We Have an ID Card!!!

Less than 12 hours after posting my frustrations regarding William's ID card it finally came through. I don't have details yet but I know that he picked up the card today. I spoke with him on my way to work this AM and he told me "I'm holding it in my hand right now!". He was on the way to the DC's office to start the passport process. Please continue to pray with us as we move on to the next step in this process. And thank you again for all of your encouragement and prayers!!

Frustration

I've had may people comment that when I finally updated my blog I neglected to provide an update on William's visa status. I was sincerely hoping that sometime at the beginning of this week I would place a post entitled "We have an ID card!!!!". But alas, we still do not have an ID card. We (meaning mostly my poor William) have been trying to obtain an ID card since October of last year. It has been one thing after another. He even made a special trip to Nairobi (his first one in five years) to try to get an expedited card.

Last week the office in Eldoret called him to tell him that the card had arrived. He just needed to come and pick it up. When he arrived at the office they showed him that sure enough, his name was on the list of cards that were delivered. However there was no ID card physically present in the office. They profusely apologized and told him they had no idea what had happened to it.

I can't quite put my finger on my emotion. Definitely frustration!! In some ways I feel like I'm losing hope with this entire process. You see, he can't proceed with the next step in the visa process until he has a passport. And he cannot apply for a passport until he has the ID. At the rate things are going we will be lucky if we can make a trip to the states together a year after we are married!!!

It's been an interesting process looking at the intercultural perspective of all this frustration. I am a born and raised American. And here in America we are raised to believe that you can have anything or accomplish anything if you work hard enough for it. It has been a cold hard reality to learn that the rest of the world does not always work that way. William has put hours and hours of agony into his multiple attempts to get the ID card. And yet, we have nothing to show for it.

Your continued prayers would be most appreciated. I'm on the edge of giving up hope that this is ever going to happen. Before I know it we will be in Africa together saying our vows. In the meantime please continue to pray for wisdom direction and peace. I still don't know for sure where we will be living or exactly what we will be doing. Yet through it all I know that I know that I know that God is in control! I know that he will never fail and that his plan is perfect. Thanks for all of your continued support, prayers and encouragement!!

Hawaii

Annette and Michelle, originally uploaded by momentswithmichelle.

Shortly after graduation I had the opportunity to take my first trip to Hawaii. Back in Dec I realized that I had enough frequent flyer miles to make a domestic trip. I called my best friend Annette (who was living in Arkansas at the time) and told her I wanted to come visit for spring break.

She told me that her and her husband had just been notified that their next tour of duty would be in Hawaii. (Her husband Sergej is a major in the airforce.) They would be moving in May and I should just wait and come after graduation.

Thus I was able to make the amazing trip to O'ahu. I was in desperate need of the rest and relaxation. And I couldn't have picked a better place or better company for it!! A highlight was snorkeling with the turtles at Turtle Beach on the north shore of the island. But the best part was just having time to spend together. That and not having anywhere I had to be or anything I had to do.

Annette and I were friends as children. We lost track of each other through Jr. and Sr. High. Our paths crossed again in college. Needless to say, our relationship has grown and grown since then. She has been such a source of encouragement and wisdom for me. I am truly thankful for the opportunity we had to spend together before I move away to Africa. (Not that Hawaii isn't far enough from CA as it is!)

Michelle Kerns, Family Nurse Practitioner

Favorite, originally uploaded by momentswithmichelle.

After two years of VERY hard work I FINALLY graduated!!!! I'm now officially a master's prepared nurse practitioner. What is even more amazing is that I am working as an FNP.

I had no intentions of getting a job as an NP before moving to Kenya. However God opened an amazing door and job literally fell into my lap. I'm working two days a week at the Union Rescue Mission (URM) on skid row in downtown Los Angeles. So yes, my clients are homeless. It is a great environment for learning.

I did several rotations at the clinic as a student. One of the full time NP's was leaving just as I was graduating. The part time NP took the full-time position and I was asked to take her part time position. I explained that I was the worst possible choice for the job. Not only am I a new graduate (interpretation: I have NO idea what I am doing!) but I also will be moving out of the country in Nov. I was told that actually I was a perfect fit because they needed someone now and I would not need to be oriented.

In addition to my job at the URM I continue to work two days a week as an RN in the ER at the VA hospital in Loma Linda. The two jobs, and driving all over southern CA, are keeping me pretty busy.

Wedding preparations are underway. The plan is to have a big wedding in the village of Kipkaren. The wedding date is December 14, 2007!! All are invited!!! If you are interested in attending let me know and we can start working on travel arrangements.