OK, the US Embassy . . . MAJOR snag!

Quick update today, Tuesday (10/13/09) - We need some mighty prayers going up!

On the US Embassy/Visa side - we STILL have a problem. I just spoke with the Chief of American Citizens Services Unit - this is a definite contact to have for adoptive families needing info from the US Embassy in Pakistan.

They have received the new uploaded file with country change update from 8/24/09 and the transfer from Russia. However, the US Embassy cannot access the file. They can "see" the file, but cannot "work" with the file. They say it is a "systems issue" and have notified the US Consulate's Office in the US. The "technical team" is supposedly working on it and everyone anticipates it should be resolved by EOB today (10/13/09). Until the "systems issue" is resolved with the file . . . unfortunately, the visa cannot be printed and they cannot issue it by hand.

I cannot believe this twist! But, then again, NOTHING surprises me in Pakistan! :)

We FINALLY have all the documents, except delivery of the "attested" (certified) court order - Sadeem is to deliver this any moment - always waiting on that man! :).

We had planned on making the 1:00 p.m. US Embassy Adoptive Family Interview (the embassy reserves 1:00 p.m. for adoption interviews) TODAY. We have to take the shuttle (due to heightened security), a 2 hour trip to the US Embassy. But, the US Embassy says if we know we have all the documents, and nothing is missing, we should wait until tomorrow (Wednesday 10/14/09) for the US Embassy interview. The interview will take around 30-45 minutes since we only have a few documents left and then the visa can be issued while we are there, approx 2 hours for printing the visa. Otherwise, if we go ahead and go to the embassy today, we would just have to make another trip tomorrow.

Wednesday is our FINAL day in Pakistan. I really didn't want to spend it at the US Embassy! I wanted to go see some sights of Islamabad! And, I hate waiting until the "last day" . . . before we are supposed to leave! And . . . the issue is something the embassy has known about for a week! I'm not going to be very happy if we have to reschedule our flights (and incur the expense) because of a "systems issue" that someone didn't get resolved timely! A little hard to swallow after the stress of the court order! :)

But, I do know that God is in control . . . knows our situation. So, I am going to turn this over to Him since there is NOTHING I can do about it. I'm going to enjoy my last 2 days in Pakistan, soak up the culture, shop until I drop and giggle with my baby girl! :)

Oh, yes, Sweet Pea's debut pictures will be posted this evening . . . which will mean morning for those in the US! If a biased Mama can beam just a bit . . . I'm telling you . . . Sweet Pea is just ADORABLE!

Thank you all for your prayers! :)

Love to ALL . . . from Pakistan!

~Hugs
Mama, Uppa D & Sweet Pea