Filling You In

So, before I get started, I've got to tell you that I just read Jim's most recent blog entry and it is very clear to me how different he and I are.  I look at my entry's - methodical, detail oriented, informative...  I look at Jim's entry's - thought provoking, contemplative, spiritually filling...  It would be easy to be intimidated by his spirituality and insight, but I won't go there.   God created us each individually and I believe one of His purposes is that we would bring the gifts He gave us to benefit those around us.  It is my hope and prayer that as you ready my blog you would feel like you understand this process - with it's victories and it's challenges - as we walk towards the finish line of this amazing journey God has brought us on.  I try to give you as many details as I can for two reasons. 1) some of you are very detail oriented like me, and 2) hopefully these details cause you to be lead to pray for things that I may not specifically have asked for or mentioned.  So, having said that, here goes:)  The internet has been down since my last entry, so it wasn't that we didn't have any news, we just couldn't share it with you.  Friday morning began with a 10:00 appt. at the courthouse, waiting for the justice to sign our written order.  The judge did show up, although she would only sign 2 orders at that moment and our atty wanted 4 copies.  So, he gave us one copy so we could go to Tracy's school to get her passport and he kept the other copy.  The rest of the day gets pretty long and detailed and I'm going to spare you ALL of it.  Our day actually ended with a WONDERFUL Christmas production put on by former members of the African Children's Choir and it really was enjoyable.  It was a fantastic way to end a very long day.  In between the courthouse and the performance, here's a recap...  We went to Tracy's school to get her passport.  Her grandma did not come with us as she was caring for a small child.  The school requested she come so they could hand everything over to her and properly document Tracy's release from the school.  This was a very fair and reasonable request, so without question or irritation we went and picked up Grandma Gertrude.  The whole process of arriving at the school until we left with the passport was about 3 1/2 hours.  It was another half hour on top of that while we waited at the school to gather her belongings and our little girl.  After that we went to meet our atty to pick up the copy of the document that the Embassy will need.  Turns out there was an important detail left out of our document and the atty. corrected it and had to go back to court to get the judge's signatures on all of the new documents.  After that, it still had to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and be registered.  So, we still don't have this document.  Our atty was expecting it by the end of business Friday, but we were not going to be in town long enough to wait for it.  We will connect with him most likely Monday to get it.  So, due to the length of these events, we did not make it to the Embassy on Friday.  I was able to call them and ask for an appt.  The soonest they would see us is Wed. at 1:00 p.m.  I will tell you that Jim and I both sat silent in the car for a few minutes.  It seems like this will make our desire to leave on Friday nearly impossible.  We have heard from others in our position that the embassy is taking  2- 3 days to process visas, sometimes longer.  Jim is still believing that we may be granted Tracy's visa in time, I'm a little less optimistic (maybe it's because I'm the one who's been making contact with the embassy and I haven't particularly cared for the interactions I've had with the gentleman who we need to see).  None the less, I've left this to the Lord.  I know that so many have been praying that Tracy would be on the plane with us on Friday, Dec. 12th, that there is no doubt how much this has been covered in prayer.  I can tell you that at our appt. on Wed. we will be told what time we can come back to get the visa (what day and hour it will be ready).  While there's a chance it will be ready on Thursday, the most likely time frame will be Friday or Monday - and this is assuming there will not be any delays.  HOWEVER, since we learned of our appt. time, I've had some updated information that gave me a little more hope than I had previously.  I thought our plane left at 8:30 a.m. Friday.  If by chance her visa would be ready early Friday a.m., there would not have been time to pick it up when the embassy opens at 7:30 to get it and then get to the airport.  Now I have rechecked the tickets and our plane doesn't leave until 9:50 a.m.  I realize most of you are thinking there is still not enough time - and technically you're correct.  But you probably haven't travelled with Jim!  All of this to say, there is a hope that has risen in me that we still could all be on the plane together on the 12th.  Don't misunderstand me, I believe that God is capable of miracles - and no doubt this would still be one.  It's also nice when I have a hope in the current understanding of the process' steps and timing.  Today we tried to get in to British Airways to check on the availability of flights for the week following our scheduled time to leave, but they were not open.  Monday is a holiday here, so the soonest we can get in to check on this is Tuesday, which we'll do.  If we do need to change our tickets, we won't do anything until after Wednesday's appt. when they tell us when we can come back to get the visa.  So, I think it goes without saying, please keep praying for Tracy's visa and our ability to get it back in time for us all to come home like we've planned.  We're all about God's perfect timing, and I believe He knows the desires of our hearts Again, thanks for supporting us in this journey.  We are so thankful for you.  Blessings, Tanya.