Just got the e-mail we've been waiting for!!! Our dossier is on it's way to Kigali, Rwanda!!!

Should take 5-7 days to get there (or maybe longer because of the holidays...we're not sure). Once it arrives at the Ministry of Family and Gender they will be spending the next few months looking over all of our paperwork and processing our request to adopt two children. It should be 3-6 months before we hear from their government about whether they've "accepted" our request to adopt from their country or not. I'm sure it will feel like a long wait but we will pass the time by focusing on a lot of fund raising and applying for some grants and loans. Though we want the approval to come quickly we are reminded that we need to trust God's timing in this whole process. He has it all under control and everything will happen in His perfect timing. All through this process we have been praying that He would guide us and provide for us, He has far exceeded anything we could imagine.

Once we get a "yes" (please pray they do say yes!) from their government, then we'll wait another couple of months or so for a referral. That will be the first time we get to see pictures of our new son and daughter. What a great day that will be! This Christmas season has really made us think ahead to next year with great anticipation...our first Christmas with our children! Oh, how life will change. And though it will take some adjustment time, we can't wait for this new chapter in our lives to begin!

It's a long journey of waiting ahead, and it will require a great deal of patience, prayer and faith. Thank you so much for following along with us on this journey! We appreciate your prayers!