We had a great summer with visitors...First it was the Hostetters from Cameroon that came to see us. That was SUCH an awesome time of fellowship. Then Steve's mom came to visit while Steve was doing training in Georgia for his new TSA job. Then Jonny and Jenni Reijgers came over the 4th of July and we loved having little ones in the house, and the time we got with Jon and Jen. Then my mom came and spent some time with us just before the girls and I went out to Indiana. I really think that having everyone visit us like they did...helped us/or at least helped me. Take my mind off what would have seemed like failure with our denial letter, and focus on what it is truly important, the Kingdom of God and people.
Today, well, by the time I publish this....a week ago... we had a meeting with our Lawyer. And during that discussion...there were many ups!! but also downs. We are definitely going to be handing the dealing of our case over to her....in hopes that we can truly get Stephen here....i don't know how long that will be or how long it will take or what it will end up costing....but i think there is a really good possibility that something good can come from all of it. We are looking at refiling our paperwork with her or filing a different form altogether....we will know more and hopefully come to a solid decision by next week. But it kinda looks like we are starting over. Which may sound discouraging, but i'm actually taking MUCH hope in it. The lawyer said something today that just made sense...she said that the USCIS has a LOT of really great resources on line and they make it seem so simple...like fill out this paperwork...file these documents....follow the protocol and BOOM! everything will come through....but it isn't that easy...she then likened it to doing a root canal on yourself...sure you could probably get it done...but the pain, and likely infection that would ensue after such a venture will not be pleasant in the least. This time around...i really got that she understood our predicament, and really thinks she can help...and that she agreed that the sooner we got him the better.
So... here we go! Ding! Ding!! round 2....or whatever round this is. LOL! Please keep praying that God would make a way. Please pray for strength for us...ok, really just for me. I can't even begin to explain how emotionally taxing this has been/ is for me. Even just the 1 hour appointment on the phone today...WORE ME OUT! Pretty much all i've wanted to do for the rest of the day is sleep.
Thank you for everyone who has been and will continue to pray for this situation. It has been a HUGE blessing and help. Just knowing that you guys care for us and love us and want Stephen to be with us as soon as possible is SO encouraging. We love you all!
