That’s the million dollar question and I thought I would lay it out there because things are happening fast…and so I can remember it all as a part of her story.
We were able to send a care package to her last week. Our agency has staff in China and will get the package to her orphanage. They suggest sending items that help with attachment so we sent a family photo album, a letter and a blankie. A photo album sounds so simple but could have a positive impact on attachment for the day we meet her. She has no idea who we are and has probably never seen anyone other than the nannies in her orphanage. We will be strangers to her but if someone takes the time to show her our pictures and starts referring to us as Mama and Baba (mommy and daddy) then it could ease the transition when we meet. Please pray with us that the photo album will make it to her and we are introduced to her through it.
We were able to send a care package to her last week. Our agency has staff in China and will get the package to her orphanage. They suggest sending items that help with attachment so we sent a family photo album, a letter and a blankie. A photo album sounds so simple but could have a positive impact on attachment for the day we meet her. She has no idea who we are and has probably never seen anyone other than the nannies in her orphanage. We will be strangers to her but if someone takes the time to show her our pictures and starts referring to us as Mama and Baba (mommy and daddy) then it could ease the transition when we meet. Please pray with us that the photo album will make it to her and we are introduced to her through it.
Each step of the paperwork now must be completed before moving on to the next step, so once a step is approved, we work through the next step as soon as possible.
-I800 - We are currently waiting for approval of our I800 application. This was filed on on December 29th - this is an approval from the US that we can adopt this specific child. We are expecting to receive this in mid January.
-Apply for Visas
-NVC letter -- Issued by the National Visa Center. The last document that tells the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou that our eligibility to adopt has been determined.
-DS-260 - US Department of State form to apply for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration on behalf of our child
-Article 5 drop off and then Article 5 pick up (Chinese New Year and President’s Day will slow this part down). This is the final approval from the United States for the adoption to take place - expected date for this is end of January/beginning of February but more like mid February for us due to the holidays.
-Travel Approval (TA) !!! - This is our invitation to visit China to complete our adoption. Once we receive this we can book our airline tickets. We could travel
1 to 2 weeks from this or one and a half month from receiving this, depending on how long each step ends up taking. Right now, we have several holidays that will slow down the process but we could get TA the last week in February. Our agency schedules travel to her province on either March 18th or April 15th. If each step stays in the “expected time” we would make the March 18th travel group!! It will be a close call. I am reminded that God knows and His timing is best!
I’m not concerned about the waiting…on our end. We have PLENTY to do to get ready. But I hate the thought of Gracie having to stay in an orphanage one more day…much less another month. She needs to learn to eat solid food. She needs to learn to play. She needs the love of her family. And we need her. We covet your prayers for her health, guidance about medical decisions, and the process of attachment for all of us.