Answers to Questions

In an earlier blog, you were asked by C&E to speak to Father about a background check that C needs in order to move. Guess what!...E contacted the AAcademy and apparently the work visa for C is underway. The visa will automatically grant C&E one year within the country. The FBI background check is needed to apply for a residency visa. They will work through the residency visa process once they arrive in country. This means that unless there are some unforeseen hitches in their path, C&E will be departing around the first few days of August.

Here's how you can be an active participant in their life:

• Contact them before they leave...they want to speak with as many friends and family as possible before the end of July
• Take the initiative to visit with them in person as time permits, either in their city or one close to them
  
• Create a time with them to enjoy a meal (C is a master on the grill and his homemade tortillas rival any made at a Mexican restaruant.)
• Ask Father to continue teaching them about being a husband and a wife (It's still new to them, but they are both studying the Word for wisdom and guidance. Eph. 5 is on the fridge!)
• Ask Father to lead them to the home already prepared for them in their new country. They will have approximately one month to look for housing before C begins teaching on Spt 9th.

Captured in Time

May 26, 2007 will reside in the minds and hearts of C and E for a lifetime thanks to the amazing photographer who captured every moment of their special day. Here are some photos for you!

Here is E in front of one of many fountains only one hour before the wedding.

Now we have Mr. TDH (Tall, Dark, Handsome...as E prefers to call him!) He too posed in front of fountains before the ceremony while E returned to a local hotel to await the right moment to arrive.

OOPS! E is leaving right in the nick of time as usual. Thanks to the help of Joel, she was able to make it to the ceremony just in time. Notice that Rachel was not shocked by the late departure.

Everyone was ready to go at the amphitheater and the music was perfect for the setting. Plus, many friends and family were asking the Father for NO RAIN during the ceremony. Note: it only rained Saturday morning.

This was E's first glance at C during the ceremony has her father walked her around the platform. Her dad and sister won the award for most tears EVER shed at a wedding.

If you look closely enough, you can spot the tip of a white flip flop peeking out from under E's wedding dress. For those preparing for a wedding...flip flops are an excellent choice for comfortable footwear. As long as you can snazz them up a bit.

E was thinking, "Am I dreaming? Am I really the luckiest woman in the world to be marrying the most handsome man?!" Of course her brother, Andy, in the background is still in shock that his baby sister has finally gotten married. Older brother Andy and the couple's friend Kim were the officiants at the wedding ceremony. Kim is actually the man who encouraged the two to meet. It seemed right to have him as a part of the special occasion.

Notice that C was as cool and calm as always. He just smiled and whispered, "I love you", throughout the ceremony.

Presenting: Mr. and Mrs. C & E Lopez!

Beautiful memory of the many friends and family who were able to share in wedding celebration. This was taken after about 800 family pictures were taken! If you think that's an exaggeration, E said her photogrpaher took 1600 photos before, during, and after the wedding and reception. We should thank her for only submitting the few number of photos for this blog.




E's matron of honor was her younger sister Rachel. She and her family made the trip from Illinois down for the wedding. C had his brother Carl as his best man. Carl brought his entire family down from upstate for the ceremony.

To end this blog...some candid shots of the newly married couple
taken around the park before heading to the reception.

Want to go for a swim? Swing Me!

A glimpse of a walk into their future~

Back from the Honeymoon!

C&E spent a week on a beautiful beach soaking in the sun and and the sights. C had NEVER been to a beach before, nor had he seen any ocean. The look on his face was priceless as he took off his sandals and stepped into the sand. He said, "So is that was sand feels like between toes?" E loved it! Most of their days were spent relaxing by their private pool or by the beach. They did come in 3rd place in an egg toss contest...but the egg busted on E so they were out of the game. The volleyball tournament had them on a the 2ND place team, even though they were the only 2 English speaking people on the sandy court.

One of the most enjoyable experiences was the guided snorkeling adventure. E is an experienced 'snorkeler', but it was C's first time. It was amazing to go with a guide who knew when to dive deep into the waters to find sea creatures. The newlyweds both got to hold the following: star fish (felt like a HUGE spider crawling up E's arm), blow fish (watch out for the prickly sides) and a baby octopus! The pictures are worth a thousand words. After being out in the water for an hour, the couple decided to take a rest in the colorful hammocks overlooking the bay. What a perfect afternoon!

Now they have returned home and are trying to get into the swing of everyday life. C is working hard each day with his lawn business, while E is finishing work at the university. They have approximately 9 weeks before moving overseas and each week they are making efforts to visit with family and friends.

Here is how you can be thinking of C & E. In order for C to receive an official invitation and work visa from the country they are moving, he needs an official FBI clearance. The typically turnaround time is 16-18 weeks. They need it in less than 4 because the work visa process takes approximately 1 month to complete. As you can read, C&E are in a time crunch, but they are trusting Father to work out all details--especially the paperwork. You can also ask that the marriage liscence arrives soon in order for E to complete all document name changes before leaving the country.

What a joy it was to celebrate the wedding ceremony with so many friends and family present. They are thankful that so many of you were able to come and that the weather held off so that the wedding could take place outside as planned!