SECOND FINGERPRINT APPOINTMENT

Friday, June 8, 2007: We headed out to Charlotte, NC again for our second mandatory fingerprint appointment with Immigration Services. Weleft at noon as our appointment was scheduled for 3:00. Everything was going so smoothly until we came upon a car accident that brought the traffic to a screeching halt. What should have taken us 2.5 hours took almost four to get there. As we pulled up in front of the place,we saw the guard at the door looking like it was closing. Jerry jumped out of the van, ran to the door and literally stuck his foot in it so the guard could not close it. Needless to say, she was a bit concerned.

Jerry explained to her that we were stuck in traffic and there were not one, but two car accidents that delayed our journey. All of the letters and instructions we have received from CIS state if you don't keep your appointment it is an automatic denial! Well the guard said it was too late, the office closed at 4:00 p.m. and there was nothing she could do about it. The machines were off and the employees gone. The woman must have had some compassion for us though because she said we could just show up at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and she would let us in without an appointment.

So we drove four hours for nothing today. Now we all needed to go potty and the kids were hungry, so off to McDonald's we went. The twins were so funny. Jimmy said, "Mama, that was a really long ride, too long and boring".

Now we had to just turn around and drive right back home. We made it home in about 3 hours and still had time to celebrate Jerry and Jonathan's birthday. Melissa and Randy were at the house when we got home, Mom had cooked a delicious dinner of chicken cutlets, Penne Pasta, salad and yummy bread. We ate again, had delicious chocolate cake with Ganache icing that I had prepared on Thursday. We sang, opened gifts and all shared what a blessing these two guys are in our lives. We thanked the LORD for His amazing design and creation of our family. We are so richly blessed. This was a long day but it still turned out blessed.

Jerry and I decided to leave all the kids home Saturday morning and and we got on the road at 6:00 am to head back to Charlotte. We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and found the place packed with people this time. We waited for an hour and a half for my fingerprinting and then headed back home after a bite to eat. After three trips to CIS,the prints are off to the FBI to get approved, or denied again. Jerry's boss gave him a bottle of ridge builder for me to use this time so maybe they will come out better.

Jerry works in the same building as Sirchie, which is the company that makes fingerprinting products. So, now we just have to wait again for the next step. This is the only thing holding us up. Everything else is completed. We know the LORD has a plan and His timing is perfect. NO need to worry, all is under HIS control.Only HE knows what will happen next.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6