Vancouver

Greetings from Vancouver, Canada! We made it last night without any delay or strike! Yeah! We plan to do a little sightseeing before we board the ship. Have a good day, eh!

Alaska Bound

Tomorrow, Friday August 25th, I am heading for Alaska. Christi and I are excited! We will spend a night in Vancouver, Canada before boarding the Celebrity Summit for a 7 night northbound Alaskan cruise. We have plans to kayak near glaciers in Juneau and visit the Phelps. I know we're going to do a bunch of other stuff but I can't think of what all it is now. Christi has been the planner!

Stay tuned for some pics of beautiful Alaska!

About 'Re-entry'

Re-entry has been on my mind for some time. I purchased the book by Craig Storti titled, 'The Art of Coming Home'. I wanted to share this excerpt from the very last page. I hope it will be meaningful to anyone out there who is in the process of re-entry, or who might be in the future.

"The ultimate context for understanding and appreciating reentry has to be the overseas experience that precedes it, for this is what gives reentry its meaning. In this regard, we might remind ourselves that the word 'reentry' comes to us from the space program, where, next to ignition or blastoff, the reentry phase is the most dangerous and difficult part of a space mission. In between, of course, comes the grand adventure of space exploration. So it is for the sojourner, whose reentry may also be dangerous and difficult but who needs only recall the wonder and richness of the overseas experience to put everything in perspective. Who can imagine astronauts, their space capsule rocking violently at the peak of reentry, wishing they'd never gone to the moon?" (pg 187) (sorry husband, no Turabian)

Campus life

Grad school students in the off-season! Way to go guys!

Seriously though, it was sweeter than ever before to get back from Australia and catch up with our campus community. Living on campus has been such a wonderful blessing. I already feel nostalgic as I look back on the last three and a half years we have spent here. And I already feel deep emotions when I think of the day we will have to say goodbye to our neighbours and friends, professors and mentors and close this chapter of our life. Its one of those things you think will 'never happen' (at least I think)...

Just like I thought the day for highschool or college graduation would never come, or the wedding day, or the day for leaving Australia, Canada or Japan, I have often thought of our time in Memphis as 'without end'. Yet here I am, able to count on just two hands the number of months we have left here! Have we really been here this long???

So...before I cry all over the ibook...heres to a good, full, rich, sweet 10 months or so in the HOOD!

Lovin' Technology

Sorry for the lack of blog entries. We've been busy...


I don't know where Stephen gets the idea that we're Amish???
At least giving up cable (contract runs out in the fall, we hear) won't be quite so hard...

Oh and by the way, the husband and I have 'parted ways' in the blog-o-sphere. See 'husband' link for deeper thoughts....

Survey trip celebration

Within a week of landing back in the US of A, our Memphis lives were back in full session. Work, study, GA work, etc, etc. It was a welcome retreat to get together with our team mates and celebrate a successful survey trip. And it was especially good to see Nina, Brenna and Darian who had stayed with grandparents during the summer.

We really feel like our trip was a success. We survived after all! We endured the stress filled time of preparations, the long and tiresome journey, the jet lag and the demanding schedule. We were able to gather most of the information we intended to gather. Sure we came up with some more questions which are yet to be answered...but we wouldn't want to take the 'faith' aspect out of our journey, would we?!

We celebrated with song, affirmation, praise and prayer. And we're excited to share with you the good news that the Jon, Sara, Nina and Jack will join us in Wollongong! They have an exciting couple of years ahead of them with plans to take them from Memphis to Wollongong through China or Taiwan as English teachers.

We're so thankful to serve God together in Wollongong with these two families. May God use each of us to His glory!

Jetlag

Its almost 12:30am. I've tried to go fall asleep for about 1 hour...no luck. Hopefully a litte internet time will knock me out. :)

Here's a few family pics:

Some pictures from the trip

The beginning of the adventure...boarding the plane in San Francisco...

Together in the Gong - Aussie lunch of meat pies and sausage rolls

City Beach, Wollongong

Overlooking the Harbour in Wollongong

The Crown Street Mall

More pictures to come later...

Memphis

Greetings from Memphis, TN. After a long journey from Brisbane-Sydney-San Francisco-Denver-Memphis, we finally arrived home at about 11:30pm last night. Somewhere on our journey (we think my Mum's house), we misplaced our house keys and i-pod. The i-pod didn't pose a problem...but no keys at 11:30pm last night did. We couldn't seem to wake Justin and Erin (who had the master keys), and we didn't think Danny (who also has the master key) was home. As we walked downstairs though, wondering how we could 'break in', Danny walked out of his apartment. It was the perfect deliverance from a potentially ugly situation. (you know...the whole lack of sleep, jet lag, weary traveler, needing-a-shower, 'why-did-you-lose-the keys?' scenario etc...). Thanks Danny!

After a shower and a little unpacking (had a weird surge of energy around 1am), we finally put our weary bodies to bed. Sleep never feels better than it does after a long trip!

We will post more soon....we just wanted to say hello, and that we're back in Memphis, TN.

Wollongong to Brisbane

Greetings from Brisbane, Queensland. We are enjoying time with Nicole's family. We have been so blessed during my 7 + expatriate years to come home on an average of once a year. We're so thankful for these opportunities.

It has been good to see each member of my family. Saturday night we will celebrate my younger sister's engagement. Melissa and Vaughn Hughes will marry on Dec 28th this year. The engagement party will also be a good chance to catch up with other relatives and family friends.

Our last couple of days in Wollongong went smoothly. After our school visit, we visited with Dale Hartman. Monday evening we ate together as a team (we have fine culinary skills!) and then walked to the beach for a devotional. The lighthouse gave us some light and we enjoyed trying to sing over the roaring of the ocean. Wollongong is one beautiful place.

Our last full day in Wollongong was spent enjoying its beauty! We spent some time at Symbio Wildlife Park, did a little bushwalking, and drove the Great Ocean Road. In the evening we drove west to Campbelltown (Jason's old stomping grounds) and fellowshipped with our spiritual family there. We were able to share with them our plans and preparation process to this point. It was definitely an encouragement to Jason and I.

Wednesday morning we said Goodbye to Wollongong. As I walked down Crown Street that morning I smiled as I thought 'the next time I walk here I will be calling this place home.' I have no idea what the next 18 or some months will look like...but I find great comfort that God promises to take care of our every need.

More pictures coming once we land in Memphis.

Wollongong

Today is Monday, Day 7 of our survey trip. Tomorrow will be our last full day, and then Wednesday we the Grizzles head back to the US, the Griffiths to Canberra and beyond, and the Whaleys to sunny Queensland. Bring on the Sunshine State!

This morning we visited West Wollongong Primary school. This is a very small school of about 180 students. The administrative manager was so kind and gave us an informative tour. It was good for all of us to see a local school and be able to ask questions. Even though I went to school in Australia, I was schooled in Queensland, and I am sure we will discover differences between the systems. In fact, we already discovered one big difference. This is that non-Aussies must pay even for public schooling in the state of New South Wales (NSW), and it is quite a significant amount (about $4500 AUD per year). In fact it might even be possible to be educated in a private school for less money. Good to know!

We ventured into Sydney on Saturday. The weather was miserably cold and rainy. We still had a good time. I always love Sydney. It doesn't matter to me how many times I see the Opera House or the Harbour Bridge...I still love it. I love the cosmopolitan feel and the big-city-rush. But it sure is good to leave it behind, too. We visited the Rocks Markets which are set in an historical area of Sydney. That night, Binh Troung cooked us a wonderful Vietnamese meal and had invited about 6 friends over so we enjoyed fellowship with Aussies, Japanese, Filipinos and Chinese. The diversity here is just amazing.

We have enjoyed visiting with Christians and non-Christians. Yesterday we worshipped with 16 people in Windang (just south of Wollongong). The 16 includes children. I was encouraged greatly by their committment to God and to each other. I was especially encourage by our visit with several of the members at lunch and during the afternoon.



God is teaching us many things. We have found answers to many of our questions, but have also a whole new set of questions. I guess it is impossible to know everything.....I must pray for greater faith.

A highlight of our survey trip has been worshipping daily with our team. Singing and sharing and praying together. And of course, it is wonderful to finally be here in the Wollongong area and to experience for ourselves the sights and the people.

Here's a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Light

We had such a good send off from Park Ave Church. We were so encouraged as we walked out of Dana's sermon. (Ironically, he was talking about casting anxiety on the Lord from 1 Peter 5.) Thank you for the support and encouragement and teaching.



Today (Wednesday), the question was: How can I engage a total stranger in conversation?

We spent some time talking about what we were looking for in terms of what real estate agents could show us . . . but we couldn’t get them to show us anything. “Oh, that one’s about to be sold.” So we just drove to the addresses and took photos of the rent house and surrounds. We want to be prepared to rent when we first move to Wollongong, so we wanted to see what neighborhoods looked like and the typical house or apartment. The women (and baby, Jack) drove north and the men drove south. Us men saw houses (boring), but we also saw two boys throwing rocks or, hopefully, dirt clods at a minivan across the road. I yelled out the window at them: “Oi!” They looked at me. We drove on but I wanted to have a conversation with them. We were trying to find a pay phone so we could call a travel agent and say, “Meet us at the house on such and such,” but we couldn’t find a phone card. But, we found lunch in a little convenience store. The two men working there were cool. I wish we could have had a deeper conversation with them, but they had work to do and we had to go see some more neighborhoods. Then, we met the women back at the house on Smith Street. From there we drove up Mt. Kiera for a beautiful view of the city. We engaged a couple of older friends in some conversation. We were almost hurting ourselves laughing while taking our own picture. This new grandmother, Natalia, and her “friend,” Joseph, eventually offered to help. Joseph’s hobby is photography. He moved to Wollongong from Ireland several years ago. Jon and Sara were really good at engaging Natalia in conversation. Joseph was a little stand offish, but eventually we were all talking for a bit. “What’s your favorite thing about this city?” Natalia said, “Oh, the beaches!” Joseph said, “I’d have to say the harbor.” The harbor is old and rather small. There are still canons there from WWII, I think, and there are two lighthouses. The interesting thing about the lighthouses, I think, is that they no longer shine light into the darkness to save ships from destruction. They merely shine light on themselves as historical monuments. Isn’t that like God’s people? Sometimes we shine light on ourselves rather than piercing the darkness with the light of the world.

“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)


After talking with the folks on the mountain and overlooking the city, we went to Wollongong University. We saw people from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds graduating. The University is set in the shadow of the mountain in the middle of a Eucalyptus forest (difficult to find, but thanks to Shawn’s navigation, we got there). We did find two young women, student workers, I think, and we said, “We’re here trying to see what this place is like and what goes on here. Where would you go and what would you do if you were us?” They answered pretty enthusiastically and seemed really glad to help us. “Go to the Uni Bar. But really classes start back Monday, so maybe come next week.” We will probably go back there and try to speak with more students and hopefully we can bond more with some students.

Well, we have prepared for spending most of the day today (Thursday), at the Macquarie School of Biblical Studies (MSOBS) annual lectureship. We’re excited about meeting some long-time brothers and sisters in the Sydney area. The lectureship takes place in a small building about the size of a four-bedroom house . . . in a city of 4.5 million souls. The churches of Christ form a small but strong group in the city. There will be a devotional at 10, Frank is doing something at 10:15, morning tea at 10:45, Dale Hartman is doing something at 11:00. Then we’ll have lunch, then Roy Courtney is doing something. I don’t know how the day will end, but we’ll probably leave there to do some shopping back in Wollongong and prepare for the next day here.

It might be a while before our next post. WiFi is hard to come by.

“Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” (Romans 15:21)

Why Australia?

Saints and Supporters,

Thank you for sending us on this survey trip. We want to let you know some of the main questions we are seeking clear answers for in the next few weeks. Here they are:


Why Australia? Are people receptive to the Good News?

Why us? Is this the best place for our team to plant churches?

What's our plan? Why will it work?


We ask these questions because we want our future and the rest of the world's to be directed by God's desires and values. His Son, Jesus, is the reigning champion of the world! (even though people can't see that reality yet.) Blessed be your name now and forever. Amen.

In Him,
Jason & Nicole Whaley

Survey Trip Preparations

As I blog, Shawn and Kendra are en-route to Sydney via Denver and San Francisco. Jon, Sara, Jack, Jason and I will follow in their footsteps three days from now. It is hard to believe the time has come for 'the survey trip'. I've always used these words kind of loosely until now. Now they're much more meaningful to me, and this time next week, 'survey trip' will probably mean more than I can begin to imagine!

We feel as ready as we can. We are excited to know that we will have the opportunity to gather so much information while we are in Wollongong. We will meet with a real estate agent and make school visits, make price comparisons and so on. We will spend time visiting with the Christians who are already living and ministering in this area. But most exciting to me is the chance to talk to local people and gain some insight into their impressions and thoughts on God...spirituality...theology...to learn about their struggles...their needs...their day to day lives...

When we wrap up our survey trip on 7/19, Jason and I will fly to Brisbane to spend some time with my family. There have been some changes since we were there in July last year - my two nieces have grown so much, my sister got engaged, friends have had babies... We're excited to get 'caught up'.

I'll spend the next few days checking things off my 'to-do' list. I've decided that 'ready' is relative, and 'ready' or not, Sunday is just around the corner. Thanks for your prayers. We can't wait to share Wollongong with you!

whenever you wish (part 2)

We want to share some excerpts I just read the other day from Kevin's blog, http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com/ . . . We know God hears what the poor have to say. If we listen, too, it might help us be of Christian help . . .

"There is indeed more to homeless people than being homeless.

Don't give money to panhandlers. More than likely they will use it for drugs or alcohol. If you want to help a homeless person, panhandler or otherwise, take the time to get [to] know the person and what they really need - and what will really be beneficial for them, and provide that instead.

Not all panhandlers are homeless, most homeless people do not panhandle."

In another place, Kevin says, "What can you do, fairly quickly, and cheaply, without much commitment to help the homeless? Read this post: Gift Bags for the Homeless," http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com/2005/12/gift-bags.html

One day, we're going to really start putting God's Word into practice, serving others face to face rather than our mirror selves. " . . . doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing." James 1:25

jason (the mirrorman)

A needy plant

Can anyone help me save this plant. I need to know:




a) what kind of plant is it?
b) what does it need?

When we bought it...it had three stems. It now has just 1 healthy one (with significantly less leaves than it started with).

I know I need to repot it asap - but any other help would be appreciated.

And just for the record my other indoor plants are thriving!

whenever you wish

But Jesus said, " . . . you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish . . ." (Mark 14:3-9)

I always wondered what rule Jesus was telling us to keep with this. "Before you extend generosity to the poor make sure you don't have an opportunity to anoint me." Or maybe this was the rule: "Don't worry about trying to help the poor; they're too far gone; it's useless to try; just wait until I come in my Kingdom; then I'll take care of them."

Recently I realized Jesus wasn't the first one to make this observation about the poor always being among us and to give instructions on showing kindness to them. Apparently, Moses taught all the children this instruction/command. "Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land."" (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Because the poor will always be with us, we need to keep our hands open. There is no 'if' the needy meet certain conditions . . . or 'only if' they are legitimately poor. Moses and Jesus make the statement that the poor are with us and our hands are open. Understood?

In actuality, however, the poor are actually quite distant from me. Also, my hands are closed. And I avert my eyes from the few who make it into the periphery of my vision.

I heard today that love is the expression of authentic human attention. If so, by ignoring those in my periphery, along the margins of my life, I am denying Jesus' clear command to love my neighbour.

The good news, though, is that the command is a promise that I will receive authentic human attention even though I don't deserve it. I thank God for those of you who have proven this promise to us.

Greetings from Abilene

We enjoyed our trip from Memphis to Abilene. The weather leaving Memphis was rainy and stormy. We were glad to leave that behind once we entered Arkansas. We spent the night in Greenville, Texas and then finished the drive to Abilene on Sunday morning. It is good to be here and be with Jason's family. We are able to relax and enjoy being together. Today we played tennis at ACU. So far Stephen is the champion. He is more resiliant to the dry Abilene heat than us Memphians. Ok...I am speaking for myself...the husband loves heat of any kind - dry or wet! I have become quite a creature of comfort since my Japan days. I can not forget laying on the futon and breathing mist or the ice on the bathroom floor in the winter. Nor the oppresive heat and humidity of the summer months (relentless from morning till night). I can't decide whether to call it a blessing that we can be so 'comfortable' in this country. I guess I wonder what the (longterm) costs of such comfort will be. That's a whole other tangent though...

We have also enjoyed time with Steven, Wendy and Matthew Gist. We were fellow AETS in Mito. It is wonderful to reconnect even after many years. Matthew is so cute and full of energy, and the Gists will soon welcome twins into their family! We really appreciate their friendship and their gentle, humble spirits.

Stay tuned for more on the Abilene Open and other happenings from the 'Big Country'.

Jonathan Alan Grizzle

Pictures: New Grizzle family; Grandma and Grizzles; Grandma and Nina; Jason with child ;-)

Jonathan Alan Grizzle was born yesterday, June 15th around 2:30am. Sara and Jon are proud parents for the second time. And rightly so. Jonathan is a good looking little boy, and Nina, now a big sister, is as cute as cute gets. She is full of personality and we anticipate that Jonathan will bring equal joy to those around him.

Still "green" at only 25 days old, Jonathan Alan will have passport in hand, and be on his way to Australia. Please remember the Grizzle family in your prayers as they adjust to being a family of 4, as they prepare to make this trip, and as they travel. Pray especially for the health and strength of Mom and Baby.

Welcome Jonathan Alan and Congratulations Grizzles!

Looking Back...

There's something so sweet about being reunited with friends. Jared and Jenny arrived safely from Oklahoma on Saturday night and we greatly enjoyed their company. Without any planning on our part, our apartment was a hub of activity all weekend. We're so thankful for our visitors! We shared many memories of Japan together, along with Rusty and Rachel Woods who have just returned from Mito, and who now live just two doors down from us. Those who have not lived in Japan might well have heard more than they ever cared to know about our time there. But it was good to laugh. And we laughed hard. I don't think the memories from our schools, apartments, church, language blunders and every day life in Japan will ever fade. I hope they will never be just 'distant memories'. Thanks Jared, Jenny, Rusty and Rachel for taking us back and making those memories so vivid. And thanks to the others who endured the stories and even laughed along with us!




I often regret not staying just that one year longer as AETS in Mito. For some reason, Jason and I, newly weds at that time, were eager to take on the world in a capacity outside of being an AET. I had been in Japan for three and a half years, and Jason for two. We left Japan 'wanting more' (of Japan). (which I still say is better than wanting less!). And after 3 months of visiting family and friends in Queensland, New South Wales, California, Oklahoma and Tennessee, we found ourselves back in the 'normal' world...looking for jobs and a niche. We didn't find it where we were looking and so set out for Tennessee drawn by the Campbells, the Graduate school and Park Avenue Congregation.



Three and a half years down the road, the pain and regret of wishing we had stayed 'just one more year' is lessened by the rich friendships we have formed since August 4th 2002, and by the continuation of friendships we left behind in a physical sense. We can't imagine our lives without those experiences and friendships from Japan. The same goes for our lives pre-Japan. Ditto for Memphis. And I have a hunch that we will look back and say the same for each place God takes us from here.