Aaron is really good at seeing the big picture, grabbing hold of the dream and knowing it will happen when it's supposed to. Me…not so much. I get frustrated wanting the big picture to happen right now! We balance each other out in certain regards and this summer he encouraged me that we would see Uzbekistan again at the perfect time. A previous post asked you to remember Aaron's phone call. Thank you to all that did–it went well, as did the numerous additional phone calls, emails and Skype calls. Hours (days and weeks worth) were spent researching and searching for answers regarding our desire to relocate to Uzbekistan. "Patience…be patient…it will happen" kept ringing in my ears as the end of June came and went. As did July and August and September. As anyone who has lived through a period of waiting knows, it is much easier to encourage someone with "It will happen at the perfect time" than it is to live through. We just kept processing through different information, contacts and sources searching for someone to give us the answers we needed to apply for visas.
And then it happened. Through a travel agent located on the east coast, Aaron was given the number for the Consulate General of Uzbekistan located in New York. And he answered Aaron's call!! He was a very gracious man who answered our questions and gave direction to a very long search. There was a possible business conference in Uzbekistan that Aaron could attend…didn't work out. After that we were told we were only eligible for a tourist visa; however, the tourist visa would only be good for a three month period of time with 30 days available to stay in country. That news created more questions for us and time spent calling and emailing to fully understand our options. After a wait to hear back from him, we were told to ask for a three month tourist visa with three, 30 day visits. "Ask for it on the visa application," he told Aaron, "It isn't a standard issue visa, but if you ask for it, we can do that for you."
After much thought and counsel, we decided Aaron would travel alone. This allows him the ability to meet with all the appropriate people and the ease of travel in and out of the country every 25 days. Cost was a factor too. That's a lot of money in airfare! The goal during this three month stint is to establish our business at which point we can apply for a business visa and the entire family can relocate. Luke was really brave when we told him Aaron was going alone at first, but when he was shown a calendar and all the holidays Aaron would be gone for, his chin started shaking and he cried. So did I for that matter. But it's forward movement to Central Asia and we're all really excited!
We received his approved visa late one evening and the next eleven days were a blur. We took him to the airport on Friday morning, October 12th and…well, it makes me cry just thinking about it. Luke and I sobbed watching him work his way through Security and Titus' final "Goobye Daa-ie!!" as we all waved and tried to see him one last time was pretty awful.
But we have lots and lots of people who love us and a faithful friend who never leaves us alone. Thanks to all of you who have encouraged us along the way. Jump up and down with us…and give a quick "Woo hoo!!" Aaron is in Uzbekistan!! :)
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