I600A trouble

Yesterday we got our I600A application back in the mail. The day after I sent it in the bank called to let me know that, instead of an $830 check, they gave me an $850 check. I figured it would not be a big deal, USCIS could just keep the extra $20. Well, I figured wrong!

Patrick got a new check today (for the correct amount) and I mailed out the forms. The Nebraska USCIS office takes about 6 weeks after they get your application to invite you in for finger printing. After they get them it takes about 6 more weeks to get approved. So we should get our I600A approval by the beginning of May.

This shouldn't be a big deal as we are not expecting a referral until later this year although we are praying for a faster referral. If you could, please continue to pray for patience for us, it is a long wait and we are so ready to be parents.

Please also continue to pray for baby Joel and his family, they have been on such a roller coaster since he was born and they really need our prayers.

Dilated pupils + a very sunny day = OUCH!

I had an appointment with the eye doctor today and he dilated my eyes. I had walked to my appointment since it was a beautiful sunny day, notice I said sunny day. On the walk home, even with sun glasses on, I couldn't see anything! If I saw you on my way home and didn't acknowledge you, I'm sorry. I got home and had to lay down in my darkened bedroom and felt much better. I also got to take a little nap too! :)

I talked with the Waiting Child program today at Holt. This is the program for children with some sort of health problem that can't go through the normal adoption process. We are open to some health conditions as some are fixable or not too severe. The WC person said that, since we are home study ready (i.e. our home study is complete), they will call us when there are children available who meet our criteria. So, we will see if anything comes from that.

On a side note, we are planning a vacation to Florida! Patrick's good friend JM is getting married on Saint George Island in May and we are traveling down for it. Our awesome friends, the Erde's, live near Tallahassee and we will get to see them while we are there! I need to call Tamra to work out the details but cannot wait to see all of them again. They were our next door neighbors at seminary and are an amazing family! We really miss living close by and haven't seen them since January of 2006. Tamra flew all the way here for Madelyn's memorial service and is just an amazing woman of God!

I haven't updated about them in a while but our friends Nick and Janell had baby Joel on January 30th. Joel is very sick and had heart surgery today. The updates we have recieved have been good so we just ask for continued prayers for baby Joel and for his parents, doctors nurses and all caregivers. We just ask for Gods blessing upon baby Joel, that He would strenghten Joel and heal him.

Please pray for our friends!

Our friends, Nick and Janelle, are expecting their second son, Joel. Joel has been diagnosed with many health problems and Nick and Janelle have been told that these problems are pretty bad. They will be traveling soon from Pensacola up to Atlanta, GA where Janelle will deliver baby Joel. Please pray that God would heal Joel, that He would be with Nick, Janelle and their whole family during this difficult time, and that they would travel safely to Atlanta. I am devastated for them and pray that they would feel God's peace during this time.