on the plate.

There are a few things that have come up within the past couple of weeks. Just some stuff to seriously think about and pray about.

After some more investigation and numerous calls to different government offices and conversations with different immigration agents, it appears that Miguel's visa is not coming up around the corner as once thought. From the information that I had received and gathered previously, I was led to believe that since his case was still kept open, we would receive a notice of additional information that we would need to send in now that we are married. Well, as it turns out, its just taken the different offices this long to inform us that his case will need to be terminated and that we need to start all over with the petition for a visa as a married couple. I was definitely very frustrated with all of this, and feel like we've lost the last year waiting for more information or at least direction. On the other hand, God is sovereign in what he orchestrates and we wouldn't change the events or our lives of the last year for something different. So here is what it basically looks like now. I sent in a letter terminating the other existing visa petition. I have gathered all the paperwork for the new petition, I-130 K-3 visa. Then as soon as I can pick up my residency card (God willing next week), I can deposit everything again at the embassy in the capital here in Santo Domingo. Because I am a resident here in the Dominican Republic I can send the paperwork directly to the capital which I am hoping will shave some time off the process. They still say it will take a good year to year and a half to process before Miguel gets his US residency and can travel to the States. So thats what we are looking at. Miguel is still really needed here by Makarios for the next year to year and a half, so this is perhaps how it should be anyway. We just have to trust God's timing in all of this.

Another thing that has suddenly come up is that we've decided to try to sell our land cruiser jeep. The thought really just came out of the blue, and we've been praying about it and think that it is just the right timing to put it up for sale. Honestly, I think it was spurred on by the rain (the jeep tends to be quite leaky when it rains). And then in thinking about the baby coming, we are all of a sudden thinking about safety straps and things that the jeep doesn't have....not to mention the fact that there exists a certain amount of deisel fumes that leak into the cabin while driving it. So being that the jeep is still in excellent condition for its year, '75, we thought it a good time to put it up for sale. We've been able to fix some of those leaks and its lookin pretty nice right now. We've had it up for sale for 3 days and we've already got at least 10 calls on it, so we are hopeful that the right buyer will come along. Pray that it not only sells at a good price for us, but that we'll be able to find something newer and more conducive for our needs that we can put some money down on. Cars are pretty expensive here, so it will need to be God sent. We are so thankful for all that He has blessed us with and trust in His timing, provisions, and guidance.

On another note, the Makarios staff is going on a retreat this weekend. On the agenda are some business things to discuss, team building to be made, and the spiritual focus of studying the Word together. We will leave Friday and come back on Sunday and will have meetings both in the mornings and evenings. We are all really looking forward to this time together and covet your prayers for us as we get on one page together and spend time in God's word. We'll be staying in a beautiful spot on the Samana peninsula, so I am sure there will be some fun photos to send your way after this weekend. I'll be sure to do some posing to show off my round belly for you all!