Stahlke Adoption

Message from Masha

Last Thursday afternoon, Jonathan wrote to Homeland Security asking the status of our visa extension. He didn't hear back from them on Friday, so he Emailed Masha that day that we had not yet heard anything. She sent a message back to us this morning, saying that she had to write so at least she would feel like she was doing something. I think the waiting is as hard on her as it is on us.

When the visa extension finally comes through, we will send it to Ukraine by overnight mail. Masha asked us to include a letter for the SDA (State Department for Adoptions) with our visa, requesting an appointment for August. She doesn't want our appointment to take place later in the fall because the other documents in the dossier would start expiring.

So . . .
We have a proposed month of travel now--next month!--assuming the visa comes through soon and our paperwork in Ukraine doesn't hit a snag because of the late visa.
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Jonathan checked Email again this afternoon and had not yet received a message from Homeland Security. They usually answer their Email within 24 hours (on business days), so we're wondering what's going on. The visa office has a telephone number for emergencies (i.e., if you are traveling within 48 hours). That doesn't fit our situation exactly, but Jonathan and I are starting to feel that we ARE in an emergency.

Before telephoning them, however, I suggested to Jonathan that we telephone for advice from Wendy, our Chicago case worker. She knows more about the Chicago DHS office than anyone else we know. Unfortunately, she's on vacation until Wednesday, but we do have her private cell phone number. I told Jonathan to telephone her despite today being off-hours for her. We don't normally do that, but the tone of Masha's Email today makes me concerned.

Pastor prayed for our family yesterday in church. He reminded us that Mikola's adoption is in God's hands.

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:55 PM