Now it's the National Visa Center

I received notice that our I-600-A application has been approved and sent to the National Visa Center. Today, I called the National Visa Center to make sure that our approval is cabled to Taiwan. They were unable to find it in their system and stated that they have probably not recieved it, yet. Please pray that they receive it soon, so they can process it. Then pray that the process is completed correctly. I was told that they create a file at the National Visa Center, then everything is sent to the appropriate consulate. No one knew anything about cabling it to Taiwan. Please pray for no delays in going to Taiwan to bring home our sweet little boy!

"I prayed for this child and the Lord answered my prayer and gave him to me." I Samuel 1:27 NCV

Fingerprinting: Check, Waiting: Check, Check

We completed our biometrics (digital fingerprinting) appointment yesterday with more than a little freaking out on my part! We left 30 minutes earlier than we needed to for the appointment. However, a semi was blocking one lane of traffic on the bridge on I-10 over the lake. It took us over 30 minutes just to cross the bridge. Needless to say, we were late and I was worried that we would not be able to continue with the appointment. Those letters from USCIS can be so threatening, stating that you are abandoning your application if you do not make your appointment time. Anyway, as a newbie, I did not know that they schedule several people for 8 a.m. and we were fine. No problems, Praise the Lord!!!

I am continuing to wait to hear that USCIS has received our corrected homestudy. As of yet, I have requested this information with no response. Please pray that they respond to me soon.

Other than that, we work on the nursery and wait for our court date on March 9th. Please continue to be in prayer for the court date and our birthmom.

Do you see a recurring word in this blog: wait. For now, I am trying to do what the following verse states that David did. I'm trying to improve with the "patiently" part.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Updates

I wanted to quickly update everyone on the adoption. The glitch with USCIS was that they had not received our homestudy from the state of Mississippi. Our social worker found out that it had been misplaced when the pipes froze and the Secretary of State office in Jackson was shut down. The homestudy should be on it's way to the USCIS office in New Orleans.
We are officially simply waiting for events to take place. This week (Thursday night) is our baby shower for Nathanael at the church (6:30 p.m. if you are planning to attend). Next week, we have a fingerprinting appointment in New Orleans. The following week, we should get an updated picture of Nathanael. And a little over a week after that.....Our court date (March 9th). Please pray for our court date, our birthmom, and Nathanael's health. Thank you so much for sharing in this journey with us!

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 22:31-33

Adoption Update

Our paperwork was filed with the court in Taiwan yesterday! Now we wait for a court date and wait for immigration here in the states to complete their processing. We are so excited that our adoption case has been filed!

I have not received an update on Nathanael's condition since Tuesday night. Please continue to pray for him. The last we heard, he was still in ICU.

The song "While I'm Waiting" seems appropriate while we wait to hear about Nathanael, so I thought I'd share the lyrics.

While I'm Waiting

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Update on Nathanael's Condition

We were notified early this morning that Nathanael has pneumonia in his left lung. He remains in Pediatric ICU. He will remain there until his breathing becomes less labored and he can be moved to the baby nursery in the hospital. Please keep praying for him. He is very young. He has been receiving excellent care and had even been to the doctor twice last week, prior to having to go to the hospital.

Please pray:

that Nathanael will heal quickly and be stronger than he was before.

that Brian and I will continue to be able to trust the Lord with Nathanael's condition. I am trying very hard not to feel guilty that I am not with him when he is so sick.

that our adoption process moves swiftly and smoothly. We are ready to bring him home! Our paperwork should arrive from TECO today. We will then send it to Taiwan so that they can register the adoption.

for the missionaries and workers who run and work at The Home of God's Love. They have MANY children to take care of and it is a tireless job. They stay very busy. Pray that God gives them strength and rewards them for the excellent care they have been giving to Nathanael and the other children in their care.