Visa Application...

Time is of the essence on some the preparation, even though Sept 7th seems very far away at times, when review "the list", I wonder how it will all be done.

Reading the words "Begin this today!!" and "this will take 13 weeks" or approximate time of deliver will be "98 days" looms over our heads!

We are already calculating and a couple of shot series won't be finished in time, but he will be able to finish them while at the MTC (missionary training center) in Provo, Ut before he leaves U.S. soil.

However, the other time issue he is facing is taking "time" off of work to take care of some of these items. Even though he works with his Dad, it's not like he can come and go as he pleases. He has a job, because they need him! So they are trying to work with him and being supportive. But it is a juggling act for him to try and make appts. during lunch breaks and coordinate them to fit together that allows him the least amount of time away from his job.

So today he had the morning off, he was to go in at noon. He asked me to go with him to try and take care of some things that were required for his visa. He accomplished as much as he could.

• Ordered a new birth certificate (he has to have one that is certified within 5 years)
• Two more Visa photos (wish we would have known, he could have saved money and bought them when he did his passport photos).
• Fingerprints for FBI clearance (closed on Mondays?... try again)
• Drivers License (expires a month before he would return... so he has to renew it to expire after Sept 2013... also closed on Mondays... try again)
• Money Order for FBI clearance application
• More Shots... appointment, can't get in the same day - come back tomorrow (ugg)

We were feeling like the time was a bust. But had another hour before he had to go to work, so we stopped in Kohl's to check out a luggage sale (60% off of the brand he had gotten a piece for Christmas that is perfect "Delsey" duffel style bag not to exceed 62" total dimensions).

They didn't have what he was looking for... we left choking that even on a great sale, another piece of luggage was going to be another $80 plus.

We left and walked through Costco, just to see what they might have for luggage or messenger bags (no backpacks allowed for his mission). And he found the perfect bag, perfect size, right color, very sturdy for $35. Who doesn't love Costco.

Fül brand rolling duffel 61" total dimensions.

Another required item: "Blanket"???

Space and weight is a very important issue here... a blanket, how??

Space blanket? It was on the way bottom of my list of things to shop for now, I needed to know more. But we accidentally found a blanket randomly at Ross (while looking for a bag)... light, folds up super small, it's washable 100% cotton and soft, but it's white and it was $7.99, Yay!

His inspiration in the middle of the store isle was to have his Aunt Panda tie dye it (and his pillow case) with Red and white striped tie dye to look like the Paraguay soccer shirts he LOVES so much!! (that is another story in itself).

So the short power half day, turned out on a positive note... it might be a long 4 months, or go by very quickly. But "the missionary" is over the top excited, and taking care of business.

Visa applications are not for the squeamish either.