This is just one of the ways we see God in the details of our Digital Nomad visa process.
We were told several times that it could take months to be able to book an appointment. Not, the date being months from booking, but actually months to be able to book the appointment.
If you google it and read all the blogs and Reddit threads on how long it takes to secure an appointment at the consulate, you’ll see over and over again people talking about checking every single day for weeks on end.
Even this page (in my post) on the San Fransisco consulate warns in big, red letters: booking an appointment can be extremely difficult.
I have to say, I was a bit anxious about this when I went online to create profiles for Damian and I. But I also knew, if this was within God’s will for our lives, He would make it happen. I was emotionally preparing myself that this may be one of those things that God will have His timing with. We know that it is (most of the time) not our timing.
But I also asked Him to please make it a quick process to book the appointment. Italy has fully captured the hearts of the kids, Damian and I, and we would so love this opportunity. I also pleaded with God, if we do get the appointment, could He please let that be an indicator that we will be approved? Because that’s a whole other thing - to take months preparing for an interview and then experiencing denial. We know God is in control, no matter what and He will give us a plan B if we need it, but this slight-tendency-towards-anxiety mama definitely prayed that prayer.
On Tuesday, June 4th, I logged on to the prenot@mi website and created profiles for us. I immediately looked to book an appointment and, as I was warned, “no appointments available.” I figured I would be patient and log on each day and check, as I was warned.
Later that day, I took Aston on a scooter ride and he fell into a metal fence and scratched his side pretty good. He was shooken up and asked if he could please watch a show so he could take his mind off his injury (we have been working with some more severe anxiety in him). While he was relaxing, I thought, “well, I can just check the prenot@mi site again, because, why not?”
To my shock, it let me in right away! There were 4 appointments on Aug 28 available! I entered Damian’s information as fast as I could, knowing spots could be filled quickly, and we needed an appointment for each of us. I logged out and back in as myself, and there were 2 spots left! I couldn’t believe it!
Later that week, I thought I would search online about how hard it really is because it was so quick for me. As I said before, the forums were stating it would be weeks of checking for an appointment each day, AND it is best to check at 3pm, because that is 12am Rome time, which is when the site resets and shows openings.
I went back and checked my texts to Damian on that day, and sure enough, I had logged on right about 3pm! I didn’t even know that was a thing. But God did. I don’t think that idea or prompting for me to check again that afternoon was coincidence.
So here we are, 31 days away from our interview. I can’t say my anxiety is non-existent. I have days of overwhelm and days of surrender. But what I am sure of, is God is in control. Whatever that outcome may be. He has shown that to us in so many details in this visa process so far and throughout my life.