FRUSTRATED

Oh my word. I tried to check our case status with USCIS online. It told me that there was no such case number and directed me to call USCIS. Which I did. Talk about confusing. The lady didn't have a clue what I was talking about. It took us a good 10 minutes to figure out that I actually needed to call the National Benefits Center department of USCIS to check on my case status. Before we got to that point she read me a book of information on the Hague Convention which I've read myself a million times before. Because she was trying her best to be helpful, I endured it and didn't tell her I already knew all about the Hague Convention.

So after getting off with her, I called NBC. First of all, the lady that answered at USCIS was super nice and very friendly. She was so helpful and patient. The lady at NBC was rude. There is no other way to put it. Maybe she was having a bad day. Maybe she hates her job. I don't know, but a little customer service would be in order. Anyway, long story short, my case has not been assigned to an officer yet, and I'm assuming, if mine hasn't been assigned then neither has Patrick's. Stinks doesn't it?

I have to admit that I'm a little bit more than a little disappointed. I asked the lady for an approximate wait time, meaning about how fast things are moving and she responded, "less than 90 days." Thanks . . . I knew that already.

Sorry this is a whiny post. I'm just frustrated. Our dossier is complete, and all we need are the approval letters, and we'll be good to go. I know that bumps, hills, mountains in the road are "par for the course" when it comes to international adoption, but I get very frustrated when it seems like our own government runs so inefficiently. If you work for the government, I don't mean you. I just mean the system as a whole.

So, that's where we stand. Will you please pray for us? Pray that our cases get moved quickly through NBC/USCIS so that we can submit our paperwork, and pray for me to have patience. I need it, and I know I'm going to need a lot more in the future.