How To: Prepare to move to a new country

We are a “how to” couple. We like to figure out how things work, make lists, and get things done. From time to time, we will be posting How To’s on this blog. When you move to a new country. a new community and a new culture there is much to learn! These How To’s will offer a small glimpse into our lives and what we are learning about ourselves and just about life in general.
But let’s rewind a second so we can remember where we were about 1 month ago! This how to will focus on preparations for moving to a new country.
Here we go…

Step 1: Have a momentary freak-out…Why are we doing this? And how are we going to get our to-do list done?

Step 2: Realize freaking out won’t do you any good, so you get to work!

Step 3: Find someone to rent your house for 2 years…We are so thankful we found a wonderful family to make our house their home, while we are away.

Step 4: Quit your job, so you can “work on house projects” AKA hang out with friends (Kyle)

Step 5: Actually work on some of those projects, especially with parental supervision.

Step 6: Start the documentation process, especially if you want to apply for some type of residency. We had to have our documents apostilled (new word!) and they turned out pretty cool with the gold seals.

Step 7: Visit another country, just for fun! We had a wonderful time in Peru visiting Duane and Karen Stoltzfus on their last SST group with Kyle’s family. We also visited awesome sites like Machu Picchu (where we were engaged!), celebrated our 3 year anniversary and ate lots of good food! And practiced our Spanish, too!


Step 8: Pack. And Pack. And Pack. And clean. And re-pack. And pack. And pack

Step 9: Move back to you hometown for a few weeks to soak up lots of time with family and friends! And lots of bebes!

Step 10: Take some family pictures for memories sake…and you just never know… JK, mom!

Step 11: Throw a going away party/fundraiser—see later post!

Step 12: Hit up the Elkhart County 4H fair for some good eats!

Step 13: Say your good-byes! And cry a little, too.

Look for more Nicaragua related how-to’s in the coming months! We are looking forward to tons of learning and living in the next 2 years.
Love,
Alli