We went to the Mansfield Public Safety office and paid to get our background checks. The lady said it would take a few days and then we can go back and pick up our paperwork. That was the easy part.
Next, we drove to Fort Worth to get our fingerprints made. We got to the Immigration office and two security guards acted like we were interupting an important video game. One was kind to take our paperwork that proved we already paid to get fingerprinted. A minute later, a very intimidating man appeared. He asked what we wanted and then told us we couldn't get our fingerprints done without an appointment. We told him that there is no phone number or email to make an appointment. He took our number and said he'd look into it for us.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Final Home Study Visit
"God is love." -1 John 4:8
Matt drove up to meet with our social worker for his one-on-one meeting. This completed our part of the Home Study. Adela said that she should have all of the report finished by the end of the month. Then we submit a copy to USCIS and wait on our I-171 form!
Here's what we have left (errand wise) to wrap up our Dossier: fingerprints, 'no criminal record' check, and 2 passport photos.
Matt drove up to meet with our social worker for his one-on-one meeting. This completed our part of the Home Study. Adela said that she should have all of the report finished by the end of the month. Then we submit a copy to USCIS and wait on our I-171 form!
Here's what we have left (errand wise) to wrap up our Dossier: fingerprints, 'no criminal record' check, and 2 passport photos.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Home Study, Parts 2 & 3
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
Our social worker, Adela, is a saint. She offered to combine two of our sessions which saves us some time. Go Adela! Today she interviews Cindi and then me and Cindi. Adela asked us about how we discipline the children. She also reminded us about the special needs children who need forever families. Another question was why we wanted to adopt a boy. Next Monday is our final Home Study visit!
Our social worker, Adela, is a saint. She offered to combine two of our sessions which saves us some time. Go Adela! Today she interviews Cindi and then me and Cindi. Adela asked us about how we discipline the children. She also reminded us about the special needs children who need forever families. Another question was why we wanted to adopt a boy. Next Monday is our final Home Study visit!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Home Study Part 1
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." -2 Thessalonians 3:16
Finally, we have made some progress. Our passports arrived a couple weeks after last post! Tonight, our social worker, Adela, came and asked us some questions about why we want to adopt from Ethiopia. The visit went great. She stayed for dinner and we set up times to complete the remaining three visits. If all goes well, we should wrap up the Home Study by the end of March.
Finally, we have made some progress. Our passports arrived a couple weeks after last post! Tonight, our social worker, Adela, came and asked us some questions about why we want to adopt from Ethiopia. The visit went great. She stayed for dinner and we set up times to complete the remaining three visits. If all goes well, we should wrap up the Home Study by the end of March.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Passports
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." -Psalm 84:10
We went to the local post office to get our passports made. A simple task turned into something straight out of a Stephen King novel. We had an appointment and got there at 11:05. We didn't leave until 12:15! We even filled out the applications online in hopes of expediting the process.
It took 30 minutes for the lady to come and meet us. She started to fall asleep at the table (picture someone who has had too much to drink). We had our three kids in tow which added to the fun. We had to get the manager twice. The first time the guy came out, he said, "Kathy, are you okay?" She came out of the stupor long enough to tell the guy she was fine and off he went. Kathy went back to our application, and tried writing a zero. She made a few "air" zeros and then dozed off again. We went for the manager a second time. He pulled Kathy to the backroom for a few minutes. She returned and was upset that we told on her. "So, you told them that I was falling asleep? I wasn't sleeping. You'd know it if I was sleeping!"
We hope Kathy mails our checks and forms to the government and doesn't pitch them in the trash because we told on her.
We went to the local post office to get our passports made. A simple task turned into something straight out of a Stephen King novel. We had an appointment and got there at 11:05. We didn't leave until 12:15! We even filled out the applications online in hopes of expediting the process.
It took 30 minutes for the lady to come and meet us. She started to fall asleep at the table (picture someone who has had too much to drink). We had our three kids in tow which added to the fun. We had to get the manager twice. The first time the guy came out, he said, "Kathy, are you okay?" She came out of the stupor long enough to tell the guy she was fine and off he went. Kathy went back to our application, and tried writing a zero. She made a few "air" zeros and then dozed off again. We went for the manager a second time. He pulled Kathy to the backroom for a few minutes. She returned and was upset that we told on her. "So, you told them that I was falling asleep? I wasn't sleeping. You'd know it if I was sleeping!"
We hope Kathy mails our checks and forms to the government and doesn't pitch them in the trash because we told on her.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Adoption Journey-Day 105
"The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." -Matthew 1:23
We had our final piece of paper notarized which completed our Home Study application pack. A friend of ours from church had a great suggestion about hand delivering the paperwork. Our coordinator lives almost 40 miles north of Mansfield, but it was a blessing to know the forms got there. We put a bow and a To/From sticker on the manilla envelope to keep the Christmas spirit.
Dear Father, thank you for Jesus. Your precious holy Son. You are with us and we praise you now and forever!
We had our final piece of paper notarized which completed our Home Study application pack. A friend of ours from church had a great suggestion about hand delivering the paperwork. Our coordinator lives almost 40 miles north of Mansfield, but it was a blessing to know the forms got there. We put a bow and a To/From sticker on the manilla envelope to keep the Christmas spirit.
Dear Father, thank you for Jesus. Your precious holy Son. You are with us and we praise you now and forever!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bible Journey- Adam & Eve
"the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." -Genesis 2:7
When our heavenly Father grants me the grace to experience His word, my life is forever changed. Pastor Daniels gave a sermon about the wise men doing whatever it took to reach Jesus. That got me thinking about how the entire Bible is really a series of journeys taken by people who were in need of a relationship with their Creator. The adoption journey is a mirror that reflects God's larger plan of calling His children to a life that they could never have or make on their own.
The first journey was given to Adam and it took him from dust to life on the breath of the Father. Can you imagine? No cars, airplanes, buses,etc. Adam arrived in Eden by the breath of God. He saw beautiful trees grow and a river run. Adam was put in charge of taking care of paradise. As he obeyed, the Father gave him more responsiblity. Adam had been given the task of naming all the living creatures. He followed instructions. God wasn't finished with Adam.
The second Bible journey was given to Eve and it took her from one Adam's ribs to life, once more on the breath of God. The Father escorted her to Adam and the first travelers were loved by their Creator and each other. What I learn from this passage is that God is not only the Author of life but also the Author of Journeys. His timing. For His will to be done. Today is a gift. We are right where we need to be.
When our heavenly Father grants me the grace to experience His word, my life is forever changed. Pastor Daniels gave a sermon about the wise men doing whatever it took to reach Jesus. That got me thinking about how the entire Bible is really a series of journeys taken by people who were in need of a relationship with their Creator. The adoption journey is a mirror that reflects God's larger plan of calling His children to a life that they could never have or make on their own.
The first journey was given to Adam and it took him from dust to life on the breath of the Father. Can you imagine? No cars, airplanes, buses,etc. Adam arrived in Eden by the breath of God. He saw beautiful trees grow and a river run. Adam was put in charge of taking care of paradise. As he obeyed, the Father gave him more responsiblity. Adam had been given the task of naming all the living creatures. He followed instructions. God wasn't finished with Adam.
The second Bible journey was given to Eve and it took her from one Adam's ribs to life, once more on the breath of God. The Father escorted her to Adam and the first travelers were loved by their Creator and each other. What I learn from this passage is that God is not only the Author of life but also the Author of Journeys. His timing. For His will to be done. Today is a gift. We are right where we need to be.
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