Medical Exams DONE!

Woke up to great news this morning: our social worker was able to take Solomon to the medical clinic and have his exam completed!  This included an eye exam, physical examination (no X-ray was needed since Solomon showed no signs of TB.  YAY!), and the mandatory vaccinations.  The report should be ready on Tuesday (although we may not hear the results right away)!

And.  There's an extra treat.
A picture of our little man standing up and walking.
*squeal*
He looks so big and so little at the same time!!!
We're coming soon, baby doll....don't get too big just yet.  *grin*

The shoes.  THE SHOES!  What a little, big man...

GOD.ANSWERS.PRAYER.

Lots of catch you all up on around here...
God is answering prayers in amazing ways.

As you know, we emailed the US Embassy in Accra asking for confirmation that they had received Solomon's visa paperwork as well as a date that we could have our POA come to pick up the last stack of paperwork (aka visa packet).  On Monday of last week, we had a bit of a scare as the Embassy replied to our email saying, "We don't have your paperwork.  Please contact the National Visa Center."  Translation: your file has been misplaced/lost.  Not.  Good.  Fortunately, we had already spoken with the National Visa Center before we emailed initially so we were able to immediately reply to the Embassy politely re-stating the information and tracking numbers that they needed: "You should have the file - please check again."  Here's the thing: our paperwork could have been lost forever.  We could have been waiting for another month as we begged US officials to re-send the stacks of paper.  BUT GOD ANSWERED PRAYER.  The Embassy wrote back in 24 hours and said they had located our paperwork and our POA could pick up on Wednesday, 6/26 at 2:00pm.  WOOHOO!

So today is Wednesday, 6/26.  At 7:00am California time (2:00pm Ghana time), we were up and checking email, waiting for confirmation that our POA was able to retrieve our visa packet.  Just around 9:00am our agency emailed confirming the pick up.  A few minutes later we sent off another email to the US Embassy in Accra requesting our visa interview date.  Everyone we spoke to said to expect to wait 5-8 days for a reply and that interviews would probably be scheduled out 4 weeks.  Well, GOD ANSWERED PRAYER.  Two minutes after we pressed "send," the Embassy emailed us with a visa interview date.

TWO.MINUTES.LATER.
TWO.

Do you understand how crazy that is?!?!?!  GOD.ANSWERED.PRAYER.

Solomon's interview is scheduled for July 15 and we could not be more pleased...unless it was tomorrow.  *grin*  While we wait for the 15th to roll around, our social workers in Ghana will be busy preparing the last batch of paperwork for the interview (we already sent them all the remaining information they would need aaages ago) and taking Solomon for his medical exam.  Pray that Solomon shows no signs of TB as a course of treatment for TB would delay his homecoming for months.

Have we bought plane tickets??  Not yet.  The earliest date we would fly out would be July 19...that's the day that Solomon's visa, if approved at the interview, would most likely and Lord-willing, be printed.  There is still a chance that further administrative review for visa approval could happen (a lot of countries do this type of review before I600 approval, but that's not the way the system works in Ghana) or that the visa is not able to be printed or printed with errors.  We're not "through the woods" yet!  Our prayer is to fly out on the 19th or 20th and stay in country for three days or so.  We'll keep you posted...and inundate you with Solomon pictures...again.

Another super de duper exciting thing happened this week too....
As we have mentioned, Solomon has a hole in his heart and has been taking medications to help his little body since he was admitted to the orphanage at 3 months of age.  Two weeks ago, we checked in with our social worker regarding his medication and having enough to "tide him over" until we see our doctor here in the states.  Apparently, all the pharmacists in the city have been on strike.  And Solomon ran out of medication FIVE WEEKS AGO.

Whaaaaaa????

Five weeks ago?  Five?!?!
This is one of many reasons why Solomon needs his mommy and daddy with him...all the time.  *sigh*  We are so very thankful that the orphanage nursing staff has been caring for Solomon and giving him access to medical care that he needs.  But when there are 150 children at one institution, there is no one to fight and push for one child to get what they need.  That's a parent's role....and believe me, we started pushing.  Thankfully, the Bethany staff in Ghana is fantastic and pushed right along with us for Solomon to get what he needed.  Potentially, Solomon could have been at risk if we took him on a trans-Atlantic plane flight without proper medication.  BUT GOD ANSWERED PRAYER.  Just today, our social worker emailed to say that the orphanage nurse was able to work things out and will begin giving Solomon his medications again tomorrow.  ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!!  These are miracles, people.  Truly.  We are even happier because the orphanage doctor gave Solomon the green light for air travel...we are just waiting for a "go-ahead" from his cardiologist as well when Solomon sees him next Wednesday.

When you think about how many smalls things need to come together just so in order for a child to be adopted into a family, it blows your mind.  It is truly overwhelming.  Our God is BIG.  This is not too difficult for Him!  Keep the prayers and shouts of praise coming...God has already been glorified in a mighty way through Solomon's little life and we can hardly wait to see what is yet to come....

Updates on actual travel dates and homecoming ASAP!

No Embassy email yet!

We are still holding tight over here.  No travel dates or plane tickets booked.
Good things are happening:
Vacation Bible School Week at our church;
Completely reorganizing the boys' playroom;
Spending quality time in the pool;
Celebrating the amazing daddy's in our lives on Father's Day.

But still no email from the US Embassy in Ghana.  We were really praying that we would hear back right away and be able to have our POA pick up our visa packet tomorrow (Wednesday).  If there is one thing we have learned through our adoptions and can say with confidence, it is this: God's timing is perfect.  Every time.

We'll keep you posted.  Thank you for sticking out the journey with us!  Every agonizing moment is wait is worth it!!!!

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when He delights in His way;

though he fall, he shall be cast headlong,

for the Lord upholds his hand."

Psalm 37:23-24

US Embassy

Just got off the phone with the National Visa Center...our file has officially been scanned and sent to the US Embassy in Accra!  WOOHOO!

We emailed the Embassy to ask for a date our POA can pick-up our "visa packet" (the last remaining documents to be completed: medical exam, etc.) and hope to hear from them on Monday or Tuesday of next week.  Packet pick-up is always on Wednesday so while we *may* be given the go-ahead for June 19, its more likely that it will be the 26th.  BUT HEY!  WE SERVE A BIG GOD so let's go ahead and pray for packet pick-up on the 19th!!!!

Mommy and Daddy are almost there, little boy....

"Whom have I in heaven but You?

And earth has nothing I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25-26

PROVISIONAL VISA APPROVAL!

It.  Came.
IT CAME!
Yesterday afternoon we checked the snail mail and there, in our mailbox, was the coveted letter from US Immigrations granting us Provisional Approval for Solomon's US visa!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

Just when you think you cannot possibly survive another moment of the unknown and the waiting and the *ugh*, God drops that huge blessing in your lap.  THIS IS SUCH A HUGE ANSWER TO PRAYER.  YOUR PRAYERS.  OUR PRAYERS.  ALL GLORY TO GOD!

We know that some of you are asking , "Provisional approval?  Provisional?  What's that all about?"  Based on the documentation and evidence that we have provided, the US considers Solomon a legitimate orphan in need of a forever family.  Essentially, they acknowledge that he is not a victim of child trafficking (that he was not forcefully or wrongfully taken from his birthfamily) and can ethically become a part of our family.
The provisional part, however, means that we still have two more boxes to check before they will actually print Solomon's visa and allow us to bring him into the US.
1. Medical Examination: can't have scary, mystery illnesses leaking into the US borders!
2. Visa Interview: this is sort of a last-chance review of all the documentation where our POA (Power of Attorney) actually brings Solomon into the Embassy.  Obviously, since Solomon isn't really talking yet, our POA will be interviewed so let's be sure to pray for him (his name is Solomon too!!)!

Over the next 1-2 weeks, the US immigration office will be transferring our files to the US Embassy in Ghana.  Once we receive notification that the Embassy has our files, we will request a day for our visa packet pick-up (always on a Wednesday).  Our hard-working social workers in Ghana will schedule and take Solomon to his medical exam and then we will schedule for Solomon's visa interview at the Embassy.  Visa interviews take place on Mondays or Tuesdays and if we pass, Solomon's visa will be printed that following Friday. AAAAAAH!
Just a few more steps.  So close.

So, yes.  We're waiting again...but hopefully just a few more weeks with an end date in sight!!!!  Pray with us that our files arrive promptly in Ghana and that we are able to schedule the packet pick-up, exam, and interview ASAP.

And even more good news: our super de duper hard-working social workers in Ghana acquired Solomon's passport on Monday...this time with the correct birthdate.  WOOT WOOT!  This is a week full of praises....

"You who bring good news to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

'HERE IS YOUR GOD!'

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

and He rules with a mighty arm.

See, His reward is with Him,

and His recompense accompanies Him.

He tends His flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young..."

Isaiah 40:9-11

US immigrations

Soooo...we were anticipating an email from our US immigration officer on Thursday or Friday to let us know if she did indeed complete and approve Solomon's visa. 

No email. 

And we were so sure that obsessively checking our messages every 5 minutes would help Solomon come home faster! *smirk*

The lack of said anticipated email may simply point to lapse in communication...it doesn't mean that our case was not completed or that it was not approved. Our officer is not required to email us with her decision. And even if she did email us, we would not be able to complete the next step any faster. 

That said, however, we just wanna know!!!!!!  *grin*

We'll keep you posted. If the email notification never comes, we *will* receive a snail mail confirmation that the visa information has been shipped to the US Embassy in Accra. Our prayer is that once the Embassy receives our information, we can travel back for Solomon within 3 weeks or so.  To give you perspective, that would be *craaazy* fast. 

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for letting me (Ashley) have my reality check moment (...week...) and share the emotional rollercoaster of waiting. God is so gracious to us and remembers that He made us out of dust....He is so patient even when we are not. 

The sermon at our church today was on Psalm 124: "Had the Lord not been on our side..." Oh man, we can identify with that phrase of praise. The Lord has guarded our family from so many troubles and pitfalls and heartache through this process. There is MUCH for which we sing God's praise and give thanks!  We trust in the truth of Zechariah 4:6: " ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts."

Amen and amen. Grace, grace to it!!

#realitycheck

Adoption is wonderful and amazing and brings such joy and blessings!

But it is also really hard.
And sometimes is really stinks.
This week has been one of those stinky times.  And we wanted to tell you about it because we think its important to present adoption with its ups and downs.

Waiting is hard.
Thankfully, we have two crazy little boys already at home that distract us from the waiting. But the waiting still catches up with you every once in awhile and its in those times that you have to count your blessings....of which we have MANY.

One little blessing with the smile that melts your heart.

Another little blessing being brave on the big boy coaster!

Last week, as you remember, we got word that Solomon's passport would be ready.  Well, yesterday we received a scanned copy of the passport with his sweet little face...and the.wrong.birthdate.
*sigh*
These are the things that can really grate and wear you down.  Type-o's are running theme for us....but praise the Lord for a diligent team in Ghana that immediately saw the mistake and is back at the passport office today to amend the error.
While we wait for the corrected passport, we'll just gaze upon the cute mugshot of Solomon.

THE.HAIR.  THE.EYES.  THE.LIPS.

It still makes us giddy to see his legal name as "Solomon Matthew Cain."  *happy dance*

Yesterday was also frustrating because we had yet to receive a response from US immigration regarding our emailed request for an update on Solomon's I600/Visa.  I (Ashley) was angry...and it was not pretty.  The injustice of the delay got to me.  Every moment Solomon spends in an institution instead of home in our arms is wrong.  Yesterday was my day to shake my fists and stomp my feet.
And then my devotion this morning was on being slow to anger in the book of James.  Gotta love how God gracious disciplines us.....*sigh*
Amazingly, God also saw fit to move our immigration office to (finally) return our email.  It said: "I received your file this week and will complete your case tomorrow."
WHAAAAAAAA?!?!?
Kind of overwhelming how a ONE SENTENCE EMAIL can turn your day around.  AHHHHHHHHH!

Continue to pray with us that our officer does, in fact, email us tomorrow with her decision, either a provisional approval of Solomon's visa or a request for futher information confirming his "orphan status."  We are fervently praying for that provisional approval!

Stay tuned....God's doing big things despite our impatience and lapses of anger.
PRAISE.  HIM.