Thursday, June 14, 2007

Hip, Hip Hooray! It Finally Arrived!

It's here! Shane's new passport! The Lord is so good to us. My post for today was going to be asking all you prayer warriors to pray that his passport would arrive before the trip. My Father God had other plans!

We applied 12 weeks ago for an updated passport so he could travel to Mexico with his daddy on June 28th. Because of the new law which passed back in January, we knew Shane had to have a current passport. His had expired a few years ago. We were also told it would take longer than normal, anywhere from 8-10 weeks, to receive it, due to so many folks applying now for trips to Canada, Mexico, the Islands, etc. In the past, one didn't need a passport to visit those countries, only birth certificates or proof of American citizenship. We applied 3 months ago thinking surely that was enough time for us and saving us the extra bucks in not having it expedited. We were beginning to think we had made the wrong decision!

In the meantime, we heard on the news that a 3 month extension has been given to travelers to the above mentioned regions, due to such a huge back log of requests for passports. We heaved a big sigh of relief at that news last week. However, because our little guy looks so "Mexican", we always feel better having him travel with a passport when we go to Mexico. We did the same for Josh. Even though it wasn't mandatory in the past, we didn't want to chance the authorities thinking we were trying to sneak a child out of the country illegally! Goodness, can you believe my sister had trouble one time trying to leave Mexico with Jackie! The airport authorities in Mexico City detained my sister and her hubby, demanding proof that Jackie was an American. They were even taken "upstairs" to the commissioner's office to speak directly to him! How many of you have seen photos of Jackie on our blogs? She is blond with blue eyes and fair skin! Of course, about the time Clint convinced the authorities that Jackie was indeed not a Mexican baby, Jackie started spurting out Spanish words very fluently! She was about 18 months old at the time. We can laugh now, but for a few minutes, my family was a wee bit frightened! So we have continued praying for Shane's passport to arrive before the trip just so we can rest a little more easily.

Today, we heard the doorbell and were oh so pleasantly surprised to hear the FedEx man exclaim that he had a package for one Shane Alexander Rios! He went on to ask if we were expecting a passport, as that is what he believed it to be! Whoo-Hoo! Shane got so excited! After opening it and admiring it, he went right away to call his dad at work, then he called his Grandpa!

I have never seen such a beautiful passport! The outside looks the same as the old ones, but once you open it up, many wonderful, patriotic scenes unfold! The inside pages now aren't so boring with little round stamps and names of states. Instead, you will see emblems which so represent our wonderful country. Right inside the front cover is a picture of Francis Scott Key looking over to Fort McHenry. Some of the words of our national anthem are scribbled at the top. "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." Then on the page right after your photo, you see a colored picture of our flag, wheat, an eagle's head and these words: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Then as you turn the pages, you see scenes from the southwest, i.e. cactus and deserts,then from the northern regions, snow-capped mountains, then the Liberty Bell, Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, and many other scenes to remind us of our great nation.
I just love it! I love my country!

21 comments:

Betty said...

Pam, thank you for coming by to visit and taking the time to comment....I am always so happy to have anyone drop by.....Please come again..

So happy your on received his passport in time for his trip....

Anonymous said...

Hurray! I can't imagine my kids having to deal with this someday in their future as they may head back to Mexico to visit family. I loved reading about how your son looks so Mexican. You will have to check out my married kids picture on my sidebar...Lindsey and Beto :) Wonder what their kids might look like someday ???

So happy for your son!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!
When do they leave? What are you gonna do here? Will Josh stay with you?

I knwo Augustine is happy....no better traveler around to accompany him (winks)!!

Anonymous said...

Well, guess I am not comprehending well (someone was calling me from downstairs for direction!!)LOL

I see when they are leaving---
How long will they be gone?

Love and hugs, my dear frined!!

Trella said...

Oh, I am so happy for y'all. I have heard some horror stories about how long it is taking some people to get their passports.

Thanks so much for stopping by. All I have been brave enough to hang up is curtains, the medicine cabinet, and a mirror over my dresser. I have a lot just waiting for the hanging, but hubby and I need the courage:)

Susan said...

God is never late!!! Glad it came.
Susan

Mishel said...

Praising the Lord with you Pam! God is good!! : )

Abouna said...

Just one more example of how we serve an awesome God.

Webutante said...

Makes me want to get a new passport, Pam!Glad the new one came!

Pen of Jen said...

Hip Hip hurray! You got the passport today!!!

Lyndy said...

More proof that God is always on time. So glad you can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Praising the Lord with you Pam!

Thanks so much for the prayers for my mom.

Rita Loca said...

Josh has to get a new USA passport as his expires next month. We are still waiting on the Venezuelan one. Does the new passport have the computer chip?

Tammy C said...

To think the passport arrived on Flag Day is neat.Enjoy yout trip.

Baptist Girl said...

I'm so happy for you all, that same thing happened to our yourngest daughter when she was going for a missions trip to San Paulos 2 years ago. The day before departure her Passport arrived Whewwww! If that was not a test of patience. lol I hope you have a good trip and a safe trip Shane!
Cristina

Jennifer said...

YAY! I know that's a bit of relief so that they can get excited about their trip!

Now we'll be praying for a safe and productive trip!

Jodi said...

Praise God! I'm glad it came in time. The folks at cyberhymnal.org were asking for prayer a couple of weeks ago. Their daughter was to leave on her honeymoon in a couple of days and had not yet received her passport. I never saw a note as to how that was resolved. Praying your guys have safe travel!

Anonymous said...

It's coming up on three months since my mom applied for her passport. I just sent off for mine at the beginning of June so I'm hoping with all the backlog I'll get mine by Jan! It's great that your son got his just in time!

CaraqueƱa said...

Are you excited, Pam?

CaraqueƱa said...

JM, computer chip?! That's alarming, I think!

Portrait of Peter said...

A glowing tribute to America and quite right too, and a proud exciting moment for your son.

Sis. Julie said...

Amen!! I'm so thankful that the passport got there in time. That is definitely a miracle and work of God. Amen!! You are so right about our great country though!! We live in the best country in the world!!