We are closing in on the last few steps of the adoption process. We are talking dates, making tentative reservations and getting plans in order. Last week, we got our I-800 approval from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). This approval says that Lilly and Levi will be U.S. citizens upon arriving in the U.S. It also gives us permission to apply for their visas to enter the U.S. since they will be coming home with a Chinese passport. We have submitted their visa applications and they will be forwarded to the Consulate in China where we will have an appointment during our stay there.
From October 1-7, China is shut down for a holiday. There will be no movement the next few days for our case, but once it opens back up, a courier in China will drop off a packet of information for U.S. approval called the Article 5. It will then be picked up and moved to the China side of things. From there China will issue us a Travel Approval to come and get Lilly and Levi! Our agency will immediately request Consulate Appointment date choices. The Consulate will send back our Consulate Appointment day and we can book our plane tickets!
We will travel for 2 weeks. The first part of the trip will be in the capital city of our children's province. It is there, shortly after arriving, we will meet them! The next day we will sign paperwork. We will remain in their province to wait for the adoption decree and passports to be issued. From there, we will fly to Guangzhou, China. This is where the Embassy and Consulate is. All adoptive parents have to go through this city before coming home. It is here, our children will have an Embassy Medical Appointment. We will also have our appointment at the U.S. Consulate. We'll await their visas and then we can come home!!!!
God has been so faithful through this process and provided every step of the way. We started with a financial need of $55,000 for 2 adoptions. We are down to needing $3500 before travel! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. He has made a way that we could not imagine. We are so grateful for His provision. We have two more ways for you to be a part. See the details on our FB page about the American Girl doll give away that ends this week. Our last and final fundraiser will be a Haircut-a-thon!!!! Who doesn't need a haircut? Grow out your hair and mark your calendars for the evening of October 18. Watch for details next week on our FB pages. Thank you again to all who have supported us in all of our creative ways as we've raised our funds. Thank you for being willing to be a vessel used by God to provide for His children. You are making an investment in the lives of two beautiful children forever. Thank you does not seem adequate.
God has been so faithful through this process and provided every step of the way. We started with a financial need of $55,000 for 2 adoptions. We are down to needing $3500 before travel! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. He has made a way that we could not imagine. We are so grateful for His provision. We have two more ways for you to be a part. See the details on our FB page about the American Girl doll give away that ends this week. Our last and final fundraiser will be a Haircut-a-thon!!!! Who doesn't need a haircut? Grow out your hair and mark your calendars for the evening of October 18. Watch for details next week on our FB pages. Thank you again to all who have supported us in all of our creative ways as we've raised our funds. Thank you for being willing to be a vessel used by God to provide for His children. You are making an investment in the lives of two beautiful children forever. Thank you does not seem adequate.
Here's what our timeline over the last few months looks like! We've crossed off so many steps!
Article 5 drop-off (Approval from US)
Aritcle 5 pick-up
Travel Approval
Schedule Consulate Appt
Go to CHINA and get Lilly and Levi!!!!!
Go to CHINA and get Lilly and Levi!!!!!
God is good. To God be all the glory.
