Sunday, March 18, 2012

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 18 March 2012


Dear family,
Passports and Visas - Monday was passport day in downtown Detroit for the “Kulka Krew”. Tyler was taken back with all the high security level, including an airport style X-ray and metal detector. However, all the people were friendly and very helpful and the process went smoothly. We also drove there to take the kids back to school when they had done “their part”, while Jim and Vanessa were still finishing the application requirements. Mom received her renewed passport on Tuesday and Jim picked up their passports on Wednesday. By no small miracle all the Visa application documents were ready on Thursday evening.
Visa Applications - Friday morning, Mom & Dad got up at three in the morning, left at 4 am, drove for 5 hours and arrived at the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago in time to apply for the eight tourist visas. The lady that accepted and processed the applications was, amazingly, from Mom’s home town and knew Mom’s father. She credited Dr. Gatti, for saving her mother’s life. Mom was overcome by emotion, specially when the the lady told her she looked like her father. No one can tell us this is not an example of Vo Gatti’ and Vo Ita’s heavenly inspired desire to firmly connect their children and children’s children together. “Divine signatures” everywhere.
Brazilian Citizenship  - Mom told the lady at the consulate how she hated to have to apply for a visa because she had given up her  Brazilian citizenship in 1988 to become a US citizen. The lady indicated she could now reacquire her citizenship by submitting a few documents.  By so doing she could register all of her children as Brazilian citizens and subsequently all of her grandchildren can be registered as Brazilian citizens too. This was sweet music to Mom’s ears, so Wednesday when they return to Chicago to pickup the visas she plans to submit her application to reacquire her citizenship.  She still only half believes it, though, since as she puts it “ I’ve walked this way before...”
Fixit Frolics - Dad and Ryan were at it again Saturday morning. Ryan had plastered and painted the basement wall where the wall crack had been repaired and he and Dad replaced the paneling thus completing the job and returning the wall to mint condition. They also repaired a kitchen cabinet shelf that had fallen down and Dad cleaned out a slow drain in the basement bathroom. Dad found that Grandma’s MKZ had a dead battery, but the Jeep and a set of battery cables was able to get it running in short order.
Ward Conference - Mom & Dad  spoke for 5 minutes plus showed two videos in their respective meetings during ward conference. It was a big hassle getting the DVDs to work in the players at church, but with persistence and the Lord’s help (they took the kitchen TV), it all worked out and the presentations went well.  They are grateful!

Love y’all,
Mom & Dad 

No comments: