Adoption Update!

 We are still in the "waiting" stage.  US Immigration (Homeland Security) had a question about our Home Study, so hopefully this info will be submitted to them next week. While all of our info has been in Moldova for about six weeks, US Immigration has been reviewing our home study in order to approve us for adopting.  We have our second round of fingerprinting on Monday, April 29 in B'ham and then we should receive our approval letter from US.

As far as Moldova, I learned a few more things this week.  Moldova was without a President and a Parliament for some time but now those have been filled.  Their departments are referred to as "ministries."  The heads of these ministries did very little during the time of uncertainty with ruling officials not in place.  The adoption agency's contact has not been allowed in the orphanages for some time which explains why none of our questions have been answered.  Our contact is beginning to see some activity in moving ahead with adoptions.  Please pray for favor from the Moldovan officials to approve our adoption and allow us to make our first trip.

No News!

Not much going on and we can't seem to get answers.  I know this probably sounds very familiar to many of those of you who've  adopted or are in the process.  Our dossier has been in Moldova for translation several weeks!  Still no word other than "they continue to work on our case."  We received our appt. for biometrics (second set) in Birmingham which is required by US Immigration/Homeland Security.  However, we had a conflict and have requested another appt.  They have been very timely so far, so I hope this does not slow us down.  I would say we are at the mercy of governments but we know who works all things out for the best!  God is in charge of this process; however, this is hard to remember at times!

Hope in the snow in Deer Valley, Utah

Hope in her skiing gear minus her skis

Hope and Mom tubing 

Easter:  Beth, Hope and Dow

Silly Hope

The Birchfield Family

Hope with her very special cousin, Matthew