BROWNTOWN - Both the Rev. Ray and Caroline Sowersby of Browntown's Peace United Church of Christ will tell you that the small, quiet Wisconsin town feels like home.
But they can't call it that yet.
Ray Sowersby has been Browntown's Peace United Church of Christ pastor for more than four years. Rev. Ray and his wife, Caroline moved in 2003 to Browntown from Scotland.
The couple was reassured it would be their official home at the beginning of July last year when they learned they would receive permanent residence cards, better known as "green cards."
However, come Christmastime, they still hadn't gotten them.
Without the card, all other documentation was frozen, which meant they couldn't travel to see family.
The couple desperately hoped to head back to Scotland, mostly to see their grandson, Simon, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and was very sick.
Out of desperation, the couple resorted first to the Internet to find out the status of their application. When they were left confused as to how to interpret some of the wording, their lawyer insisted they be patient, but the couple continued and called the office of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. Soon, a response came, letting the couple know their application was "off the shelf."
"Someone was dealing with it," Rev. Ray said with a smile.
Two weeks later, the couple learned Caroline's application had been approved. Rev. Ray's was OK'd a week later.
The couple has permission to travel on "parole" documents, which are valid until next March.
The moment they learned they were approved, the couple booked plane tickets for the beginning of May to go to Scotland to see their four children and 10 grandchildren.
When they return, they've been told the first thing they need to do is reapply for work permits, which will expire in October.
The couple says the most stressful thing throughout the process is the amount of money they've spent. More than $7,000 has been spent so far on attorney, application, filing and physical fees and passport photos. When they re-file, they'll have to pay some of those fees again.
The large stacks of paperwork in front of them are now not such a burden.
"The pressure's off," Ray said, noting that when they do receive their green cards, they plan to have a party and invite everyone who helped make their dream come true.
Once the Sowersbys receive their green cards, they will have to wait another seven years to apply for citizenship. The couple says that might just be too long.
In their mid-60s, the couple feels they might change their original plan of staying in the U.S. and retire back to Scotland, which according to them is unfortunate since this now feels like home.
The small church congregation that usually sees about 80 people on any Sunday petitioned for the couple to stay in the U.S.; many parishioners are frustrated at all of the time, money spent and trouble it's caused for the couple. One woman in the parish even offered to adopt them.
"We've received tremendous support from the community," Caroline said. "We love this place and the people."
But they can't call it that yet.
Ray Sowersby has been Browntown's Peace United Church of Christ pastor for more than four years. Rev. Ray and his wife, Caroline moved in 2003 to Browntown from Scotland.
The couple was reassured it would be their official home at the beginning of July last year when they learned they would receive permanent residence cards, better known as "green cards."
However, come Christmastime, they still hadn't gotten them.
Without the card, all other documentation was frozen, which meant they couldn't travel to see family.
The couple desperately hoped to head back to Scotland, mostly to see their grandson, Simon, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and was very sick.
Out of desperation, the couple resorted first to the Internet to find out the status of their application. When they were left confused as to how to interpret some of the wording, their lawyer insisted they be patient, but the couple continued and called the office of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. Soon, a response came, letting the couple know their application was "off the shelf."
"Someone was dealing with it," Rev. Ray said with a smile.
Two weeks later, the couple learned Caroline's application had been approved. Rev. Ray's was OK'd a week later.
The couple has permission to travel on "parole" documents, which are valid until next March.
The moment they learned they were approved, the couple booked plane tickets for the beginning of May to go to Scotland to see their four children and 10 grandchildren.
When they return, they've been told the first thing they need to do is reapply for work permits, which will expire in October.
The couple says the most stressful thing throughout the process is the amount of money they've spent. More than $7,000 has been spent so far on attorney, application, filing and physical fees and passport photos. When they re-file, they'll have to pay some of those fees again.
The large stacks of paperwork in front of them are now not such a burden.
"The pressure's off," Ray said, noting that when they do receive their green cards, they plan to have a party and invite everyone who helped make their dream come true.
Once the Sowersbys receive their green cards, they will have to wait another seven years to apply for citizenship. The couple says that might just be too long.
In their mid-60s, the couple feels they might change their original plan of staying in the U.S. and retire back to Scotland, which according to them is unfortunate since this now feels like home.
The small church congregation that usually sees about 80 people on any Sunday petitioned for the couple to stay in the U.S.; many parishioners are frustrated at all of the time, money spent and trouble it's caused for the couple. One woman in the parish even offered to adopt them.
"We've received tremendous support from the community," Caroline said. "We love this place and the people."