VISA APPROVED!

Solomon's visa was approved this morning without incident. 

This. Happened. 

God fought for us.

HE WINS!!!!!

Please take a moment to pause and do a jig of praise.

Happy screams are also allowed. 

AAAAHHHH!!!

Visas are not printed until Friday so we won't be leaving right away, but the interview this morning was the last great red-taped hoop to jump. WHEEHOOO!!! We *would* leave first thing on Friday, but the orphanage administration has said that they no longer want to facilitate visits on weekends so we wouldn't see Solomon until Monday anyway....

What now?

1. Pray that the visa is, in fact, printed on Friday with no errors. 

2. Pray for good health for us and Solomon with all this crazy travel. 

3. Pray that God provides as He already has so so so many times. Plane tickets are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than we estimated. Its high season for travel and we are about $4000 short for what our original plans cost. That's eeeeasy for God when He's already provided the other thousands of dollars we've needed!!!

We are still working with our fabulous travel agent to find better options, but it looks like we'll be leaving Sacramento on Tuesday, 7/23 and returning home on Sunday, 7/28.

4. Pray for the many other families trudging through the adoption process in Ghana. Things are tough there. These families need prayers of encouragement!!!

Thank you for partnering with us....God is so good. We can hardly wait to hold our boy and not have to EVER give him back. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Countdown to Tickets

Thing are coming together, people. PRAISE. GOD. 

Solomon's visa medical results were picked up from the clinic this past Tuesday as planned so the team in Ghana now has everything they need to attend the visa interview on July 15. *happy dance*

Even more exciting, Solomon was able to see his cardiologist on Wednesday. The doctor gave the "all clear" for air travel (whew) and even decided to take our little guy off his medication because he is doing so well!  While we'll have everything checked out again by our doctors here when Solomon comes home, we are VERY thankful to hear such positive news at this point. God has held this little boy in His hands and protected him during his time in the orphanage.

Originally, we were planning to purchase plane tickets this past week after the medical results were picked up. After much prayer and deliberation, however, we decided to wait until after the visa interview on July 15 to make definite travel plans. The interview is the last major hurdle to jump...and with the changes in the "adoption climate" in Ghana, we feel this is the wisest course of action.  While we have no reason to anticipate a delay or denial of Solomon's visa at the interview, we decided that waiting was the best choice for our family overall.  Furthermore, the orphanage administration has asked that we not come to visit or sign Solomon out of the institution over the weekends. Soooo, the earliest we would leave would be Saturday, July 20 anyway (meaning that we would arrive Sunday night and see Solomon on Monday morning).  

A few things to cover in prayer:

1. The visa interview. If you feel led, please join us in prayer on July 15. The appointment is at 7:30am Ghana time so that's 12:30am CA time. We should get an email update Monday morning letting us know the outcome.

2. Solomon's health. Since has begun to walk and been taking off his medication by his cardiologist, we are hopeful that our little guy is growing and healing as he should!

3. Affordable plane tickets. Tickets are pricey in July. Our plan is to leave sometime between July 20 and 23 depending on which days are cheapest.  Its scary to purchase tickets so last-minute!!!  Pray that God leads us to the flights He's reserved just for us.

4. Stress. Its a killer. We're making plans about 3 days out at a time. Please be gracious with us if we don't answer your email/text/phone call right away.  We're feeling a little overloaded already!

5. The families in our program waiting for their children and the many Ghanaian children in need of a forever family!  Pray especially that those in power in Ghana would be efficient in placing children in need with families.  Ethics are important and we are hopeful that the changes in Ghana will be for the better.

Join us in a happy dance for making it this far.  Dance because God is GOOD no matter what happens!

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