Chicago

I don't know where July went. August came very quickly and the first week of this month has been kind of crazy. It began with a trip to Chicago. Initially I had declined the offer to attend the National Carlson convention. I agreed to work Friday with a few of the other girls while most of the office attended. And then our family vacation to Gatlinburg was scheduled to begin on Saturday. After these plans had been made, Barbara came to my desk one day and said, 'you need to go to Chicago'. I was a little puzzled but am not one to turn down a trip of any kind. Fast forward though to Wednesday night before the trip and I am at work until 6:30pm on a Wednesday night, frantically trying to wrap things up and wondering why on earth I had agreed to such a quick trip. I even told Jason that I was considering writing Barbara a check for the cost of my plane ticket and not going to Chicago. I thought better of it though and made the trip.

It turns out that the reason I 'needed' to attend the convention was that I was honored as Carlson's 2007 Top Achiever. Needless to say I was completely surprised...and almost had a heart attack on stage. I am not kidding...I thought 'great this is going to be really embarrassing....people are thinking I barely look 18....and I am going to have a heart attack right here on the stage!' But I didn't...it was a fun trip...and there probably won't be too many cool Carlson stories to share in the next 10 months or so.

This job has been a huge blessing in many ways...I've shared some of those thoughts before. I work with GREAT people...and I have some great clients. That pretty much makes my part of the job easy.

Hmmmm . . . not Mmmmm

On a less serious note - the local grocery store is selling cakes made to look like a hamburger and french fries. Complete with 'ketchup' over the 'fries' and the 'hamburger' fixings spewing outside of the 'bun'. This struck me as really . . . gross. I mean, sure, it is July 4th and people eat lots of burgers and hot dogs and cake. But must we go so far? Can't we just let a cake be a cake and a hamburger a hamburger?
It just struck a nerve! Is this a little odd? Off? Strange? Am I alone in this???

Lessons learned through death

Three years ago, I attended a seminar at the Germantown Baptist church. At that time, I was a a relatively new travel agent . . . essentially an order taker, problem solver, dream fulfiller . . . My clients were simply 'clients'. I took information and payments, gave documents and gave them a welcome home call. End of story -- until they were ready for their next trip.

Today I sat again in these very pews - this time at a funeral, celebrating the life of a client who passed away this Monday evening. As I sat there today, in this time of sorrow and loss, I thanked God for my job and for the unexpected blessing of a handful of clients who I deal with so often that they have become friends.

Less than one week before this elderly man's passing, he and his family arrived in Memphis at a private airport and I was able to be there to welcome them home. This man traveled with his wife, children and grandchildren to pursue experimental treatment for his cancer. They returned with the news that he was too weak for the treatment. Two days later, he was on morphine and under hospice care. I am so thankful for my interactions with this family. I witnessed great care and concern. Love. Respect. Sorrow. Peace. It is indescribable, really. And these weren't just end-of-life emotions. For several years now I have witnessed the same care . . . concern . . . love . . . respect.

Two weeks ago today - this very family and their same company employees buried their dear friend. He was also a client of mine, one who I dealt with almost daily. He died in the arms of a co-worker. Unaware of his passing, I was leaving messages for both of these guys about 30 minutes after he was pronounced dead from a heart attack. Needless to say, the news of his death was shocking. Those words echoed in my mind for days. This man did not have 50 years of marriage, or grandchildren. He was 38 with a wife and two young children. He was a Dad who read Proverbs to his children every day before school.

My relationship with this family and their employees is unique. Such a bond is not formed with all clients . . . I honestly don't think I could handle that! And it hasn't been about favortism. I believe God allowed our paths to cross and these relationships to form. There have been lessons learned . . . I believe on both ends.

The deaths of these two special people have had a great effect on me. Death is alway a reminder that our lives are not really ours. It is a reminder to live each moment and love those around us. They are hard lessons to learn. Why do we need to be reminded? And why do we forget them to quickly? I've wondered 'why God' when I think of loved ones left behind and imagine their grief and pain. I've honestly asked myself, 'Nicole - do you believe this?' 'Do you believe in eternal life?' 'Do you believe life with God is better than life on earth?' Yes, even in grief and loss -- I do.

I am thankful for these clients -- my friends -- who have been great examples of faith and hope and strength in the Lord. I think the events of these two weeks are 'process items' that will continue to strengthen and shape me for some time.

Crusin the Bahamas

I just returned from a 'work trip'. A seminar at sea onboard Disney Cruise Line's the 'Disney Wonder'. We sailed to Nassau, Bahamas and Disney's private Bahamian island, 'Castaway Cay'. Since this was a 'work' trip, companions were not allowed. I missed Jason greatly, but it was a good time for Rebecca and I. This is our third trip to Disneyworld together, and our first time to cruise together. We travel well together, enjoy each others company, have a good track record of being upgraded to first class, and needless to say, we had a blast!!!

My faithful Disney travel partner!


Our cabin

Sail Away Party

Ready for work - I wish it looked like this EVERY day! :)

Meeting the Princesses - ths was part of the 'seminar'!

The weather was not the greatest but it was a small price to pay! Disney delivers an awesome cruise product. I think I would take kids on a cruise long before I trapsed them around the Disney parks. Theres definitely a time and place for that, though.
In Nassau we had a day pass to Sandals Royal Bahamian. We enjoyed their private island and a little sun. In Castaway Cay we did much of the same . . . laying on the beach again.

Sandals Royal Bahamian


Ready to enjoy Castaway Cay
It was good to come home, though. For now . . . it is ('real' - as in 'office') work until August. We are looking forward to our trip to Gatlinburg with Jason's family. In the fall we might go tropical together. It depends on our jobs and availability. My travel agent days are numbered - even with airfare, we can't seem to go anywhere state-side as cheap. These will be good times and good memories, especially once we hit our missionary days down under! Those will be good times, too, though.

Memphis Work Camp

I learned a lot during Memphis Work Camp. I learned the joy of service through our team of teens. Of generosity and thankfulness through our homeowner. Of JOY in the Lord during evening devos. I learned of patience through leadership.
It was fun to scrape and paint with the 'New20' team. Our lunch time devos were a highlight. I could listen to Alex, Becca, Michael, Stefan, Braden, Tyler, Christina, Colby, Leslie and Andrea talk about their faith all day, any day. Their love of God, their love to serve, their concern for others filled my cup. Thanks guys!

Post Campus Life...

Greetings from the other side of the city. Jason and I made the move on May 19th from Harding Graduate School's campus - our home since January 7th 2003, across town to Cordova. It is just a short 20 minute drive away but it feels like a whole new world.

In a week and a half, not a single person has knocked on our door, nor peeped their head around the door while it was open to get some fresh air. Welcome to the real world, you say. Our belongings do seem to match better against our new, neutral coloured walls. Anyone who has lived on campus can appreciate this! We even have permission to paint if we want! But, pictures ARE harder to hang without cinderblock lines to use as a guide. :) I ran out of milk in the middle of baking, and am not brave enough to ask a neighbor yet...I just don't think things work like that over here! Overall we are enjoying our new home.

I couldn't post about moving without a 'shout out' to the most awesome moving crew I have ever seen in my life! They were so efficient it made me want to move all over again. OK - that is a little over the top, but you get the picture. Thanks to all who helped...you saved us a lot of stress!

We have enjoyed our first overnight guests. Derrick and Naomi Clark made Memphis a stop on their road trip to Pensacola. Derrick and Jason went to Stillwater High and youth group together. I love it when we meet friends from our pre-each-other life. All those stories are more meaningful and it is neat to relive old memories and create shared ones.

In keeping with Jason's graduation day request...we with out to Shelby Farms which is a huge recreational area here in Memphis. We rented paddle boats and walked a little. Good times


Jerita and Stephen trying to beat us...

Reflections

I'll admit I'm a little nervous about pausing to reflect on the chapter of our life that is about to come to an end. The emotions surrounding graduation from HUGSR have been pretty high and I easily become weepy...well...perhaps a 'blubbering mess' would be more like it. Yet I feel like reflection is necessary and important and good.

Saturday, May 5th, I watched my husband receive his Masters of Divinity degree. We had never participated in a graduation ceremony at HUGSR - so we had no idea what it was like and it was just surreal to realize that this day was for us...the culmination of Jason's hard work. It wasn't that I didn't think Jason could 'do this'...but you know, after 4 1/2 years, it is almost like you get in a groove so deep that you forget that graduation day WILL inevitebly come!

Allow me to share a few pictures of us and a few special people...


Looking happy!


Otsukaresama deshita!!!


The Whaleys


The Dean and his wife


Bob & Billie Hesselrode


Chris & Danielle Shrock - our 'almost' relatives... we'll miss you guys so much...


Rex & Laura from Ithaca, NY


Rusty-sama...mou chotto...gambatte ne!


Three of the four Aussie Mission Blokes graduated on Saturday

It was a bittersweet day. We shared the day we people we love dearly who have supported us every step of the journey. And it was an exciting day. There was a definite buzz around campus as graduation approached. The Huffards hosted an incredible reception at their home, and the reception following graduation was a special time. Did I mention that I got a degree? It probably won't hang on any wall - but on Saturday I was awarded a PHT degree signifying me 'Putting Hubby Through' graduate school. Well - it has been an honor to put him through grad school and I promise I'm not just saying that in hindsight. I know there were some really tough days, classes, papers, exams...sleepless nights, frustrations, and disappointments. But Jason loved the task before him. And he wasn't just a Grad school student. Just like his peers he wore many hats - husband, friend, mentor, student, teacher, athlete, groundsman, team member, to name a few. Yes, dear, I'm bragging - just this one post! He stayed the course and finished the race. His attitude and commitment made my part of grad school life easy and I am proud of his accomplishment.


Our decision to come to Harding Graduate school was made prayerfully, but quickly. It shocked some and even surprised us a little. It was not the course we had envisioned for our 'tour of duty' in the USA. I had just finished telling Jason that I did NOT want to be the sole provider for our family while he went back to school to become a science teacher! But God was moving us through some difficult circumstances and we made our decision, applied for scholarship, paid our housing deposit and set out for Memphis to join our two friends, Rusty and Laura Campbell, and our small collection of earthly possessions that we had stored in Bob & Billie's backyard. God moves in mysterious ways!

We arrived in Memphis on January 7th 2003 with one year and two days of marriage under our belt. (someone really should have warned us about that!!!) For me the first few months were spent trying to make 'home' out of cinderblock, learning how to wait tables at a very un-Australian restuarant, and trying to communicate with Southern two year olds. I learned to sit on my sitter, walk my feet and be kind to my 'Rainbow Freyends'. Ahhh....good times. Thankfully I found my niche at Carlson Travel by April that year. I had lots to learn there, too, but it was much more interesting...like learning where in the world are Nassau and Cancun and Montego Bay. (I'm from the Southern Hemisphere, remember!) The company saw the need for me to have a few of these experiences for myself...you know...to aid in the selling. I should have acted dumber!!!

And so with a great job to keep me busy while Jason studied, the weeks became months, then semesters, then years. It was not long before I quit keeping track of the hours Jason had taken, realizing that this time was good and that it too, would pass, and probably before we knew it. And it has...pretty much in the 'blink of an eye'...just like 3.5 years in Japan did...and college...and highschool. (I must be getting old!) Transitions are good reminders to enjoy the 'moments'.

We had no idea what it would be like, the sacrifices it would require, the level of difficulty. More than that though, we didn't understand the depths and riches that would come our way during our time here. We came to Memphis for Grad school knowing no more than two friends and five aquaintances. We leave the Grad school with lifetime friends and a deep, deep well of resources.

The HUGSR 'experience' has ended in one sense, but will continue in another. And in some ways, the true essence and purpose of what we came here for has just begun. Our next chapter will look very different to this one. Some different challenges, some different people, but the same loving, faithful Father. I am so thankful for that.


Aussie Mission Team

Isn't this amazing...



Isn't this even more amazing! :)

Updates

I got the 'update' bug. Scroll down for several new blog posts.

Cambodia Bound

Our dear friends, Andrew and Natalie Hayes are bound for Cambodia. They are about half way over the Pacific ocean as I type. We were able to say goodbye to them on Wednesday evening.
It has been a blessing to see how God has opened doors and provided for them. We look forward to seeing how God will use them in Cambodia. They will be working with another couple who have already worked in Cambodia for several years, Nate and Cheryl Wheeler.


Joshua will miss the Hayeses, too...

Aussie Mission Team

Our team is alive and well. It is a busy time for us. Jason, Jon and Shawn will all be graduating this Saturday. Corey will graduate next May. The wives who are teachers are wrapping up another school year. Kendra is also graduating with a Masters. Emily will be looking for a new job in the fall since the Wesley school will not be re-opening. Jon and Sara are keeping on keeping on with numerous jobs and the busyness that comes with two little ones. All the Aussie Mission team kids are growing like weeds. They are a lot of fun.

The biggest change for us recently is that the Griffiths and the Whaleys have decided to aim for a departure in the summer of 2008 now (US summer...so June, July-ish). The Mullins will hopefully be leaving around this time, too. Lord willing, the Grizzles will join us at the beginning of 2009.

Birthday Boy

These recent posts aren't chronological. We've been so busy and are about to get busier with the move coming up. So I'm trying to get the blog updated. Jason turned 32 on April 22nd. We enjoyed a team meeting, and then went to eat Indian food for his birthday dinner. I have more than 32 reasons I love my husband...but it was fun to chose my favourite 32 things and let him know what they were this birthday.

Not enough steps...to the Nashville 1/2 Marathon...

Saturday, April 28th was the Nashville Country Music Marathon. You might remember that I gifted Jason with registration for both of us to run the 1/2 Marathon. The last few weeks I wondered if I had done this in a less than sane moment! Nonetheless, in the meantime, Jason's brother Stephen agreed to join us. Despite the best of intentions, I, at least, did not maintain the rigorous training schedule I had planned out. My longest run had been the 10km (6.2 miles) three weeks ago. So, every step beyond 6.2 miles was a record for me. I finished in 2:42 and some seconds. I am not proud of my time, but I would have to say I am proud that I finished 13.1 miles. Some 34,000 people competed in the event yesterday - it was huge. We celebrated Saturday night at the Outback Steakhouse. Rumour has it that you might see us in the Memphis St, Jude 1/2 Marathon this year. No promises - but the race inspired to keep running and maintaining a level of fitness that allows me to participate in events like this.

Team Whaley

Team Nieman

Who are these people...and WHY?

Who are these people who send profane email blasts, and leave nonsensical comments with profanities on people's blogs? I have had a few anonymous blog comments recently that are full of profanity! Perhaps it is time for me to start 'aprroving' comments. I just don't get it...what is wrong with these people, and don't they have anything better to do?

Steps to a 1/2 Marathon

In preparation for the Nashville Half Marathon, Jason, Kari (my other faithful running partner) and I ran a 10km race in Mississippi. We ran well even though it was cold and rainy. This was the longest distance I had run yet - I completed the race in 1:09:38. I decided that this would be the last time I signed up for a 'fun run' hosted by an Athletic center. It was just slightly intimidating to run with those 'professional runners'. Kari and I managed to beat 7 people...not that there is anything wrong with coming in last, of course. There's just something about being escorted to the finish line by a police car with its lights flashing that makes me want to be sure I am not the last runner!

In less than two weeks we will be living in a new apartment. We signed a 6 month lease on a 1 bedroom apartment in Cordova. We are excited about our move. It will be nice to be just 10 minutes from the office. We will have everything we need right around our apartment - we could even walk if we wanted to.
It is almost time to say goodbye to 1000 Cherry Rd. Graduation is Saturday, May 5th. Joshua will miss being on campus, too. We hope he'll make new friends when he comes to visit us in Cordova. Stay tuned...

In keeping with the reunion theme of the past month or so, we have been doing some traveling and visiting this past week. On Friday we drove to Jonesboro, Arkansas to meet Rusty, Laura and Alex Campbell. It was our first time to see little Alex. It is so fun to see our friends with children! From Jonesboro we drove to Kennett, Missouri to see Bob & Billie Hesselrode. We had a great time eating BBQ, touring Kennett, and playing Nurtz and 9-Hole.

Saturday night was our last official campus event - Spring Thing. We always love getting together with the HUGSR community. We will cherish these times.

Late Sunday night, Rusty and Laura came into Memphis and stayed with us. We didn't think Sunday night would lend much time for visiting but we ended up staying up late and catching up some more which was awesome. We got very little sleep that night but it was worth it.

We flew to Abilene on Monday, thanks to Max and Jerita's frequent flyer miles. What a treat to fly instead of the 11 hour drive. When we arrived at the departure gate in Memphis, we heard them advertising a free upgrade to first class if you could answer their trivia of the day question. The question was 'which Chinese airline recently joined the OneWorld Alliance group?' Thanks to my corporate clients who travel to China, we got the right answer. I first answered Eva Air...incorrect. So I sent Jason to the counter with 'Dragon Air' which was correct. :) Memphis to Dallas is just an hour flight, but we enjoyed an hour of comfortable sleep!

Since in Abilene we have been studying, working and running. The half marathon is at the end of this month. I'm not running as far as I had hoped to be, but we'll keep on keeping on.