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| And here I go...A combination of moving from one town to another, visiting Guatemala, bringing Flori to the States, visiting my family, and trying to get internet service in the apartment where I'm living now have left me internet-less for a time. I hope you don't mind. By the time I have the internet in my home again, I will be married. Rejoice with me! I called the Nez Perce County courthouse today to schedule a time to have a Justice of the Peace marry Flori and me. Mark your calendars, the date we get married will be Wednesday, May 14, at 11:00 AM. Of course, that's not the big ceremony to which everyone is invited. That is yet to be determined, but hopefully, that will be late June, or some time in July. I'll post again when I'm married! Bye for now! | | |
| A fresh lookHow long has the war been going on in Iraq? I forget. Five years now? Yeah, that's pretty close. How many fatalities (on the U.S. side)? Roughly 4000 now.
Think about this, though: in 2006 alone, there were over 13,400 fatalities in crashes resulting from drunk driving. I can't find the statistics for the 2007 year. Those are probably still being compiled. In 2005, that number was higher. In 2004, higher still. Since the Iraq war began, there have been over 60,000 such fatalities. Our soldiers in Iraq are there knowing that they may give their lives. They're there voluntarily. How many people voluntarily give their lives for a drunk driver?
I hope that gives you a different perspective on what our troops are doing.
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| My grandmother Gladys Matagne passed away at 3:30 in the afternoon yesterday. My Mom just called me half an hour ago and told me the news. We don't know yet when or where the funeral will be. She was 90. The last time I saw her was at a small birthday party for my Mom in February. My grandmother went to the hospital on Saturday after falling down and breaking a leg. The doctor said he didn't want to anesthetize her, because they might lose her while she was under. I guess it turns out they didn't have to worry about either. My Mom was there when Gladys passed away. I would appreciate your prayers for my family. We're doing well, but it's always nice to know people are praying for you. I remember praying a week or two ago that when her time came, she would be ready, and she would go quickly. So my heart is at peace.
Going "quickly" reminds me of a joke...
When I go, I want to go like my grandpa: peacefully in my sleep, not screaming like the passengers in his car.
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| Taking the next stepI have now bought plane tickets for myself for a trip to Guatemala and for Flori to come to the United States. I will be in Guatemala from Friday, May 9 to Monday, May 12. I know, it's an awfully short period, but it's long enough for Flori to plan a get together for her family, so those who haven't met me can, and everyone can say farewell (for now) to her.
No further details about our coming plans have yet been nailed down. I figured buying plane tickets was enough to consider when I go and when she comes to be defined. So now you know. People, mark it on your calendars and on your maps! Flori is arriving in the U.S. early in the morning of May 13, and her port of entry will be Los Angeles.
Thank you for your continued prayers covering the flights to and from Guatemala. As you may already know, a number of flights everywhere have been delayed or canceled altogether due to maintenance problems. I know the Lord has His hand on us, and as we leave all of our plans in His hands, "a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee."
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| La visaThanks, everyone, for praying.
Flori sent me an email yesterday detailing what happened at the embassy. This is my translation of what she said:
*************
Thanks to God for all he did in this day.
Today was a day very long and tiring.
I went very early [to the embassy] because I had to have a number to enter the embassy, and for the interview. After waiting an hour and a half to deliver the papers, they gave me another paper and told me to leave and return in two and a half hours for the interview. Patience.
At 3:30, they attended to me and told me the visa has been authorized, and that I would have to return tomorrow again in the afternoon to receive my passport back and the authorization of the visa.
Yes again, more money for this: tomorrow, I need to pay 1020.00 Q ($135) for the visa. I believe this is the only fee.
All of this is in the hands of the Lord.
Great! I'm very happy for the authorization of the visa, and to be with you, my love.
*************
Now I will field questions...
"When is she coming?"
That I don't know yet. There are so many variables to consider at this time. Just continue to pray for us, for the Lord's wisdom. I will tell you right now that the earliest she can possibly come would be the beginning of May. I have so much going on in the month of April that I couldn't even begin to prepare for bringing her until late April. I have also asked Flori to question embassy personnel as to the maximum time allowed between receiving the visa and entering the U.S.
"How is she coming?"
I plan to visit Guatemala again myself so that she can have a personal escort when we return. This is a big reason I cannot do anything about bringing her here until late April. As is my tradition when visiting Guatemala, I plan to load a couple trunks with as much as I can give away. This time, however, I don't think I will be returning with empty trunks. 
"When will you two get married?"
Another question I cannot answer with certainty or in much detail, as there are so many things to consider. Most likely, shortly after entering the U.S. While you are definitely allowed to comment on this, it is a family matter. There is a chance your ideas will be taken into account, but comments like, "just don't get married in October," will be ignored. If you have something useful or helpful to say, by all means, please do!
Please feel free to ask more questions. I will answer them as best I can in my next post, and again, thanks for your prayers, everyone! As Flori and I have continually said throughout this process, it is in the Lord's hands. He is good and gracious.
(cross-posted on Facebook for those unable to view Xanga pages)
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