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.

It is nice to know we are missed when we disappear from the blog-o-sphere. Thanks for your comments and emails checking on us. I haven't been 'absent' for any reason in particular. We've had a lot of good times lately. 'REUNION' describes what has been going on mostly. We always enjoy good times with Doug and Cheryl Cox and Kent and Nancy Hartman in OKC (this year we were able to celebrate Australia Day together). We've climbed trees with the Howards in Georgia. I took a road trip to Oklahoma City with Rachel Woods where we reconnected with the Littlejohns and the Rossers. There aren't words to describe the joy and sweetness that comes when you pick up right where you left off after three and five years apart! That following week we had Jason's family in from Texas. Damien and Miranda Lawrie arrived the day they left. And Hayli Hartman and Kim McKenzie arrived by way of Australia and OKC the day that they left. We thoroughly enjoyed each of our visitors. It was sweet to reminisce and create new memories. Our most surprising reunion was with Charity and Freedom Chan. That was such a neat surprise...thanks for stopping by guys! I really feel blessed by my friends and by the opportunites to keep in touch throughout the years. It would be dishonest for me not to mention Facebook - the latest online addiction for me. I've enjoyed cyber-reunions with friends from around the world.

The bad thing about our busy life is that time flies. March is (already) almost over. Graduation is less than 2 months away. I will turn the big 3-0 just two months from now. We will be packing up our cinder-block mansion and leaving the safe haven that is the Harding Grad school on-campus community. There is a large element of grief and dread about this part of our journey. But...we didn't come to stay, right!? I don't know that makes it any easier. I am glad it is bittersweet to be leaving though, because that is a reminder of how rich our time here has been and how good God has been to us. We are undecided on where we will live from June on. If you have a spare bedroom...give us a call! :)

The fundraising process is kind of at a standstill. We are working on our team packet and once that is complete we will pick up the pace in that area. We are still in need of an overseeing congregation and all of our funds. Again...give us a call! :)

If you live in Memphis and haven't driven by the Botanical Gardens on Cherry Rd yet...do so this weekend! The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom and are spectacular.

This week we enjoyed thier beauty Japan style by going 'hanami'...picnicing under the cherry trees with some good friends. For those of you who have lived in Japan and are wondering...we did so sober.
'Hanami' with the Woods, the Lewis and Joshua Kohlbacher


Hanging out with Hayli and Kim

First post of the year

2007 is here...and the first month is more than half over. There isn't a way for me to blog all that has been going on since my last post. Perhaps I am at a loss for words. Mark this day!!! But life is good and here is a bullet point update of 2007 thus far:

- Jan 5th we celebrated our 5th anniversary. We enjoyed a night at Bonne Terre is Nesbit, Mississippi. Our room was charming, the food delightful. We really felt like we 'got away from it all' even though we were gone for less than 24 hours

- I began working part time...well sort of. Quite honestly I feel like I am on call 7 days a week. But I am hopeful that this transition will prove its purpose. January through June or July is an incredibly busy season for us. It is not possible for me to complete my work in just three office days. We have finally overcome all techinical difficulties and I am fully operational from the papa-san chair at 201 Cherry (not Poplar). (for the non-Memphian readers . . . 201 Poplar is Memphis city jail . . . you don't wanna end up there!)
- Our team completed a 4 day, intensive Interpersonal Relationship Workship with Dr. Dale Hawley from Wisconsin. It was timely, transformational, productive, tiring.
- We have committed with a fourth family. Corey and Emily Mullins have been meeting with us for about six months. We're really excited. I believe that God has been long preparing this team. We will have to post an updated team picture soon.
- Jason has started back at HUGSR. We think this is the official last semester of our time here. Just typing those words stirs a mix of emotions. Church Planting and Christian Ethics are topics of conversation in our home this semester. I'm joining in on Church Planting as I can.
- I've joined Jason in seeking Chiropractic care. We have a treatment plan . . . three times a week for a 90 day period. It is certainly an investment . . . but we have both already experienced noticeable relief. Man, we're sounding old! :) Chiropractic care, though, makes a lot of sense for maintaining overall health and wellness. We'd be glad to recommend a great chiropractor if you are interested.
- we are around many dealing with loss and heartache recently. Some of these we don't know directly . . . but it hurts when friends hurt . . . it is bittersweet when Kingdom workers are taken Home. But in a 'duh' moment, I am reminded that God is near . . . in joy or sorrow. I'll end by sharing this link (sorry can't do it as a link - so 'copy & paste). www.seekthefather.blogspot.com. Check it out . . . you will be encouraged!

Last post of the year...

It is the most wonderful, but busy, time of the year. And we love it. We haven't had much time for blogging. We've started a B&B in our cinder-block mansion. Just kidding -- about the B&B (and the "mansion"). But we have really enjoyed hosting friends and family over the past few weeks. The weather in Memphis has been balmy - not quite like I grew up with - but very comfortable for winter.

After much deliberation, I decided to bite the bullet and gifted my husband with registration in the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon. For those who know Jason, you can appreciate how delighted he will be to have me run the 1/2 marathon with him. This will be my 5th 1/2 marathon, but my first in 10 years. Essentially that means that the previous 4 half marathons don't really count! I don't think I have run a combined 52.4 miles (equivalent of 4 x 13.1 miles) in the past 10 years. I ran my best 1/2 in 1994, and my worst in 1996 after returning from a year in cold, frozen Canada (during which I did not work out!). So, here goes. If the truth be known, I am actually kind of excited and feeling up for the challenge. The hotel rooms are booked in Nashville, race registration is paid in full, its on the blog...so there is backing out now.

This is my last week as a full time employee at Carlson Wagonlit. In the New Year I will work part time, and work from home as needed. We have a tonne of things to look forward to in January, including our 5th Anniversary which will be spend at Bonne Terre B&B in Mississippi. We couldn't leave the South without a stay here - check it out at www.bonneterre.com

Speaking of the South, I just experienced BBQ at a new level. Meet 'Scooter' who, compliments of a generous client, delivered some good ole Memphis 'que straight to my office!




Happy New Year to y'all from us in Memphis.

Thanksgiving 2006: Part 2

We spent Tuesday through Sunday in Abilene, Texas, celebrating Thanksgiving with Jason's family. It was a great time and great food. This year we fried the turkey for the first time...delicious!!! I love Thanksgiving! Our friend Justin mentioned on his blog that TG was his favorite because it is the least commercialised holiday....i.e: no gift giving. I wholeheartedly agree.

We caught up with some friends, too, while in Abilene. Steven and Wendy Gist came by with their three little ones...Matthew (almost 3) and Anne-Marie and Andrew (four month old twins). We were Mito AETS together in Japan. We always enjoy catching up with them and caught a sneak peak into life with three little ones. Whoa!!!!

We also visited with some Aussies. Damien and Miranda who are students at ACU invited us over for dinner. Chris and Michelle Malan were also there...they are students at OCU. We had a blast. It has been a long time (other than actually being in Australia), since I was able to hang out with Aussies. We laughed a lot and it was fun to share stories from home and stories about being Aussies in the US. It was nice to just be Australian and not worry about word selections or pronunciation....although between the 6 of us, you'd have to say we have quite a mixed dialect now!!! Jason and Damien were roommates for about a year in Australia so I had heard a lot of stories...so it was nice for me to meet these guys for myself. I really enjoyed our time together...thanks to the Lawries and Malans for their hospitality and new friendship.

Now we are in Greenville, Texas visiting Jason Green. Today is the last leaf of our journey. We are about six hours from Memphis if all goes smoothly (it didn't last night....major traffic delays!). We are both excited to get back home to Memphis. But I thought it would be appropriate to bring Thanksgiving to a close with a short list of things that have made me thankful this year:

- our families, of course. They continue to show us love and support even though they know our plans will mean we will be separated geographically in a year or so.
- our teammates: Shawn, Kendra, Darian & Brenna Griffith, Jon, Sara, Nina & Jack Grizzle. They love us even though they have seen the best AND worst of us on both sides of this world! Great friends, great ministry partners. We love you.
- four years in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a great place to call home. Memphis means HUGSR, friendships, community, Bland Sundays, just-like-family friends, four seasons, sweet tea, southern drawls...
- my job...what more could I have hoped for? My job has provided for us and allowed us to travel through the Caribbean and the US - to places I would never dreamed of going.
- God's peace. I feel it even though we will be in the face of transitions. He has brought us to this point in our lives...I have peace He will be guiding us here and beyond. I am reminded of the steadfast love of the Lord...His new mercies...His great faithfulness. So I will say 'The Lord is my portion. I will trust in Him'.

Thanksgiving 2006: Part 1

We arrived in Oklahoma City before 2am Sunday morning. We were so glad to make it...the drive was long because we had stayed up until almost 3am on Saturday morning. We had a good time visiting with the Griffiths until about 2am...but it made for an rough Saturday trying to work and be ready to travel. Thankfully we were driving, not flying, so we didn't have to pack as 'carefully' and we can even bring along the dirty laundry. :)
We enjoyed Sunday worship at Memorial Road church of Christ. For whatever reason, we always feel like we've come home when we are in Oklahoma City. We really enjoy catching up with Jason's college friends and professors and with our new and mutual friends, too.
After some more visiting today and tonight, we will head to Abilene, Texas to be with Jason's family for Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to a relaxing time and good food.

What's New?

A month ago we were headed for tropical paradise. Memphis, is far from 'tropical' in November...but nonetheless beautiful. I never get tired of fall...I am always awed by the brilliant colours. I will miss the warm summer days, warm evening walks and relaxing & reading on the Harding swing on campus. But what a way to herald the winter!


In other news, we are just weeks away from Jason being through with his degree requirements. He plans to take a couple more classes in the Spring of 07, just for good measure! (we'll be hanging out in Memphis waiting on graduation until May anyway). I have just 5 more Saturdays to work...yes, I am counting. I have loved my work schedule, but I will also enjoy the new era of being off on Saturdays. We're also babysitting this cute little boy. Joshua is almost 11 months old. We love taking care of him...is he not the cutest kid around? (and smart, too! He's already discussing Theological Hermeneutics with Jason on Wednesdays while I'm at work!)


Jason is gearing up for the Memphis St Jude Half Marathon on December 2nd. I'm up for the 5km this year. It's a little discouraging to think back on my highschool days when 1/2 marathons were 'easy', and now running a 5k is big deal. Not to be discouraged though, I just want to get to the point where I can run a good 5k without it being a big deal. It helps to have a gym on campus now that the cooler weather is here.

We'll head to Texas in 2 weeks for Thanksgiving. I scored big on days off over TG which will make for a comfortable road trip. We're looking forward to it!

No problems in Jamaica - mon!

Jason and I just returned from a wonderful vacation to Jamaica. We spent six nights there...five at Sandals Negril and one night at Sandals Montego Bay. This trip was the possible because of a 'sell & go' deal that Sandals offers travel agents. If you sell Sandals...you get to go to Sandals...for free! They gave us a beautiful concierge suite, right on the beach with a lower level living room, then a spiral staircase up to the bedroom loft. It was awesome.

What is there to do in Jamaica? We snorkeled twice...once out to a reef and the second time out to some caves...that was pretty cool. We saw neat fish, coral and small stingrays. We didn't have to go snorkeling to see the marine life, though...we saw a bunch of fish and stingrays right at the shoreline when we were walking along the beach.


We also kayaked, rode the watertrike, and sailed on a hobiecat with a Jamaican guide. One day we took at tour inland and did the Original Canopy Tour. We harnesed up to a series of nine zip lines that took us through the rainforest tree tops. One of the travereses was over 1000 feet long. It was pretty exhilerating!



We enjoyed long beach walks and talking with locals along the way. The beaches in Jamaica are public and Negrl is on a seven mile beach. We met all kinds of folks on the beach, and were offered a number of different goods while walking. We declined them all! :)




One night we went to Ricks Cafe, which is well known for the cliff diving. We paid $2 to get a Jamaican guy to jump from the tree. Jason even took a dive from the 'chicken jump'. For being a chicken jump...it was pretty high!



The only 'bad' thing that happened was that after breakfast one morning...a bird pooped right in my hair. Thankfully I was steps from the ocean so just jumped into the water and washed it out. It was kind of gross though. But as they say in Jamaica, 'there are no problems here...only situations'. So I guess all I had was a (gross) 'situation'.

A highlight of our time in Negril was watching the sunsets. Negril is located on the western most tip of Jamaica and the sunsets are incredible. After Alaska and Jamaica...I am just in awe of the beautiful creation we are blessed to experience.


In just three short hours...we were transported to tropical paradise...and it seemed an even shorter three to be transported back to Memphis. The memories will last a lifetime though. We are so thankful and know we were very blessed to enjoy this wonderful vacation and special time together. Hope you enjoy the pics. And give me a call if you want to check out Jamaica for yourself. It comes highly recommmended!