STILL WAITING and other updates....

Since the first part of October not much has changed for us, other than waiting. I'm a touch on the frustrated side right now. We anticipated being on the waiting list by now for our little peanut but we are not. We have had everything completed on our end but just found out about a week and a half ago that our home study agency had not mailed our home study to USCIS (immigration). USCIS is the agency responsible for scheduling our preapproval (I-600A and I-171). Well guess what, they can't schedule that without our home study in their hands. The home study was couriered over to USCIS in IN., on the day that I spoke to our home study agency. So, we pretty frustrated, to say the least. It typically takes about 2 weeks from the time the agency submits your home study to the time USCIS schedules your fingerprint appt. Then you go get your fingerprints (Brandon and I), then it takes them 2 weeks to process that, then 2 weeks to get that paperwork to our adoption agency (FTIA). So, we are looking at 4 more weeks before we are on the waiting list at FTIA. HOOO-HUMMM! I am once again reminded why you must have faith in this process and that God is in complete control and things will happen in His perfect time. So, I will keep you all posted as to when we are officially on the list.

Also, more big news, our adoption agency has closed the doors to applications for the Vietnam program. They did this to accomodate all of the waiting families. They are not going to open the doors to additional adoptions from Vietnam until the process begins to speed up. We are fortunate that we are grandfathered in based on our application being received prior to this decision.

Last and certainly not least, we had the Hope Gala on Nov. 3rd. FTIA had the World of Hope Gala to raise money for orphans in Vietnam. 100% of the proceeds of this annual event will be going to orphanages, to caregiver training, education in Vietnam, etc. Brandon and I had the joy of volunteering that evening and again it brought us much closer to a daughter that seems so far away, not just in distance. We were so amazed at the turnout, as it was the first year of this annual event. The support given to the children was amazing. It's difficult to put it into words, but it was a very special evening for everyone involved.

Well, I guess that is just about it for now....I hope to be writing again soon to say we have our fingerprint appt!!! :))))