packing and all that stuff

I figured I should quickly give an update. We are down to 6 days until take off, and 4 days until we have to be out of here. We are doing really well, and getting lots done. We had a few 'surprises' for our visa this week, but it all went surprisingly quickly and smoothly getting it all worked out. All our furniture will be gone by tomorrow morning, and then we just have a few rooms to clean, and packing to do. Tomorrow is also one of my son's birthday, so we will be having a little beach party for him. A few more friends to meet with, a far well party at the beach with friends, and then we are done. Done Done Done.
The emotions I feel during this time is totally all over the board. I feel overwhelmingly excited for the journey we are embarking on! I am completely saddened to have to move even further away from family! I am dreading some of the good-byes that have yet to be good-byed! I can hardly wait to be done packing and cleaning! And on and on it goes. Most days feel like a roller coaster ride. And then I hear a voice say 'lift your hands in the air like this, it is funner that way'.
So I will lift my hands in the air, and enjoy the journey and all that it is right now.
And have one more coffee!!!

Belly laughs

A long long time ago, when hubby and I were faced with some very very hard times, we had a friend pray for belly laughs for us. You know, those times when you just laugh and laugh and laugh over the silliest, smallest things. And you giggle and even snort. Yes, those kinds of laughs.
Well, tonight, I was blessed with those. We went to have a bar-b-q with some very special friends. Friends who have become family to our family.

So, this evening, as we sat in our chairs, looking over the gorgeous landscape, I laughed and laughed and laughed. How delightful and restoring. Just what I needed. Really. All week was prepping for the garage sale, and today was sale day. Things went well, we got rid of almost everything. The house if feeling very empty, and so was I. So being with friends, enjoying a glass of red, and laughing like a silly girl was the best thing I could have asked for today.

Thank-you.

Sleeping on the floor

Funny how things work out. We started to list things like our beds, couch etc just last week. We were trying to find the balance of listing them long enough to have time to sell, but not too long before. Well, with in days of listing our major furniture, everything sold, and everybody wanted it immediately. In fact, someone offered us more than we asked for our couch and chair set! So, this weekend we will have no table and chairs, no living room furniture, no beds except the bunk bed. We will all take turns rotating from the foamy on the floor, to the bunk bed. We laughed this morning as we realized how empty the house will be after this weekend. Should making cleaning easier I figure. And really, who cares

I AM GOING TO CHINA!!!!

YIPPEE!!



Just adds to the grand adventure. And as my hubby put it, the less stress we have for the last few weeks, the better. Yup, agreed.

So here goes to eating and sleeping on the floor for a few weeks.

We have a date

Well, most of you already know, but I must put it here as well. We finally have our tickets. Sept. 2. Wow!! Really, that is all I can say. I didn't freak out like I thought I would. It actually took a few days to set in. Okay, one day, but still. It was so so so so so so so so so so so so so so nice yesterday when people asked that I could say

"Sept 2, 8:00am"

rather than

"well, um, yeah well, we hope to be flying out the first week of Sept. No, No, we don't have our tickets yet. No No we don't have our visa yet. blah blah blah"

yep, it is official. They are bought and sitting in an extremely safe place. But ya know, I still go and check on them every few hours.

Smokey days

The last few days of living in the central Okanagan has been strange. In one day, 3 forest fires broke out, and two of them dangerously close to residential, causing thousands of evacuations. The fires were far from our home, but concern for friends and their homes is real, and it is a rather strange feeling to have your vehicle covered in ash falling from the sky. It has also been strange to remember how last time our city had major forest fires was the year we first moved to China, and now they happen again the same year we are moving. Things that make you go hm.....

I have not been here for a while. There really has not been much to post about. My thoughts every day are
"I should pack

But we don't know exactly when we are going yet

Yes, but you could be all the more prepared and keep packing

Yes I could, but it is hot and I don't feel like it

But you still should

I know I should,,,but......

Tomorrow, tomorrow i will pack

Maybe, but it sure would be nice to have those tickets

Maybe I am going crazy

Well, you are talking to yourself......."

and so on.

We had a luncheon at our place of fellowship on sunday as a farwell to us going. wow. I am still processing that. We felt so blessed and honored. Hard to take in all that was spoken over - to us. I think the greatest honor was people saying how our lives had encouraged them. My heart cry has always been that my life, not my words, or my deeds, but my life would be a witness to others of our fathers amazing work in my life. My every day walk of highs and lows. Our journey. So, to have others say that it has leaves me speechless. Also, to know that we are going with the support of many is a treasure we don't hold lightly. Last time we went, our support system was thin. Hubby and I stand back in amazement at how he has created a community of friends around us. Organic relationships. Life. Makes it harder and easier to go.

But my thoughts have been on 'his' perfect timing. Not my timing, or my thinking I know the right timing, but truly waiting for his. This has been a major lesson we have been learning in these last five years. And I was thinking of how we could have gone ahead, and forged our own way to China. But what we would have missed out on. Living a life of waiting for his words of life. Walking knowing that I am exactly where he wants me to be, even when the wind blows hard, or the sun feels too hot. He is my rock and strong tower that can never be shaken. For that I am thank-ful.

Kindness

Yesterday was an....um..... interesting day.

Hubby only had half a day of work. So we were getting some stuff done in the afternoon. Well, actually I was totally lost in a book called "Father to the Fatherless The Charles Mulli Story" by Paul.H.Boge. A man who started Mully Children's Family Orphanage in Kenya. Wow, what an amazing book. Truly, I couldn't put it down. Honestly I didn't really try that hard. We all ate, the dishes got done, and even a load of laundry got put in. That sounds like a successful day to me.

Anyways, we were taking some documents to be photocopied. Somehow, these documents slipped out and were lost in the parking lot, a large parking lot. These are the kind of documents that could do a lot of damage if fallen into the wrong hands. They were no where to be seen. By grace, I had a strong assurance that we would get them back. We went out for a family bike ride in the evening, trying hard to not be stressed and upset. Wouldn't you know it, when we returned there was a message waiting that they had been found and we could go and pick them up.
Holy Shmoly!
That is one of those moments that you know that you know that you know that Dad is watching out for you, "he has your back" as the saying goes. We are feeling so thank-ful.
Another story for our books. You know, that book that you read when you feel things are falling down around you and you have no idea how it is going to work out. Well, maybe you don't ever feel that way, but I sure do, and it is so so so so good to
REMEMBER.

And, it felt so good to have those documents back in my pockets again!



Here is a shot from the Canada Day fireworks show. It was a pretty great show for our small city. The kids asked if we could have our own fireworks show next year to help Hong Kong celebrate Canada Day!

Oh, how fickle the mind

On the weekend we got some great news from our contact in Hong Kong. We were told to anticipate being in HK by mid August. Words can't tell how wonderful that was to hear. Like a yummy piece of fruit on a hot day, juicy to quench the dryness, yet oh so tasty and sweet.
With this also comes the reality. Yesterday I began to think of the good-byes, and the adjustments that will have to happen etc etc. So strange to feel so excited and yet..........I can't think of the word. I know the many emotions and changes that are coming.
Yesterday there was an ugly voice that started off very quiet. So quiet that I didn't realize I was hearing it, let alone listening. Then half way through the day I yelled at one of my children over something very small, and realized my heart was not all right. Then that ugly small voice got loud. Yet, as it usually goes, I still didn't realize yet that I was listening to it. I began to fear that I wasn't enough. I didn't have what it took to walk this all out, I wouldn't be enough to be a good parent, let alone a homeschooling parent, I would never be able to learn the language, me and the children wouldn't make new friends, and on and on and on. YUCK. In the evening my dear hubby asked how I was doing. As I began to tell him what was on my mind, it was only then that I realized the voice that I was listening to. I saw it for its ugliness. He helped me remember and see the truth. What a blessing to walk this road side by side with him.
I have been thinking about this voice today, and I may be wrong but I think a lot of people hear this voice. Is it wrong, is it truth? That is what we need to decided, that is what I need to decide. Of course it is easy to say it is false, but why, how. Today I will spend my time going to the Truth who tells me the truth. That is what I do know. I will remember all the roads we have walked along together, remembering. I am so thankful for my heavenly Father. Today I will listen for his voice. For his is the one I am willing to bet my life on. On him I will throw my dreams and hopes. Today I will remember that I am a daughter of the King.



I have been reading this amazing book called Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts. This book has already been a huge inspiration for my painting and creativity, but it is also rather timely for us leaving as well.


To sum it all up, it is about letting go and enjoying the journey. Not only enjoying the journey, but embracing the journey.
I will leave you with one quote from the book.

"What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside.....what still pulls on your soul?"
Terma Collective

the plan

Our last few weeks have been eventful and yet so uneventful at the same time. Nothing has changed, we have no date, no news on our visa and therefore no flights. As I said before, everything is 'perfectly out of our hands'. The recession has shown its head in our house as hubby has had a shortage of work for the last few weeks. We are thank-ful that he does still have a job, and we know his boss does everything possible to find work for his guys. It is a tough time for a lot of people.

Then our van decided to give us a few problems last week. Hubby and myself were finding it extremely difficult not to get really mad, and mad at the fact that now we would have to fix a van that we just want to get rid of to move across the ocean. Plus we were having an early birthday party for my daughter the next day and needed to drive a bunch of girls around. So as we sat there, stewing in our frustration, my 8 yr old son walks into the room and oh so casually says 'well, God knew this was going to happen, so he must have a plan'............well, really what does one say after that. Not a lot. Such incredibly simple wisdom.

well, there was a plan, and it all worked out quite quickly and easily.

what a blessing.

but,
Better than that was the peace that I had. I realized the offense that I had started to build within myself because of the waiting time we were in. I had started to loose sight of resting in the knowing that he holds the plan perfectly in his hands.

Since then the duplex we live in has gone up for sale, and there still isn't a lot of work, but I am fine. I am resting in knowing that he knows his plan, even if I don't.

And then just to top it all off, because we have not left yet we are getting to see friends who have come for a visit from other parts of the world.

Life is good, don't you think!

Random thoughts during the wiating

Been a while again. Seems the cold traded in for summer, and we got blasted with a heat wave here last week. It really isn't that hot, but it is just that a few short weeks ago I had hardly thought of bringing out my summer clothes, and then suddenly it was a mad dash to find the shorts and tank tops. I have found it hard to be very motivated because of it, but the up side is it means lot of fun outside, and many trips to the beach. It is such an amazing blessing to live at the lake.



A few years ago we returned to the prairies, and although I loved being back, I will always be a mix of mountain BC girl/prairie girl. I see and love the beauty in both.




Anyways.....

Really, nothing very new here. Still packing and cleaning and packing and cleaning and.......well you guessed it, packing and cleaning. I try to stop, but I seem incapable of it. Yet I am so tired of being in a half state of packing, but not being able to just go all the way. Yet, past the point of having a clean organized house anymore. Soon Soon I know. I won't bore you anymore with my whining.

Hubby was home most of last week with some back issues. Having him home is great, but it seems to throw the whole schedule out. I was also angry at myself that I was kinda grumpy a lot and so wasn't able to enjoy him being around as much as I could have. Stupid how being grumpy just ruins everything!

Well, as you can see, this post is really not going anywhere, yet I felt the need to come and write, so here I am.

I miss painting. I think perhaps I need to go a canvas and release some of this.

My children are delightful. My girl is definitely hitting preteen stuff. I love it. She isn't so sure! Today she had a very hard day, and had a bit of a melt down as she was getting ready for bed. The boys made her a special picture and told her how much the loved her, and then they decided to all have sleep together. It amazes to see how sibling can drive each other crazy, yet they have a magic to reach out and protect each other as well. Beautiful to watch.




good night friends. May the breathe of peace be on you tonight!

More good-byes

Well, today I honestly feel like whining about how hard it is to wait, how much I want to complain that I have learned all the lessons one can learn from waiting and so...............oh yah, oops, uhhh, yah, okay, guess I will stop there.

We have finally figured out what visa we need, and have sent in the application. And so again, it is all perfectly out of our hands. This has been a bit of a pattern with us in this process it seems. And an interesting one. I love it for the most part. It truly gives me a very clear sense of my life not being my own. So, today I must remind myself to leave it there.

This last weekend we went to visit hubby's mom and dad. They are only a few hours away, but there is a major mountain pass between us, and I admit, I have grown to hate driving that road in the winter, so we don't get to see them as often as we wish we could. The kids love love love going to visit Grandma. Again, memories being made. The room we stay in is like a cozy hideaway. The kids adore the little beds Grandma creates for them. She works her grandma magic with pillow, blankets and cushions creating little nooks for their growing bodies. And then to top it off, there is a TV with Cable in the same room, so we all wake up and watch cartoons together while snuggling. It was another hard good-bye, and the kids begged us to be able to stay longer. Tears were shed, and many hugs hugged. As we were trying to leave, I found one of the kidlets tucked in his bed, trying to hide because he didn't want to go. They are tired of good-byes for now. Then again, if this process takes long, there is a chance we may see them again?!!

Just don't tell grandma.

Safety

It was a wonderful sunshiny day. The temperature was still a little chilly, but the sun was calling us outside. After an.....interesting morning with my boys that included school, laughter, laundry, and how shall I put it.....anger management classes, we headed to the beach for some play time. We played tag, buried each other in the sand, and tried to build a castle with dry sand (they soon figured out that wasn't going to work so well). It was glorious.

One of my boys came up to me and asked if he could hug me, and I of course laughed out loud because everyone in this house knows I am always ready for a hug. So as we hugged he said how safe he felt when he hugged me. That made everything worth it today. Just that one simple statement.

With our visitors gone, I have started back into sorting for packing. It feels a bit strange to be doing this all without our tickets in hand, but that is okay. I think I will probably cry when we finally do have them! Brad is just putting the finishing touches on his paper and can hopefully hand it in the beginning of next week. We can already feel the relief of being done his classes! What an accomplishment. I am so totally proud of him! Then we can finally get the visa application under process, which will lead to ticket purchase.

I have many moments when I feel a bit overwhelmed at all that needs to be done, but it passes, and the excitement takes over again. We have had a few moments of stressing about our visa's going through, but that too passes.

Really these are just the hoops that have to be jumped through yet, and so it will be such an amazing feeling when we are finally going.

"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again......."

How love can make you cry

Today was a sad day for me.

For the last week we have had family come to visit. It was wonderful to have a houseful for Easter. There was one family missing from each side of the family (one of my sisters and family, and Brad's mom and hubby). We were sad that they were not here as well. It was so fun to have everyone around. a little crazy at times, but wonderful. It made for a super busy week, yet we managed to find time to visit with everyone. It was extremely special to have everyone come for a visit before we go.

This morning the last of the visitors left, my dad and mom and family left. We don't get to see most of our extended family often, so we soak up the moments that we do have together. This morning I was thinking of the line "these moments in time". We hold them closely as we carry on.

We count the cost of following our dreams.

My children saw that this morning.

My family has a certain reputation for crying. So this morning as I was hugging my dad good-bye, we were both crying. My children watched as the tears fell. After they waved one last time as grandma and grandpa drove away, they came and hugged me. One brought me coffee (teehee she knows me well), another came and snuggled me. One came separately and quietly asked me why I was crying. I told him how sometimes you love so much is makes you cry. He then asked why grandma and grandpa can't just live with us, then we would never have to cry and say good-bye.

So I have been thinking of this today. Thinking of what a powerful thing love is.

As my kids get older, I often think of how we don't understand what out parents go through and feel, until we have our own children. Now as we get ready to fly across the ocean, I feel keenly aware of the gift of blessing Brad and I have received from family. And I wonder what my heart will feel like as I hug my children good-bye as they sail off on their own adventures. I pray we can be as gracious in releasing them with a blessing to follow their own calling.

What an amazing gift it is!

Thank-you!

One thought

Today I have one thing bouncing around my brain.


OHH

MY

GOODNESS............

IT

IS FINALLY

HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The shift

I have felt the shift begin. I recognize all the signs. I remember feeling this and going through this so many times before. (we have moved 12 times in 13 yrs of marriage!!!) It is the emotional and mental shift that happens when you move. For so long we have imagined moving back to China, but we were still here. Now, we are still here, but as the days go buy, our thoughts and emotions are making the shift to getting ready and then being there.
It reminds me that there really is only so much the human body can process at one time. Our emotional and mental energy is slowly being used less for events and life here. It begins as a slow switch but every day it quickly gains speed. Today I drove past our place of worship and I noticed how my heart had less of an emotional pull there. It is strange yet wonderful. I even remember flying to Shanghai. It was almost as if my mind was processing at the same rate as the plane. When we first left I was thinking of how hard it was to say good-bye and how I will miss people. Half way there I was thinking half of home and half of living in China, then it shifted more and more to living in China.

The kids are begging us to tell them what day we are flying out. We will not know for a bit. We are guessing somewhere between the end of May and beginning of June, but we have to wait until Brad get's his transcript from the school. (I may have written this all already, sorry, I do tend to repeat myself) The kids are already saving their money to go to Disney Land in Hong Kong.

We have had two more gifts given to use to help with our move.

I am speechless!

I am truly blown away over and over at how our Father is supplying more than we could have imagined. Just a few months ago we really had no idea. None. Silch, zero.

But we believed the words that were spoken into us over and over and over. Each time they seemed to have gone deeper. We wavered many times, doubting, asking to see the nail scarred hands. Yet, his word is true and is not dependent on my doubting or not. I am a thank-ful daughter. He is good all the time, no matter what. That never changes.

A few pictures of where I am shifting to.

The power of connection

The strangest and yet not so strangest thing happened to me today. Someone stopped by to buy some of my homeschooling material. No, that isn't the strange part believe it or not. (yes I am selling my books, I figured if I start with the hardest thing first, it will all be downhill from here)

A bit of history.

This lady is someone I connected with at the homeschool conference last year. Actually, my kids connected with her kids. Sammy came up to me and said he had a new friend who had gone to the Great Wall of China.


Then Feshya told me her new friend had also been to China. We soon realized they were brother and sister. In talking to the mom I found out they had adopted a child China, and have a real heart for the country. And of course I shared our heart about wanting to move back. We exchanged phone numbers, but never got together. (yes one of my regrets!)

So today she showed up on my steps. I told her we were off to China. She got so excited for us, and said they were in the process of adopting another child from China as well.

The strange thing was, while I was telling her about our going, for the first time, I wanted to cry. I just wanted to sit down and shed many tears.

I thought about this.

It wasn't just that she was excited, it was that power of connection. It was the sharing of a burden for the same thing. It was two hearts understanding something precious in each other and holding it as precious.

I have many friends and family who are very happy and excited about all that is going on in our lives, and this isn't to diminish that. But it made me think of how powerful it can be when we fellowship and commune with others who share a similar vision. And to not let meaningful relationship pass us by!

Making a list, checking it twice

Last night I sat up making a list of what we want to sell, which is just about everything. It felt really good to get it on paper. Funny how just making a list can make an insurmountable task.Magical really how ink marks on squashed wood chips can put things in perspective. The kids were all right beside me making a list of their own, and Ethan was trying to figure out how much we could get for our library books!

There really are only a few things that I will find difficult to sell. One major is a beautiful wooden platform bed frame my hubby made me. It is solid wood with a dark espresso colored stain. I love love love my bed frame. He amazes me at his ability to turn scrap wood into beautiful projects. This is the kind of thing I imagine passing down to my children, but at this point it seems too much to try and store somewhere. Especially if one was to think of paying for storage. He tried to comfort me and tell me how easy it would be to make another one, 'but this one is special' I told him. He also made Nefeshya a similar one. So, I have been telling myself that there is a season for everything. There are some items from my mom that I need to find safe keeping for, and pictures and such, but other than that it was quite fun to think of finally getting rid of this all.

Except for one thing.

My books!!!













I love my book collection. Well, it isn't really my books, as they are not books for me per say, but books for my kids and schooling. Growing up, my mom loved historical fiction books. And she passed that love on to us girls. I kinda forgot about it for a few years, but since homeschooling, this appreciation and love for books has resurfaced in me. As I gaze at my book shelf, I have hard time imagining shifting thru them. A lot will be easy to get rid of as my kids are passed certain stages. But, there are a lot that Nefeshya used, Sammy is just using, and Ethan has yet to use. I have collected books for a few years now. Hubby is already slowly working on making me realize I will not be able to take them all. We will see! At least we are going to a warm climate, so our clothes will take up less space than last time. When we went to Shanghai I had not counted on how cold it was going to be, and didn't pack enough warm clothes. It is fun packing this time because I have such a great sense of what thing I should have packed that I didn't, and things I should have left at home. It will make this transition so much easier!

Other than my books of course!

It is Happening!!!!!

Well, I just returned from an amazing, fabulous, wonderful weekend with my sisters. They whisked me away to Edmonton for the weekend. Yes, the weather was horrible, but that really didn't bother us too much. We just ran even quicker to the West Edmonton Mall! hehe We have never gotten together like this (without our respective families) and I am sad we have not. I adore my nieces and nephews, and it has always been hard to live provinces away from them, but it was extremely special for just us three to have a special time like this. This trip was a bit of a farewell for me, and I am so thank-full to my amazing sisters for this weekend! Thank-you! It is a weekend I will hold dear to my heart for a long long time. And when I think of you and miss you, I know, 'we will always have the candy store!'

And it appears that the timing was perfect. We have had a major donation come in (you know who you are, Thank-you really doesn't say enough!) and it looks like we will be buying our tickets to Hong Kong for the end of May. We sensed it would be this spring, but it truly was not in our hands to decide. I am still not fully comprehending that it really is all coming together, and I think maybe when we have the tickets in our hands I will do a crazy dance, and then maybe fall on the floor crying, then get up and dance, then fall down crying, then.....well, I think you get the picture.




Sammy counted the days yesterday and I think he said something like 76 days (I am not sure what day he was counting too). Not a lot of time to get it all together, or should I say get rid of it all. But, last time we went I got ready in just one month, so over two months is a nice change!! I think my next few months will consist of garage sales, garbage runs, thrift store runs, and packing the rest. Oh yah, I will also be schooling, but I think I have that narrowed down to the must do's for this school year. Besides, I can always start up again in summer when we are all melting from the heat and just want to sit in front of the air-conditioner ( I hope I have an air-conditioner!).

So, if anyone wants to buy anything from my house, just put in your order, and it is all yours!

The waiting

wow, with a title like that I could go into a whole long post on my life of waiting.......but I won't. (lucky for youhehe) Well, maybe just a little bit.
Many of my seasons of waiting have felt rather fruitless. Like all I was doing was.........waiting. Well, other than raising and homeschooling my children. But right now, I have felt the most productive in my waiting. I am so greatly charged by my new art projects, I really could kick myself for not following this whisper I have heard much much sooner. It has been a lot of fun to share this new love with my kiddo's as well. They are loving experimenting with paints, and have quickly become spoiled by using all of my paints, and now turn their cute little noses at the kids paint sets.

Yesterday we had coffee with some people. You know, those people you know a little of from a distance. These were those kind of people. Although it was a bit of an interview for ourselves, we were intrigued to learn more of their story. It seemed these were people who have waited for some of their desires, and much longer than I have. I found inspiration in that. I am not sure if it is good to find comfort in someone else's discomfort, but I did.

There are some things happening that bring our move to Hong Kong closer, but.......not quite. Oh, this waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Some days I take joy in how close we are, and others, well, others days, it seems all I can think of is how far away it is yet.



Meanwhile, today I was in bed all day, sick. As I was snugging my almost 6 yr old (I could cry when I read that, my baby is almost 6............) I asked him if he could stop growing. I told him I really needed a little 6yr old in my life forever. He said ever so casually
"Well, it is up to God mom. He will decide if I grow or not".

Holding it all loosely

As I have said before, we have lived out our lives with the thought of moving overseas for a few years now. We casually throw around comments like 'you can go to camp if we still live here', 'No we are not going to buy that in case we go soon' etc etc. Most of the time this is part of our normal conversation, and a big part of our decision making.
There are times when I realize how strange it is to be raising my kids this way. How really not normal it is. But then there are times when I see how hard it is for my kids.

We were at the store a few weeks back and all my kids wanted to spend their allowance on the biggest cutest softest stuffies ever. So casually I said that there would be a good chance that these stuffies would be too big to take along when we move to Hong Kong.
Like I said, this is a normal part of conversation for us. But that day, it was different.
Two of my kids skipped off picking a small one they new would fit in the coveted "2 suitcase quota'. But one of my precious little ones stopped. In the business of Superstore I almost missed it and was about to tell him he needed to hurry up. As I looked at his face I saw the questions. In that moment, he felt the strangeness. He knew how hard the giving up would be, how difficult to pick of all his belongings, what was going to come with him.
In that moment I uttered a desperate breathe prayer, for him, for us all.

But I trust the journey. I choose to trust the journey. I trust that hands that hold it all.

I also think of all of those who have and are doing this. It has been a wonderful thing for us to know so many families living overseas. I remember the first time we went and found online forums of moms who lived overseas. Suddenly I felt like I was apart of a special club. It always helps to not feel alone.

Me and my many thoughts of today

First I couldn't get onto blogger for days, and just now I lost my post. I was in the process of telling you what a fabulous day I am having, and so, I am not going to let this take that away. I will just go and make a cup of coffee instead. I am positive, a great cup of coffee fixes just about anything! Well, in my world anyways. hehe

So the one other thing I was telling you was about a performer Cheryl Bear I had the great privilege and honor of meeting and hearing perform. Amazing. We bought one of her CD's and it is all my children will listen to. They are a family of 5, living in an RV ( and not one of those apartment on wheels kind), with the goal of visiting every First Nations community in Canada. I love that kind of stuff. I love it when I see people willing to take the hard road, because I know that the hard roads are paved with amazing gems. Check her out.

This week we had a fundraiser/information night about our move to Hong Kong. It turned out great. We barely fit in the room, but that was fine. The kids were loud, but I loved that. But I am so glad it is over. It is one of those times when you see a bit more of yourself. On the way home, I told my hubby that I laugh at myself for being so quirky. Earlier in the week, we were at an event and I really put myself out there, and loved it. But, then I was at our info night, and all I wanted to do was sit in the back with a few friends and chat. I hated having to be in front, and so I let my hubby do most of the talking (he did a fabulous job too). Anyways, I like it when I see things like this about myself, because I feel freer to be who I am, but also push myself to get out of my comfort zone as well. See, moving my family overseas doesn't really freak me out too much, but planning an event like this can completely raise my stress level. Okay, enough "Dr Phil takes a look at Cristal" talk.

I have to share what I am so totally excited about. My wonderful, amazing, beautiful (had to throw that in) sisters have booked a special get-away for just the three of us. No families, just us sis'. Our mom passed away years ago. I think most sisters are naturally close, but ours is a bit of a special bond because of that loss. We have never ever done anything like before, and booked the whole thing in just a few hours. It was one of the craziest, but funniest things I have ever done. And we don't even go for a few weeks yet. See, we don't' actually live in the same city, not even in the same province. We actually live in 3 different provinces. It truly is amazing what can be accomplished with the internet, long distance calling and skype!

So, I am now in the need for a really good book. I do this every few weeks or months. When my husband sees my starting a book, he usually tells me to have a good journey and he will see me in a few days. Once I start, I can't stop. I have to read until it is done. The house falls apart, everyone is looking for clean undies, but I read on. I usually even dream about the characters, and think about them for days, wondering how the rest of thier lives turn out, and deal with the dissapointment of not knowing for sure. So, if anyone wants to throw out a suggestion, I am all ears. The last one I read was "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini (Kite Runner). Wow, amazing. Exactly the kind of book I love. A book about someone who could be real, about a culture that I don't know that much about.

Okay, my kids are begging me to go and play outside, so out I go.

I wish everyone a day of finding the gems in thier road.