Yep, too good to be true.

Well guys, it didn't happen. Brad took a day off of work and we drove down to Atlanta, and still did not get our fingerprints done. We got to the U*SC*IS application office around 11:00 this morning. We were encouraged because the parking lot appeared empty, and we didn't see many people outside. However, once inside my gut feelings were confirmed. We went to the desk and explained our situation and that we had called the 1-800 number ON THE FORM THEY SENT and that we were instructed to come on a Wednesday. This was our reply (and, I'm not joking, pretty much verbatim,) "yeah, they don't give the right information out. Walk-ins can come any day, not just Wednesday; but they can only come at 2:30 (remember it was 11:00) and there is no guarantee you will get in, but if you don't you can reschedule."

So, what choice did we have? We were already there. So, we went to get something to eat and shopped for a while, and then went back to the office in hopes of being seen. We got back at 2:30 and by this time, a line had formed outside. The man we spoke to earlier came out after a while and pretty much told us (and the others) that we would not be seen, so we opted to reschedule. In order to do so, we had to make a copy of the invitation that we had received in the mail and brought with us. Apparently, there are no copiers in the office, so we had to leave and drive down the street to a Publix to make the copies, and then go back to the office.(Am I the only one that thinks that is insane?) I assumed (crazy me) that we would get an actual date and time when we went back, but instead, he just took our forms and said that a new invitation would come in the mail. I (very politely) asked him why, if they know the 800 number gives incorrect information, do they include it; and I went on to explain that we live an hour and a half away. He apologized and said that the 800 number is not for that particular processing office, and they are given generic responses to give out; which may be true for some offices, just not all (NICE). He then goes on to say that if we do not get anything in the mail (I changed our address on the form) within one month to come back, and show them the copy. I said, "So if we don't hear anything and we come back next month, will they do our fingerprints?" Are ya'll ready for this.......His reply (and I quote) "Definitely maybe." Are you kidding me? I laughed at this point, because there was nothing else to do. I mean, is this the best that a g*vernm*ent agency can offer us?....definitely maybe.

So, after all this, we did not get our fingerprints, and we do not have an appointment for them to be done in the future. Not only that, I can't even call or inquire further until it has been a month; and then, even then, it will require another trip to Atlanta with no guarantees. And, I just feel it necessary to say again that we've already been approved and done this whole fingerprinting process once. It still amazes me that our fingerprints "expire". I even took our original approval form with me.....it meant nothing.

Obviously, there is much to pray about. Obviously, my attitude is anything but positive. Obviously, it looks like there is no end in sight, and doubt and fear consume. God, may I ask, "Are you telling us something or is this Satan's handywork or is this just 'part of it'?" Lord, would you instruct us and teach us in the way we should go; will you counsel us and watch over us. (Psalm 32:8)