Nathan Doodle Dandy

The entire reason for Trish, Rachel, and Nathan’s trip to Florida was to finalize Nathan’s U.S. citizenship. The trip has been a smashing success! We can now stick a feather in his hat and call it macaroni because Nathan is officially a Yankee Doodle dandy, who possesses a magnificent flag waving ability.

Trish proclaimed the process was a little anticlimactic, which is really what you want in any process that involves the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Office. Trish credits Rachel’s mad skills as an organizer and planner for helping things go off without a hitch.

The trio had an appointment scheduled for 10:00 am. Their interviewer went through the mountain of paperwork Rachel had submitted, making sure everything was there and filled out correctly. Of course it was, because, as previously mentioned, Rachel is an organizer/planner extraordinaire. Meanwhile, Nathan held up his end of the bargain, by doing the task they assigned him--looking adorable. The interviewer asked Trish and Rachel questions, presumably to verify they were who they said they were. They were. Then the interviewer told them she would call them back in a couple of hours. The waiting was a little stressful because they were not told the paperwork had been approved.

It was also stressful because sippy cups and Cheerios are taboo at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Office. Trish, Rachel, and Nathan were able to leave for lunch, but then it was back to a waiting room where no food or drinks were allowed. A few hours is like seventeen days in toddler years! Nathan is past the stage of curling up in Mommy’s lap for a nap. He chose to pass the time by running around the room with Rachel in hot pursuit. At around 2:30, they were called back in and told that Nathan is a U.S. citizen.

For those of you wondering, this does not mean automatic citizenship for RJ, Abby, or any subsequent Honduran born grandchildren. They will lather, rinse, and repeat to obtain citizenship for other grandchildren.

Sneak peak of what will be available on the
website, once the big update goes public

Accomplishing what they set out to do has been the best part of the trip. Trish has also been able to see her Florida dwelling children, and her parents. The other part of the trip has not been nearly as much fun. Basically, Trish’s regular responsibilities followed her to Florida. For her, it has been work as usual.

2018 was Sowers4Pastors’ first year as an independent organization. Trish is feeling her way through the requirements for closing out a year. Stuff has to be done! Paperwork has to be sent out to employees and donors. The deadlines are NOW! Trish laughed and said, “This is not the stuff you become a missionary to do!”

She is also working to make a big update to the website. Currently, people who want to sponsor a child have to do it through the Manna 4 Lempira Facebook page. With an updated website, people will be able to look at photos of children and set up sponsorships there. Trish is shooting for having everything ready to go before the first of April.

In the meantime, let’s all look at the USA’s cutest new citizen.

For those of you seeing this post by email, here's a link where you can see Nathan's amazing flag waving abilities. https://www.facebook.com/rachel.sowers.50/videos/1837554079686503/

 - posted by Christi