Packed and ready to go..

Sorry for not updating sooner, but I fear I have had nothing to update. I am finally packed and ready to go! When do I go? In the next week or 2. Visa processing is still in process but I will be there before the 10th. I am also super excited about my open house tomorrow! I also have gotten a lot accomplished for my wedding next year which has filled up my free time. I will let you know as soon as I find out more detail. If you are coming to my open house, I can't wait to see you!!

And we wait...

So many things happening at one time, who knows where to begin. First of all, I AM ENGAGED!! Yes this is probably the most exciting news. Yet the stress of, how much can I do in 3 weeks, is still weighing on me. However, this is all very minor in comparison to the fact that the embassy sent my visa packet back to me today unprocessed. It seems there are some delays on the Saudi end which I cannot control. So I would ask that you all keep me in your prayers and pray that this visa issues can be resolved as quickly as possible.

The visa will not be late, nor will it be early. I will arrive precisely when it means to...

So, I got a call from the Saudi Embassey in Washington D.C. on Monday (yes doesn't that make me sound SO important) to confirm they had my visa packet (thank goodness). However, they informed me that I was missing a couple of things in the packet. Now, those of you who know me and my obsession with having my ducks in a row when it comes to planning a trip, would understand when I wanted to tell the woman, "Uh, no I'm not." I had checked through the packet 4 times before sending it out making sure I had EVERYTHING and then some. However, this is the woman who is processing my visa I figured I needed to be nice. I kindly informed her that I was very sure I had the document she was looking for and asked her to check again. She was able to locate it ( deep sign of relief). However they needed another document from the company I will be working working for in Saudi. I informed her I would contact the company ASAP. So, 2 seconds later I am e-mailing the company asking what the document was and how to obtain it. Thankfully they got back to me a couple hours later telling me they were in the process of processing it. So everything on my end is done, and now I am in the hands of the company and the embassy.

It is still hard to believe I leave in a month. It seems only yesterday Chris and I were joking about the whole idea at six flags for our one year anniversary (Which happened to be the same day this whole adventure began). Now I have a mess upstairs, empty suitcases, no visa, and a lot on my mind. As I watch my fellow teachers posting about pre-planning or starting school this week, something in me finally clicks about what is really going on. The reality of where I am going, what I am giving up, and the changes I will have to make finally is beginning to make a mark. It's not that I am in denial ( well in some ways I am), or that I am depressed. Instead, I am beginning to see what the "B" zone is going to be like. Yet, this experience is going to be fantastic and I am so excited about what the Father has in store.

I ask if you would please pray for the visa process to occur speedily and also for me as I continue to prepare for this trip. Thank you all for your support!!

Lindi