The view -
The cabin -
My favourite place to be -
Hiking to Laurel Falls -
The bear -
Husband's dream - to get wife on Appalachian Trail. Hopefully this will count -
The handiwork of God -
Monday, October 01, 2007
Family Vacation
Back in August, we traveled to Gatlinburg with Jason's family. We stayed in a beautiful mountain cabin outside of the Gatlinburg area. It was peaceful and beautiful. We enjoyed hiking, playing tennis and relaxing. We even saw a bear while hiking to Laurel Falls. That was a highlight for me. Enjoy the pics . . .
The view -
The cabin -
My favourite place to be -
Hiking to Laurel Falls -
The bear -
Husband's dream - to get wife on Appalachian Trail. Hopefully this will count -
The handiwork of God -
The view -
The cabin -
My favourite place to be -
Hiking to Laurel Falls -
The bear -
Husband's dream - to get wife on Appalachian Trail. Hopefully this will count -
The handiwork of God -
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Laugh with me . . .
It has been a while. These made me laugh. I thought they were blog-worthy. I can not take credit for them . . . I don't know who took these pictures. But I hope they make you smile.
And I laugh extra with this one because I greatly appreciate what can be lost - or gained - in translation.
And I laugh extra with this one because I greatly appreciate what can be lost - or gained - in translation.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Japan - thoughts after 5 years
I hate to start out every post with 'time is flying'. But it is. August 2007 is almost over. August is the anniversary of our leaving Japan. August 4th 2002, we spent wrapping up our life in Japan. We paid and disconnected our utilities, dropped of our futons and blankets to be cleaned for the new teacher, and spent our last night in Nippon with a dear Japanese couple - the Yusas. We savored the our last bites of Japanese food, the smells of Japan and fellowship with these sweet people.
August 5th - our seven month wedding anniversary - was our departure day. Even after five years, recalling the faces of the people we farewelled that day and the many experiences we had in Japan, is emotional for me. Our last-this-and-that began at least a month before our departure, making for an emotionally draining time. Last day of school, last AET meeting, last worship service, last festival, last time to pay high toll roads (no tears on that one!), last time with so-and-so. Last English Bible Class. And so on. On that final Sunday - we said our last goodbyes to the AIM girls, surrendered our gaijin cards to the customs officials and before we knew it were taxiing away from the Narita terminal, bound for Sydney, Australia and later the USA. As the plane lifted off that night, there was no way for me to grasp all that had transpired from February of 1999 through August of 2002. Let alone comprehend the fact that these were now just 'memories' and not daily life. Our time in Japan was done.
My years in Japan were very formative and a time of challenges and growth. I experienced many of my 'firsts' as an adult. First job. First car. First time to live alone - just to name a few. Had the difficulties been laid out before me, I never would have accepted the challenge to live in Japan for three and a half years. Had the blessings and joys been laid out before me, I would never have believed they would be mine! What was difficult? Language learning and cross cultural communication. Lesson planning. Being homesick. Being sick in another country and culture. Being misunderstood. Making mistakes. Eating things I thought shouldn't be eaten! Leaving. What was a joy? Making progress in language learning. Success in cross cultural communications. Friends. Worshipping in another language or in two languages at one time. Being told I looked like Meg Ryan. :-) Friends. Dating and later marrying my husband. Friends. The relationship with my Japanese family from high school. Having Japanese food whenever I wanted it . . . I could go on all night.
I had hoped to visit Japan again before this long. But I will continue to wait patiently for that opportunity. I expect to feel some 'completeness' when that time comes. I hope that my Japanese skills can hold up until that time!
'O sewa ni narimashita' to all who were, and still are, a part of that wonderful chapter of my life!
(Nicole with Okaasan, Otoosan, and Tomomi. Tomomi stayed with my family in the 10th grade. I stayed with them in the 11th grade for one month. This family lived about 4 hours away by bullet train. But we visited them and they visited us. They constantly took care of me while I lived in Japan).
Early dating days - Kairakuen, Mito.
Hiking
Our kids
The Sasaki family - we used to babysit Seiya and Tomoya
Jason and his friend, Jun
Need I say more? :)
August 5th - our seven month wedding anniversary - was our departure day. Even after five years, recalling the faces of the people we farewelled that day and the many experiences we had in Japan, is emotional for me. Our last-this-and-that began at least a month before our departure, making for an emotionally draining time. Last day of school, last AET meeting, last worship service, last festival, last time to pay high toll roads (no tears on that one!), last time with so-and-so. Last English Bible Class. And so on. On that final Sunday - we said our last goodbyes to the AIM girls, surrendered our gaijin cards to the customs officials and before we knew it were taxiing away from the Narita terminal, bound for Sydney, Australia and later the USA. As the plane lifted off that night, there was no way for me to grasp all that had transpired from February of 1999 through August of 2002. Let alone comprehend the fact that these were now just 'memories' and not daily life. Our time in Japan was done.
My years in Japan were very formative and a time of challenges and growth. I experienced many of my 'firsts' as an adult. First job. First car. First time to live alone - just to name a few. Had the difficulties been laid out before me, I never would have accepted the challenge to live in Japan for three and a half years. Had the blessings and joys been laid out before me, I would never have believed they would be mine! What was difficult? Language learning and cross cultural communication. Lesson planning. Being homesick. Being sick in another country and culture. Being misunderstood. Making mistakes. Eating things I thought shouldn't be eaten! Leaving. What was a joy? Making progress in language learning. Success in cross cultural communications. Friends. Worshipping in another language or in two languages at one time. Being told I looked like Meg Ryan. :-) Friends. Dating and later marrying my husband. Friends. The relationship with my Japanese family from high school. Having Japanese food whenever I wanted it . . . I could go on all night.
I had hoped to visit Japan again before this long. But I will continue to wait patiently for that opportunity. I expect to feel some 'completeness' when that time comes. I hope that my Japanese skills can hold up until that time!
'O sewa ni narimashita' to all who were, and still are, a part of that wonderful chapter of my life!
(Nicole with Okaasan, Otoosan, and Tomomi. Tomomi stayed with my family in the 10th grade. I stayed with them in the 11th grade for one month. This family lived about 4 hours away by bullet train. But we visited them and they visited us. They constantly took care of me while I lived in Japan).
Early dating days - Kairakuen, Mito.
Hiking
Our kids
The Sasaki family - we used to babysit Seiya and Tomoya
Jason and his friend, Jun
Need I say more? :)
Monday, August 06, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
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???
It just struck a nerve! Is this a little odd? Off? Strange? Am I alone in this???
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
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!
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!
Friday, May 25, 2007
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 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.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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
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
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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