6 Months Later:)

Today, Matt and I celebrate 6 months of marriage!  We went to church and Bible study with my parents at Magnolia Avenue Baptist church this morning and are planning on having an evening together tonight.  We're in the middle of our visa applications, so it will be very refreshing to have a relaxing evening out of the house and where we have to act like grown-ups. I love being with him so much :)
    So, I've updated the website, finally! And it only took 2 hours, ugh.  But I'm proud of it!  I also added a page that gives a background of Matt and I and how the plan to move to New Zealand came about.  It's the brief version :)

I'm going to use this Blog as a place for anyone to keep updated with my husband and I, the latest with Calvary Chapel Nelson New Zealand, and a way to keep family and friends updated on how they may pray for us.  We appreciate any encouragement and all the prayers!
Love, Kaci

3 months & New Zealand Preparation

Matt and I have been married 3 months today and we are finally starting to feel like we are settled in. I LOVE being married to him and he's the best gift I have ever received from the Lord:)  Though it's nice to feel like we have finally slowed down and gotten back to a regular schedule, we realize that in 4 and a half short months, we will be planning to be packed up and heading to New Zealand! If the Lord wills, we're planning to live in Nelson, NZ for a few years serving at the Calvary Chapel and then see where the Lord leads us from there; reapplying for Visas or residency to continue, etc..  Planning is going everyday and options are narrowing down for what is best.  Visas require a LOT of running around the city, (as if changing my last name wasn't enough fun), but we are trusting the Lord's timing to pan out great.  Here are just a few things that we need to get done:

-Wait for the FBI to send back our background checks
-Get Dx approved full physicals
-Get x-rays no more than 3 months old for the application
-Update my passport last name (me)
-Get a job offer (If we go the "Work" Visa route) and then apply for that Visa
-Or begin seeking complete support from an orginization and apply under the "Church Worker" Visa. (Sounds easier than a work Visa , but very difficult to have promised support and proof for a year in advance)
-Get my kitty, Boo, cleared and approved for travel/animal shipment. (6 month process)
-Figure out how to ship our stuff to New Zealand the cheapest route by sea
-Book ONE-WAY tickets:)
-(Stuff I forgot)
-and pack!

Once we get our background checks back, we then can get our physicals/xrays and apply for work Visas (we each apply), but that is if we have a job offer and can get it in writing.  Then get it approved once we submit all our paperwork for the Visa. If no job offer is coming up, then we will attempt the "church worker" Visa route and have any support go through a foundation that can be considered the "Organization" supporting us.  Either way Matt and I will need/ want to work because the church cannot fully support itself financially.

There is a lot to do, but Matt & I keep thinking about people at Calvary Chapel Nelson and how none of this planning and running around is a waste or a burden at any point.   Matt's been learning, studying and growing immensely in his readiness and ability to teach.  I'm so proud of him and respect him tremendously.  I've been (and am) growing in my complete trust with the Lord and reliance upon His Word in every aspect of my life and thoughts.  If it takes extra time to stay in the U.S. until we are approved, then it will be worth it, but Matt and I are doing everything we can to be prompt:)

I will end on this thought,
  When I get overwhelmed, I have to stop and remember Who overcomes. His ways are higher, better, wiser, and I can' use His ways without Him leading.

<3
Kaci Taylor

3 weeks and 4 days as Husband and Wife!

I just spent 3 hours finally figuring out how to blog and add colors and fonts, etc. I'm exhausted!
And I haven't posted anything since August when it was getting closer to the wedding. woops:)
.....
But, now we're married!!! And wow, we LOVE it! I never knew love could have such depth but it does.... and we have it! God definitely has the best plan! Matt is a wonderful husband, friend and leader.  He's the best man alive I believe ;) And I love him SOOOOO much!! I'm so blessed and love this life with him.

Well, here are some updates since October 15th:

Matt and I got married October 15th at Harvest Christian Fellowship. It was an outside wedding before sunset and we had an incredible reception outside also at the Baptismal.... It was AMAZING! So many amazing things occurred that night that just made the wedding beyond our dreams! Everyone helped in a thousand ways and we felt so loved.  Pictures to come.

Our honeymoon was such so dreamy:) Matt took wonderful care of me and we had a beautiful time together in Big Bear & Mammoth.  We're the outdoorsy type of couple:) During Fall it's stunning. We didn't want to come home! Overall, it was a Very blessed week:)

Now we are living in our very spacious apartment that Matt provides for us.  I am, of course, turning it into our home until we move.  We have everything a new couple could possibly need and I love seeing it look more and more cozy for my husband & I:)  

Now, every morning when Matt goes to work, he takes a few minutes to lay back down with me and hold me before he gets all dirty and sweaty at work.... what a man!! He's SUCH a hard worker and has the best attitude I've ever seen.  He has true humility and I see God blessed what he puts his hands to.

Life is sweet and we are willing to face whatever comes our way together with the Lord.

In May ir June of next year, Matt & I are planning on moving to New Zealand for up to 4 years as "Church workers" according to the New NZ policy that went into action this month. We are starting our application process this week (once I get my name legally change) and will put it in the Lord's hands.

We're very excited! Please keep us in your prayers in that and we know God will speak to us during this whole time here in the States.

Well, It's a Wednesday and I have lots of activities to do tonight! I will post again probably next Wednesday or sooner, hopefully.

August 11

Matt & I got approved for an apartment today! :)

My First Post!

Today I spent over an hour learning how to start this blog and I am just as confused as when I started. Hopefully I can have time to learn and understand how to edit and add all the things I want to make this blog somewhat readable and less confusing.
I'm getting married in a couple months!!