7/15/2012 - Met with friend who adopted from Ghana and heard the miraculous story of a recently orphaned infant who "may be available" for adoption; began praying specifically for baby E that night.
7/26/2012 - Found out, after contact with the orphanage and a whirlwind investigative study by the Ghanaian government, baby E is available for adoption! Felt confirmed that this is the child we are going to pursue and started going for it!
7/27/2012 - Decided to do the adoption independently in order to pursue/accept the referral of only baby E. Began home study with Adoption Advocates (AA) in Rockford, MI.
7/31/2012 - Completed first packet of homestudy papers and mailed them, with payment, to AA.
8/1/2012 - Began compiling the required documents for our second packet of homestudy materials and our dossier for the government in Ghana.
8/6/2012 - First homestudy meeting/interview with social worker.
8/8/2012 - Second homestudy interview with social worker and home inspection.
8/10/2012 - Last homestudy meeting: all AA paperwork and interviews are completed!
8/20/12 - HUGE paperwork day! Mailed dossier to POA in Ghana and I600A to USCIS.
8/24/12 - Dossier made it to Ghana!
8/27/12 - Received notification that USCIS is reviewing our I600A.
8/31 & 9/1/12 - Fundraising Garage Sale! Blown away by the support of our families, friends, and community!
9/1/12 - Received USCIS biometrics appointment. Scheduled for 9/26/12.
9/16/12 - Baby E's 1st birthday!
9/26/12 - USCIS biometrics (fingerprints) done.
9/27/12 - Phone call from USCIS: I600A is approved and 171-H is in the mail!
10/1/12 - Received 171-H in the mail and sent a copy on to be added to our dossier.
10/6/12 - Team Baby E completed the Zeeland Pumpkin Fest 5K as a fundraiser.
10/7/12 - Received confirmation that Ghana Social Welfare is working on Baby E's social enquiry report and will contact us with a court date when it's finished.
10/14/12 - Decided to plan our first trip to Ghana: November 18-26!
10/16/12 - Mailed Visa applications to Ghana Embassy.
10/25/12 - Received multi-entry visas for Ghana!
11/18/12 - 11/26/12 - Traveled to Ghana to meet Baby E! Spent time with his biological father and grandfather, the social welfare director, our lawyer, police officer, POA, etc. Completed all of the required paperwork, declarations, relinquishment statements, etc. for our adoption.
12/3/12 - All paperwork was hand-delivered to the Social Welfare director in the capital.
12/10/12 - Received our court date: December 17 (ended up being rescheduled for 12/19).
12/16/12 - Returned to Ghana for our 2nd trip and spent another week with Baby E.
12/19/12 - Passed court and filed our I-600 at the US Embassy in Ghana. Baby E officially became a Nelson! Noticed that our court decree had a minor error, so we requested a corrected copy ASAP.
1/10/13 - Received corrected court decree and added it to our file (via email) at the Embassy.
1/13/13 - Began the "Come to the Table" fundraiser to fund the construction of 30 tables and 60 benches to create a dining hall at the orphanage.
1/16/13 - Received a request for additional documentation from the Embassy. Made arrangements to get those documents ASAP.
1/19/13 - The tables and benches are fully funded! Praise God!
3/1/13 - New Groningen Elementary begins their March Impact Month and the campaign to purchase 500 bowls for the new dining hall at the orphanage.
3/1/13 - Finally received and submitted the additional documents to the Embassy.
3/3/13 - 3/12/13 - Allie and Judy (mother-in-law) go to Ghana!
3/19/13 - Received I-600 approval from the US Embassy.
3/20/13 - Received Visa Packet pickup date of 3/27