The Lord continues to amaze us. This has all come about in the past 17 hours - I have not even had time to properly update Joy as she is at Music Camp. I sent her a message this morning but I don't know if she will get it before Saturday.
Gretchen, my lawyer, is even surprised at how fast USCIS has come back with an appointment.
I have to appear at the USCIS office in Seattle this coming Monday morning (29 June.) The oath ceremony is the same afternoon. Lord willing, I will be a naturalized US citizen by Monday supper time.
The very cool thing about this is that Gretchen had pre-scheduled vacation time beginning Tuesday morning!
Okay cool - so, what is next?
Great question! Once I'm a naturalized citizen I can file for my US passport. Gretchen is encouraging me to do this at a passport center in Seattle - just to get it done. If I cannot find it or run out of time I will do that upon my return to Dover. The processing time is, apparently, eight to ten business days. So I should have my passport on or by 10 July - which clears me to return to Guatemala. I'll finalize those arrangements once I have my passport in hand.
We continue to thank all of you for your diligent prayers and ask that you continue praying with us through the weekend and, especially, Monday.
Thanks!!
-knme
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Parallel Parking and the Camp Mascot
Wow, what a month has passed. We had the Spring arts presentation, finished school, moved into a new house, had friends move into that house with us the next day, said goodbye to numerous friends (including those who moved in,) got new bosses at school, sent Kenneth off to the USA, finally gotten a Guatemalan drivers license, and now are hosting a team for Music Camp Guatemala. And that about sums it up.
For those of you who want more details though - read on :-).
New House: We really love it in the new neighborhood. The girls have made new friends, and there have been more lemonade stands than I can count. Our close friends live 2 houses away, and many other missionary families live in the neighborhood as well. This has proven to be a great help with Kenneth being gone, for peace of mind and things like stuck patio doors. Thanks for those of you who prayed us into this neighborhood!
Kenneth: He is in NH staying with my Dad and waiting for his appointment to get his interview. He is studying for the Civics test and passing better than I would I'm sure. We talk daily, numerous times, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. (Normally I say that Satan lives in tech, but this is definitely a God thing.)
License: A ridiculously easy test. Apparently I could have asked the proctors for help and they would have given me the answers. That would have been helpful when I had to answer some questions about the parts of the car. I don't need to know what the "neumaticos" or "suspension" or anything else are - I have a husband and a mechanic. Thankfully the No U Turn sign came up 2 out of 25 questions. I had to drive around this little course which was nothing like the Mario Kart driving that we do every day here. Admittedly I did fail the parallel parking - but all of us drivers know you don't really have to do that, you could just go back to the store another time and find a different parking space. In my defense though I had brought Ken's small car to be able to pass that part and they made me borrow their stick shift pick up truck instead. I have NEVER driven a pick up and it turns out its not really the same as my automatic van. The poor guy had pity on me and didn't make me try to park again after I landed it in the dirt. He did make me drive backwards in a snake pattern through the cones - because that is something I might actually need to do in real life.
Music Camp: I am so proud of my older girls! They have been getting up every morning this week and making breakfast for the small team that is staying with us. I am not a morning person, so this has been beyond helpful to me. The fact that they are doing it together is amazing also, since it seems they spend most of their time bickering these days.
I have been working hard to do the shopping for the team, and prepare my workshops that I am presenting to the staff. Today I am teaching about multiple intelligences and learning styles - sum that up in an hour. Tomorrow I am presenting on how to make music theory fun. Last night I found out that the Guatemalan staffer who was supposed to be preparing the music theory classes wants me to just do it. So, please be praying for all those things. It turns out it is not easy to get work done here while the children are awake, so my presentation that I am giving in six hours still isn't done. (Those of you who knew me in college will not be at all surprised by this fact, but I swear I have changed since then and don't normally wait this long...I swear.)
Next week the older girls will be headed to Camp Guamiski ( an overnight camp for GUAtemalan MISsionary KIds) and Sara and I will most likely be headed to Music Camp to teach theory classes and translate. Well, I'll be doing the work - Sara will most likely turn into the camp mascot and offer to have everyone come to our room for a sleepover.
Will post more after all this craziness is done - just really wanted to let you all know what was going on down here on our "vacation."
For those of you who want more details though - read on :-).
New House: We really love it in the new neighborhood. The girls have made new friends, and there have been more lemonade stands than I can count. Our close friends live 2 houses away, and many other missionary families live in the neighborhood as well. This has proven to be a great help with Kenneth being gone, for peace of mind and things like stuck patio doors. Thanks for those of you who prayed us into this neighborhood!
Kenneth: He is in NH staying with my Dad and waiting for his appointment to get his interview. He is studying for the Civics test and passing better than I would I'm sure. We talk daily, numerous times, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. (Normally I say that Satan lives in tech, but this is definitely a God thing.)
License: A ridiculously easy test. Apparently I could have asked the proctors for help and they would have given me the answers. That would have been helpful when I had to answer some questions about the parts of the car. I don't need to know what the "neumaticos" or "suspension" or anything else are - I have a husband and a mechanic. Thankfully the No U Turn sign came up 2 out of 25 questions. I had to drive around this little course which was nothing like the Mario Kart driving that we do every day here. Admittedly I did fail the parallel parking - but all of us drivers know you don't really have to do that, you could just go back to the store another time and find a different parking space. In my defense though I had brought Ken's small car to be able to pass that part and they made me borrow their stick shift pick up truck instead. I have NEVER driven a pick up and it turns out its not really the same as my automatic van. The poor guy had pity on me and didn't make me try to park again after I landed it in the dirt. He did make me drive backwards in a snake pattern through the cones - because that is something I might actually need to do in real life.
Music Camp: I am so proud of my older girls! They have been getting up every morning this week and making breakfast for the small team that is staying with us. I am not a morning person, so this has been beyond helpful to me. The fact that they are doing it together is amazing also, since it seems they spend most of their time bickering these days.
I have been working hard to do the shopping for the team, and prepare my workshops that I am presenting to the staff. Today I am teaching about multiple intelligences and learning styles - sum that up in an hour. Tomorrow I am presenting on how to make music theory fun. Last night I found out that the Guatemalan staffer who was supposed to be preparing the music theory classes wants me to just do it. So, please be praying for all those things. It turns out it is not easy to get work done here while the children are awake, so my presentation that I am giving in six hours still isn't done. (Those of you who knew me in college will not be at all surprised by this fact, but I swear I have changed since then and don't normally wait this long...I swear.)
Next week the older girls will be headed to Camp Guamiski ( an overnight camp for GUAtemalan MISsionary KIds) and Sara and I will most likely be headed to Music Camp to teach theory classes and translate. Well, I'll be doing the work - Sara will most likely turn into the camp mascot and offer to have everyone come to our room for a sleepover.
Will post more after all this craziness is done - just really wanted to let you all know what was going on down here on our "vacation."
Thursday, May 7, 2015
New Hampshire Bound!
Well - I do not believe I have ever bought a ticket from Guatemala City to Boston for $80. Really! Go United Miles Club!! 17,500 miles and $80 later I have a ticket waiting for me.
I will be flying on June 8th, arriving near midnight in Boston.
It is truly bitter sweet as I will be leaving, again, my wife and kids behind. Please continue to pray for them. It is going to be a very difficult adjustment for all of us.
Blessings,
-knme
I will be flying on June 8th, arriving near midnight in Boston.
It is truly bitter sweet as I will be leaving, again, my wife and kids behind. Please continue to pray for them. It is going to be a very difficult adjustment for all of us.
Blessings,
-knme
Friday, May 1, 2015
Choir, Climate & Biometrics
So there is nothing in common - choir, climate and biometrics.
Last Sunday Joy and the C.A.G. choir embarked on the journey to a rural area called Nebaj. The journey took them a number of hours. They arrived and went right into their first concert. After the concert the power went out and did not come back on for a couple of days. They had to do a number of their concerts without power and thus without their keyboard accompaniment. Yet they did not let this discourage them - and the Lord was glorified by their determination and hard work!
A number of the choir members had opportunity to share their personal testimonies. These ended up being powerful to the communities and to each other. The choir even had an opportunity to perform live on the Ixil radio station - which averages over 100,000 listeners in and around the area.
Everyone returned safely but tired on Wednesday evening.
Over the past two or three weeks the climate has changed here. Gone are the cold mornings and highs in the mid 70s. Enter the 80% humidity and the mid to high 90s. Just in the past couple of days the rains have started. Not much yet - but it is coming.
Our passports are done! The last part included sending them to the Guatemalan Immigration to transfer our residency stamps. Took about two weeks.
This is just in time as I now have movement on my citizenship! I have received the request for biometric capture, June 10th, 2015. We are going to attempt to have them captured here at the US Embassy. If I cannot get them done here then I'll attend my scheduled appointment in New Hampshire.
God continues to work miracles here. We ask that you continue to pray for us during this time. With the end of school, our move and pending separation things continue to look challenging. God is always faithful and He can handle this.
Thank you to all who have been and continue to pray. May the Lord bless you all!
-knme
Last Sunday Joy and the C.A.G. choir embarked on the journey to a rural area called Nebaj. The journey took them a number of hours. They arrived and went right into their first concert. After the concert the power went out and did not come back on for a couple of days. They had to do a number of their concerts without power and thus without their keyboard accompaniment. Yet they did not let this discourage them - and the Lord was glorified by their determination and hard work!
A number of the choir members had opportunity to share their personal testimonies. These ended up being powerful to the communities and to each other. The choir even had an opportunity to perform live on the Ixil radio station - which averages over 100,000 listeners in and around the area.
Everyone returned safely but tired on Wednesday evening.
Over the past two or three weeks the climate has changed here. Gone are the cold mornings and highs in the mid 70s. Enter the 80% humidity and the mid to high 90s. Just in the past couple of days the rains have started. Not much yet - but it is coming.
Our passports are done! The last part included sending them to the Guatemalan Immigration to transfer our residency stamps. Took about two weeks.
This is just in time as I now have movement on my citizenship! I have received the request for biometric capture, June 10th, 2015. We are going to attempt to have them captured here at the US Embassy. If I cannot get them done here then I'll attend my scheduled appointment in New Hampshire.
God continues to work miracles here. We ask that you continue to pray for us during this time. With the end of school, our move and pending separation things continue to look challenging. God is always faithful and He can handle this.
Thank you to all who have been and continue to pray. May the Lord bless you all!
-knme
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Half a Year?
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.
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.
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
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