We were able to get in touch with our amazing agency representative Terri, very early this morning. She managed to get in touch with the INS officer who originally worked on our case and the INS officer completed the form we needed immediately and forwarded it to the Embassy in Russia. Terri indicated that the officer was more than helpful and truely concerned about our difficulty and was eager to help. Greg and I know the INS response was the answer to all your prayers.
Now, we wait and pray that the form is enough and this crisis will be over. Unfortunately we will not know until 2:30 in the morning or a little later...middle of the night for all of you and 11:30am for us. This form should be all the Embassy needs to complete the visas for the children and to allow all of us to return to Montgomery, AL on Friday night at 10:43.
One more issue to pray for is regarding the US Embassy processing time for the paperwork tomorrow afternoon. This process will need to be expedited in order for us to leave on time. Originally, the Embassy required two days to do what they will now prayerful need completed in one afternoon.
(another complicating matter is that our visas expire Friday...praying that will not become an issue.)
God did move another mountain today, a US government agency mountain and we are so grateful and forever thankful. The messages you have sent us via Facebook, email or the blog comments have been so encouraging. We would not have survived the last 24 hours without your love, support, prayers and encouragement. Thank you all so much! Christian friends are some of God's greatests gifts. We love you all and are forever indebted to you for the love you have shown us throughout the adoption process and particularly the last few hours. We do feel your love and God's presence.
So thankful that we can sleep tonight knowing you are all lifting us up in prayers all over the country. Thank you for the encouragement that the battle belongs to the Lord. As my dear friends Uduak and Sharon reminded me "Decree what you want to the Lord and it will established unto you" and to take one hour at a time, sometimes God gives us challenges we can not bare to think about but He will help us through it all.
We will update tomorrow as soon as we know something.
So glad things so far have worked out!!! Will continue to thank God for that and pray for the other issues!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove y'all!!!!
Woot! Getting closer every day. Glad to hear things are starting to come together.
ReplyDeleteCharles
Sometimes God calms the storm...sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.
ReplyDeleteThankful for Him doing both and seeing you through. Praying for smooth days ahead.
Amen to Uduak's statement of faith! God be praised! TGMessick
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ReplyDeleteWe are praying for your sweet family! We love ya'll!
ReplyDeleteAntonia shared your prayer request, and I am praying!
ReplyDeleteI have written you on FB with information for our congressmen and also for Senator Shelby. I have some friends who know both of them personally and I have met with Jo Bonner, he is a great guy. If necessary, wake me up anytime and let me know what is going on and we will get this information to them and see what they can do. On my heart non-stop. Love you all.
ReplyDeleteLora