Motorcycle Sold!

Sold the motorcycle today for the full asking price. PTL! I woke up one morning this past week praying that God would send the right buyer and sell the motorcycle for the right price, and quickly (within the next week). I kept praying this, rather than worrying about it. What a concept! And, today, it was sold. I am thrilled. I have room in my garage again, have money to help toward adoption expenses, and have a load off my mind. God is incredibly good!

Vacation Faux Pas & DTE

Been on vacation this week. Well, actually, I vacated the office, but forgot to vacate the home. Been painting, and painting, and painting. Is there a class out there on vacation etiquette? How one is supposed to take time off, relaxing and enjoying life, taking time to just "be"? A what to do and what not to do class? J/K. In all seriousness, the painting is looking fabulous and I'm nearing completion on that end. There is a team of people who will probably come over in about a week and help me refinish my wood floors, of which my house is mostly made up of. That will be so incredible!

On the adoption front, I am officially DTE today. For those who don't what that is, DTE means "Dossier to Ethiopia." This is the official date one uses to figure out how far into the process one is - how long until one receives a referral of a child.

Have a blessed weekend!

Oh, Glorious Day

According to my inside source at USCIS, they mailed my I-171H on Wednesday. So, as can be expected, I was watching, yet trying not to watch, the mailbox today. The mailman was about an hour later than usual this afternoon. But, he came, and there was that beautiful piece of paper. Needless to say, I was running around trying to make copies, get it notarized (the notary, a different one than I had used previously, said what an honor it was to get to be a part of the adoption process), get it authenticated at the SOS, and then was off to FedEx Kinko's. All while shaking and driving like a maniac. I was also in the middle of working on my house (mudding, painting, pulling up nails and staples because of redoing the wood floors) so I was in my grubbies. I've attached a photo of what I looked like when I finally dropped off the adoption package at FedEx Kinko's (had the guy the guy manning the station take the photo - he was so great). It is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning so that it can be reviewed on Tuesday afternoon with the other dossiers. Now, it is another 7-9 month wait until the referral of my baby girl, and then another two months after that until court is finalized and I get to travel to Ethiopia to pick her up. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Oh such a wonderful and memorable Memorial Day weekend!!!

Más o Menos

Okay, I know that's Spanish not Amharic. But, really, I "more or less" have good news from USCIS. My source on the inside sent me this text today (he was being a detective for me and my case):

The lady that reviewed your file. Approved it on the 15. Now its in underwriting. Should not take much longer.

Woohoo! I hope to not do too much mailbox watching this week, but you know I probably will be. :)

On a different front, I am showing my motorcycle tomorrow to sell it. Please pray that it sells quickly for a great price. I need it to go for two reasons. 1. To simplify my life. 2. To help pay for the adoption process.

Human Pincushion

Well, as you may have guessed, I got seven shots today. Okay, so five of them were vaccinations, and two were at Starbucks (yum, coffee). But, that equals seven, right? Such fun.

I got word today that I will be able to visit the orphanage in Haiti that my church supports at the end of September. For that, I am truly excited.

As for USCIS, right now they still have not delivered the I-171H for the ET adoption process, so I am still waiting. I keep telling myself that God is good and that His timing is perfect, but sometimes I still wonder, even though deep down inside I know it is true.

The Latest Info on My USCIS Case

From an email received today:

The case is currently being reviewed by the officer. Once a decision is made you will be notified.

Thank you
USCIS-OKC

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On a different note:

I got word today that I'll probably be going to Haiti for a little over a week during the summer or fall to help at an orphanage that my church (Victory Church in Oklahoma City) supports. I am very excited about this prospect.

Mother's Day

Celebrated in March in England, and May in the United States. Yet, it is really should be an everyday occurrence. Grateful for the gift of life given by our birth mothers. Grateful for a home of love given by the mothers who have raised us.

Well, this year I am an expectant mother. Not in the sense that I will personally be giving birth, but I am pregnant with the hope of my adopted daughter coming home within the next year from Ethiopia.

If you have never known the true love of a mother, I pray that God steps in and reveals to you that kind of love. Love directly from Him to you, and love from Him through a Godly woman in your life.

God bless you this Mother's Day!

USCIS Update

Good news today. I decided to send the following email last night to USCIS to see where things stood, and to see if I would get a response. They say it takes two days, usually, to get a response. I got one first thing this morning. Yippee!

My email to USCIS:
I am writing to verify your receipt of my home study addendum submitted by my home study provider this week. I am hoping that this resolves any discrepancies my case may have, and that my I-171H will be forthcoming soon. Please let me know if there is anything else you may need from me. I am hoping to be able to complete the adoption process soon, and hope for a quick response from your office to this end.

USCIS email to me:
We did receive your paperwork and your case is awaiting officer review. It should be reviewed within the next week. Once a decision is made we will notify you as soon as possible.