Visa News

Ok guys. Here’s the short and sweet answer - we have no idea what’s going on with our visa. STILL. Last week, we received a letter that went something like this: “We took a year to process your request for another year-long visa. So, your request is moot at this point, but we reject it nonetheless. Kind Regards, visa person in charge.” There were no instructions for how to proceed (whether to stay, reapply, or go). 

After we stared at the wall and then each other for about 30 seconds, Blake wrote a very nice email requesting some advice. So far, we haven’t heard back from anyone. We know you guys have all been praying for us so much. Now we ask for one more thing from everyone. 

Blake and I will be fasting lunch one week from today while we pray for the best possible outcome for our visas. On Wednesday, the 7th of June, we ask you guys to consider fasting one meal (or doing an alternate fast of social media/caffeine/etc if your health limits a physical fast). Here are the things we will be praying for:

1. The employees at the Irish Department of Justice who handle this kind of request every day. As frustrating as it is for us on the other side of things, it must be incredibly stressful to work in a government job where there are quotas and angry immigrants all over the place
2. The person handling our request directly - please pray that we would have favour in their eyes
3. That Blake and I would be able to work as normal in the midst of this
4. That we would receive a positive answer by the end of June

Thanks so much to everyone! You guys are legends. 

Summer in Ireland

Summer is here. In Ireland that means a sunny day here and there, and it will be less cold and less rainy. Our schedule, however, changes a good bit for the summer.

Katy will be finishing up the Alpha Course with St. Mark's South this next week. They've had great success and are excited for the next term. We have finished up most of our work on campus for this term. Here's what's going on as we enter into summer...

• We will be working on preparation and travel for our annual CONNECT Conference in Germany at the end of July. We are praying our visas get sorted by then (yes, we are still waiting...a year later).
• We will be working on a rebranding campaign for SFC Europe.
• We will be preparing for a student leadership training conference we will help run in August here in Dublin. It is called Influence.
• We will be spending much-needed quality time with the kids and various family and friends visiting throughout the summer.

Thank you so much for you prayers and support. Please be in prayer with us specifically regarding our visas. We have not heard anything from the Irish Government after over a year. God will provide!

Best Moms Ever

Today we want to recognize our amazing moms! In Ireland, Mother's Day was a few weeks ago. But today, our American mothers will be celebrating Mother's Day.

Katy and I are one of the few married couples who both have amazing in-laws. We are so blessed to have moms who are supreme examples in selflessness, sacrifice, generosity, wisdom, gentleness, kindness, patience, love, and so much more.

Today we honor you both. Thank you for all you have done for our families and for those around you. Thank you for teaching us to follow God. You are the best mother's and grandmother's ever. We are truly blessed and hope you have the best day ever!

P.S. We're also thankful that Roxanne flew in this morning just in time to celebrate this wonderful day with us in person. We miss you mom (Suzanne)!

And since I (Blake) am writing this post, I'll take this moment to say again how amazing Katy is as a mom. She works so hard to make sure we are all taken care of and prepared for life. Eden, Eli, and I are blessed far beyond what we deserve.