Sorry I haven't posted for a while. It's been quite busy in the Kim household. Since the last post, we have had 5 editions to the family...Sydney (our dog) had 5 puppies on December 15!! 4 boys and 1 girl. They are 2 weeks old and are darling!
On the adoption front, we've finally made some progress. Actually we've made lots of progress! After finally getting our LOA, and after I told our agency that we needed to be much more proactive, they allowed me to "take things into my own hands" and try to expedite Emma's adoption on my own. That was the only green light I needed. Since then, we've submitted our I800 forms, I spoke with the officers at the USCIS (multiple times) and was able to convince them of our need to expedite and they agreed! Our I800 was approved in 8 days (not the usual 2-3 weeks)! After that, it was on to the NVC (Nationa Visa Center) for their approval to allow Emma to be considered a direct relative apon adoption and grant her a visa. I spoke to the folks at the NVC and our approval was granted 1 day after it was received!! Thank God! The next step was to cable our paperwork to the US Embassy in China for our Article 5 (no idea where Articles 1-4 are but oh well!). Our Article 5 had to be dropped off in person by our agency's in-China representative and then picked up 2 weeks later. But they were willing to rush us through and we got our approval 2 days after it being dropped off and as of 12/29/2011, our paperwork is officially at the CCCWA (again) and we are waiting for our last (yes our LAST) approval - the Travel Approval!! We requested expedition again but now we wait. It may take 2-3 weeks and we are not so optimistic since it was the CCCWA that held on to our "expedited" LOA for 75 days but we still hope. Things are finally moving faster...finally!!
Now here's the bad news. The reason everyone was so willing to expedite was because Emma had a doctor's visit in China and she isn't doing as well as before. Her color is less pink and her oxygenation saturations are now only 76%. We are getting more worried for her and scared about her prognosis but have prayerfully decided that we would focus more on getting her home and seen by our docs than worry about the unkown. Easier said than done, yes, but that's what we're going to have to do. So, Lord willing, that's what we'll do...actually, it's the least we can do...
So we hope to travel at the end of January or early February. The only catch is that the last week of January is the Chinese New Year and many governmental agencies in China are closed for the week. This includes the CCCWA. We'll just have to trust in His timing and be ready to go as soon as they give us permission. The whole logistic of travel is another chapter but for now, we'll just revel in the way He has carried us through this journey of hills and valleys and wait to see what He has in store for us. God is so good. He always has been. He always will be - no matter what. Happy New Year everyone - especially you, Baby Emma. We love you and are on our way!
We hope
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm so thankful to hear that you guys have move quickly through the last few weeks. I was praying you could go by the end of January or the begining of February! Keeping my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear about her oxygen saturations. My son Parker has asthma and they get worried at the doctors office when it's 95%. I can only imagine how dangerous 76% is. Try not to worry...
As you know, God has had his hand on Emma's precious heart for well over 2 years now. He will continue to keep it there, although that doesn't make waiting for your TA any easier. I'll continue to pray for Emma and for your family.
I read a quote recently that said, "Having faith in God also means having faith in His timing." Have faith, friend. Don't give up!
Prayfully,
Steph
PS
You're going to have to learn to add pictures to this blog! Your faithful readers will want to see pictures of Emma in your arms! ;o)