This week our dossier was sent to China. There were points in the last two months I thought this might never happen. It is such a relief to know it's on the way!
From this point, we wait for it to be logged in, translated, and reviewed. Once those steps are complete. China will officially "match" us with Levi and Lilly. They will then issue a Letter of Approval (LOA). It will be sent to us. We will sign on the dotted line saying we want to join Lilly and Levi to our family! This is a VERY important step. Once the LOA is signed by us and sent back to China, they consider us Lilly and Levi's parents!
After sending back the LOA, a few more steps to follow. We have to apply again with our children's names to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and wait for their approval to make Lilly and Levi U.S. citizens. China waits for that approval from USCIS. Once that is issued, they grant us travel approval (TA) to come to China and pick up our children. We will request a Consulate Appointment and once we have one, we can book our tickets to our babies!
From this point, we wait for it to be logged in, translated, and reviewed. Once those steps are complete. China will officially "match" us with Levi and Lilly. They will then issue a Letter of Approval (LOA). It will be sent to us. We will sign on the dotted line saying we want to join Lilly and Levi to our family! This is a VERY important step. Once the LOA is signed by us and sent back to China, they consider us Lilly and Levi's parents!
After sending back the LOA, a few more steps to follow. We have to apply again with our children's names to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and wait for their approval to make Lilly and Levi U.S. citizens. China waits for that approval from USCIS. Once that is issued, they grant us travel approval (TA) to come to China and pick up our children. We will request a Consulate Appointment and once we have one, we can book our tickets to our babies!
The adoption process has a lot of steps, but we're getting SO close.
Logged In Dossier in China
Letter of Action from China
File form I-800 to USCIS
I-800 approval from National Visa Center
Article 5 (Approval from US)
Travel Approval
Schedule Consulate Appt
Go to CHINA and get Lilly and Levi!!!!!
Please continue to pray for the Lilly and Levi as they wait for us to come. One specific way you can pray is that China will grant our medical expedite. After reviewing Lilly and Levi's files, our pediatrician was gracious to write a letter to China pleading with them to expedite their cases. They both have heart issues that are common with Down Syndrome and it would be best if we could get them home as soon as possible to be checked out. The doctor's letter accompanies our dossier. It is up to China whether or not they see fit to expedite our adoptions. If they do, we could travel earlier than anticipated!
You can also continue to pray for our funds. God is so faithful and He has kept us tethered to Him in faith giving us just what we need for each next payment. We've applied for several adoption grants. Please pray that we might be granted assistance through some of these organizations. If you're local, we'd love for you to come to our Pancake Breakfast, August 15. All the details can be found HERE.
We also still have lots of envelopes to be adopted, if you're interested in investing in the lives of Lilly and Levi.
God has blessed us over and over again. He has provided in so many indescribable ways. It is amazing to see His love for our children that we haven't even met yet. Thank you each for your prayers and support in our journey.
Our hearts long for Lilly and Levi.
