As I started searching the world of adoption blogs I found myself looking all over the blog to find answers to where couples are adopting from, what age they requested, adoption agency, etc! I decided to include some basic information about our adoption to help those of you that think like me!
Country-Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa
Agency-Children of All Nations based out of Austin, TX
Info on child- We don't know what child we will be adopting yet. We would like to have a child under 12 months. We have not specified gender. We are open to taking a sibling group. Our social worker has approved us for up to 2 children 3yrs or under!
November 2010 - We decided adoption was in our fututre
August 2011 - We began researching agencies and countries
September 2011 - We decided to pursue adoption from the DRC through Children of All Nations (CAN)
September 30, 2011 - We prayerfully filled out our official application to Children of All Nations
October 4, 2011 - We were accepted into the DRC adoption program!
October 20, 2011 - Our Adoption Open House at Gum Springs Baptist Church
October 28, 2011- Mailed our Agency Contract to CAN with our first payment of $2838.
November 1, 2011- Agency Accepted our contract and mailed us the first set of dossier documents to complete.
November 10, 2011- Started contacting Home Study Agencies in TN.
November 15, 2011-Received first set of dossier documents from agency. Filled out passport paperwork.
November 16, 2011- Waiting on agency approval and contract to begin home study with our licensed social worker.
November 19, 2011- Received approval to begin our Home Study process.
November 30, 2011-Mailed 1st set of dossier paperwork to our Agency with 2nd payment of $700 and dossier retainer of $1500 and Power of Attorney.
December 1, 2011- Turned in our passport paperwork. Requested 3 copies of each of our birth certificates. Completed 3 of 10 hours of Hague training with our agency.
December 2, 2011- Received confirmation that our Agency received our 2nd payment of $2200. Agency approved to begin second set of dossier documents. We have 7 months from today to complete our dossier.
December 6, 2011- Medical examinations with physician for our home study.
December 8, 2011-First meeting with our social worker.
December 14, 2011-Completed the rest of our Hague training with our agency.
December 19, 2011-Received both of our passports in the mail! Woohoo!
December 26, 2011-In home meeting with our social worker to complete our home study!
December 27, 2011- Emailed copy of home study to the agency for final approval.
January 9, 2012- Received word that our home study was approved!
January 13, 2012-Received 4 notarized copies of our home study.
January 16, 2012- Mailed I600A (Immigration Paperwork)
January 19, 2012- Received notification that our Immigration Paperwork was received!
January 19, 2012-Submitted first Grant Application for the Southern Baptist Minister Grant.
January 20, 2012-Mailed our completed dossier to our agency plus payment of $4838.
February 17, 2012-Received word from our agency that our dossier has been received in the Congo. Official wait for a referral has begun!
February 22, 2012- We have our Biometric fingerprints appointment in Nashville at 9am!
February 24, 2012- Sent in Show Hope Grant online application and supporting documents!
Also, we received a letter from the USCIS (Immigration). IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK HAS BEEN APPROVED!
March 7, 2012- Approved for $500 grant from Southern Baptist Minister Grant Fund.
March 19, 2012-Approved for $3,000 matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans.
May 17, 2012- Approved for $4,000 grant from Show Hope!
June 7, 2012- Meeting with new social worker for home study addendum for Kentucky.
September 12, 2012- Accepted the referral of a 3 year old boy from the DRC.
February 7, 2013- Accepted the referral of a 12 month old boy from the DRC.
February 20, 2013-Mailed I600 paperwork for our 3 year old!
March 21, 2013- Received provisional approval of the I600! Our son's document were forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa.
April 1, 2013- Notified that our 3 year old son's Field investigation has begun!
May 23, 2013- Notified that the Field investigation has cleared!!!!
July 15, 2013- Notified that our son's passport is ready to be printed. Should be just a few weeks before it's ready.
NEXT STEP- WAIT FOR E'S PASSPORT TO BE PRINTED. OUR SON WILL NEED TO HAVE AN EMBASSY MEDICAL COMPLETED BEFORE WE CAN SCHEDULE A VISA APPOINTMENT. THIS MEDICAL APPOINTMENT CANNOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL THE PASSPORT IS READY! WAIT FOR VISA APPOINTMENT AND APPROVAL, WAIT FOR VISA TO BE PRINTED. ONCE THE VISA IS PRINTED THEN WE WILL BE TRAVELING!! WE WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL TWICE! PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD'S FAVOR WILL FALL ON OUR PAPERWORK AND THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING HOME BOTH OF OUR CHILDREN SOON! ALSO, PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD PROVIDE THE FUNDS WE NEED TO TRAVEL TWICE!
