Entering the Embassy stage of international adoption (IA) is exciting, as it typically means you're getting pretty darn close to bringing your child home. Unfortunately, we have to include "typically," because, well, as we've said before, anything goes with IA. And "close," that's subjective, too.
We're not there yet, but almost! Here's the lingo to look for the next few weeks:
SUBMITTED: This means our family's application/case/paperwork is hand delivered to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by our agency's in-country team. Each agency is assigned a day & time when they're allowed to submit cases, Tuesdays for ours. We're praying our case will be submitted tomorrow, 12/4. Please pray the application packet is ready & delivered on time. We'll get an update on this during the day tomorrow as they are 8 hours ahead.
Then we wait (10, 20, 30, 65 days?) We should receive an email directly from the Embassy noting receipt of the case, then another when they begin the review/investigation; however, sometimes families don't hear about these steps. The Embassy reviews all cases to ensure the child is a legitimate and adoptable orphan. Thankfully, the current Embassy turn-around time has been on the shorter end. If there is a RFE (Request For [more] Evidence), you wait some more.
Wait for what? This word:
CLEARED!
This beautiful word (which apparently arrives via email in the wee hours of US time) means we are invited to schedule our interview with the US Embassy in Addis. TRANSLATE to BEING UNITED WITH A.
We (okay, I) jump up & down and fist-pump for 30 seconds, text parents, then immediately scramble to coordinate calendars with the Embassy and our agency to choose 3 dates all parties are available to complete the in-country interview.
While waiting ?-48 hours to hear the confirmed interview date, we (I) hurriedly contact the travel agent, our agency, house & dog caregivers (hopefully none for the kiddos, as we're praying they'll travel with us); and jump through ?#?#?# hoops to get us ready to fly to Ethiopia ASAP.
I'm holding my breath and my heart rate's increasing as I type! I'm also realizing I typed a lot of words to teach you two: SUBMITTED and CLEARED! Unless you're new here, it's no surprise.
We're not there yet, but almost! Here's the lingo to look for the next few weeks:
SUBMITTED: This means our family's application/case/paperwork is hand delivered to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by our agency's in-country team. Each agency is assigned a day & time when they're allowed to submit cases, Tuesdays for ours. We're praying our case will be submitted tomorrow, 12/4. Please pray the application packet is ready & delivered on time. We'll get an update on this during the day tomorrow as they are 8 hours ahead.
Then we wait (10, 20, 30, 65 days?) We should receive an email directly from the Embassy noting receipt of the case, then another when they begin the review/investigation; however, sometimes families don't hear about these steps. The Embassy reviews all cases to ensure the child is a legitimate and adoptable orphan. Thankfully, the current Embassy turn-around time has been on the shorter end. If there is a RFE (Request For [more] Evidence), you wait some more.
Wait for what? This word:
CLEARED!
This beautiful word (which apparently arrives via email in the wee hours of US time) means we are invited to schedule our interview with the US Embassy in Addis. TRANSLATE to BEING UNITED WITH A.
We (okay, I) jump up & down and fist-pump for 30 seconds, text parents, then immediately scramble to coordinate calendars with the Embassy and our agency to choose 3 dates all parties are available to complete the in-country interview.
While waiting ?-48 hours to hear the confirmed interview date, we (I) hurriedly contact the travel agent, our agency, house & dog caregivers (hopefully none for the kiddos, as we're praying they'll travel with us); and jump through ?#?#?# hoops to get us ready to fly to Ethiopia ASAP.
I'm holding my breath and my heart rate's increasing as I type! I'm also realizing I typed a lot of words to teach you two: SUBMITTED and CLEARED! Unless you're new here, it's no surprise.
Praying with you!!
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