So, on 4/21 I got the new home study by FedEx and I had my papers ready to go as soon as the home study came (I had to get it amended because of the move). This is a sampling of the papers I had to fill out before sending in this step 9.
I was so proud of myself. I had all of these papers ready, the label printed, and actually asked the FedEx driver to wait so I could run my package right back out to him. The package was received that Tuesday, 4/24 and so should start my 2 week process. This is when Home Land Security checks out JH to make sure he is legit and can come in our country. Well after the 2 weeks, I emailed to see what was the hold up. Turns out I did not send in the $385 fee associated with the supplement 3 form for the address change to the I800A (Is your head spinning yet? MINE IS! My brain does not work through papers. I make a list, lose the list, and then when I find the list, I am often surprised that I took care of something on my list).
Anyway, my dear social worker, who is Chinese, had to explain the English document to me. "It says issued, okay that means they have sent it to you already".
God bless her having to translate the English letter from the Government to me. So, when the pink paper arrives, I can send in the payment. That was on 5/12. The pink paper came 5/13, I wrote the check and Fed Exed it that same day. It arrived 5/15 to Texas. The officer said if I could show proof of my payment in my checking account she would push me to the next step before waiting for the Government to tell her I paid. That was generous of her.
Every day I am checking. This morning 5/23 the check is pending. I immediately take a pic of it and send it to the officer. Hours later they write back, well, our name is not on the pic, so they can't prove it is our account. I print a statement (that is the only screen that has our name on it) and our cycle goes from 21st-22nd. So of course the pending withdrawal is not on the statement, but I circle the last 4 numbers of the account and send it in hoping it is proof enough. So I am still on step 9 out of 15. And I have been here since 4/21. SO disheartening. This is the first time I was holding up the process.
Although I am mostly distressed about it, there is a faint whisper reminding me, "God's timing is perfect. He is not surprised by this misstep. He knows what He is doing, and it is better than what I have planned. "
And just incase I am to despair, I am reminded of His faithfulness. A former student who now lives in Texas (Land of this Home Land Security Lock Box) made shirts in Chinese and English for us to wear, and a gift to give his foster parents. The package arrived with this precious picture of her children who prayed over our shirts before sending them.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28
