Officially A Family Of Five

Our 2nd court date was last Friday 3/26, and we just got word this morning that we PASSED! I have been very very sick all week and haven't had a voice for 3-4 days, so I had emailed our adoption agency and social worker to email me the news instead of calling, since I can't talk. Well - she called me anyway. :-) I was at the doctor's office when I saw the call was from her, so I had to answer because I was so nervous! She knew I couldn't talk though, so she started the call with "I know you can't talk, so don't try. Just listen! YOU PASSED!!" :-) Then she said she'd email the info to me too.

Listed below is part of the email she sent us, explaining the rest of the process. YES, there's more process and waiting!! (Insert exasperated gasp here) It's a long long process, and we have been "paper pregnant" since Summer 2008! Now that's a long pregnancy! ;-)

Although I am over the moon that we passed court finally, my heart is breaking for a dear friend Kari Johnson. We have been working side by side in the process since day #1, and I have been praying with all of my heart that Kari and I would be able to travel together to pick up our children. Today, Kari received some bad news that she did not pass court on Friday and they are rescheduled for April 12th. My heart is breaking for the Johnson family. I know everything happens for a reason, but I also know that God answers the prayers of Godly people for things asked in His name. Please - I beg of anyone reading this to pray for a miracle for the Johnson family. Please let MOWA write the missing letter before their court date so they can get a "surprise pass." Please let them pass their next court date. Please coordinate things so that we will still be able to travel together. Kari's husband Jason isn't going to be traveling to Ethiopia with her, so she will be traveling alone and I really want to be there and be a support to her while in Ethiopia by herself. Please please pray, friends!! Nothing is too big for God.

Here is the rest of our process below:

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We are happy to inform you that the Wald family was approved in court on 3/26 (our team in Ethiopia did not have power/internet access on Friday and therefore just emailed us today with outcome)! Please congratulate the family on our, and our Ethiopian staff’s, behalf!

The next step for this family is to again….wait. Our staff in Ethiopia now will work to get the following:

* Written approval (called the Adoption Declaration Letter) from the court (3-7 days) – what happened today was just the “verbal” approval,
* Translation and authentication of this approval letter (2-3 days)
* MOWA letter of recommendation for the birth certificate and passport (5-7 days)
* Apply for and secure a new birth certificate (1 -2 weeks)
* Apply for and secure a passport (1-2 weeks after acquiring birth certificate)
* Required medical tests, including a TB test for Embassy appointment
* Preparation of Visa application packet for US Embassy appointment

Once these documents are all in order, an application is made to the U.S. Embassy for an appointment on the family’s behalf. Thus, your family can expect to hear from us about their Embassy date (and an invitation to travel) in the next 1-3 months. Family’s typically get 2 weeks notice of their Embassy appointment (although there is no guarantee and notice times may be shorter or longer).