We were notified by our caseworker this past week that our
adoption approval document for USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services) will be expiring soon. Because of this, we will need to file for an
immigration approval extension, which also requires that we get our home study
updated. Without getting into too many details, it essentially means we have
quite a bit of paperwork ahead of us, and another big chunk of money to pay to
get our home study updated.
As I was thinking about all of this the other day, it seemed
a bit overwhelming and somewhat frustrating. We’ve already completed all of
these documents once before…
…but in the midst of this frustration, I think God was
nudging me to think about this like the third trimester in pregnancy. In the
third trimester, there is increasing physical uncomfortability, but the hope of
seeing the baby soon also increases. Appointments also generally increase in
number to check on the mom and baby. Preparing documents again is uncomfortable,
yes, but it is also a tangible reminder that our little girl is out there and
we may meet her soon. Like most third trimesters, there is also a growing
uncertainty of when labor will begin. We still don’t know who Strawberry is,
but we need to be prepared because we could receive her file any day. And this
labor will be one that is months long in the wait to actually meet her after
being matched with her.
As part of the home study update, I went to get
fingerprinted again today for clearances. On the way there, Gavin asked if he
and Hudson would need to get fingerprinted too. I said no and he asked why. I
told him it was because Mommy and Daddy were the ones adopting. He promptly replied,
“But the kids are adopting, too.”
So true, Gavin.
Our entire family is adopting Strawberry. This is a family
journey, and it will always be that way. Long after Ian and I pass away, Gavin,
Hudson, Strawberry, and their families will still be part of a larger, even
more beautiful family. Thank you God for bringing that sweet sentiment to mind
through Gavin.
