It seems that the holdup is my high school diploma. The Dekalb County high School I attended is having a problem with getting copies of diplomas that old.

[pause while everyone laughs]

For some reason, the county school system cannot access the storage facility holding my records. I don't know how long the background investigation company or the hiring company can wait, but I need to start work as soon as possible. The investigator and I have both called the school to see if they can expedite matters.

What I need most, though, is peace, so please pray for that. I have no doubt about God, just my acceptance of His will.

Thanks

Well, it's still not official. Since you have nothing better to do, I'll give you the long story.

Friday afternoon, as I'm leaving [current employer] after saying goodbye to everyone, my cell phone informed me there was a voice message waiting. You might recall that my cell phone does not work inside that building, or I would have gotten the message earlier--not that it would have made any difference.

Ms. S.L., the H.R. person at [future employer], had left a message saying that the background investigation was not complete, so they were putting my start date off by one week. Naturally, I was concerned, so I contacted [verification agency] by email to ask what the problem was:

"A good day to you. Friday afternoon, Ms. S.L. told me that she has put my start date off by a week because she has not received the go-ahead. Is there any more information I can help you collect? Perhaps some of my references have not yet responded; I can call them or supply alternative ones, if that is the case. If there is anything that needs explanation or more detail, or if there is a potential problem, please do not hesitate to call me—I’m on (non-paid) vacation this week, so I can devote whatever effort is needed."

Reply from [verification agency]:

"Hi J.,

The only verification open on your account is your academic with Xxxxxxx High School. We have sent them a fax and are waiting for them to respond. If you have a copy of your diploma you may fax this to attention E. at 1-800-xxx-xxxx please include your order number of xxxxxxx on the cover page."

My action on Monday and my reply to [verification agency] and to [future employer]:

"I contacted Dekalb County School System, from which I graduated in 1971, at (xxx) xxx-xxxx. They directed me to call my high school, and I just spoke with Ms. R., the registrar at Xxxxxxx High school (xxx) xxx-xxxx. Because of the amount of time since graduation, that diploma is not kept at the school, but must come from a school system storage site. For some reason, the county school system no longer has access to that site! I have left my phone number with Ms. R. explaining that I desperately need this and am willing to go pick it up. She said she would call me as soon as she has information.

"Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of my diploma, having lost it many years ago along with lots of other items of sentimental value.

"Ms. R. called me back and said she has submitted the request for my records. The county’s access to its storage facility was supposed to have been resolved by now, she said. She then gave the name and phone number of the supervisor responsible for these records—L.J. (xxx) xxx xxxx. I left a voice message with him explaining my predicament."

Reply from [future employer]:

"Hi J.,

Thanks for the follow up & thanks for keeping me in the line of communication. I will contact you as soon as there is information to share.

Best regards,
S."

My action on Tuesday evening and result:

"I sent email last night to K.C., the Superintendent of the [state] Department of Education, describing my situation. Her office promptly called me back this morning and said they had made some calls on my behalf to the Xxxxxx County School System, and gave me the name of an additional person, M.E., to contact there. Ms. E. immediately returned my call and has faxed a letter stating that I am a 1971 graduate of Xxxxxxx High School to E. at [verification agency], as well as to me. I, in turn, forwarded a copy to S.L. of [future employer].

"Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide, or assist in providing, in order to complete the background investigation process."

I haven't heard anything additional, but "it's not over until the fat lady sings."