We are very blessed to have the friends we do. We had about 10 people here throughout the day on Saturday, painting, painting and painting. Also, a great friend helped me sort through boxes that have been sitting on shelves in the garage for 10+ years! I am certain that God is using this opportunity to help me detatch from "stuff." I have serious pack rat genes (as does my husband), and we are just not feeling as attatched to all that stuff as we were when we decided to keep in in boxes in the garage! It's a really great feeling to let it all go! We had about 10-12 boxes/bags for both the trash man and charity pick-up today. ALL GONE!!!
Tonight, our small group "re-grouped" and came over to help some more. Baseboards cut and placed, more stuff sorted, and some great conversation.
We are informed that we have both been medically cleared to work in England. Also, our employer has applied for Certificates of Sponsorship. They expect to get them within the next few days. When we receive the Sponsorship Number, and A-Rated Sponsorship letter, we will complete our application for visas. Once we submit them, along with our passports, "biometric data," (digital fingerprints and digital photographs that have to be taken at an Immigration office), it will take 5-10 days to get the Visa, or learn that our application is denied. It's a pretty complciated process. We have been advised to hire a visa assistance/expedition service, which can cost a pretty penny! But, it may be worth it not to have to go through the denial/appeal process. We will see!
A note on the A-rated Sponsorship: This is a sponsorship category that our employer has which will reduce the amount of documentation required to apply for a visa, and will also help us be able to get a bank account in England. Without it, it would be quite difficult to get a bank account there. Apparently, they are more picky than our banks in the US. I expect that it will expedite other things as well: being allowed to rent, set up utilities, phone/mobile phone service. Basically, that letter indicates to anyone who wants to know that our employer will cover our "maintenance.' In other words, they insure that we are not going to become a liability on the welfare system. It is very nice that our employer has gone this extra mile.
It's all coming so quickly! Wow! In about 5 weeks, we could be in London! Makes me smile, cringe, shiver and jump for joy, and screech, all at the same time!!!
That's all I can say for now...
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