Good decisions hopefully lead to good results.

This has been a week full of progress and reassurance.  On Tuesday, our agency told us that we better get a backup plan because their lawyer wasn't doing his job.  Although this was a little more than irritating to hear, we knew we made a good decision to hire the new lawyer.  Diony did travel to Cap Haitien and take care of business.  He had a long rough road there but was able to persevere through rain and car troubles to help us.  He went to St. Suzanne to look at the register book that would prove the validity of his birthmother's death certificate.  After searching, he found that the death certificate was indeed a fake.  Our agency lawyer paid someone to make it.  So, Diony traveled back to Cap to visit with Jimmy and his aunt.  We were quite nervous; however, he got lots of new information from them which he believes will be more than substantial to receive approval for our I600.  He is now back in Port au Prince and plans to submit the new evidence in the morning.  We are cautiously optimistic.

Different path, Same destination

After much prayer and agonizing, we have come to the decision that we cannot wait for our lawyer to get the documents we need.  We have learned that his abilities and ethics are to say the least questionable.  Although our agency still has faith in him, we do not and will take the actions necessary to get our son home.  We have contacted another lawyer willing to travel to the village where Jimmy's mother died to get the document there as well as to Cap Haitien to get an affidavit from several family members.  We will submit these as proof of his mother's death.  The downside to this is that it of course will cost more money.  $3500 to be exact.  I cannot tell you how sad it makes me that this has once again come down to money. We have been so blessed by those willing to help us through this.  We have been gifted the money for the lawyer and that is such a relief.  We will be saving up for the homecoming travel, which will be roughly $2500 depending on how long Rob will need to stay and how much airline ticket prices fluctuate. 
Please pray for peace and comfort for Jimmy.  Rishard left the orphanage yesterday and will return to Oklahoma later this week.  Jimmy is extremely anxious as well as confused.  He doesn't understand why it is taking so much longer for him to come home.  It is so hard to explain it all when you don't even understand it all yourself.  Hopefully, his wait will be short and peaceful.  Thank you for your prayers on his behalf.

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As of today

As of Saturday morning, we still have not received the paper we need for Archives.  We have not heard anything today from our agency.  We are considering hiring a new lawyer to get us through this step in the process.  We have already paid our agency in full as per our contract.  So, it would mean that we paid for the original lawyer through our agency plus an additional $3500 for a new one to gather the proof of Jimmy's birth mother's death.  We are unsure what to do at this point.  We will make a decision soon. 
We rejoice with our friends, the Hoovers, as they have a visa appointment for their son, Rishard, on March 25.  As you know, Rishard and Jimmy have gone together through each step of this process.  They were expecting to come home together as well.  However, that is not going to happen.  When we started the process there was 1 family in process and 4 more started after us.  All of those families will have their children home once Rishard leaves CHCH.  I hate that Jimmy has to stay behind yet again.  I would love to just fly down and be with him until it is time for him to come home; however, just not a possibility for us.  I get daily messages from him asking when and why.  When he heard of Rishard's appointment date, he thought he had one as well.  It is heartbreaking to tell your child that everyone else gets to go home to their forever families, but you have to be without yours a little longer.  None of it makes sense and none of it is fair.  I am tired of trying to convince everyone else it is ok.  Because it is not, especially not for Jimmy.

It's just one thing after another.

National Archives is now requesting an additional piece of documentation.  They want a copy of the record book with the judges name that issued the death certificate.  Who knows how long that will take. It has been 30 days since we received the intent to deny from USCIS.  30 days ago I thought Jimmy would be home with us for spring break.  Now, I have no idea when he will be home.  I am at a loss today and struggling with the waiting.  I will update again when I know something new.

Positivity & Peace

What's new?  Not much.  We are still waiting for National Archives to get the extract for the death certificate.  It will be two weeks tomorrow since we submitted it to Archives.  For some positive news, our agency rep (Kathi) was able to visit with Madame Dormond of USCIS on Tuesday.  They had a good conversation and Madame Dormond assured Kathi that they are ready to move forward with the approval as soon as they receive the extract.  So, we are hoping the extract gets done very soon and we get approval quickly thereafter. 

God has given me peace about everything yet again.  Peace that passes all understanding.  Peace that calms the soul and heals my hurts.  Peace that only comes from God, our Father.  Although I still shed tears and feel the ache of missing Jimmy.  I have faith in God.  I know He is a keeper of promises.  He promises that he will "work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose."  I know that we were called by Him and that He has a purpose and a desire for Jimmy to be part of our family.  I will hold fast to His promise and the peace He so generously pours on me. 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 
John 14:27

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:22
 
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." 
Romans 8:6