JOYFUL!!! JOYFUL!!!

What a joyful day! Immigration approval (Form I-171H) arrived in the mail July 24, 2008. My entire Dossier (20 notarized documents) is on its way to the Secretary of State to be "certified". That process, I believe, takes approximately 2 weeks. Upon completion, the original, certified package will be forwarded to my agency (Adoption Avenues) in Portland, Oregon. They will then make arrangements to have my dossier "walked" through The Department of State and The Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C. where everything will be "authenticated". That process takes 2 or 3 days. I am not sure if everything goes back to my Agency or if the Embassy sends it directly to Ethiopia. Once it arrives in Ethiopia it will be translated and delivered to The Ministry of Women's Affairs who reviews it and provides the referral. I've done my part - the rest is in God's hands. And I trust Him 100%.

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.

But those who make their journey home
across time and miles,

growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,

are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us

by God's very own hands." (Kristi Larson)

Toukoul Orphanage

I am so happy. I FINALLY received Immigration Approval!!! As I wait for final documents to get back to me (next week), I find myself constantly searching for information about Ethiopia and its people. The internet is full of wonderful information. I was able to locate some on-line videos of the actual orphanage where my daughter will come from. I've posted the links to the right under "Great Links" as Toukoul Orphanage Parts 1 & 2. I hope you enjoy them.