ODDS and ENDS AT THE KELLER HOME

Greetings family and friends. The past ten days have been quite an emotional rollercoaster! On the 21st we were matched with our beautiful daughter. On the 28th, Vietnam announces they are closing adoptions September 1st but will process folks with submitted paper work and a referred child (which we have both). Yes, it's a little scary, but both Cathy and I and our agency feel good that our situation will be okay. We have been busy with tons of paperwork and preparing our home to welcome the newest member of our family. The pictures reflect some of the new purchases and items we have sent to her in Vietnam.

We have gathered all the documents (minus one) we need for our I-600 application and sent it to Holt. We should get that last document, the homestudy update next week. This paperwork goes to the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam. Right now, our power of attorney document is in the process of being translated and sent to the MOJ in Vietnam. As soon as they receive it (in 3 or 4 weeks), they will start the approval process. That should take 3 to 3.5 months. At the same time, the U.S officials will investigate (called the I-600 process) her specific case to verify that she is indeed an orphan. That should take 60 days more or less. Once the U.S. approves the I-600 and Vietnam approves the the paperwork, we will shortly thereafter be approved to travel. We will have to go to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

So the way we look at it, the earliest we would travel would be August, the latest November. However we think it will be in the middle, September or October. Keep this precious girl and all these beautiful children in your prayers.