Trim,Toilets, and Interviews, Oh My!

(On the left is a picture of our living room before the chaos began...)

So, the past few days I've been busy getting documents prepared and mailed to the Korean Consulate, vacuuming, caulking, painting trim and scrubbing toilets.  We're a week away from departure.  Wow!  We're still on the hunt for inexpensive luggage, so we can get to packing.

At this point Barry wants us to use Rubbermaid containers -- cheap and easy.  I'm just a little nervous about that.  I emailed T.S.A. 2 weeks ago to ask what they thought, but haven't heard back. I guess they're too busy patting folks down.  Ha. 

Tomorrow is the E-2 VISA interview at the Consulate.  I'm supposed to dress (and act) professionally. Darn. I hope I can fool them.  I'm better with kids than adults!  The interview is at 3pm.  If you think to, please say a prayer that God will give me grace and favor.  (I'm a little nervous.)  This is the only thing that stands between us and our January 5th departure date -- legally speaking.  I 'spose I should pack and finish cleaning, too.

We now have 3 twin mattresses on our living room floor.  (Check out the picture to the right.  Will is laying on his "bed" playing Wii.)  As I'm cleaning out, painting, vacuuming, etc. rooms I'm locking the door so we don't mess them up again.  Therefore, our house is shrinking.  Right now we have a kitchen, master bedroom, 1 bath (not the 3 we're used to!) and a living room.  The kids and I are sleeping on twin mattresses on the living room floor.  It's been fun. It's like a giant sleep-over/camp-out thing.  I hope the mattresses survive Will's jumpy-ness.  He says he just can't help it -- sounds like Tigger.  I guess this arrangement will help prepare us for our tight quarters in Korea.  Barry uses the master bedroom to sleep during the day.  He is presently working 7 nights in a row of 12 hour shifts.  We've got to save up.  That guy is Superman! 

Happy New Year!

Details

Great news!!!  The final details are falling into place.  (Not a moment too soon!)  Thanks for taking the time during this busy season to bend in prayer on our behalf.  We don't merit your time, interest or energy, but we're absolutely grateful and humbly thank you.  We know we couldn't take this step without the strong hand of the Lord and the prayers of the saints.  He really is faithful to provide as He guides.  We're just along for the ride and desperately praying that we'll be found worthy of the call.

Thank you Lord for providing! Lizzy has a foster home.  That's been such a concern of my heart.  I love my lil' Lizzy so much.  I'm going to miss her sweet brown eyes and snugly, soft fur.  She's been a good buddy and I know she'll be easy for her new peeps to love.  A gal from the tack store will take her for the year.  I'm going to introduce them to each other this week.  Also, we found a secure, climate-controlled storage facility for our belongings -- our house!  Yep, some friends are going to rent out the house (furnished), which will be a mutual blessing.

On the Korea front, our dear friends in Korea have been working overtime to secure our visas (still in process) and smooth out the details over there.  We have housing and employment already set up.  Kidoong left a message today to ask that we bring a copy of our driving record so we can get cheaper car insurance.  I am SO thankful to have such a gracious and attentive God and such precious people to help prepare the path as we make this transition.

We've heard references several times to Indiana Jones and the invisible bridge.  That's definitely been an accurate description of this leg of the journey.  With these details in place, it's like the sand has been tossed over the bridge and there's enough visibility in place to know where to take the next step.

Merry Christmas!

p.s.  We need some huge suitcases.  I'm going to check Goodwill. We'd love to borrow some if anyone has some.  Thanks.

Lizzy

The only member of the family who can't go to Korea...

Visas

I just wanted to thank you guys (and gals) for teaming up with us! We absolutely cannot do this alone.

I'm asking that you take 10 seconds and pray for our visas. That 1 little document is vital to our being able to live and serve in Korea and the surrounding countries. You would be AMAZED at how many details are required for this process. I've gathered transcripts, birth certificates, marriage license, state criminal background checks, FBI criminal background checks, letters of reference, etc. I've had documents sent to us, notarized and apostilled... details, details, details!

The latest email I got said that my notarized and apostilled criminal background check is not sufficient. Wha??? Do I need Obama to give the Korean gov't a personal phone call and vouch for us? I have no criminal record, so the rap sheet isn't much to look at, but I would think it would suffice.

Will you friends please say a quick prayer for us that the Lord will make a way for all 4 visas to go through quickly so that we can move forward with God's plan? THANK YOU. Your prayers make all the difference. 

 I have to say that I am a typical American in the fact that I'd prefer to be independent and not ask anyone for anything, BUT, the Lord has made it abundantly clear that self-reliant, independence is NOT the way of the Kingdom. We were created to need Him and each other! Thanks for your partnership and your friendship. I'm excited to see what the Lord will do in and through all of us.