Saga Part 2

For all of you who have been wondering about our departure status, I thought I'd fill you in with The Rest Of The Story:

Yesterday morning, early, Devin calls the visa office. Is it done yet? Have you seen it? Will it be there today? Sadly, they weren't overly helpful. No, it's not here yet. The guy who drops off/picks up the visas was out doing his rounds, and that we were to call back after noon to see if he brought it in. So, Devin called back around 2pm to see. Was it there? Nope. It wasn't ready yet! WHAT?!?!?!?!?

So, somehow, Devin finds the number for the Cameroonian Embassy and actually calls them! (What a guy!) After about ten tries, he talks with some lady there and asks her about the visa. Were they working on it? Was it ready yet? She said that they would finish it up, and send it off tomorrow (meaning today). So, Devin started to beg (without really sounding like begging). He told the lady that we really needed it done today so we could get it tomorrow because we were leaving at 6am Wednesday morning for Cameroon! Otherwise we'd have to rearrange SIX people's flights! (not to mention Devin has NO MORE time off--obviously since he took off 2 1/2 months-- and Josh needs to get back to school.) So, the lady said, "Oh! Well, then, call the visa office and tell them to come and pick it up after 3pm!" YES!!!!

So, Devin calls the visa office just as the guy who picks up/drops off the visas had come in and was leaving on his rounds once more! So, they were able to relay the message (for some reason, the pick up guy doesn't carry a cell phone!) just in time, and off he went! So, they said to call back later and see if he got it ok and get a tracking number. Devin called and the guy still had not come back. He called again later, and the guy still had not come back. He called right before 4:30 (they don't pick up the phones anymore after 4:30) and talked to the supervisor because the guy still hadn't come back yet. The supervisor said to call his (the supervisors) personal extension and find out what was up within the next half hour or so. Devin called and called around 5pm, and NO ONE picked up.

Quite honestly, by that point we were trying to think up alternate plans. Could they send it to the Chicago airport and have us pick it up there? Could they send it to Zurich? It was so disheartening, since it was SOOOOOO close! But, once it comes to the end of the business day, well, there's nothing you can do. People stop what they're doing and go home.

So, Devin sat down, and began writing a message to the visa pick up guy, explaining the need to have the visa by Tuesday. Just as he was about to send it, the phone rang (it was well after 5pm!!!!!!) and it was the visa pick up guy calling to comfirm our address so he could send it off!!! Tears of joy!!!! Prayers of Thanks!!!! How can anyone not believe in miracles after that??? We got the visa this morning at 11am. Talk about the last minute!

We will be leaving tomorrow morning as planned and finally get to be home!

I want to go swimming every day. I think I will...I think I will.