Article 5

We hit another major milestone while we were in Bulgaria. Our steps since accepting our referral have been: 

• submit i800 to U.S.
• i800 approval 
• i800 approval goes to the U.S. Embassy
• Article 5
• Minister of Justice Signature
• Court Day
• Travel Dates Issued
• Pick up trip

We received our article 5 the Friday we were in Bulgaria. This is something families are not typically in Bulgaria for and something our NGO here took care of for us. It's pretty rare that we were there for it. 

So next we'll be waiting for the signature of the MOJ. This is where we could use some prayer. Usually the wait is 4 weeks for a signature, but there are families who have been waiting since February. It is only a signature. Nothing more...she doesn't have to look over anything, she can't approve or deny...it's only a signature. Apparently she is very busy. 

We pray not only for our case, but for the other families who are waiting. This will be the big step that determines if we'll be able to get through court before the government (including the courts) go on break in the month of August and early September. We need her to sign in the next four weeks to still have hope of making it happen. 

We're ready to bring our daughter home. We have been joking that while we have been praying for our hearts to be prepared for leaving her that day, we failed to pray for the days following. I'll admit - I've been known to stare at her photo - a lot.