Check! and Check!

An update at where we're at in the process...

This window of the adoption process is about the only part that we have control over how long it takes.  Some families take months to complete their home study.  We've been blessed by a wonderful social worker who has been diligent at doing her part, so we can get our home study in hand quickly.  

The home study is an approval through a state agency that says we're fit to adopt a child.  Some of the things that have been required of us to complete our home study:

-examination of our lives from birth to this point

-interview every family member

-medical exam for every family member

-inspection of our home

-police background clearances

-fingerprints

-documentation to prove everything

We've worked hard at completing everything quickly.  We've completed our 4 face to face interviews that are required.  Now, we wait for our home study to be written.  We'll proofread it and our adoption agency will proofread it.  Once approved on both ends it will be notarized and be done!  We're hoping by the end of next week, it should be complete.

Once our home study is approved and complete, we can apply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  We will submit an application with our home study and $805 each to seek approval to adopt an orphan and bring her back and make her a US citizen.  USCIS will send us an appointment letter in the mail with a time to go and have our fingerprints done at a USCIS office.  Once approval comes from USCIS, we can submit our dossier to China!

There are a lot of steps to this process.  We have to take it one step at a time.  

If you'd like to be a part of bringing Lilly home, you can adopt an envelope HERE.

Thank you for supporting us through prayer as well.  If you'd like to pray for our family, we would love to give you some specifics:

Please pray for Lilly and her care takers as she waits for us.

Pray for the Lord's leading as we have a big decision to make in the coming days.

Pray that God would continue to provide as we've trusted Him in the journey.

Join us as well in thanksgiving as He has been so faithful already.