Paperwork SUCKS!

So, I thought it was time for a short (?) update. Things have been progressing pretty smoothly, all things considered. There is a TON of paperwork that we are trying to get done. Most importantly, we are still working on getting our passports completed. We have the paperwork done and the pictures done. Now to get them all submitted. We finally got Andrea & Alysa's legal name certificates in the mail (they came on Valentines Day) so today I was able to go to the registries office to get their new birth certificates sent to us. That was a whole other bundle of paperwork. I really hate paperwork. I mean, REALLY hate paperwork! The new birth certificates should be here by Thursday (had to put a rush delivery on those), so hopefully on Friday we can take paperwork in for everyone's passports :) This has been a source of stress for me, so I cant wait for it to be done!!


We had a visit with our team leaders, Ruth & Mike, early this morning. Next time, I think we will get them to get up early and we will stay up later. They have been looking at places for us, but nothing spectacular has come up. They will have to put money down on the place to hold it, so likely they will not be securing a place for us before June. We would like to have a place secured so we can move straight in without needing to stay in a transition home. There have been many 3 bedroom places available, but no 4 bedroom places. Ideally, we will have a 4 bedroom place (one for me & Andrew, one for Brendin, one for Jacq and one for the twins), however, it is more realistic that we will get a 3 bedroom + a den home. Most likely Brendin would get the den as his room (my rationalization: he's a boy and doesn't need as much room). In any event, as long as we have a place to live, we're happy.


Another issue we have encountered is finding a Cross-Cultural Class to take. ICC has some guidelines as to how this looks, and there is nothing in Calgary that fits. There are courses in Toronto and Vancouver, but not here. Ruth & Mike said they are going to look into what can be done to accommodate us in this area. They are really willing to work with us.
 
I know some of you reading this home school, or are home schooled. If you have any advice or suggestions in this area, please let me know! This is going to be my next area of stress, I'm sure. We have been given a couple of suggestions, but would like personal input from my friends.


Our partnership letters are written and have been sent out! We are so thankful for the response we have already received (I will do another blog entry with the letter for those of you who did not get one in the mail). Our church has been standing behind us 100% and have given us lots of times to share our journey with the congregation. Again, we are so thankful for the opportunities they have given us to share. Our goal is to have 100 families partner with us for $1.00/day or $30/month or $365/year. This is all it takes to support us. See the next blog entry on how to partner with us - prayerfully and/or financially.


Prayer requests:

• that all paperwork for passports will get processed and returned by the end of March
• that we will get all VISA requirements completed - medicals, blood work, police checks etc - and sent off to Vancouver by the first week in April
• that the listing of our house will go smoothly - we are looking at listing it this week
• we have a 7yr old foster placement that isn't working out...we would like prayer that his foster care worker finds a new place for him sooner then later...having him here is not working for him or us or our children...we have given his caseworker a time limit of Feb 29 for him to be moved...but we would like to see him moved sooner then that...I am personally very stressed, please pray for me in regards to this
• we have a special FUNdraiser in the works for the end of April - please pray that it will be organized well and that we will be able to advertise for it very soon!

 Thanks again for your support!!
Until next time...