The New American Citizens!

This month has been very special for us for several reasons, which I hope to share with you over the next few days... To start, on May 17th, Jonny and I were sworn in as American citizens! We have been here now for almost 11 years and after a long process of different visas and over 5 years of permanent residence, our time came to pledge allegiance to the flag! :) It was a happy occasion and we were so thankful that Daniel, my mother and Stephen were our witnesses (Luke stayed home with a babysitter). 

For so long I have wondered if I could ever call America home and God worked a lot in me to get me to this place, where I could wholeheartedly embrace the new citizenship. It's been a long journey for me, changing countries every 7 years on average and not really having a place to call home... Only if you have grown up across cultures can you relate to what this felt like. But now, finally, I can call America home. The timing is right and I feel at peace. As one of my favorite hymns says "It is well with my soul!" 

The oath ceremony was special because we saw the diversity of all the new American citizens, representing all continents, something we truly love about this country. But what was the most touching to me was that after we took the oath, the man who spoke thanked us for coming to America. He said that they recognized what a long journey it had been for us to get here and how much courage it took to leave our families behind and start a new life in a different country. I never expected them to thank us and recognize our efforts! He also said that though we were now citizens, it did not mean that we should forget where we came from and encouraged us to teach our children about our heritage. A lovely occasion indeed!

Daniel had fun waving the flag!