Welcome To Qatar by Jane Dutton

Why is Mekai not with you all?

I've had a number of folk ask why Mekai isn't with us........so I said I would share the entire experience, so here ya go,

Mekai never was totally on board to go with us. I guess now I understand it more, but at first I was like, "are you kidding me? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live abroad!" But she just wasn't totally feeling it. At any rate, we were making plans for her to join us.  Because she is not me and Ville's daughter together, just mine, I had to provide proof of the divorce so they could put her down as Vile's stepdaughter.Fast forward to August 10 or 11, we get the email from HR that they were not going to grant her a residence visa because she was no longer a minor, and she was not me and Ville's child together. Talk about a sucker punch to my face!!!! I was sick to my stomach. What the heck was she going to do? We were informed that she is eligible to visit as much and as often as she wanted....just couldn't live with us.  But like I said the other day, God has had His hand all in and through this whole thing. 

Not knowing until that Friday, she had gone out and looked at off campus housing at UNCC  on Thursday....because she DIDN'T WANT TO GO!  She would still be able to keep her job. One that she truly enjoys. She has 3 roommates. Her bedroom has it's own bathroom. She will enroll at CPCC soon to get her credits and then transfer to UNCC. See, it all worked out in the end. This is her opportunity to show us what she's made of. She wanted this independence, so here it is.  Her support system is absolutely fabulous. Made possible by family in Charlotte, Flint, Atlanta, Texas, Minnesota and Alabama. Will she make mistakes? Most assuredly she will. But can she bounce back form them? Absolutely!!  As long as she keeps God as her focus, and casts all her cares on Him, I know she will be just fine.  I miss her everyday. But we talk a number of times each day. She even has a special young man that I TOTALLY appove of that has been helping with this transition.

So even though things didn't workout the way I thought they would, the worked out the way they were destined to. Can't wait til Christmas!!!!Know that I love ya! Mean it!

First night in Doha

Well, we made it! God's hand guided us from Charlotte to JFK, to Doha, Qatar.  He is faithful to His children. As I lay here writing this I know without a shadow of a doubt that He has /had everything worked out. I see His hand through every step we've taken. From the moment we prayed and asked for doors to be opened for us back in January, to the job offer, to stepping foot in our new apartment! All I've done since boarding the flight from Charlotte til now is say to myself, "Lord, I thank you!" He does ALL THINGS well. My heart is so full. So much appreciation. So much humility. So many, many blessings. Tonight, we rest. We are thankful.

A slight change of plans......

WOW!!!! What a difference a couple days makes!! I said I was going to share the entire experience with you guys so I have some new developments. We're still going........it's just gonna take a bit more time for me and the children. Qatari laws are SO STRICIT!!! Ville's visa should be done soon. Ours......not so much. They have changed somethings over the last few months which were not required before, so it has added delays on everything. What we are looking at now is that he may fly over on the 17 for sure because new teachers start on the 21, and we will join him once our paperwork is finalized. Talk about sad. That is an understatement. We wanted to all fly over as a family. But in my husbands words, "everything will work out the way it is supposed to babe." So, I need to practice patience right?

In the mean time, we are still preparing. Furniture is being picked up. As well as everthing else that won't be making the flight over. God has it all worked out. He is in control and His plan is best. What I won't do is let setbacks get me down. Imma still smile and expect the best. There are other developments that are brewing as well.....but I can't get into all that right now. I will share when the time is right. I appreciate you all. Thanks for sharing in on our adventure.   

Know that I love ya! Mean it!

Getting started

Welp, today is the day that I have finally found a few quiet minutes to sit down and at least get one post in!! Welcome to the beginning of my 2 year adventure!! Doha, Qatar will be our new place of residence. We are "nervescited" (nervous and excited) but we are ready to go and see what this world has in store for our family. Please come back occasionally for new posts and updates on our adventures. Hope to post at least once a week or whenever the mood strikes me. I want you to be able to experience Doha right along with us. I hope you enjoy reading and sharing with me, Ville, G3, and Mekai!

Know that I love ya! Mean it!