Marja Becomes a Citizen of the United States

After living almost 40 years in the United States Marja finally became a US citizen.  It was a long process that took nearly a year from the time she filed the application.  Last summer we had to drive to Milwaukee for her to be fingerprinted and photographed.  We finally got a letter in January that instructed her to show up at the immigration service center in Detroit on February 7.  We encountered two snowstorms on our drive down, one at the beginning of our trip and another at the end.  We spent the week with David and Deanna and helped him celebrate his 29th birthday on Feb.6.  He volunteered to drive us into Detroit the following day on slushy roads.  Marja passed the Civics test easily and affirmed that her answers on her original application were true.

Getting ready for bed.

We drove back in another snowstorm, but it was clear and sunny by the time we made it back to Marquette.

The girls seemed rather amused by the novel way I read the story.

Six weeks later we were back in Marquette on March 22 in the federal courthouse for the final naturalization ceremony.  To Marja's surprise and delight, a group of women from our church showed up to witness the event.

These little girls also showed up.

This was the first time I have ever been in a federal courthouse.  It is normally not the place you would want to find yourself.

But unlike most courthouse proceedings, this was a joyous event.

Mik and Jeni and our soon to make his appearance grandson.

Cousins.

Taking the oath of allegiance.  It was a moving and solemn event.  There were about 30 other people from all over the world taking the oath, and the courthouse was filled with family and friends.

Marja receiving her naturalization certificate.

The judge stated that this was the one event in the courthouse that everyone looked forward to.

A brand new citizen at 65.

They even served cake afterwards.

What a relief!

A friend made this for Marja.