UPDATES AND INSIGHTS

Good evening

It's Thursday and that means an update on our emigration process. 

                              

In between organising everything for our move to Portugal, I've taken time out to help a friend with proofreading and editing of her Master’s thesis. She was running out of time and the additional pair of eyes gave her the extra few hours that she needed to complete her work. For context, during the time that I worked in the corporate arena, my focus was on developing and presenting strategic business plans within ICT in general and, from 1994, in the mobile telecommunications environment. It was such fun to dig my teeth into a related industry again. Rather satisfying. 

My progress in respect of my Portuguese emigration. I detailed the process extensively in my Blog on the 20th of February, so in future, I will give a status update. Of course, if I add any requirements, I'll detail them. If this helps one person, I'll be happy.

• House: SOLD

• South African documentation from authorities: Sigh. We're still awaiting confirmation for this. 

• Documentation verified by South African authorities - Apostilled: Still awaiting our new Driving Licence Confirm Letters. It's taking its time.

• Financials in place:
• Enough funds in a Portuguese bank account: Yay! The account has been opened and the required funds to open it have been deposited.
• Required funds for monthly living expenses deposited into an investment account: Now that I have my Portuguese bank account, I've completed this application.
• Portuguese Tax Number - Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF): Still in with the Portuguese legal authorities.

As I consider all the miracles which God has given me in my life, the move to Portugal must rank high among them. Throughout the process so far, there are been a few times when I've wondered if the move is the right one (I suppose this is normal). God often lets us know whether we are on track with His plan for our lives by lining up circumstances in obvious ways. One of these for me was being offered our house in Portugal. It is such an incredible offer and one that still amazes me. I also have deferred to God's timing in everything that I do. I have times for fruition of my plans in my head but, honestly, I know that everything in solely in His timing. This does help lessen the stress somewhat. I'm so very blessed. Here's my favourite destress verse.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV): "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end". 

My poem for the day builds on God's promise.

INSIGHT

For
Not by
Luck
Nor by
Chance
Nor by
Coincidence
Shall I guide
My life
But
By the discernment
Of insight
Alone
That discernment
Of insight
Granted to me
By God’s
Noble Grace
And
By that sanction
Alone
Shall I ever
Live
My life