Well, it is finally done! The dossier is the grand finale of paperwork for the international adoption process. We had to compile original, notarized versions of our home study, medical certificates, marriage license, birth certificates, letters of employment, letter of recommendation, 5 references, the deed of our home, proof that our immigration application was approved, photos of us and our home, proof that we had current passports, and child abuse clearances and background checks. All of this times 6. And then I had to make three photocopies of each original! The stack was quite tall. And today it was sent on it's way to North Carolina, first stop, then to Kampala, final destination.
We began the process of gathering documents in March, because we had an idea of what we would need, but we didn't really officially start until closer to May. It took us a total of about 4 months, partly because we needed to wait for our home study, and then wait for immigration paperwork. We couldn't have done it any faster. It's been 7 months since I first saw A's photo. Six since we knew we would be her family. The earliest we could imagine travelling would be March, but it's all dependent on how her paperwork goes. They say 6-9 months is what it takes. So over a year since the whole process began. That's a long time to wait for your small, parentless girl.
We feel very blessed that we are able to pay the fees involved with submitting our dossier, a tidy little sum of $8,150. And once the request comes from Uganda for the rest of the fees, around $6500, we'll have that too. Thanks to those who have donated, prayed for and helped out with our fundraising. This is amazing, miraculous, huge! We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
We have one last mountain to summit, and that is the expense that travel will incur, along with a few other fees that pop up here and there. The total could be as high as $12,000 or higher, depending on how long our stay is. We were told 4-6 weeks, but it's sounding like families end up being there longer, sometimes double that length. Some may question our choice to bring our children, however, I cannot imagine not seeing my 7 year old, 3 year old and two year old for that amount of time. I don't think it would be good for them at all, and I don't think it would be good for our family. Not that it couldn't work for some or in a certain situation, but we are prayerfully planning on bringing all three. Even though it adds extra expense.
We are continuing to put our best efforts into fundraising. I know not everyone agrees with doing this for family building. The way I see it, orphans are everyone's responsibility till they find homes. But not everyone sees it that way, and it's ok. The Lord has worked with our 5 loaves and two fish. He has multiplied what we have done with generosity from the most unexpected sources sometimes. And that is just God for you!
Current Fundraisers
We will be at the Mahtomedi Farmer's Market for three more Saturdays. It is a fun, small town, quirky experience that I highly recommend.
We also are still accepting donations toward the Puzzle Project
And a great way, I think, for families on a tighter budget to help out would be Collecting Change.
We also are very honored that a Car Show will be held to help bring A home a week from Saturday, September 20th, from 9-5. For more details see the facebook page
You could say that now we're official. In our hearts, she's been our daughter since March. That means that we lay in bed and worry about her maybe getting sick, or being sad or hurt. It means we think of her often. I love that feeling of all my kids safely tucked in bed at night, but I always think to myself, no, they're not all safely tucked in bed. Someone is missing. My daughter.
There is something visceral about this mama daughter relationship already. I have a knot in my soul right now, considering recent events in Uganda. We beg for your prayers for her safety, for peace in Uganda, and that the process would not be delayed. My feelings for that little sweet girl are the same as if LuLu, Harry or Finn were in Uganda, surrounded by deadly dangers. Not that I think those things threaten her at this moment, but they could, they're much too near for comfort, and they loom with the threat of blocking our way to get our girl. This is something that is on our minds constantly. We won't truly rest till she's home.
