I just got word today that our dossier has been submitted to the main ICBF office in Bogota! That means we are officially in STAGE 3! See This Link to see the next steps of the process!
I am so happy! My social worker was almost apologetic in her email that that was all the news she had. But, I was just ecstatic because I had never heard that it made it past the translations stage!
So this means that sometime between Christmas and New Years our dossier finished translations AND went through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office!
There is still a chance that we can travel at the end of February if our timeline stays on course. We'll see.
If not, I know it is all going to be God's perfect timing anyway. (I have to keep reminding myself of this! LOL!)
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I'm also in the process of working on photo albums for each of the chicos to send in a care package as soon as we get our referral.
I was just going to do a digital album from Walgreens, but have been rethinking that. It's not as personal as a hand-made photo album with cute stickers and pretty paper lovingly put together. Especially because this will hopefully be a treasured memento they will have for the rest of their lives.
I do not have one single crafty bone in my body, so this will definitely be a labor of love! The thought of having to fill a blank white page with stickers, paper and pictures absolutely terrifies me!
And, there is the pressure that I need to complete it quickly since a referral will probably be here by the end of January! Any of my scrapbooking friends are welcome to lend any words of layout advice or help! LOL! Or should I just go with the digital album and save myself the stress? LOL!
I'd go digital...give yourself a break. :) Then when they come home you can work "as a family" on a scrapbook of your time in Columbia together! I can just see you all around the table each making their own page for the album....a real treasure:). so excited for you all!!!! Can't wait to "meet" them!!!!!!!!! praise God!! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteDigital, and write on the inside cover... Johanna has a great idea for later on :)
ReplyDeleteThey like just a simple small photo album with all of the family members with descriptions of who each person is. Then the people at the orphanage give them to the children and have them memorize the photos of who thier mama and papa and sisters and brothers and uncles and aunts are. They just want a sticker in spanish of this description. Keep this simple as the children handle this. And then make sure when you pick them up you ask for it back. They won't just give it to you.
ReplyDeleteCome and play with my scrapbooking stuff. I have a cricut! You can use anything! My gift to you!
ReplyDelete