Update

Just a quick update.....

We made it to the USCIS today and it just so happens that the one person who handles adoption cases was there.  She was so nice and took care of everything.  She changed our I600 to include a child up to age 8.  She sent it off to Washington to have a stamp of urgency put on it and then sent off to Ethiopia.  She also gave us the hard copy of paperwork that she had sent off to Washington, which she said she has never done.  We will be able to hand deliver that to the consulate or US embassy in Ethiopia, just in case it doesn't make it on time. 

Here's where things stand.  We still do not have Yohannes' new passport.  That has to be done before he can be issued a visa to return home with us.  We are trusting that, by some miracle that will happen before next Thursday.  We have been informed that it is not likely and to not travel.  We, however have decided to move forward in faith and leave on Friday.  We have so many people praying and a very Big God who is sovereign over all of this.  We believe that we will walk off that plane on Monday the 10th with both of our children.

Thank you all for praying.

By His grace and for His glory,

The Gothman's
Vern, Vicky, Cole, Hailey, Yohannes, Ella, and Isaiah