Re-entry permit

[All_In]

I had a call during the labor day weekend and learned that a close member of my family is very ill and will be having a major surgery (cancer)...
He has a family business that he runs and he basically asked me to run it for him for 2 years. So, I need to live in overseas for 2 years now.

I just got my green card last month in August 2007, so the timing seems very odd. My questions are:

(1) can I apply for Re-entry permit any time after GC? Is there a certain time limit where you have to live as a permanent resident in US before even applying for Re-entry permit?
(2) I understand you have to be physically in US when you apply for Re-entry permit, but do not have to wait for approval. That is, you can leave as long as you apply before you leave US. But, I heard that you have to be fingerprinted before leaving. Is this true? If so, I must just wait until the USCIS sends me finger printing letter?
(3) I need to travel to overseas to see him as he'll be going through his surgery in two weeks. I will be coming back to US from this trip in 3 weeks. After I come back from this 3-week trip, I'll probably leave and move overseas in a month. The Question is, since the fingerprint notice can take a while, should I apply for the Re-entry Permit now (when I go for 3 week trip) or should I wait and apply before I actually move? If I appply before 3 week trip, I'll obviously be returning to US in 3 weeks and will my Re-entry permit application have any issues at the border?

Thanks for your help!