This morning, we gathered our children and the few items we were allowed to take and went to meet our ride for the US Embassy.  Once downstairs, we discovered that we needed to bring cash to pay the $400.00 for Elliot’s Visa (Micah’s Visa was $380.00).   If it would have mattered, Amelia and I might have had a heated discussion about this since I asked about getting cash last night and was reassured that our credit card would be fine.  However, it wasn’t Amelia’s fault - our paperwork did say credit cards were accepted at the Embassy...it just also suggested that we bring cash because there are often problems with the credit card machines.  I didn’t have a bank card with me, so the driver suggested that we take a chance with our card and head off toward the Embassy.  Our agency had a record 6 families to take to the Embassy today and they had a schedule to keep.  We prayed that our card would work and drove off.

 

Elliot actually rode in a baby car seat for the first time with us.  He was obviously used to it from other trips to the doctor because he didn’t seem to mind.  The ride was short - the US Embassy is only 5 blocks from the Westin.  In case you were wondering (I know you were), it is indeed easier to enter a US Embassy in a foreign country than it is to enter an airplane on US Soil.  We didn’t have to remove any clothing, nor have our colons searched.  After a crossing around a cement barricade, and quick stroll through a metal detector, we were up the stairs and greeted by large photos of George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condoleeza Rice (I can only wonder who’s photos will be there next year).  We took a seat in a room with about 25 other families who were adopting and a long line of Guatemalans applying for work visas.  Our agency representative explained the contents of a large folder she had prepared for us: all of Elliot’s legal paperwork, a CD full of photos and a vaccination report form the Guatemalan Dr.  We were thankful to have all of this information presented in such an organized form.  We didn’t have this for Micah’s Adoption (Another gold star for our Agency - For This Child).

 

We sat and waited for a couple hours.  Elliot couldn’t have been in a better mood....and Micah balanced him out by adding to the chaos of the full room of people.  I had to take four trips to the bathroom with him (three talks and one time for discipline).  He cooperated as much as a two year old can.

 

I was called to the cashier to pay our fee and despite two hours of silent prayer, my credit card didn’t work.  I asked her to try to run it again.  She looked up and said, “I’m sorry, do you have another card?”  Let’s see if I can describe the thoughts that blazed through my mind like a heard of buffaloes....nope.  I can’t really put into words the depth of helplessness and frustration.  I must re-state that I wasn’t frustrated with Amelia...merely the situation.  My heart sank.  I had glimpses of the worst - not being able to leave on Tuesday with Elliot, or the best - having to run by foot back to our hotel to try to get some cash.  This is where God met me and reassured me that everything is in His control.  Another adoptive family from our agency offered to loan us the $400.00 so we could pay our fee.  Wow....and again...wow.  They are adopting a little girl that is a few days older than Elliot (and just about as hefty).  We thanked them for their generosity and got their hotel room information so we could pay them back later today.

 

Shortly after (but not really that shortly with a crying two year old) we were called into the little interview closet to talk to the Embassy representative.  Not only was this the same closet we stepped into with Micah, but it was the same gentleman who interviewed us.  He said that he actually remembered us and I kind of believe him - who else was born in Berlin, Married to someone born in North Carolina, lives in Tennessee and is adopting from Guatemala (OK maybe someone else...but surely not more than two).  He said that he was stationed in Germany and that is why he remembered us.  We answered three short questions and he gave Elliot the gold stamp of approval.

 

After some more waiting, we were called to a second window where our paperwork was reviewed by a friendly woman.  By the way, humor goes a long way in a room full of 25 crying babies.  If you are ever in Guatemala and need a good laugh, drop by the Embassy.  The workers are great and are on “stage” all day long.

 

So it is official.  All we need is our paperwork to prove it, which we will receive on Monday afternoon.  Our Agency drove us back to the Westin and gave us some incredible advice which included “When things get rough as children grow up and want independence, don’t go head to head with them.  You will always loose to them.  Instead, walk with them, learn who they are, and respond accordingly.  You will have less pain and will experience much more joy in the process”.  I thought that was amazingly profound.

 

We are going to the pool this afternoon and will pack our bags to move to the Holiday Inn tomorrow morning (thanks Kim and Tammy for the points!).  Although it is a hassle to move, it is probably for the best.  The Westin is already beginning to secure it’s perimeter for the dignitaries which arrive tomorrow for the presidential inauguration.  I am a little sad to leave this little room we have called home for the last little eternity.  We have seen some really rough times here, but God has used them to knit us into a family.