Behold, I Bring You Good Tidings of Great Joy

Step outside for a minute and listen closely. What you'll hear is a father and son duet of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" all the way from Guatemala.

Brad called this morning to let me know that they got Daniel's passport. They were able to submit our final documents to the US Embassy, but it didn't look good to get a Visa appointment before Christmas. He met a family who submitted their final documents Friday and were given Monday, December 28 as their appointment date. With some begging and pleading, they were able to move it up to this week enabling them to have a Christmas homecoming, but it was looking like they got the last ticket out before the holiday.

The sweet lady at the USE told Brad she would submit our file as soon as she could (she had already reviewed half of our documents that we gave her last Wednesday but was waiting on the new birth certificate and passport to complete the review). She said Brad would get an e-mail either today or tomorrow telling us when our appointment date would be.

When Brad shared the news I was disappointed that coming home for Christmas looked out of reach, but thrilled that we'd probably have our appointment next Monday and have them home before the new year. At this point, I was just so grateful that we'd have some time left before school started and Brad had to go back to work to be together as a family. So when I got a call on my cell when I was running errands, I wasn't really prepared for what I'd hear on the other end.

"Hello?" spoken in Daniel's little voice. "Mama, I'm coming home for Christmas."

I'm not sure exactly what I said but there was a lot of squealing on both ends of the conversation. Brad got on the phone to clarify. He had gotten an appointment for tomorrow morning and he'll be able to pick up the Visa 3:00 p.m. Wednesday. It will be too late to catch a flight that day, but they have two seats booked to come home Christmas Eve. It will certainly be a Christmas we will never forget.

For those of you who have just recently been tuning in, several weeks ago I shared about "Long-Awaited Firsts" explaining why we haven't given up on this little boy. I can't wait to put the final pictures in this album of bringing Daniel home.

Thanks so much for your prayers, love, and encouragement. Goodness and mercy has followed two and a half years of praying one special little boy home. Our cup runneth over.

Rejoicing,
Kathie