We are getting closer

Each bit of paperwork that is completed brings us closer to bringing Jesse home.

September 21st (our 17th anniversary), we received our I-800 Provisional approval and on October 3rd, we received our National Visa Center (NVC) letter.  These are 2 key steps in bringing us closer getting our travel approval.  We were hoping to travel in November, but it looks like December 6th will be around our best travel date.

Our NVC letter took longer than expected, and didn't meet the deadline before new on-line forms were to be used.  We resubmitted information on a new form on Friday and expect that to take 3-5 days to process (which often times means weeks!).  After this information is 'processed', we will be waiting for China to issue an Article 5.  We should get this form via e-mail, and the next step from there is our travel approval.

We are able to send Jesse e-mails that are translated to Mandarin.  We explain when we will pick him up and what will happen when we see him and what to expect while in China and the trip home.  We thought that traveling December 6th would be a hectic time to travel, right between the holidays and coming home a few days before Christmas, but we are constantly reminded that God's plan is perfect.

So, about 2 months from today we hope to be meeting our new son and we have been praying for his foster family to continue to love him through this transition time.  We pray for extra mercies on them as this time will be difficult to say good-bye and yet be strong for Jesse.