God certainly is good! On Tuesday, June 7th, following some discouragement, we sent the following email requesting prayer again:
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Family and friends…we do not yet have too much information. So far, here is the update:
When we received approval from the judge two days prior to the close of the courts in Chennai for the summer, we were not aware that the court documents needed to be processed before the close. This did not happen. (Another family who received their court approval a week before us, did receive their court documents toward the beginning of May.) We have been waiting for the Chennai courts to reopen—this happened yesterday, June 6th (it could have been worse…many cities remain closed for another month or two). We are hoping the documents will be prepared and delivered this week. They are necessary to apply for Joshna’s Indian passport and to file our I-600 USCIS application to adopt Joshna. As you may remember, June 26th is our USCIS deadline for filing the I-600. Because it will take one to four weeks for the court documents to arrive and because it takes two to four weeks for her passport to be issued, we are looking at a date past the 26th when we can apply for the I-600 in New Delhi. The only way to avoid applying again for the I-600a with the USCIS is to file for the I-600 domestically in DC by June 26th. Once we file for the I-600, we are ineligible to apply for the I-600a again.
Yes, these forms are confusing to remember what is what. The important things to remember for prayer are…
- that the court documents would arrive within a week
- that they would be received by our adoption agency in the US very soon thereafter
- that our TBI background check would be completed quickly so that an updated home study done yesterday can be sent with our I-600 application
- that all necessary forms and documents would be received by the USCIS a week prior to June 26th (in case there are problems that need solving)
- that our case would officially be accepted by the USCIS near our deadline of the 26th (cases applied for domestically can take 2-3 months for approval, versus the 2-3 days for approval if submitted in New Delhi….we will try to have our case expedited with someone high in the USCIS) and that there would be no problems with our acceptance so that we are not starting completely over with an I-800a application (this would delay our trip later than the fall)
- that Joshna’s passport would be issued quickly and coincide with our I-600 acceptance so that we can travel and bring her home as soon as possible
During our home study yesterday, our social worker commented that it has been way to long for Joshna to come home. She has worked with international adoptions for over ten years, so for her to say this means a great deal. Of course, in our book, it has been way to long….but we are emotionally attached. She knows delays in adoptions, and this one is even uncharacteristic for her. The past week has been very hard on all of us, especially Ellie. She is confused and has no idea what is true anymore. We were told to prepare for travel. Now travel is not happening soon because of the court document delay. They had no way to foresee the documents not arriving due to the court closing, but this news is still frustrating. How does a seven year old take these delays which none of us understand? She has had many meltdowns. She will cry often and throw fits over very little things, while saying she has no idea why she is behaving this way. Here I am, 38 years old, and acting the same way! We are grateful for the conversations this has created in our family about the lessons God is teaching us through all of this….we are just at a point where we would love to move past these lessons and have Joshna join our family. I am now ready for the sibling rivalry lessons! (Be careful what I wish….)
Thank you all for the continued prayers. We thank God for answering the prayers for peace and strenth during this time! We have definitely felt those being answered! I have had the ability to complete the additional paperwork that I once found so daunting. I do not worry about tomorrow as much as I was a month ago (when I become “perfect” at this, I will let you know!). My Dad’s stroke has taught me so much about living each day as it comes. It is all in God’s control, and He will carry us through. The paperwork delays inabled all of us to visit Dad and Betty in San Antonio over the holiday weekend (it was a very special time for Ellie and her Opa). This last minute trip would not have been possible if we had gone to India already. We are learning more and more to thank God in all circumstances and to trust Him even when we do not understand. Thanks for your patience and prayers with us through all of this. We are grateful for our dear community of believers!
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On Thursday, June 9th, we received good news and sent out a follow-up email:
Praise God, for He IS GREAT!!! Time after time we have sent a prayer request, and time after time He has answered quickly! We are extremely grateful for showing us His plan and encouraging us as we wait for our daughter to come home! We just heard from our social worker that they will receive Joshna’s court documents via email today. They will then be sent to a Director at the USCIS, who already knows about our case and will try to help expedite it. Our home study will be ready next week with the TBI results. Joshna’s passport will be applied for next week. Our social worker said we could possibly be traveling the first or second week of July! Prior to hearing this news, Ellie started doing so much better. She is able to ask questions and articulate feelings much better….we all three feel very close through all of this. We are very thankful for your prayers and are still very much in need of them.
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This journey has been an incredible one! As hard as it has been, we are grateful for the lessons God has been teaching us throughout these past four years. Once our family is all together, I know Joshna will be worth far more than all of the minutes we have spent waiting for her! Soon....soon!
