Hello, from Pakistan - waiting . . .

So . . . another adoption update . . .

Friday (4th) - we went to the Ministry of Interior (not Pakistan Consulate - that is US terminology) to get the very important approval to extend our Pakistan visas. It is quite the process so we took someone who is very familar with the process with us. We had to show the important , adoption documentation, answer a few questions & it was finally approved. We had a wonderful young Pakistani lady helping us that does visa work on a regular basis for a Japanese NGO here in Pakistan.

Saturday (5th) - It was a beautiful day, so in the afternoon we took Gracy to the park just a block away. An ice cream vender (bicycle vendor) came by so . . . we all had ice cream - Gracy's 1st ice cream! We played at the park for about an hour & then we went back to the guest house for naps.

Sunday (6th) - This is the original date of our return home . . . but unfortunately that has had to change. Yes, I'm homesick for my little guy!!! We went to church at St Thomas again & saw all the wonderful people there. It was Gracy's 1st church service. The pastors specially recognized our sweet pea, Marina Grace & called her a "beautiful miracle". We visited with the international people that have become very dear to us. They are from all around the world - Australia, New Zealand, Wales, UK, Canada, Germany, etc. - we have met so many wonderful people that have a wonderful work/mission in Pakistan. We also had Domino's pizza for dinner!!! Yes, they deliver in Islamabad too! (on a motorcycle!)

Monday (7th) - We went to the visa center to file our Pakistan visa extensions. When we walked into the visa center . . . all I saw were stacks & stacks of files . . . on the floor, on tables, on shelves. It literally was taking over the room! They took our passports (a very uncomfortable feeling to have your passport taken from you in a foreign country!). But, we were assured that it is the way it is done in Pakistan. Of course, we took copies of our facing page & visa page prior to handing the passports over. We now have to wait 7 days before we can go back to the visa center & pick them up with the new visa extension stamp. After that, we went to the passport center to see if Gracy's Pakistani passport was finally processed. It was done!!!! This was a wonderful moment to finally hold her passport! Now, on with the medical exam required by the USCIS immigration process (you have to have the country's passport to do this step) . . . we were able to get a 3:00 p.m. appointment for her USCIS medical exam. It took about an hour, the doctor asked some questions, took her measurements, checked her out thoroughly (yes, she screamed the entire time!) & said she was a beautiful, healthy little girl! We waited about 30 minutes for the final medical report (sealed in an envelope) & we were done with the USCIS medical!

Also, my Pakistan attorneys filed an application to amend the guardianship order today. Per USCIS immigration law, a minor orphan child cannot be brought into the US for immigration without the petitionor having the intentions on adopting the child. So, the statement in the order must have the exact wording " . . . . to take the child overseas for immigration and adoption . . ." Since Pakistan does not recognize adoption, these 2 words "and adoption" were accidently left out of the order & it was not caught prior to attestation. So, now the order must be amended. And, unfortunately, the judge we had during the guardianship hearings was transferred to the high court. There is now a new judge assigned to the civil court . . . we hope & pray the new judge will grant the amendment application.

All in all, this was a VERY productive day.

Tuesday (8th) - Gracy had another doctor's appointment with a child specialist who has been taking care of her since we picked her up from Edhi. We also were invited to have lunch at the Marriot Hotel. The chef goes to church at St Thomas & he wanted us to come to the lunch buffet. We had to go through 2 sets of security, once for the taxi (which could only go so far) & then we had to walk about 2 blocks & go through a body scanner/bag search. Then we could enter the Marriot Hotel! The lunch was wonderful, Shahid is a wonderful chef. I also noticed that there was a Microsoft Convention going on. I visited with a couple of UK gentlemen that were there as consultants/session leaders. Very interesting . . . I would have liked to have stayed for a few of the sessions! (Vic, could I have counted that as "work"??? :) )

Wednesday (9th) - A day of wait. We decided to go to McDonald's for dinner. Nicky's 1st Happy Meal was in Moscow, Russia in Sept 2004 . . . so we decided that Gracy needed to have her 1st Happy Meal in Islamabad, Pakistan! So, off we went . . . . once again major security to go through. 1st set of security is for the car (taxi). Then once you are in the parking lot, you have to go through a body scanner/bag search before you can enter through the McDonald's door. All of that security . . . just for a hamburger! However, it was worth it . . . Gracy loved her french fries!!! There was standing room only & I had to wait in line for a high chair!

Thursday (10th) - We found out the civil court judge denied our application for amendment to the guardianship order. After a long consultation with attorneys . . . the best plan is to appeal to the district/high court. So, my Pakistan attorneys will work on the appeal & hopefully have it ready to file Monday/Tuesday. A disappointing day . . . but we soldier on . . .

Friday (11th) - It started raining. The pastor from St Thomas Church visited with us for chia (tea) in the afternoon. We used google earth to show him where our houses are in Tulsa, OK.

Saturday (12th) - Still raining . . . . A day of inside play . . . & email/computer catch up.

Sunday (13th) - Still raining . . . However, we did make it through the rain to St Thomas Church! Naps in the afternoon while mama caught up on emails. We also had Domino's pizza delivered again for dinner.

Monday (14th) - Still raining . . . it even hailed today. Happy Valentine's Day! (Pakistan doesn't celebrate) We skyped with the whole family using Skype's group video conferencing feature! It was wonderful, we had 3 groups in our call . . . so much fun! In the afternoon at 2:00 p.m. we went to the visa center to claim our US passports with visa extensions . . . yes, it all worked out fine & our passports didn't disappear in the "stacks" of bundled files. We also had the right dates for our extension stamped in our passports. Amazing . . . I truly don't know how they keep track of all the paper!!!

So, I think that brings us current . . . Gracy is doing great - she gives lots of kisses/hugs & she now waves bye-bye & (ok, get out the tissue) she now says "mama"!

When will we return? . . . just as soon as we can!!! I'll keep everyone updated on our return flights!

Love from Islamabad, Pakistan . . .

Take Care . . .
Nancy (Mama), Dalend (Uppa D) & Gracy