DNA Done!!

We got the wonderful news this morning that the DNA test has been done and the lab work is in the US being processed. This is great news! We should have results Tuesday.

We also got the news that all the family court interviews should be done by the end of this week.

There are four times at which the birth mother has to sign stating she still intends to place Samantha for adoption. Initially; at the DNA test; when interviewed for family court; and at the end. It now looks like we've passed three of those.

So, what's next? Once the DNA test is complete, we start counting 63 days from the date of notarization. We expect our PA from the embassy on or before that day. While we're waiting for that, a social worker in Guatemala is writing her report based on all our documents and her interview with the birth mother. Once she completes that report we head to PGN without a PA. Our case is reviewed there. Hopefully, the reviewer will accept all our documents, and then kick us out (KO) because we don't have PA. Then, once we get PA, we get resubmitted to PGN complete.

Thank you for your prayers. We're so excited to hear our DNA is already done. What a great way to start the weekend!!

The Process

Some of you have asked about the DNA testing. Here's the deal. The US requires verification that the woman presenting herself as Samantha's birth mom is in fact the birth mother. To verify this, our attorney makes an appointment at a lab in Guatemala City. Her office notifies Samantha's birth mother of the appointment and she shows up at the appointed place and time(hopefully!). The foster mom will bring Samantha to the same place at the same time. Pictures are taken of Samantha with her birth mother and then DNA samples are taken. The samples are shipped overnight to a lab in North Carolina. It takes about three days to get the results which are emailed to us, faxed to the US Embassy and to our adoption agency. As long as the DNA is a positive match, the adoption can continue. We are not expecting any problems. Once the US Embassy receives the results they have at least 60 days (which they are currently taking full advantage of) to issue a pre-approval of a visa. Those of us in the adoption world call this the PA. Once there is a PA, we can proceed through the Guatemalan court system (PGN). While we can't see the future or anticipate how quickly things will move, we are still hopeful that we will have Samantha home by Thanksgiving. It's a crazy process involving two very bureaucratic governments who don't always see eye-to-eye! So, we wait and trust that El Roi the God who sees is watching over our paperwork and our daughter and knows exactly when she will be home! Thanks again for all your support. It means so much to us!

DNA Authorization

It came today! The charge we've been waiting for. The Embassy in Guatemala authorized DNA testing. Samantha and her birth mother will have to show up at the lab together for testing. Imagine this will be a difficult day for the birth mom. Praying she'll have peace in the process and that we'll have a positive test soon!

May Doctor's Report

Just received the translated doctor's report for Samantha's May 11th visit. How good our God is! Doctor noted...social smile, babbles and good head control. God knew when we saw pictures on the 12th what our concerns would be and He had the doctor address them before we even thought them. Things like this remind us that we are walking where God wants us to be and He is with us every step of the way.

Visit Photos

Sue was in Guatemala today and visited Samantha. Received numerous photos from the visit. We'll most likely have more photos of Samantha at this age than we have of Kayla or Nathan! Wishing we could see a picture of her smiling. Wonder if she can hold her head up by herself.