The decision was made

The phone rang. The call we had been waiting for.
“The decision has been made. Come to our office this afternoon, and bring your documents.”
Nervousness. Anticipation. Excitement. Fear.

“O.k. kids. You all need to be very quiet now. No fighting, no loud talking, no crying (that includes you too, Micah). You will need to sit still and look at your books.”

David talks to the lady. He is sent to a different office window. Several LONG minutes later, he returns with some papers.

“Come, Christy. I’ll hold Micah while you fill these papers out.”

I glance quickly at the papers. We need to be fingerprinted.
Trying to be calm (and not make any mistakes!), I write in the required information. Heart pounding. Hands shaking.

David returns papers to the appropriate person. We wait to be fingerprinted. Micah’s hungry. Girls are restless. Their books have been looked through several times already. They’ve eaten all the candy that mommy brought.

We wait… wait… wait.

Micah is discreetly fed. He falls asleep. David takes girls outside to a nearby playground.

We wait… wait… wait.

“What? You guys are still here?”

“Yes. We are waiting to be fingerprinted.”

Several minutes later…
“Go to that lady. She will take your fingerprints.”

Black ink. LOTS of black ink. Eyes staring. LOTS of eyes staring. Both hands completely covered with black ink. Fingerprints on paper.

Wash hands... lots of soap and water. Hands are still black.

-Later-

Passports are stamped. Information is written in. Papers are signed. Fees are paid.

Incredible sighs of relief. Tears of joy. Hearts full of thanksgiving.

We have received the conditional temporary residency! The three-year visa!

Thank-you for all of your thoughts.

Most of all, thank-You!