midlifetreasures

It’s here, finally!

I’ve said it countless times, and I’ll say it again – God is always faithful to His promises!

On the 12^thof July 2012, Regine and I finally reached the destination of our New Zealand journey, we are officially NZ citizens!

i’m ready!

It was a crazy Thursday morning coloring and styling our hair (thanks Dave … yes, cooking is not his only passion!), doing our nails, choosing the perfect shoes for our outfit, and treating ourselves to a mini make-over.

pretty young lady!

A few hours later, we’re ready for the big event! But wait … there’s more! Dave and Lorenz dressed up for the occasion too! These two fine gentlemen swept me off my feet in their dark suits.

really hot!

The citizenship ceremony is the final step to becoming a New Zealand citizen. It was a vision I endeavoured for my family when I pursued our NZ dream and eventually made our first steps on NZ soil five years ago. How time flies … that vision is now a reality.

I wish I could say that for the whole family, but Lorenz and Dave will have to wait for their own shining moments a year or more later as they fulfill some residency requirements. Surely, we will be as excited for them as we are now.

In retrospect, I recalled how we as a family had painstakingly jumped over so many hurdles when we courageously started a new life in an unfamiliar ground. There was no guarantee of success, and more importantly, no family close-by for emotional support. We had nothing to start with – all we had was deep faith in the Lord. I believe that was everthing we needed.  Now we reap the sweet reward of our hardwork and patience.

a first of its kind family pic!

The ceremony at the Department of Internal Affairs office at Wellington was short and simple. The programme started by collectively reciting the Oath of Allegiance, then the presentation of the Certificate of Citizenship to the 10 candidates, and finally we all sang the New Zealand national anthem. All new citizens were gifted with a native NZ plant representing new life. I was quite touched by a line in the letter signed by Hon. Chris Tremain, the Minister of Internal Affairs, which read “Before today New Zealand was your home, now it is also your country ”.  Indeed, I couldn’t have chosen a better and more beautiful country to be our new home.

After the short and simple ceremony, we celebrated with a family lunch at the nearby Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe. The food was good, the ambiance was great, but it was “the family moment” that made this occasion truly extraordinary!

Thank God, the long wait is over! We are happily, proudly and officially Kiwi!

a winning moment!