July 20, 2009 by Sara
Some friends met us at the airport to welcome us home (the kind of friends you feel comfortable being around after a 17 hour flight). Then, they put this video together and showed it to our church on Sunday (even without us being there). People in our church have been amazing throughout this process … THANK YOU EVERGREEN!
Our Adoption Timeline
November 2004
First talk of African Adoption
Circa 9/10/07
Decision to adopt
Circa 9/28/07
Decision to adopt from Ethiopia
10/1/07
Research adoption agencies
10/22/07
Application mailed
10/28/07
Accepted to Ethiopia program!
10/30/07
Paper-chase begins ...
11/19/07
First Home Study Visit
11/27/07
Second Home Study Visit
(3 total)
1/21/08
Final Home Study Visit
Home Study Complete!
2/6/08
Submitted I-600A for Immigration
2/21/08
Fingerprints submitted for USCIS
4/2/08
Our Agency solves their licensure issue
5/13/08
Our Kids Are "Pre-Approved" For Immigration By USCIS
9/08/08
Switched Adoption Agencies
3/24/09
Received our incredible referral
5/19/09
Court Date Assigned: June 9
5/21/09
Court Date Corrected: June 12
6/9/09
WE PASSED COURT!
(Three days early)
7/1/09
Embassy Date Assigned!
(July 15th) & Travel booked...
Current Status:
Home With Da Kids!
Oh Sara and Nate! That video is absolutely beautiful!! I cried and cried, of course! Marty and I cannot get enough of seeing pictures of you with your precious, gorgeous children. We are so happy for you and so happy that you are home!!!
Sara and Nate –
Wow, over the past 6 months via facebook and this blog I have been faithfully following your incredible journey. I continue to search for words to express my awe for all God has done. He has spoken to me through your story and I am sure I speak for many when I say following your journey has opened my eyes and brought me closer to the heart of God. This video was beyond touching, it was amazing – I am thrilled for your new family and cannot wait to follow the journey. Thank you for sharing your story with the rest of us – each posting, picture, update sheds a new light on my days.
Sara, I think of when I first met you at Rockbridge. You had that motherly touch and were the source of much comfort for myself and others. Caleb and Eden are BLESSED to have you as their mother – leading them through life – comforting them when they’re down – encouraging them when they’re up. I have no doubt that you have what it takes to be a world’s best mom. I will continue to pray for you and Nate as you continue on this remarkable journey.
The picture of the 4 of you at the airport gave me chills
AMEN!
Love, Meghan
great video guys! love seeing your new family of four – love it!!
O.K……Now I can relax ! Praise the Lord for your Homecoming. The children look so wonderful…Eden looks positively “CHUBBY” ! We are all celebrating with JOY !
Love you ALL!
Auntie Sally
Sarah and Nate – wow! That video is amazing! The children are GORGEOUS! The joy radiating from all of you is tangible!
I praise GOD for the love He has for all of us!
I praise GOD for His faithfulness!
I praise God for the love He has shown to your family – in His perfect timing!
Can’t wait to hear more!!!!
Love and prayers for your transition home!
Jill
I’m officially bawling …
This video has been playing over and over in my mind since Sunday as I’ve been praising God for his faithfulness. It’s just perfect.
It has been such an awesome experience sharing with our boys after all those months of praying each and every day, their prayers were answered. They are starting to understand this amazing God we serve.
Thanks for letting us all be a part of your journey.
Don’t think we have stopped praying, cause we haven’t!! They just look a lot different.
Love love love this video! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us. We are so blessed to know you.
Um…and who looks that good after a 17 hour flight?!!! Seriously, Sara, you are radiant!
laura
What a beautiful family! Your children are just so precious. Keep looking up during this time of transition. It is HARD at times, but oh so worth it! It will be amazing when you get to around three months to look back and see the progress. We are blessed time and again as we look back from whence we came…God is good.
Blessings,
Hilary Forrest
Just wanted to let you know that your family is the topic of nearly every Evergreen conversation! We all love you so much and are praying for you and Nate and the kids. I woke up this morning thinking of you and lifting you up to God. Thanks for keeping us updated through the blog. It’s a precious gift!
Hey Guys!!
What an awesome thing for your church to put together. It brought tears to my eyes.
Josh and I sure miss being able to talk to you guys and all the other families about our ups and downs now that we’re home. We hope and pray all is going well… we think of you often.
God Bless and keep in touch!
love, Josh & Jordan
love it. I’ve been waiting to watch this until I knew I could re-apply eye makeup afterwards….=). Beautiful pictures and wonderful, applicable scripture. So encouraging. I love Eden’s fascination with balloons- some things are just “universal” for kids! Can’t wait to meet them in a few months when we live in VA so close to you!!!!!!!
My computer wasn’t working properly, so I was not able to see the video until just now…WOW…amazingly beautiful…what a precious gift!!!! It was a blessing to be able to watch it!!!
loved the video. Thanks for sharing…..
love love love all the new posts and this video…tearing up, just couldn’t stop it
Please bring your kiddos to KC sometime soon! krista and bart