So I must admit I've hesitated to write for the last few weeks. I
kept hoping if I just waited this finalization of the homestudy would
happen. And then I wondered if I could pester it into happening and
this weekend God reminded me ... this is His time frame in this journey
and if He wants me to wander in the desert who am I to complain. Just
because the Israelites wandered didn't mean they were outside of God's
will or His direction. We've been studying Moses leading the Isrealites
and it struck me that God's presence was seen as a clear physical sign
while they wandered. They still complained and I must admit I've had my
share... glad for God's grace.
At times I feel that
being stuck somewhere is a waste of time in my journey. I often get
caught up about where and when I can reach the journey and still have to
be reminded that its about the faith and relationship during the
journey that God focuses on.... guess I don't get to check it off yet
but I know I am faithfully getting things done and doing things as God
leads so that I can be grateful for.
I've been working
on collecting the paperwork needed for the Ethiopian dossier. I have
gotten vital records we needed from outside the state and thankfully the
last one came back from out of state with a state seal. It took a
month for one of them to return so I'm glad I did it ahead of time and
don't have that holding me up later.
At this point we
are waiting for a staff member to give their final approval. Then it
gets signed and notarized and sent to the state DSS office for their
official review and then its released to the immigration office. I file a
form called a I 600A. We wait for them to review it and make an
appointment to get our fingerprints done then wait for them to confirm
pre-approval for citizenship for a future adopted child. They then take
a few weeks for background checks on fingerprints and send us a form we
need to get state sealed. After we get that back all the south
carolina forms need to be taken to Columbia for a state seal and then we
can submit it to Bethany. Bethany reviews it and forwards it to
Washington DC Embassy for Ethiopia who confirms it then its sent to
Ethiopia. Their embassy in Ethiopia then recieves it and reviews it.
Once its submitted through their review we go on the waiting list to be
matched which may take up to three years....
Oh the places we must go to get there...
While
we wait... we are beginning to learn more about the culture. We had
fun going to eat Ethiopian food with friends near my birthday a few
weekends ago. The food was delicious! If anyone wants to go back to
eat with us family style again let me know. :) I guess while I'm
waiting I've been blessed with friends who excitedly ask for updates and
pray with us and participate with us. We are really blessed even
though I don't have that check mark life has been blessed.
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| A traditional chair and basket to hold the family plate to sit around and eat |
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| This was our wonderful sample of many different types of food with bread -injera rolled in a basket in front of it . you broke off a piece of injera and dipped/scooped with your whole right hand to eat with... no utensils supplied |
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| We obviously liked it :) |
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| We had a good time |
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| My friend Karyn sat beside my cousin Karen |
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| Kayla and Sergio came along and were courageous to try new flavors |
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| My cousin David and his wife Karen and daughter Kiera met us.. Kierra ate "green berries" (Karen's creative alternative name to get her to eat her peas) and she ate each with gusto adding "Spicy!!" comments to try to fit in with the rest of the table discussions... too cute!! |
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| We are blessed to have shared our first taste of Ethiopian food with friends and family-- can't wait to go back. |
