More stuff to do.......

Chris and I survived our first set of interviews with our social worker! We had a safe trip to Dallas and back and were glad to get home last night. Our meeting with Joy went really well. It took a little over 3 hours in all. We talked with her together and then separately. Most of what we talked about was stuff that we had answered in the questionnaire that was sent out with the application.

We should be able to attend the required 2 day Seminar during Spring Break, but we are waiting for confirmation before booking a hotel room. We now have more stuff to do. In addition to attending the Seminar, we are required to read 3 books and write a short report on each, get the house in better shape (according to check lists she sent us) and have our "Psychologicals" completed. Yes, we have to have a psych evaluation that is required by Russia. It involves meeting with a psychologist (of our choice), taking personality tests and having a personal evaluation as well as a marriage evaluation. What fun. Please, no jokes at this time!

Oh, we also have to put in writing our 'financial plan' for the expenses that will be incurred during this adoption process. In other words, we have to tell her how we plan to get the money we will need to bring our children home. Chris said (in the car on the way home yesterday), "I guess saying God will provide, isn't enough". We know that He will provide, but they want a more specific plan of action, such as savings, fund-raising activities, donations that we know about, grants/scholarships that we might be able to qualify for, etc.

Please continue to pray that the amounts that we need will be available when we need them so that the process won't be delayed because of the money. As of right now, we will need $300 for the Seminar (plus travel costs & hotel stay), $500 for the second half of the Home Study and $7000 for Buckner's fee after the Home Study is completed. Oh, we also need $750 + $160 for the Immigration services forms and finger printing.