Getting a Visa

So we found out that school starts the middle of August in Mexico and Dave has a business trip the beginning of August, so in order to be settled and ready for school on time, we decided it would be good to leave the beginning of July. We knew that we could live in Mexico on a Tourist Visa for 6 months, but we wanted a year. An FM3 Visa is what we want. So I went to the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake to find out about getting this Visa. After waiting behind only two other people for almost 1 hour in a hot, very crowded room with two toddlers, I explained what we wanted to do. The lady at the window called in another person, made a 15-minute phone call and then told us to come back another day, because she was only filling in for the regular person. I went back a few weeks later and the regular employee gave me a list of requirements for a Business or Technical FM3 Visa. This was only for Dave; the rest of us were supposed to enter on a Tourist Visa and upgrade after we got there. The requirements included an application, Passport, letter from the US company employing Dave (his own company), a letter from the Mexico-based company (there was none), proof from our bank that we had an income of at least $1000 per month so we would not be a burden on the Mexican government, 2 passport pictures and cash to pay the fee. So we gather most of these, except of course the letter from the Mexican company, and I take them up to make sure they are right before I send Dave up to apply. The consulate employee looks at the stuff and asks if I have the aforementioned letter. I explain again that we aren't being sent by a company, but just want to live there. She says she can't help us. We'll have to go in on a Tourist Visa and apply for the FM3 once we get there. This is disappointing, because you can bring a lot more stuff in on an FM3 than on the Tourist Visa. Plus, what if they won't give us an FM3 after we get there? With a bit of research, we learn it is possible, though not guaranteed and only as a last resort, to drive to the border (about 12 hours), exit Mexico and reenter to get another 6 month Visa. I would not be very thrilled about this scenario. But, prayer has been a part of our decision-making all along and we still feel good about going. But at least I won't have to go back to the consulate in SL again.