2 MORE WEEKS!

Auckland, New Zealand... soon to be home sweet home!

I realize we haven't posted in a few weeks, and some of you were probably left hanging- did we ever get our visas?  Almost immediately after we submitted our visa, it was sent back to us with a request for a few changes.  That was kinda hard, as Andy had put about 60 hours of work into that thing!  But we tried not to despair and pressed forward to make the necessary changes and resubmit our visa.

Round 2 we heard back faster than we had expected.  A big package came in the mail for us and we opened it up to find our applications and passports with visas inside!!  YAY!!!  We were officially New Zealand bound!

Soon after that, we bought our plane tickets and now are scheduled to leave in only 2 weeks!  It almost seems unreal since we have been waiting to move overseas for a long time now!  It is crazy how much there is to do right before you leave the country, so our days now our full of time with family, friends, packing and working on a BIG to do list to have everything in order to move.  Goodbye's have been really hard already, which we are certain will be the most difficult thing for us during this time.

We will board a plane in Chicago with our winter coats on and arrive in summertime in Auckland, New Zealand!  We will then have about a month to find housing, a car and get a bit settled in before students arrive on campus on March 4th.

We are so thankful for how God has paved the way for us to labor in South Pacific in His perfect timing!  We have deeply experienced his provision and faithfulness as we've raised support, waited, and been helped by so many in countless ways during this transition time.  We have tasted of God's love and blessings through His people in our lives!