Old World, New World

Aubrey and Abby, precious new friends

Back in October, Andy and I attended a retreat for people returning from overseas. It was a weekend long getaway at the beach intended to help us transition back to life in the US. It was really helpful to process to be with others making the same big move and to reflect on the gravity of our move as well as get some helpful insight on how to make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

One of the activities they had us do was create an "Old World, New World" book. The first few pages of the book were about our "Old World" (for us that is China). Each page had a different aspect of our old world written on the top-friends, places, activities. They had us draw or write on each page. The room was electric while each family worked on filling out places and people from their old world. It was like a piece of us came alive again! Andy and I enjoyed listing all our friends from China. We drew a picture of the market where fresh veggies were daily piled and sold for practically nothing. We loved drawing pictures of the activities we were a part of. It felt so good to go back for just a few minutes to "that life."

Then they had us flip the pages to our "New World" (for us that is Florida). We were to repeat the same activity-this time listing places, people, and activities from our new world. The room grew quiet and somber. Most every one's pages were stark white with a few words scattered here and there, quite a contrast to the previous pages overflowing with people and places we love. We were thankful to write our families names and a few friends here in the US, but most of them do not live close by. They reminded us that this process of starting over takes time. There's so much to cherish from our old world and our new world feels empty right now. But it won't forever.

As we've closed out this first year of living back in the US, I've been thinking a lot about how God is filling our "New World" pages. He's coloring them in ways I did not ask and could not have even imagined. That's one thing I really like about moving and starting over. I have an awareness of my needs and my dependence on God to provide for me that I could not have settled into my old world. I still love my old world and miss my friends so much. But I am also keenly aware of God's movement in my life to meet me in this new world. People who bring us joy, a home that we love, neighbors who have blessed us beyond belief. There's so much to be thankful for as we watch God fill in our pages. I remember the first few months entering most interactions with people with an expectation and wonder-"what will God do in this interaction? why did he bring this person into my life" It's been fun to see some of that unfold this year. Starting over is hard. Really Hard. And I am not sure I can say I would choose it for myself again (I told Andy that I hoped he liked this house, because I am planning on us being here til we die!). But I'm glad for the way it's helped me see that God is my good father and that my good gifts in my new world are from him.

Our house has a pet elevator

We just installed our pet elevator. Hope Andy likes it. (we did it while he's out of town this week!)

So thankful Katie could come and hang out with us for the week. So far we've gone to a kid's play place and to the Peabody hotel to see the March of the Ducks as well as to a local park. It's been fun and SUPER helpful to have extra hands with our kiddos.

Oh Happy Day!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:...a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3

Today is a day for laughing and dancing for this precious family. Our dear, precious friends, Xiao Li and Axin are holding their baby boy!!! Si En, which in Chinese means "to think about or mediate on grace" was united with his parents this week. Xiao Li and Axin have been praying and waiting for a child for several years now. While we lived in China, we had the privilege of walking with them while they waited and wondered about God's plan for them. I can't express how much joy filled my heart today as we talked with them on the webcam. They had a stop over near where Matt and Laura now live. While they were there we got to meet Si En via the webcam. He's healthy, 9 months old and almost exactly a year younger than his older cousin, who is also a boy!

I am reminded of God's faithfulness. He was faithful to them as they waited and wondered and he held them during the times of not knowing and the pain of waiting for a child. And he is faithful in giving this precious child to them. Si En is well loved. God has filled Xiao Li and Axin with hearts overflowing with love. We too love you Si En!

Yes we can

Bob the Builder and his helper Wendy hard at work. They (and their parents) chopped down all the undergrowth pictured behind them. Our yard hasn't been loved in quite a few years. It's fun to dream and plan about cultivating it and really making it a fun place for our family and friends to enjoy.

1000 projects

1000 unfinished projects+2 busy children=VERY SLOW PROGRESS! That's where we are in life right now. I think we are more OK with that then we were a couple days ago...or maybe we're just feeling better now that our clothes aren't in a giant mountain laying in our floor. We got around to putting the kids clothes away and ours into folded piles-waiting for our dresser to get here. Having conquered clothes mountain makes life feel a little more manageable.

My favorite spot in the house right now in my desk. I have wanted my own little desk for a few years now. Seems like that could help me to be organized rather than just have crumpled piles of paper in random spots all over my house! We'll see. Not sure how much more organized I will be. Maybe the fun chair will motivate me??

I got the picture from a really cool night market when I went to visit my friend Abby before we came home. I am slowly getting around to framing the things we bought there and I am really glad to have some reminders of our life there around our home. This year it's almost felt like I lived in a vacuum-sort of trapped between the life I used to live and the life I will have in America. It's just felt really disconnected from our past. So I am glad to have some tangible reminders of the country and people we love so much.

And on my desk is a picture of my Mom, brother, and sister, and one of my grandfather. Lots of faces to love.

Grapes is FOUR!

I love telling Emma Grace the story of when she was born. I remember so many of the details of that night and early morning. (which is impressive because my memory is so terrible) Everything about that night and morning seems to just stick out in my mind...eating shrimp gumbo in Hillsborough, my water breaking on the way home, and me thinking I was peeing in my pants since I drank so much water and skipped the bathroom because the line was way too long, the pain of childbirth, that was really painful, how happy we were to meet her, how we cried happy tears, the orange juice that tasted so good to me right after she was born, how alert she was from the beginning, all the nurses saying she looked like a 3 month old, not a newborn, the funny poop stories from her first few weeks of life, and on and on. Those two days go down as some of my favorite on this earth. What a blessing to experience God creating a new person.

And on your fourth birthday, I'm glad to reflect and think about the person God has created you to be, Emma Grace. He has given you a brilliant mind, one I pray will always be sharp with the knowledge of God. Would God teach you truth in your inmost being, beginning in that amazing mind of yours and trickling down all the way to your heart. I pray you would know the love that surpasses knowledge in your mind and in your heart.

He has made you compassionate. You have a heart that hurts when people hurt. That is a gift. I pray you would remain tender and hurt for the things God hurts for and rejoice for the things he rejoices over.

You have more dynamic determination than anyone I know. (And I thought I had a lot!) You have a penchant for everything fancy, frilly, girly, and pink. You're great at voices, like your daddy, and you are very responsible.(we like to say you're a 30 year old trapped in a 4 year old's body!) You are a gift, Emma Grace and we love you. Happy Birthday to the oldest 4 year old I know.

Moving...again!

Hope you'll enjoy seeing our home!

taken from staircase, looking into dining room

taken from front door. Dining area in front of house, living room in back half.

Kitchen from back of house. sink overlooks the living room

standing at staircase looking into living room. Master off to right.

Standing at back door

It was a year ago this week that we moved back to the US. In some ways that feels so long ago that we lived that life. But these few weeks as we've been packing up everything we own, again, the feelings I felt last year at this time come back quickly. First of all, how do we accumulate so much stuff in such a short amount of time? Secondly, I DON'T LIKE moving. This will be our last move, ever, I informed Andy this week. HEHE. Just kidding, but I am really hoping not to see a roll of packing tape for at least 5 years. The feeling of saying goodbye is familiar, but thankful many of the people we've gotten to know this year are staying here as well!

We've made considerable progress on our house, considering if was a foreclosure and needed lots of tender love and care but the big mountain of boxes in our front dining area isn't being conquered as quickly as we'd like! Here are a few pictures of our home. I feel so thankful for this house. God is so kind to give us the house we asked for from the first time we saw it. I love that it's in a neighborhood, yet quiet and kind of rural. I love that it has an open floor plan and that the kitchen overlooks the living room. I love that it's bright and cheery, something I specifically prayed for when asking God for a house. I am reminded that God is lavish in his giving to his children. So thankful! Check out Andy's handiwork on the hardwood floors. I am very impressed by the work he and Kevin did!