Ratified

A beautiful word....

Dove called and told us that court was ratified this morning! Thank-you so much for your prayers! We are so excited to finally know she is officially and legally ours! They also told us that they would be calling with travel dates hopefully in the next week or so......

Here are the next steps:
1. The court will release an official decree, saying that we are officially Meaza's parents.
2. Decision will be legalized at the office of Foreign Affairs.
3. Decision will be translated by the official Government translation office
4. Request the child's official birth certificate.
5. Register the court decision with the Government of Ethiopia
6. Request an Ethiopian passport from immigration for the child.
7. Meaza will have a medical examination at an assigned clinic to obtain her US visa
8. She will have another exam at the US Embassy for HIV testing (she has already had 2 tests which both came back negative)
9. All documents must be submitted to the US Embassy 2 weeks prior to our appointment
10. Families typically travel and have an US embassy appointment 4-6 weeks after court, but our agency told us last month to expect 6-8 weeks.
Dove's standing appointment is at the Embassy is on Thursday afternoons.

So, it really would take a miracle to have this little girl in our arms for Christmas. It is still our hearts desire, and we are continuing to pray for a miracle. We would love for you to continue to pray through these next steps for us, and that Meaza would be home in God's timing, whatever that may be.