One of the hardest things about being an expat family is family. We constantly miss our family that we left behind. We, however, are one blessed expat family. For three months my dad (J) has been staying with us. Sadly, tonight is his last night here. It's always hard to say goodbye, but I think it is harder when your parent is aging (though gracefully I must add - especially since he reads our posts faithfully.) I am SO thankful that he came and stayed, and it was so nice this morning to hear other teachers say how blessed they have been having Dad around. Maybe in the future we can convince him to spend half the year here.....
Anywho, please pray for our family tomorrow as we say goodbye to Grampa - it will be hard on all of us, no matter how tough I try to act about it.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Que le vaya bien!
Citizenship application is being picked up by the international courier today. Next stop - Seattle, WA and the law offices of my lawer, Mrs. Gretchen Korb-Nice.
Stress level: high.
Stress level: high.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Plan A or Plan B?
A lot has come to pass since my past posting. Abigail and I both have snazzy new passports! This turns a new page in this journey - but one still exists. We have to get our Guatemalan residency stamp transferred from the old to the new before we can leave the country. Given this is the week before Semana Santa we will begin this the week after next - just to be safe.
The new van has been working great! The mother of a friend of ours kindly brought down a few parts we needed so the van is back in the shop for what we hope is the final round of work.
Abigail and Emma both did very well on their 3rd quarter report cards. We're proud parents!
We're moving.
Now for the biggie. Immigration. I have been working with my immigration lawyer to compile all our needed evidences. She has drafted our letters requesting expedited Naturalization services. This is where we just do not know what will happen and why we have Plan A and Plan B.
In the perfect world we'll use Plan A - File the naturalization application on 01 April with a request for the interview and oath ceremony on 01 July. I will remain in Guatemala through the end of the school year, move, and then fly back to the States on or around 5 or 6 June and then remain there until the end of the process. If the USCIS accepts my petition for expedited services I may be clear to return to Guatemala as early as mid July. Should USCIS not accept my expedited petition then I have to wait out the process - which my lawyer says may go through September into October.
In the less than perfect world we'll go with Plan B - File the naturalization application as described above, however, also simultaneously file my green card (I-90) and travel document (I-131) renewals. Once the I-90 has been accepted and I receive my I-131 I should be able to travel. This is avenue is much more costly, however, I could theoretically return to Guatemala around the early part of September.
So there you have it. The Plans as we see them. So I'm sure you all are asking, "Uh, Ken - enough about that - what about this move you mentioned above?"
Well, in part with this separation in mind, the kids growing up, and Joy's difficulty with night driving we have decided to move into a neighbourhood which is walking distance to C.A.G. Right now the slightly higher expenses in the new neighbourhood should be offset by the gas savings and wear-n-tear on the vehicles.
The new neighbourhood is gated and has about 35 homes. It also has loads of C.A.G. families and children. This should be a positive move for our children. Joy should be able to do her private lessons at home which should cut down on some of the extra hours at school. The new house is off the beaten path so I can still be a hermit when needed. It is truly walking distance to C.A.G. - about 3/4 mile and the area in between is pretty safe.
From all this verbose information we are asking you all to join us in these prayer points:
Blessings to you all,
-knm/jr/ac/eb/sje
The new van has been working great! The mother of a friend of ours kindly brought down a few parts we needed so the van is back in the shop for what we hope is the final round of work.
Abigail and Emma both did very well on their 3rd quarter report cards. We're proud parents!
We're moving.
Now for the biggie. Immigration. I have been working with my immigration lawyer to compile all our needed evidences. She has drafted our letters requesting expedited Naturalization services. This is where we just do not know what will happen and why we have Plan A and Plan B.
In the perfect world we'll use Plan A - File the naturalization application on 01 April with a request for the interview and oath ceremony on 01 July. I will remain in Guatemala through the end of the school year, move, and then fly back to the States on or around 5 or 6 June and then remain there until the end of the process. If the USCIS accepts my petition for expedited services I may be clear to return to Guatemala as early as mid July. Should USCIS not accept my expedited petition then I have to wait out the process - which my lawyer says may go through September into October.
In the less than perfect world we'll go with Plan B - File the naturalization application as described above, however, also simultaneously file my green card (I-90) and travel document (I-131) renewals. Once the I-90 has been accepted and I receive my I-131 I should be able to travel. This is avenue is much more costly, however, I could theoretically return to Guatemala around the early part of September.
So there you have it. The Plans as we see them. So I'm sure you all are asking, "Uh, Ken - enough about that - what about this move you mentioned above?"
Well, in part with this separation in mind, the kids growing up, and Joy's difficulty with night driving we have decided to move into a neighbourhood which is walking distance to C.A.G. Right now the slightly higher expenses in the new neighbourhood should be offset by the gas savings and wear-n-tear on the vehicles.
The new neighbourhood is gated and has about 35 homes. It also has loads of C.A.G. families and children. This should be a positive move for our children. Joy should be able to do her private lessons at home which should cut down on some of the extra hours at school. The new house is off the beaten path so I can still be a hermit when needed. It is truly walking distance to C.A.G. - about 3/4 mile and the area in between is pretty safe.
From all this verbose information we are asking you all to join us in these prayer points:
- Immigration, immigration, immigration - above all that God's will be done and He be glorified. We'd love for this to happen in July as described above, but His will - not ours.
- For Joy as she single parents over the summer and possibly into the start of the school year.
- Moving is a pain. We hate it - the very thought of it. But it is necessary. Pray we can prune wisely and make the move before I leave for the States.
- Airline tickets... pray that I can find something economical. Our lawyer is also recommending I fly to Seattle to do the USCIS interview. This way she can attend the interview with me.
Blessings to you all,
-knm/jr/ac/eb/sje
Monday, March 9, 2015
Happy Monday!
This happened but maybe once or twice since January - we had two working vehicles today! W00t!
Very happy.
We're very proud of all our children. Yesterday Abigail sang and played in church during the offering. She did an amazing job! We're very proud of her.
Very happy.
We're very proud of all our children. Yesterday Abigail sang and played in church during the offering. She did an amazing job! We're very proud of her.
"Oceans" - performed by Abigail
Last week we survived the ACSI/AdvancED re-accreditation visit. Their strong recommendation is for a full five year renewal. We're very happy and very proud of our school!
Thanks again to all who continue to support us (financially and prayerfully.) We really couldn't do it without y'all!
-knme
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
It is the Small Victories We Hold On To
Thank you all for your prayers. There is a lot to update y'all on:
The Van: We hope to get the van back tomorrow. With the exception of two days it has been there since we got it nearly two weeks ago. Before y'all think, "Oh no - they got a lemon" let us put it all in perspective - things move a bit slower here. It is harder to find certain parts. After getting the van to his shop Cesar was able to do a better check. He was unable to find (either at all or at a reasonable price) the oil pressure switch nor the shocks. Those two parts made up Q5,000 (about $560) of the original estimate of Q16,000 in work. He found the parts online in the States for roughly $300. We're going to try to get them down here in the next month or so.
God protects: Had we gotten the van back last weekend we would have used it to drive to Monterrico with our friends. Had we done that we would have had numerous problems with it overheating. God protects.
Passports: On February 12th we attempted to renew both Abigail and my passports. Some might recall the term "epic" used to describe the day as we failed horribly. Well, Joy and I tried again on February 20th and missed our window by 20 minutes. Horribly epic once again.
Finally, today I made it to the US Embassy and successfully completed Abigail's application. They're estimating two weeks to get her new passport. Next, I turned to the Canadian Embassy. Sadly, today (of all days) the consular division was closed for training (insert frowny face here.) I will go tomorrow and try again.
Edward continues to do well - considering the altitude and air conditions. He took a day off last week and pretty much slept the entire day.
We have new situation developing at school with one of our students. At this point we cannot share details but if y'all could lift up this unnamed person and their family in your prayers - they would truly appreciate it.
Blessings and thanks to all,
-knme
The Van: We hope to get the van back tomorrow. With the exception of two days it has been there since we got it nearly two weeks ago. Before y'all think, "Oh no - they got a lemon" let us put it all in perspective - things move a bit slower here. It is harder to find certain parts. After getting the van to his shop Cesar was able to do a better check. He was unable to find (either at all or at a reasonable price) the oil pressure switch nor the shocks. Those two parts made up Q5,000 (about $560) of the original estimate of Q16,000 in work. He found the parts online in the States for roughly $300. We're going to try to get them down here in the next month or so.
God protects: Had we gotten the van back last weekend we would have used it to drive to Monterrico with our friends. Had we done that we would have had numerous problems with it overheating. God protects.
Passports: On February 12th we attempted to renew both Abigail and my passports. Some might recall the term "epic" used to describe the day as we failed horribly. Well, Joy and I tried again on February 20th and missed our window by 20 minutes. Horribly epic once again.
Finally, today I made it to the US Embassy and successfully completed Abigail's application. They're estimating two weeks to get her new passport. Next, I turned to the Canadian Embassy. Sadly, today (of all days) the consular division was closed for training (insert frowny face here.) I will go tomorrow and try again.
Edward continues to do well - considering the altitude and air conditions. He took a day off last week and pretty much slept the entire day.
We have new situation developing at school with one of our students. At this point we cannot share details but if y'all could lift up this unnamed person and their family in your prayers - they would truly appreciate it.
Blessings and thanks to all,
-knme
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