Up, Down, Up

Last week I needed medication.
It came in the form of some of the candy I had bought to take to Uganda.
After I found out that USCIS had all of the pieces of my puzzle that they needed, I promptly called my senator the next day. They even had a little form for me to download and send with all of my information and what I needed their help with. I thought that was very thoughtful of them. My opinion of their thoughtfulness changed the next day. I was told that Atlanta was backed up and it could be as long as 30 days before my application was approved. There was nothing they could do. Call back if I have not heard anything in 30 days. PHSSTSTTHT!!!!(that's me making an ugly noise)
I just knew that I would not be able to make it to Uganda in time to get my court dates before they closed for the summer vacation. Thanks to the blog world my hopes were lifted. My new Southern friend, Teresa, told me that she had heard it was only taking USCIS 2 weeks to process I-600a applications. YEAH!!! Then the great news, her lawyer said that the Ugandan courts were not closing until July 15th. PRAISE GOD!!!!
I haven't made plane reservations yet, but I have put down the chocolate.
Thanks for all of the prayers and advice.

One More Step

I just got an e-mail from my social worker that my home study has been approved by Alabama DHR and was sent to the Atlanta USCIS office on 4/16. PRAISE GOD!!! YAAHOOO!!! WHIPEEEE!!! Now I have to see if I can get my i-600a can be hurried up a bit. If anyone out there has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! I need to get to Uganda at the beginning of May so I can spend as long as I can with my children. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Consumed

I had a friend who was visiting from out of town ask me about my adoption. Her question was "Does it consume you?" My answer was YES!! You can't think about anything else.

When will that form be ready?
When will DHR be finished with my home study?
When will USCIS be finished with it?
Can I actually get everything done and travel in May?
When can I make travel arrangements?
What do I need to pack?
What do I need to buy?
What else can I do to raise money?
What do my children look like?
What are they doing right now?
What size are they?
Will they like me?
What will I do with my time in Uganda?
How many people can I help while I'm there?
Will I make the best use of my time?
Will I get to take care of my children as soon as I get guardianship of them?
When will I get to bring them home?

Theses questions play on a continuous loop in my head. I wake up in the middle of the night: "God please bless and protect my babies, whoever they are and wherever they are. Let me get to them soon and hold them in my arms."

I am not worried about these things. I know God is in control of it all. I just want my answers now.
I used to think I was a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl. This is a whole different ball game.


Yes I am consumed.

Chip in

As anyone who has ever adopted or who has begun the process, cost can be overwhelming. I have cut my personal budget to the bare bones in an effort to save as much as possible.
I am making a fair amount of money with my t-shirt sales. I have sold cookies, chicken and dressing dinners, and next week we will be selling bar-b-que dinners.
I am open to any other fundraising ideas that anyone wants to share.
I have added the Chipin to my blog to take donations. I don't like just asking for money. It goes against my work ethic. I don't think you should get something for nothing. But I need help. If you would like to donate, it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and God bless you.

African Children's Choir

Last night I got to see the African Children's Choir for the second time.  It was wonderful!!!!  If you have never seen a performance please go to their website, www.africanchildrenschoir.com  and check their schedule to see if they are going to be in your area.  

The choir was started in 1984 by a man visiting Uganda.  He wanted to find a way to help the orphans and was inspired to start the choir by a street boy he heard singing.  The choir has a school in Kampala and has purchased 15 acres in Entebbe to build a larger school.  The choir is made up of orphans from Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana.  The parent organization, Music for Life, has programs to educate orphans in all of these countries.  The children who tour are ages 7 to 11 years old.  They have to audition to become part of the program.  If they are accepted they are educated through their secondary education and some have also gone on to college.  To date the programs have educated 7,000 orphans in Africa.  

If you can't adopt an child this is another way to help.  They have a sponsorship program and they need chaperons to travel with the choir.  You can adopt short term:)

While the performance was awesome, it did make me long to go to Uganda and get my babies.  I got good news from my lawyer in Uganda.  He said if I can get to Uganda with all of my paperwork at the beginning of May, we should be able to get all of my court dates in before the system closes for June and July.  If I can do that, I can bring my babies home in June and spend the summer with them before school starts back.  Yipeee!! Wahoo!!! Holy Crap!!!

So pray that the wheels of bureaucracy turn quickly.  I still have to clear Alabama DHR and USCIS.   Thanks for all of your prayers and advice.