As of Friday the NSC’s website said they were processing applications received on or before December 15, 2003. That’s just two days before they received ours. We’ve been reminded that we can’t go by what the website says and that even if they are indeed processing applications received on Dec. 15, it could still well be another month or two before they get to ours.

Nevertheless, it’s been an emotional and draining weekend as both James’ and my thoughts – and conversations – have been full of “what if”? We’ve discussed all sorts of possibilities and eventualities. Another wrench has been thrown into the mix: it takes up to 40 days to obtain the police certificate that James needs to have in his possession in order to get a visa interview appointment with the American Embassy in London. All of this leads to the very unlikeliness of James actually being able to come to the U.S. on May 18 (and he already has purchased that plane ticket) if our application gets approved before then.

The lesson here is that if your plans are dependent in any way on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, either don’t make plans, or don’t cling to them too tightly.

James is flying to Chicago this Wednesday. If you are a praying person, please pray that Immigration will let him through. Thank you.