in june when we began the tedious process of applying for our visas.....after much emailing, visiting, collecting, and searching, we collected all necessary paperwork. eric organized separate binders for each of our documented lives that included neatly placed and colorful folder tabs as well. did i mention this is one of the reasons i love my husband? colored tabs, copies, originals; everything neatly in place.
we arrived at our hotel at something after 1 am. up the next morning by 6 to catch the bus by 7:15. and we were off. after two short bus rides we reached our destination downtown houston. it was a really nice big building, and the office was on the 6th floor.
wish i would have taken a few snap shots on my phone inside- but nerves certainly prevented this. after checking in with a man behind glass, we waited to be seen for our 9:30 am apt. we were called in and it was the strangest thing, we had to open a door and walk into a closet like space. literally big enough only to stand side by side with eric. definitley not big enough for a third person. again, the man "inerviewing"/ taking our paper work, was behind glass. we slid the papers back and forth as if we were at the tellers window. the man was nice but stern ; eric and i didnt know from moment to moment to laugh at his jokes or to be serious....long story short the only thing we lacked was a bank statement proving we had "x amount" in the bank to be supported. we sent an email when we returned to the hotel and hope to receive our offical visas the end of this month! i cant believe departure is only a month away!
in the mean time we are excitedly awaiting our training in Arkansas! this will be the last two weeks of the month. we will be in classes from 9-5 m-f. we are getting ready for this and are happy to finally be meeting and getting to know our team =)
Also on a sode note, i am finishing the book we will be using to aid our teaching while in Italy, Between the Rock and A Hardplace, by Avanti's former director Jim Woodroof. So far, I am of course impressed and believe it to be an excellent tool in aiding one's commitment of faith and am excited to share it with my new italiano friends =)
