Adoption Process - Week 10 10/15/2004
The Waiting Game
Well, our Homestudy paperwork is all in. Our police clearances were received by the court, and all our reference letters have been received. Up until now we have had so much to do: forms to fill out, stories to write, documents to track down, applications to sign, checks to write, doctors to see, and fingerprints to make available to every law enforcement agency known to man. It was busy, crazy, challenging, and exhausting. And I want it back!!!!
Because now we wait. First we wait for our Homestudy to be written by the social worker and then submitted. Then we wait for the Judge to certify us (ha ha, certify us, that’s funny - I’d never thought of that one). Then we wait for the notarized copies of our Homestudy and certification. Then we wait for our USCIS approval to be completed. Then we wait for authentication by the state, apostilling by the feds, and finally translation of the entire dossier (which of course takes place in Ukraine). After that is mailed back to us, we send everything right back to Kiev to the National Adoption Center and then we get to pick up our boy wait some more (sigh). We wait for them to approve us. If they find everything in order, we then have to wait for an invitation. Once we have received our invitation and have requested a date, then we wait to travel. We’re so close, and yet so far.
The prize for those who can wait it out: a beautiful toddler for your very own!
God give me strength, patience, and plenty to do to help the time pass more quickly!
Yes, the entire adoption process is so much about hurry up and wait. And wait. And wait some more. What is the average wait (if there is one)for the Ukraine?
You’re doing great, Jodi!! God has blessed you with Perseverence, and that will walk you through the Patience and the wait. Is this what it means to “run the race with patience” (Heb 12:1)? (KJV uses “patience”, NASB uses “endurance”.)
Love you!!
Marla,
I’m glad you stopped by! The average wait for Ukraine (I think) from the time you submit your dossier until the time you bring home your child is probably 4-7 months. Not sure on that one. Hopefully our Ukraine agency rep will stumble across this and answer for us more clearly.