As we prepare to move house (in less than a week) I have used some of the moments of packing to let my mind wander back to when we first moved in here back in January this year. What a lifetime ago that seems.
This impending change has caused me to think about what has happened in the past months and wonder what the future will bring.
In reflection of this year so far, I can say without a doubt that there have been a lot of laughs (the children’s antics are always making us chuckle, late night chats with Jess about the differences between American English and Australian English always ends in hysterics as well as the type of laughter that comes from a mixture of feeling totally overwhelmed topped with a slight confusion as to how we even ended up here).
You know though, in all honesty, there have been just as many tears.
Tears are frequent with the children injuring themselves, not getting their own way and missing various aspects of their former life in Australia. But it’s not just the children that do the crying in this house! Oh no! Dave and I have shared just as many tears ourselves. Realizing the magnitude of leaving our families, experiencing both the heart wrenching and heart warming sides of ZOE, humbling ourselves to the amazing provision from our supporters and just the simple understanding that we can’t do anything without the miraculous power and grace of God.
We simply would not be here without Him.
So, back to the house… What I am looking forward to (or hoping for) with this next house I hear you ask?
Well firstly I am hoping for less mini beasts! What? I can hope can’t I?
We’ve shared this house with countless cockroaches (bigger than I ever imagined I’d see) geckos of all sizes as well as mosquitoes, spiders and other unidentifiable creatures. Just today I’ve encountered more creepy crawlies than I care to recount… .ewwwww.
Side note: Stumpy, the gecko I stood on, is now living in the garbage bin out the front and gives me very nasty looks every since the accident where he lost his tail under my foot- this is the real reason I try to get Dave to take out the rubbish!
Secondly I am secretly wishing for hot water in the kitchen. I know now that I can survive without it if I have to (we are on to our second kettle already) but I would like the luxury of having a hot water tap… I’ll let you know how we go next week!
And finally I am looking forward to making many more memories with my wonderful husband and amazing children. When I think about all the changes we’ve had this year I can’t help but gaze proudly at each person in our family knowing what they’ve been through and how far they’ve come.
We haven’t “arrived” by any stretch of the imagination but when I hear Dave practicing his Thai repeatedly and I see the kids learning to look strangers in the eye and greet them in their second language without shying away, my heart swells because I get glimpses that we’re going to be okay.
Thank you for your encouragement and support. It’s so heart warming to hear when you’ve read our blog. If you have a minute, we’d love to read what you’ve been up to as well, so drop us a line.
Blessings,
Andie.