This past week I have been sitting at my computer much, much more than I like to. But what has made it bearable is that I have been working on things that better the future of our little girl. This picture has been open on my desktop for the past week reminding me, every time I feel frustrated, that good things are in store.As many of you know, we have been given a request for evidence from the USCIS office in Nairobi. In order to review our case and give us a visa, the USCIS needs us to provide more evidence that Maggie fits the definition of orphan. Since receiving this request in late April, we have been doing our best to make sense of even the most minute details of the laws regarding this type of Visa. At first the task seemed daunting, but thanks to friends who have already gone through this, and other lawyer friends who are willing to look over our case, I feel like we have a good solid shot at this. The past four days I have spent almost the entire 6 hours Perez is at school, sitting at my computer typing up our response to the USCIS and checking and double checking to make sure things are accurate and evidenced correctly. The good news is, Maggie definitely fits the definition, which means there is no reason they shouldn't grant her a visa. We just have to prove what we already know to be true.
I hate to say this right now, being that we have absolutely no concrete evidence to support it, and I don't really want to get anyone (including myself) overly excited, but we believe that if all goes in a timely matter, Maggie should be able to come home with Steve when he returns from his mission trip to Uganda at the end of July! Like I said, don't start cheering yet. Sometimes these things can drag out. But, please continue to pray that we endure through repeated interactions with USCIS, that our case is granted a visa and that we are able to wait patiently. Keep our dear little Maggie close to your hearts as God prepares her for a lot of new changes.
From San Diego with love,
Ali
