We have our Article 5 Letter, now what?

A huge praise! Our I800 approval arrived last week and I quickly applied for Ryan's visa application which resulted in this landing in my Inbox Tuesday morning

This means CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority, the organization that oversees all Indian adoptions) can begin the NOC (no objection certificate) process. Basically CARA will approve the Article 5 letter and send it on to the local level in the region from which we are adopting. This is the ARC (Adoption Recommendation Committee) process. In order to approve it, they will be checking to see that all of our paper work is in order and has been completed correctly, the orphanage has submitted their paperwork accurately, and the committee will be looking to find no objection to Ryan being adopted by our family, etc, etc. This sounds simple enough but from what I've read, many, many people are waiting months for this step (5 months, 7months, 10 months...)  This is where we need the PRAYERS of MANY! PRAY these good men and women move quickly on behalf of ALL orphans, not just ours. PRAY that they are able to do their work effectively. Who knows what setbacks or obstacles they might be facing that could cause delays. PRAY that everything is in order when they view our file. PRAY for these children waiting to find their way home to their families. PRAY for my patience as summer starts and I find myself with more free time. I intend to find all sorts of ways to keep myself distracted from waiting for approvals. I am open to suggestions. :)

After the ARC approval, we still have to wait for the final NOC, court, then wait for his passport to be issued. Still a few months away at least but we are finally waiting on India so that's positive news.

Thank you for praying for us and for our baby boy who's not so much of a baby - turning 15 months on Monday. Praying he's home with us very, very soon cause we are very, very ready!

Take a look at this --->>>

Ok, look right and then down a little. Our fundraising thermometer has risen! We were blessed with TWO large grants last month from JSC Foundation and Hand in Hand Christian Adoption Inc. TWO! For a total of over $9,000!!! In case you don't know, grants do not have to be paid back. We had prayed fervently for any sort of financial assistance, applied for 7 grants and two no interest loans. I spent at least 60 hours on grant paperwork not knowing if we'd even get a grant and we received TWO!  We also learned Scott's employer, UPS, has a reimbursement program that pays out once our adoption is final. So I THINK we are just a little short if all of our estimates are right and there aren't any additional costs that might creep up on us. Praising God for answered prayers! Everyone I know that has adopted said not to worry about the financial part because it all works out in the end. I never doubted it would but to see it all unfold before our eyes is miraculous.

Thanks to so many generous friends and family members that have prayed for us, encouraged us, offered donations, booked lots of photo sessions, sent text messages, emails, ooh'ed and ahh'ed over his photos, and loved us through this. We appreciate you so very much!

Now for an update, we are currently waiting for our I800 approval (the petition to classify an orphan as a relative). This should arrive any day now. I have filled out Ryan's DS230 (visa application) and I will mail it out with our I800 approval once it arrives. If I'm understanding the steps correctly, once his visa is approved we will receive our Article 5 letter. The rest of the approvals will take place in India. We still do not know when we will travel. Unfortunately with so many changes with the India program and the unpredictability of the approval process, it still may be several more months but we are praying for late summer but fall is probably more realistic - and it literally pains me to type that.... While I had hoped we would be further along by this time, I now have to find a way to keep myself occupied all summer while we wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait some more. If you have any suggestions, let me know! :)