One major thing that isnt checked off the list is the completion of all the small things in order to get our work visas for China. We had a list of things that needed to be sent in (which were completed) but last week we received an email asking us to send in our marriage certificate. Easy enough, right? Wrong. It needs to certified by the Chinese Embassy. Silly us thought we could go to the Embassy, show ID and have it done. Wrong again. I was told that we needed to take it to Alberta Justice and get it authenticated. So back to the Suburban I go (ps: Andrew and the 3 little kids were with me) and off to Alberta Justice we go. Andrew runs in to the court house and was told that we have to have the certificate notarized by a lawyer. We were referred to contact Alberta Registries and they may be able to help us. Nope. They couldnt. But they did refer us to a lawyer who could notarize the marriage certificate. Half and hour and a small fee later, we have the certificate notarized by a lawyer. Back to the Chinese Embassy we go. We got there within 15 minutes of it closing. I speak to the same guy and am told that I was told to go to see Alberta Justice and just having the lawyer notarize it isnt good enough. AAAHHH!!! He then tells me that all this info was on the website (he coulda told me that in the first place!). Back to the vehicle. I look up the site and what needs to be done. I find out that the notarized certificate has to go up to Edmonton (about 3hr drive North of us) to be authenticated by the Alberta Justice up there. We are leaving in one week for our road trip. I dont have time for this!! We finally get home and I call Alberta Justice. They tell me that the form can be authenticated in 10-15 minutes if we bring it in. So, now we are planning a mini-road trip to Edmonton on Monday in hopes of getting all the proper documents to bring to the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday so that we can have the forms all done by Friday to send to ICC Changsha. We did a LOT of running around this morning with not much getting accomplished.
Ok, thanks for letting me rant. It was a very hard morning for all of us. Please keep us in your prayers regarding our work visas and all the paperwork that needs to be done and sent in to China.
On to other updates: we are still short in our support raising. We are at about 45% ($38,000) and need a minimum of 70% ($59,000) and eventually (sooner then later!) we need to be at 100% ($84,000). We are going to take the opportunity while on our road trip to raise awareness and support for our journey. If you have thought about supporting us, please visit www.chinaconcern.org, click on DONATE, then WHERE MOST NEEDED, fill out the form, submit, and then send an email to www.chinaconcern.org letting them know that the support you sent in is for Andrew and Darcie Inkpen. You could also send in cheques, along with a note stating the support is for Andrew and Darcie Inkpen to:
International China Concern Canada
Unit 7B - 5707 Sidley Street
Burnaby , British Columbia V5J 5E6
Canada
Burnaby , British Columbia
Canada
Thanks to all who have already partnered with us, prayerfully & financially, and thanks to all of you who are considering it!
We have some other things getting checked off our list. We have
the kids registered for an on-line school program for next year (well,
as soon as we drop off the forms, which we were supposed to do today), we have a farewell party planned for tomorrow
(Saturday, June 23) for all of us, the transition for William to his
new home is going smoothly, the Honda sold - as is!, and we are almost ready to leave for our 5
week trek across the country.
Things are falling into place and we are REALLY looking forward to the road trip as a break from everything. We have some great things planned. We will be in Winnipeg with some of my family for Canada Day, with good friends in New Buffalo MI for Independence Day, and a trip to NYC - all before reaching Newfoundland! On the way home we get to spend time with more good friends in Peterborough, ON, go to Canada's Wonderland, Niagra Falls and then off to see more great friends in Manor SK before making it home. We really wanted to make this a vacation for the kids. We arent sure when we will get the chance to do any of this again so we are ceasing the opportunity while we can!
Anyways, I think that is about all for now. Please remember us next week as we try to get all things in order re: marriage certificate. Also, please think of us as we have a farewell party tomorrow for us and for William. It will be great to see all our friends, but also sad as we know we wont get the chance to see some of them again before we move. William will be moving permanently to his new home on Tuesday (June 26). This will be hard on everyone.
Thanks everyone for reading! I will try to keep you all updated as we travel across the country. Love you all!
