just God doing his thing and I'm grateful he's chosen our family for this journey. 

Elated

We got some encouraging news today! After the day I had yesterday, God knew just what I needed to hear. I love it when he does that.

(thanks God)

We received our immigration paper work a few days ago (the I800A) and we were told to wait until our home study had been approved by the state to send it off to USCIS.

Well, we found out today that our home study has been approved by the state of Alabama! Finally! Praise God! 

All we need to do is sign the I800A and send a money order for $890 <gulp> to USCIS. We plan to do this first thing tomorrow! The next step will be our final finger printing in Birmingham which *should* take place next month.  Today we were also registered with CARA, Central Adoption Resource Authority. This is the body that governs all Indian adoptions!! Yay, another praise! When I received the email from our agency, with the screen shot of our registration, they said to print it for her baby book.

Baby book? Wow.
It's so much more tangible.

After weeks of paper work and weeks of waiting, it's refreshing to see progress being made.

This is for your baby book Mia. Can't wait to share it with you. <3