well helllooo there, schatzi

What did it take:

a phone call to the Consolate with St. Regine in October 2010

and then a couple more phone calls,

several papers from New York, one from Indiana, a couple from Wisconsin, one from France--all translated both into English and German in sunny California--and then notarized in blizzardy Manitowish Waters, 

a trip to Chicago, a couple hours of waiting, a talk with the Consolate,

a lump of cash,

another visit to the Consolate and the O.K. to go,

3 months in Vienna, sudden news, quick decisions, the unknown, prayers, questions, disappointment, miracles, friendships, blessed connections the the Austrian government,

a flight, a month, another two visits to the consulate, the generosity of my cousin and her roommates, the support of both long-term and new sponsors, the love of my family and friends, the supporting and cradling arms of my aunt, the advice from my aunt, brother, and parents, more prayer,

an emergency visa, a couple emails with the Consul, an 8 hour drive to and from Milwaukee, a package from the Wisconsin and Indiana State Departments, some more lovely translations from sunny California, the help of the office staff in the Ritz, the unfailing love of my parents,

a flight, an experience in New York and the Heart's Home life in Brooklyn, a search for answers, the fruitfulness of prayer, the love of the Heart's Home Family,

one more transatlantic flight,

two visits to the MA-35,

a couple more papers, and Monika's signature at the notary,

more money of course,

another visit to MA-35,

telephone calls, silent waiting,

more prayers, facing once again the unknown, 

daily mass, adoration, rosaries, flying novenas and myriad other prayers,

patience, beyond my normal capacity,

two visits to the magistrat, a telephone call, tears, more hope, 

and one last visit this morning (Nov. 21, 2011) , another handful of money, and a sigh of relief

take a look at that beauty.

i think its a rule of the universe that you cannot like your passport/photo ID picture. its just always awful and not flattering :) 

oh and if you'll notice the date. 

im good till NEXT NOVEMBER 10th, 2012!!!

In the end, how generous are those Viennese! 

Now I just have a lot of thinking and praying to do--how long am I supposed to stay here?