Out West

We've been in MT & WY visiting family and friends for the past few weeks. It's been overall very refreshing to be away from the city and surrounded by fields, mountains and wildlife. There's something about the beauty of nature that puts our minds at ease. *sigh*

But reality does coming crashing in occasionally... We got word a few days ago that my (Jess) visa through the community development organization was not approved by the government. This was difficult news to receive. We were hoping that there would be no problems and we'd be back in the Land-o-Sand in just 2-4 months. Unfortunately, this was not the case. No reason was given for my visa refusal. The Organization will try again in a few weeks.

This leaves us a bit more uncertain. We're not sure if it will ever be approved or when. We're not sure when they will re-apply and for how long it will take. We're not sure where we should go in the meantime, hoping it will be approved, but wondering if it won't. Do we stay in MN? Do we road-trip more, focusing more specifically on support raising? Do we take this time to visit Eddy's family and try to get me a different visa from the consulate there? Do we get jobs as a form of tent-making while we're waiting?

There are a lot of questions, and for right now, not a lot of answers. Eddy and Ben still have visas to return, and will have to before Dec. 1st, or risk losing them. We are trusting God implicitly to guide us during this uncertain time. We know that he has a plan and it's a good one! We just need to be reminded, often daily, that this is truth and worrying about the unknowns will profit us nothing... sometimes easier said than done!

Please continue to pray for us, as the nebulousness of it all is a bit exhausting. I think I never realized just how stressful it is to live in complete uncertainty or just how peaceful it is to have some stability. It's definitely taking a toll on our sanity!

Photos: The road-trip thus far... Red Lodge, MT with my brother's family, Yellowstone with my mom and family time with my mom and dad...