Hi all,
After a long day of waiting and checking our email every hour this afternoon, I am sad to report that we heard nothing from USCIS today. It was a disappointing for us. If we don't hear from them tomorrow, we will not be coming home on the 16th. We aren't really expecting to hear from them tomorrow if how last week went is any indication. Last week all the visa pre-approvals were issued on Monday and none the rest of the week, so we are wondering if that will be the way it will go. (Again, this is a brand new procedure and so no one really has any clue except the people who are issuing the approvals and they are saying anything.) If Monday is the pre-approval issuing day, then our next chance is next Monday, which then would mean that we would get home around the 22nd or so. That is also assuming that we can get plane tickets then - apparently it can be hard to get 4 seats out together at this time of year on short notice. We are starting to make tentative plans for how we will celebrate Christmas if it ends up that we are still here.
When we came, we knew that we could end up being here for an extended period of time. We were told from the beginning that it could take up to 60 days to get her visa approval and the US gov't received her application on Nov. 13. That puts us at day 27 today. We are trying to be patient and just be thankful that we have our little girl and enjoy this opportunity to live (it is beginning to feel more like we are living here rather than just visiting) short-term in another country. It seems to be a great experience for the kids. Today, Thomas asked Doug and I if we would like to come with him when he comes back to Vietnam to adopt a child when he is an adult. It was good to hear that with all the ups and downs of this trip, that he still thought that this was a very good thing and would want to do it himself. On a different note, I have thought a lot today about the human condition of getting something that you want and then wanting something more. All we wanted was to have Julia with us, no matter what that meant (that sentiment lasted about 2 weeks), and now what we want is to go home soon.
This morning we walked to Vietnam's oldest pagoda, which is about a mile from our hotel. It was originally built in the 6th century. It was beautiful and very interesting to see something with so much history.
Christmas decorations are going up at various places around the city. The hotel put up a tree in the lobby today. Did I mention that it is 81 degrees here?
Thanks for checking in. We appreciate you.
Barbie
P.S. Thanks, Dave, for clarifying Angie's question. You got it.
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5 comments:
Hey all,
81 degrees would be lovely right now....it's been a balmy 20 or so here, and more stinking freezing rain to come!!
I know that coming home is all you want to do, I'm sure I'd feel the same way...we're all praying the approval comes soon. Until then, enjoy the Vietnamese Christmas lights...do they put out lights or is that just an American tradition?
Take care and hug each other for me.
Cindy
Hello folks!
Owen and I were checking out Vietnam's location on his globe last night. It's so surreal to me that you truly are on the other side of the world right now!
We're so glad to hear that you all are settled in and not miserable, even if it doesn't look like you'll be home pretty soon.
We love you all so much. It's been said before, but I'll say it again: it's such a relief to be able to check in with you daily. Checking out your news and adventures is something I look forward to every day.
Sorry for today's disappointment. Hang in there!
Lots of love,
--Annie
hey dudes and dudettes!
i am sorry to hear about the delay. i jumped on my computer when i got home from school, and was ready to see that you guys were comming home. like you said, you just have more time to spend together as a family, learning more about julia's culture. (which i am totally envious of you all!)
things in the deep south are going well. we have 9 days left of school. 4 of which are review and test days. it has been raining cats and dogs here. last night there were actual thunder and lighting storms! we had our christmas program at church last night, and we were under a thunder storm watch....kinda crazy!
anyways, i am glad to hear that you all are safe. give each of my nieces and nephew a big hug for me. know that i love you all! and that i am praying for you guys!
love ya lots!
monica
Hi Atkins Family,
We are home in Glenwood and have snow and 5 degrees. So 81 is sounding good at this point.
We will keep hoping that they approve visas more than just Monday and you will hear soon about all the paperwork being complete.
The flight home was good. The time change is going to be a little more difficult this way than in Vietnam. I think Tylenol PM will be our close friend for a few days.
We miss you guys. And your blog is not boring. Everyone that we have talked with since we have been home are enjoying the updates.
Grannie & Gramps
Hey ya'll,
Wow. Talk about living and trusting one day at a time and finding God's meaning in the waiting. Good news is that you are bonding as a family of 5 which should make reentry into the states easier. It warmed up to 20 today!! woowoo! so soak up that sun while you have it. I remember going swimming on Christmas day many a year in Fla. with our cardboard fireplace for the stockings and a cracked window for Santa. Our Fla Santa preferred diet coke to milk...come to think...our MN Santa does too.hmmm
Now what's up with that! we will be celebrating in Montana with Rebecca and her siblings. We will be in various hotels plus 2 nights with Dawn G. and kids at her parent's home in WA. So ya do whatcha gotta do, right?
I love your insights and openness with what God is teaching you. You encourage me!
Isaiah 41:10, 13..great verses involving right hands.
I'm still praying,
continuing in Christ's great Adventures,
becky
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