We are starting to get to the part in the process that makes David's and my heart skip a beat. We must now start paying for things that will not be reimbursed if things fall apart and we don't end up going. With our tight budget, this is where it gets downright serious.
This week we shelled out $50 for the required criminal background checks on the two of us. God forbid we pose a threat to France with bringing a previous record of minor infractions onto their turf.
Then we discovered the same consulate who needs to make sure we aren't criminals might require us to get "family repatriation insurance" to the tune of $472. What in the world is that you ask? It is insurance that guarantees any costs associated with transporting a dead body from France to the US is covered in the unlikely and untimely event one of us should die while on French soil. Seriously? I'm a follow of Jesus here people. I'll be too busy feasting at The Banquet to care what you do with this mortal shell. I certainly wouldn't need to fly first class back to Boston.
Lastly, we made our appointment for our visa applications (May 12). Which will most likely cost the four of us a total of $400. Not to mention the costs of traveling to Boston and back for the day.
So here we are. $1022 commitment into something that might not pan out. Talk about an exercise of our faith. Especially when we are told by many that our visas should come through without any problem and who we should be worrying about is the family from France being granted ones by our country. Terrific.
Thankfully, my dear friend had the perfect remedy for that problem: They can just fly to Mexico and walk on over. Perfect! That sounds much safer than trusting God will grant them favor with the US embassy in Paris. Whew. Boy, am I glad we have this for our "Plan B." Now I can rest easy.
You are so funny. You can count on us to help you with about a tenth of that...even though I don't want you to go.
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