Keeping Busy...
In the last couple of weeks, we've made a lot of progress in our paperwork to get Meryn home. (I say "we", even though we are doing really nothing, it's the staff of our agency in Ethiopia!) : )
On February 9th we heard that Meryn's birth certificate had been printed and was in hand. Then on February 20th, we heard that Meryn's passport has now been received. These are the first two of three steps to getting submitted to the Embassy. Now we are waiting on the doctor exam and his report, one more MOWA letter, and them Embassy Submission! I'm thinking 3-4 weeks, but hoping for 2-3. : )
Once our file is totally ready and taken to the Embassy, they'll either accept or reject it due to some missing piece. We're praying everything they want to see is there and they accept it.
After it's accepted, what's likely to happen is the Embassy staff will review it, which will probably take 4-6 weeks. Because of the type of case ours is, it has a good chance of being deemed "not clearly approvable" by the Addis Embassy, and being forwarded to the Nairobi Embassy for further review. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The Nairobi Embassy has been clearing the "not clearly approvable" cases in 5-10 days, it seems. Once you're clear, you're clear! The Addis Embassy will contact you to set up your visa interview, which is when you'll appear at the Embassy with your child!
So, I'm thinking maybe 8-12 weeks from now. That sounds like a long time. Another two months? Maybe three? So, I'm making a list of projects to go to when I'm tempted to bury myself in the computer, or sit around waiting. Here's what I'm hoping to work on before Meryn comes home:
-Digital photo books (from iPhoto) for the years 2007, 2009, 2010, and maybe 2011
-A scrapbook of the year Paul and I were engaged and our honeymoon (Yep, I'm THAT far behind!)
-Mastering Arabesque I by Debussy, and Nocturne Op. 9-2 by Chopin (piano pieces)
If I can get even half of that done, it'll be a great 2-3 months. We also have some traveling we're done, visiting a friend in a city south of us, then a little family getaway to Goa. Beach time! I hope the distraction does us all good.
Still waiting....
On February 9th we heard that Meryn's birth certificate had been printed and was in hand. Then on February 20th, we heard that Meryn's passport has now been received. These are the first two of three steps to getting submitted to the Embassy. Now we are waiting on the doctor exam and his report, one more MOWA letter, and them Embassy Submission! I'm thinking 3-4 weeks, but hoping for 2-3. : )
Once our file is totally ready and taken to the Embassy, they'll either accept or reject it due to some missing piece. We're praying everything they want to see is there and they accept it.
After it's accepted, what's likely to happen is the Embassy staff will review it, which will probably take 4-6 weeks. Because of the type of case ours is, it has a good chance of being deemed "not clearly approvable" by the Addis Embassy, and being forwarded to the Nairobi Embassy for further review. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The Nairobi Embassy has been clearing the "not clearly approvable" cases in 5-10 days, it seems. Once you're clear, you're clear! The Addis Embassy will contact you to set up your visa interview, which is when you'll appear at the Embassy with your child!
So, I'm thinking maybe 8-12 weeks from now. That sounds like a long time. Another two months? Maybe three? So, I'm making a list of projects to go to when I'm tempted to bury myself in the computer, or sit around waiting. Here's what I'm hoping to work on before Meryn comes home:
-Digital photo books (from iPhoto) for the years 2007, 2009, 2010, and maybe 2011
-A scrapbook of the year Paul and I were engaged and our honeymoon (Yep, I'm THAT far behind!)
-Mastering Arabesque I by Debussy, and Nocturne Op. 9-2 by Chopin (piano pieces)
If I can get even half of that done, it'll be a great 2-3 months. We also have some traveling we're done, visiting a friend in a city south of us, then a little family getaway to Goa. Beach time! I hope the distraction does us all good.
Still waiting....
We're praying for your sweet family as you wait to be together again. Glad you've got a list of projects to help keep you busy during the waiting!
ReplyDeleteBrooke & Josh