Travel timelines

We received some news today via email that our travel timelines could be extended. The update stated that the February to March range for travel is still within the realm of possibility, but that we should prepare ourselves for a longer wait--a March to May range. We have people ask all of the time why the process takes so long, and there are many factors, both within and outside of our control, that have contributed to our lengthy timeline thus far.

If you are interested in the actual details about the most recent delay, here they are. At this point in the adoption, the additional time is due to a new process put in place by Thailand based on a new form developed by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) that has to be filed when families apply to adopt a child internationally and bring that child to the United States with the intent of that child becoming a United States Citizen. We have done as much as we can do on the USCIS front, filing the required preliminary paperwork. However, we cannot proceed with the final filing of that form (the I800) until we have both written approval from the Thai government (called first approval) and a letter from them to USCIS. The additional letter is one new part of this process, and it can take months to receive the letter even after we receive first approval. All timelines for these items are arbitrary, and vary from family to family. There are no set deadlines for the government approvals. Once we have received both first approval and the letter to USCIS, only then can we proceed to file the final version of the new form. It is from that filing that we will receive travel approval and a travel date.

In all of this red tape, we struggle with the lengthy wait and we truly wish to bring our son home today! At the same time, we know that God is sovereign and is orchestrating every moment of this adoption in His perfect time. ("I believe, help my unbelief...") We pray that we can be open to hear Him speaking to us and teaching us as we wait. We pray that Anderson continues to grow and is reassured in his heart by the Holy Spirit that his forever family is already loving and praying for him, and will bring him home soon.

We pray that our journey will be an encouragement to anyone who is at a place of waiting for someone or something... that in the waiting you will find that God alone can meet your heart's desires in every moment. So, when you are waiting, may you find the hope and peace that come through a relationship with your Father through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, your Savior. In times of waiting, in times of hurting, in times of blessing, in times of receiving, He remains the God for whom you never have to wait.

Thanks again for your prayers. We love you.