Up-dating Our Paperwork

Has it already been a year since we began this journey to adopt? Well, it has been according to our social worker. Because. . . . it is time to begin up-dating some of our paperwork. Uugh! However, I don't foresee this being quite as tedious as it was the first time through, thankfully.

So what does need up-dated and completed?

• Our fingerprints for USCIS (US citizenship and immigration services) need to be up-dated. They expire on 12/24/09, but you have to start the process early. We will actually be getting a free fingerprint renewal this time around.
• We are also applying for a grant from Lifesong for Orphans to help with some of our travel costs (approx. $15,000). This requires each of us (Eric and I) to fill out a lengthy application form. It takes quite an extensive look into family finances and our personal walks of Christian faith. We are hoping for success this time around. When we applied for Shohannah's Hope we made it to the final four possible recipients (They pick one family per month.)- but weren't chosen. So that made us slow to apply elsewhere.

This is all that I am aware of at the moment. But I have a feeling that there will be more to come as we wait. It seems that referrals have slowed down for the time being, and Eric and I are stuck at the "half-way" mark "in line"(according to the Bethany forum web page). We were hopeful for a referral, face, gender, etc. by Christmas time, but right now it looks like it could be some time after that till we would know anything. Patience. . . . patience. . . patience.