Huge Praise! We received our i600 approval!!!!

We have been waiting 6 months for today to come.  Well, more like 2 1/2 years in total, but it has been over 6 months since we submitted our i600 application.  As you recall, we had to go back to court and get a specific sentence on our court documents etc. etc. etc. etc.  Then it was more stuff too: confirmation of papers we already submitted etc. etc. etc.  BUT TODAY we received the most wonderful email.  We finally got our i600 approval from the USCIS.

***** HOORAY!!!!!!  This is me shouting it from the rooftops!**************

I'll be honest- it hasn't been pretty around my home lately- there have been a whole lot of emotions and crying, sleepless nights and stress in the waiting (and a whole lot of crying out to the Lord)- and just plain missing our sweet, spunky Joy.  The kids have been upset and tired of waiting, as have Jay and I. It has been harder to re-assure them when you see no progress (and really can't give promises that things will progress) and when each time people say something will happen in the next couple of days, it ultimately means the next couple of weeks or months. Yes- emotions have been raw.  But I have also seen more tenderness and wisdom and strength in my kids.  We have had to cling to the Lord, to each other and to the things we know we can rely on despite our circumstances, or how it "feels".  Basically-We can trust our God!  He is able! He is with us (even when we can't feel it much) He loves us! He will bring beauty from ashes.  (Nothing is wasted) His word is truth.  His mercies are new every morning.  Etc.!!

One song that I have been listening to over and over is "Shoulders" by King & Country- and the verse that keeps popping in my mind as we have faced this trek up the mountain is: Psalm 121:1-2.  "I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." It has been an encouragement to me as I have felt completely weary of waiting to bring Joy home.  I hope it is an encouragement to all of you!

Well- I am sure many of you are asking- "What does this mean?" "What is next?"  Here's the very simplified version:

Step 1:  Pass Court- Done!!!!
(although Jay will have to go back in August to get our full and final adoption decree as it will be 2 years from when our 2 year interim decree was declared)

Step 2:  USCIS i600 approved:  DONE!!!!!!!

Next:

Step 3:  Visa approval.  -
*We are hoping to pick up our "Visa Packet" in the next week or two-(they only allow pick up on a Wednesday-our POA will get this for us- it is basically the green light to submit the visa application for Joy and the papers for her medicals ).
*Then we submit our application online and get an appointment for our "interview" at the US visa consulate in Ghana.
*Joy will have medicals done (Physical, TB testing etc.).
Thankfully we already have her passport! That can often take a long time to get.
*Visa Interview- we pray for approval!
*Print Joy's Visa (on a Friday)
*Bring Joy Home!!!

So- once we get our visa appointment Jay and I will travel to Ghana and have our interview- if all is approved, then we will get Joy's visa printed and bring home our sweet girl!!!

This is the final step, guys! I can hardly believe I finally get to say that!! Please pray that all goes well with the Visa process and that we are able to bring Joy home very soon!  And please pray for us as we try to figure out timing and travel details, and for the crew we will be leaving home with Grandma ;0)- and my friends who will be helping Grandma navigate their activities/etc.  Thank you so very much for continuing to support and love us so well, and for praying for us!

We will keep you updated when we know a travel date/details.

Our Prayer:

"We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in His holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,

even as we put our hope in you."

 Psalm 33:20-22