Oh, what a relief

I will try to make this post brief. I almost considered explaining all of this in a video but I think I can make this succinct. Over the last 2 months, we have met and overcome, and worked around hurdles that got in the way of getting us approved for our work and student visas.

During the pandemic, NZ stopped any nonessential people who are not NZ citizens, from entering the country. They created a type of temporary visitor visa under which we could enter the country, with the plan to immediately apply for the longer term work and student visas once in country. What is normally a 2-3 week turnaround, became a 2 month ordeal because of medical exams and chest xrays that couldn't happen in a level 4 lockdown, to discovering that I needed documentation from my country of birth that I couldn't possibly get quickly.

Every time a new obstacle was discovered, Randy and I were resolved to move it out of the way. So many things rely on us having those visas. From buying cars, the kids continuing school and how much we would be charged by customs for our 40 foot shipping container that has arrived and will soon be delivered to our house.

As I was waiting, not very patiently, for final word about our visas, I was told to try not to worry, that it was all out of my hands now and I had to wait and let others do their job.

Anyone who knows me knows that I do not walk through life assuming that other people will do what they are supposed to do. It was actually the failure of certain people entrusted to guide us through this process smoothly that caused one of the biggest delays. It is easy to say don't stress when you're not the one receiving emails from every entity that is waiting for you to produce the documents.

On Friday, everything came through and we were able to finally breathe a sigh of relief. I know that God's blessing, Randy and my organization and persistence and attention to detail, as well as family in Trinidad serving as my representatives on the ground, made it all possible.

Yes, my family is now more secure in this new country, and we are so grateful. This has still been an easier process than what my family had to endure to get through the immigration process in the US.

So many things have been accomplished in the short time that we've been here. I slept really well Friday night.