On Your Mark! Get Set...

by Steve

So where exactly are we in the adoption process?

Whenever I take a road trip to anywhere new I like to look at a road map. I like to see the big picture as well as zoom in to see the tricky parts. Knowing how to get somewhere makes me feel less stressed out when I don't recognize where I am.

At the moment, in this adoption journey, I am in information overload. America World Adoption Agency (AWAA)  has been very helpful. The first introductory packet of papers to sign has the process all laid out in 2 or 3 different formats. But it still feels less like a simple road map and more like a thousand page flight plan for a shuttle launch. So we will be doing a bunch of reading, trying to figure out the right questions to ask and what exactly we are supposed to do when.
God has set our feet upon this road and He will direct our every step while orchestrating the billions of other variables that we will never know, much less control.

So where are we?
It seems that we are waiting for the gun to go off to signal the start of the race.
We applied and were accepted into the Ethiopian program. Then AW sent us about 8 things to read and sign. We signed them and sent them back with our first of three installments for the AW program fee.
Once they get those papers and verify everything is right, we will be assigned a Family Coordinator. Then he/she will help us with what is next -the Homestudy, and the great paper storm. This part of the process takes a few months (maybe 6).
We are expecting to hear from AW no sooner than 3/30, but it could be a few days after that.

Thank you for your prayers!