Last week, we decided to set our return date for Russia for this Monday, March 24th. Yet, three things had to take place before we'd really be able to leave.
1) We would need to receive Micah's visa in time
2) We would receive my police record in the mail
3) Micah's hips would be doing well enough that he would not need to wear a cast, and could continue on with wearing the brace
Well, this past Monday, we received something in the mail. Could it finally be the police record that I've been trying to get for the past 3 months??? We were so disappointed that instead of finding my police record inside the envelope, we found that my fingerprints were being returned again... for the 3rd time. This time, the FBI wrote us a note, basically telling us to stop trying. This is what the letter said...
"It appears that the quality of your fingerprints will not improve. Unfortunately, they do not possess the 'feature vectors' which must be present to complete a fingerprint search of the FBI Fingerprint Identification Record System."
We then called the FBI office in the States, asking them if there was something else we could do in order to receive my police record. They said that I would not be able to receive the record without fingerprints. Yet, since their computer system can not read the type of prints that my fingers have, well... they said that their is no way I can receive my police record! So, this means that we will not be able to apply for the 3 year visa this year... and perhaps never???
(Since we received my returned fingerprints in the mail, we didn't even bother to apply for Micah's visa.)
Then, at Micah's appointment at the orthopedic specialist this past Wednesday, we were told that Micah's hips will not be able to heal with the brace he has been wearing. (While his right hip has improved, his left hip has gotten worse.) Therefore, he will need to be put into a cast. We have an appointment scheduled at the hospital early Wednesday morning for him to get the cast on.
So, all that to say, we have decided to extend our stay in Germany for a few months. We see that it is most important right now for us to do whatever we can for Micah's hips to heal (as now is the best time to do it... when he's a little baby, sleeping a lot, and growing fast). Also, since we haven't received my police record, it makes no sense to take the whole family to T-land for a couple of weeks (as we'd have to leave soon after so Micah's hips could be checked, and to get our visa renewed) if we can't apply for the 3 year visa anyway.
Needless to say, this past week has been one full of stress and tears, while leaving many question marks in our heads concerning the future. Even though it is our desire to return 'home' to T-land, we know it is best for us to be here at this time. We'd really appreciate your thoughts for our little Micah, especially this week as he gets the cast on and adjusts to it. Oh, and praise Him that both Aria and Nina's hips are totally healthy and normal! (They were also checked this past Wednesday, along with Micah.)
May our hearts be full of peace, thankfulness and joy as we rest in Him.
Thanks for checking in on us, and have a wonderful day! We appreciate you! :D
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