05/14/09 – First Attempt to Certify Paperwork

We need two papers, the Power of Attorney and the Dossier Cover Sheet, in our dossier certified (this means that look at the notary signature and verify it is a legal notary). We got directions to the Secretary of State Department of Index office in downtown Chicago, rode the train downtown, had plans for fun pictures and lunch at Subway, but it was not in God’s plans for this to happen on this day. They refused to certify our dossier cover sheet because it lists documents that were issued to us by a federal court (our birth certificates, wedding license, and divorce degrees). Amy didn’t even make it out of the office before bursting into tears. This problem was certainly not anything we envisioned when we left that morning. And after talking with our wonderful Family Coordinator at America World, our international agency, she couldn’t understand why this happened either as they follow directions from the State Department. But God was not surprised by this day and we take comfort in knowing that He uses all things to work together for good for those who love him.

NEXT STEPS: We have a different cover sheet that we will get notarized early this week. Then we will head back downtown on Thursday to try again. Best case scenario – a different person will be working who will not have a problem with the dossier cover sheet and will certify it. Worst-case scenario – They still have a problem with the paper, so we would show them the revised one that they hopefully will certify. Then they’ll have to certify Amy’s birth certificate, our marriage license, and Mike’s divorce decree separately and Mike will have to drive to Madison to get his birth certificate certified. Unthinkable scenario – They won’t certify either of the dossier cover sheets. Then Nicole, our Family Coordinator at America World, said to call her so they could explain the problem to her.

PRAISE AND PRAYER: Praise God that He is bigger than all these challenges!!! Pray that whatever happens Thursday, we feel God’s peace and react in a godly way. Also pray that we get to take our cheesy pictures because that will mean our papers are certified!