Are we having fun yet?

I love adventures. I love trying new things, seeing new places and meeting new people. I enjoy all of the preparation for a new adventure and everything involved. But do you know what I hate about adventures? Coming home. I either want to be doing the cool/amazing/bizarre/scary thing or I want to be home, but I don't want to be on the way home for a long time. I don't know what it is, but it kills me! The flight from New York to Austin is less than 4 hours. The flight from Accra to New York is more than 12 hours! I could swear to you though, that the last flight home, that last tiny leg is WAY longer than the 12+ it took me to get into this country. That's what this feels like. This process has at times been exciting and wonderful, not often, but at times. I've tried to look at it as an adventure and have been elated every time I got a snippet of good news and thankful every time more money was due that I had it. Now everything is finished and I'm waiting for home. The adventure is over, the fun is over, I'm tired of this and need home.

Unfortunately, this last leg, this final step until George and I can be together for good keeps on getting longer. After 15 days, the consulate in Accra finally decided to answer my e-mail. They told me our case is not with them and walked me through the immigration process because obviously, I'm some idiot who doesn't know what's going- oh wait, I do know what's going on, immigration has only been the main thing on my mind for months....scratch that, YEARS now! I could walk them through the process. They sure do know how to get under my skin. So we'll see what happens next. I've contacted the NVC and I hope and pray that someone knows where our stuff is.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:4-7

I fail. In the almost 3 years of George and my relationship, many, many things have happened which should remind me (or one would think have taught me) not to be anxious about anything. From little things, such as being mugged in a foreign country at night; having malaria 3 times (good grief!!); running to catch international flights more times than I can count; getting lost in big, new cities; teaching a huge class of scared children; changing jobs and more....to the big things, like falling in love and wondering if he's "the one"; dealing with people's judgement towards our relationship; stepping into the unknown; knowing he's "the one" and having to leave; being so far away from people I love; finding my place in two worlds; trying for a visa 3 TIMES...growing up. Why is anxiety easier than peace?

I often wonder about my witness through this process. Does anyone ever think I'm reasonable? Do people see Jesus in me or do they just think I'm weird? Do they know I'm anxious, but that I trust in a God bigger than anxiety? Do they know there is One who can give us peace? Do I always know?

What?!

So I said I'd have a better attitude by my next post...but only slightly.

George called the embassy yesterday to ask about his progress. Side note: the embassy only allows phone calls to ask about status from 3-4 Monday through Thursday, if you don't get through, that's just too bad. The woman he talked to told him that his paperwork was not there. This frustrated me at first. I thought, this is not 1957 and they did not send his paperwork to the moon; it's 2009 and it's Ghana, it should have arrived in a few days not weeks and weeks. (Hello? It's going to the embassy, they have special mail for that!) So I was discouraged and kind of sad, again. This means we have no idea when an interview may occur. Blah!

However, I realized that half the time no one really knows what's going on. It is possible that the paperwork is there and that person that George spoke to was too lazy to find out more info. So, I'm trying to remain hopeful and I'm trying to remember that we're almost finished...for real. So please, please pray for a QUICK interview!

Patience

You would think that with all the waiting George and I have done throughout our entire relationship that this short time left wouldn't be a big deal. I wish!

Waiting for an interview is KILLING ME! Well, maybe it's not actually killing me, but it seems harder than all the other times of waiting! I feel like we can see the finish line, but someone keeps moving it- and instead of trudging on to get there, I just want to deck said finish line mover. Real Christ-like of me, huh?

Sorry to vent and sorry to be a baby (what's a blog for though?). I'll go and remember the faithfulness of God, look at pictures of George, dream of our future and work on my tan. By the next post, I'll have a better attitude.

Psalm 20:7

I really, REALLY like this... It will look great in our home...Z Gallerie-amazing!

Still waiting for an interview...

A new song...

April 15th a year ago was George's original interview. He was told to come back with more information. The following week was filled with anxiety, prayer, hope, fear and ultimately a heart crushing denial. I had just become jobless after a frightening situation with a bad boss and we spent the following weeks feeling alone, hopeless and dismayed. Then things changed...

What I have this year is so different. Things aren't exactly easy and I still struggle with anxiety. But generally, as great as my sorrow was then, my joy now is that much greater. This year we are on our way to a more permanent visa for George-the process is almost finished! We have been blessed financially so that we have been able to spend quality time together and afford the frequent phone calls. Our relationship with one another and with Christ has grown deeper through our challenges. We have hope. We have strength. And to top it all off, I have a wonderful job that I really enjoy. God is good.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:1-3

No news yet!

We're still waiting to find out when George's interview will be. Please pray it happens quickly and that the letters with the details will make it to each of us in a timely manner. I've moved, so I'm a little nervous about when and where the letter will arrive.

Psalm 40

COMPLETED....still amazed, still excited.

It's REAL!

So it's been a really great day! I'm smiling ear to ear and I hope it doesn't go away for a while. All of the sudden, with this wonderful news, my outlook has changed from holding my breath and praying that immigration will work out to realizing it really will. George really is coming and we really do have a wonderful life together ahead of us!

Before I knew the news of today, I found our apartment this morning and put money down on it. Yay! Forward progress! We were both elated about it (even though the poor guy didn't get to help pick it out) and had no clue what great news would meet us later.

I also packed a LOT. My family is moving to a rent house while they wait for their new house to be built. I'll move with them for about 6 weeks and then into "our place"-so the packing is interesting! I have short move and final move boxes and most likely messed up the system at some point. However, I'm still on about cloud 47 (I passed 9 a few hours ago) so I don't even care!

I'm so incredibly happy!

Most people want to know what happens now. So I'll tell you. All of our paperwork will be forwarded onto Ghana. Then, an appointment time will be chosen for him and a letter sent to each of us detailing what to expect and the things he needs to do before the appointment. We're told to expect 8 weeks or so before we get this incredible letter. I don't think it will be that long. I'm still praying and obviously God is on the move! Please pray with me! Pray for a quick interview time and for the right interviewer. Let me say again....YAY!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I just called the NVC....

OUR CASE HAS BEEN COMPLETED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

For your entertainment...

Since we're still waiting for some good news and since so many people have told me how much they enjoyed the pictures I posted, I have decided to give you a further glimpse of the entertaining side of Ghana. Enjoy!

I love it when idioms get a little messed up-it's just too funny!

This sign is on George's campus. I asked him what 'tooting' meant in Ghana and he didn't know. After lots of laughs and thinking, we figured this sign was made because the alternative was 'NO HORNING' unfortunately, people don't know that this sign means 'don't honk' so it's completely useless. Hee hee

Anybody need glasses and a leash? How about contact lens solution and a dog bowl? If so, head on over to Gokals Optical and Pet Supplies.

Seriously, no hunting on cam-poos! As you know, travel in Ghana can be tricky. When the bus broke down on this particular trip we stopped in a village full of men eager to help....looks like the one on the right put on his special "fix a van while foreign chicks are here" pants. If that's not sketchy, I don't know what is.

Blaaaaaast, from the paaaast! This pic is kind of embarrassing, but whatev!

Yes, that is a funeral invitation....the pictures from the funeral itself are way cooler! And there's the guest of honor! He's propped up at his car because he was a driver.

This is a fairly common sign. I like the animation though, it mixes things up a little.

This guy took his goats on a tro-tro. They let him take them inside, but I'm sure if the tro-tro got full they would put them on top.

Yep, that's a scorpion...I put it on my face, but I like this picture better.

Stay tuned.....I think the next post will have more signage and wildlife/bugs. :)