So as we come to the end of 2011, and therefore the start of 2012, I'm reminded of all that we have done in the past year, and all that will happen in the next.
This past year:
January - I went to Jinghong, China for almost 3 weeks with a great group of ladies to work in an orphange
What an experience! I didnt know it at the time what exactly that experience was going to lead to
February - a short month with nothing memorable happening (at least nothing i can remember right now)
March - started researching options to do missions in China
we welcomed a 7 year old boy into our home
April - (March 30 actually) first conversations with ICC began
May - we received our application package
we went to court and the twins became ours!!! forever!!!!
Andrew took me on a great bday/Mothers day/anniversary trip to the mountains for the night
June - family trip to Fairmont - twins came with us this year
started looking at the application package - it was WAY more in-depth then I imagined
we said goodbye to our 7 year old (he went back to live with his mom)
July - Calgary Stampede
NKOTBSB (yes, I went) concert with a great friend
application was sent in
Andrew left town for work
August - LOTS of company! The Lees from China, my cousins from Winnipeg and my in-laws from NL
Andrew came home for 4 days while the Lees were here, otherwise he was out of town all month
first SKYPE interview with ICC (Andrew returned home only hours before our interview)
September - Andrew went back to Ambrose for another semester
second SKYPE interview with ICC
we welcomed the sweetest girl ever into our home - 8 years old
October - we received our 344 question 'test', completed it and returned it
November - we had our 3rd interview - follow up from the 'test'
December - we received our acceptance letter from ICC!!
we said goodbye to our wonderful 8yr old (she went to live with her grandma)
the World Jr Hockey tournament was played in Calgary...we had a chance to take in some of the games
So that is 2011 in a nut-shell, kinda. I thought the application was a long process but now comes the planning and making sure everything is in place. AAAHHH!!! so very much to do!! We will be making day-by-day plans for what needs to be accomplished in the next 6 months (want to have everything done by July1).
We still are not seeing eye-to-eye on the fate of our house. This is causing me stress :( Im looking at my home and all its belongings thinking about how much to sell it all for. Dont be surprised if you come into our home and it looks like a store with price tags on (almost) everything. Although this 'store' will have a buy now, take later policy on some of the items (like beds and couches).
We had a conversation with our team leaders in Changsha and were able to ask more questions and gain more information. The process for our work visa is going to take about 3 months and they need all our original documents. There is a team from Canada going there in April, so hopefully they can take our documents into China with them. Ruth is going to look at apartments for us and take video or pictures of the places so we can choose somewhere to live. We should be able to get a 4 bedroom place. All ICC staff live in the same complex.
Okay, so now I feel like I'm rambling with no real focus on this whole blog post. That actually pretty much sums up whats going on in my mind: so many thoughts, no rhyme or reason between them, all jumbled, bouncing all over the place...
This weeks prayer requests:
* our house
* setting up a calender with all that needs to be done and when
* sleep!!
* Andrew's schooling for this semester
So now I'm going to go. Hopefully my mind will be more focused next time I decide to blog. Thanks for sticking with me and reading all the way to the end :)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Understanding Why
Why? Why? Why? That is a very common question these days - from family, from friends, from our kids. Everyone wants to why. Well, Andrew found the perfect scripture to explain why (I'll get to that in a minute). "Why" can not always be answered in worldly terms. Sometimes 'why' is just because. Sometimes 'why' is a feeling you cant explain. Sometimes 'why' is faith. Sometimes 'why', just is.
Why do I feel my heart is in China, just waiting for my body to arrive? This is one of those things that I just cant really explain. I have never had a heart for China. Well, until October 2009, that is. When I left China at the end of October 2009, my heart stayed. I was reunited with my heart in January 2011. I captured it, and brought it back to my body. But for some reason, I couldnt hold on to it and convince it to come back to Canada with me. So, I conceded and left my heart in China, knowing one day I would get it back again. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my life here in Canada. I love my friends, my family, my job, my country. There is just something about China that has captured my heart.
Why are we moving our kids to the other side of world? I cant think of a better way to teach our kids compassion, acceptance, growth, humility, character, responsibility, FAITH! Yes, this can all be taught in Canada. But for our family, God wants (us) to teach them all this by moving to China and serving the 'un-serve-able'. The lost. The forgotten. The orphaned. The unwanted.
Why China? Why not reach out to those in Canada? Some of us are called to serve in our neigbourhoods, in our cities, in our provinces, in our country. Then there are those of us who God knows is crazy enough to serve in those countries no one really thinks about going to. All mission work is valuable!! No matter where God puts you! Reach out to all those you encounter. When God says something, you do it. Dont ask why. God said China. So we said okay.
Why are we giving up our security, our stability? We arent. It's just changing. We can have security and stability in China. Its our choice. China is no more dangerous then it is here. There are just way more people so it seems worse. I know we will have a very stable home/life etc in China.
Why are we leaving our families? To serve where God wants us to. To serve other families. We are leaving our extended families, our church families, our family of friends, but that is no different then those who move to another province. They lose all the same things.
I'm sure there are more 'whys' left to be answered. If you have anything you want to ask, ask! If there is a 'why' on your list, we'd be happy to answer it for you.
Now for that verse: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall i send? And who will go for us?' And I said 'Here am I. Send me!' " Isaiah 6:8
He called. We answered.
Thanks for reading.
Why do I feel my heart is in China, just waiting for my body to arrive? This is one of those things that I just cant really explain. I have never had a heart for China. Well, until October 2009, that is. When I left China at the end of October 2009, my heart stayed. I was reunited with my heart in January 2011. I captured it, and brought it back to my body. But for some reason, I couldnt hold on to it and convince it to come back to Canada with me. So, I conceded and left my heart in China, knowing one day I would get it back again. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my life here in Canada. I love my friends, my family, my job, my country. There is just something about China that has captured my heart.
Why are we moving our kids to the other side of world? I cant think of a better way to teach our kids compassion, acceptance, growth, humility, character, responsibility, FAITH! Yes, this can all be taught in Canada. But for our family, God wants (us) to teach them all this by moving to China and serving the 'un-serve-able'. The lost. The forgotten. The orphaned. The unwanted.
Why China? Why not reach out to those in Canada? Some of us are called to serve in our neigbourhoods, in our cities, in our provinces, in our country. Then there are those of us who God knows is crazy enough to serve in those countries no one really thinks about going to. All mission work is valuable!! No matter where God puts you! Reach out to all those you encounter. When God says something, you do it. Dont ask why. God said China. So we said okay.
Why are we giving up our security, our stability? We arent. It's just changing. We can have security and stability in China. Its our choice. China is no more dangerous then it is here. There are just way more people so it seems worse. I know we will have a very stable home/life etc in China.
Why are we leaving our families? To serve where God wants us to. To serve other families. We are leaving our extended families, our church families, our family of friends, but that is no different then those who move to another province. They lose all the same things.
I'm sure there are more 'whys' left to be answered. If you have anything you want to ask, ask! If there is a 'why' on your list, we'd be happy to answer it for you.
Now for that verse: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall i send? And who will go for us?' And I said 'Here am I. Send me!' " Isaiah 6:8
He called. We answered.
Thanks for reading.
Friday, December 16, 2011
A New Adventure Begins...Amazing
Now the hard part starts. Now the fun part starts. Now the stress starts.
Lets back up a little bit. Since my last post, there has been nothing to blog about (regarding our journey, anyways). We had our interview and were now waiting to hear from Jannene (our main contact with International China Concern). Jannene decided that this particular time was when she was going to visit China. That didn't fit well with our schedule. LOL She was going to be gone for 2 weeks. We never prayed for patience, but God decided to give us a lesson in patience anyways. It felt like she was away for 2 months, not 2 weeks. It was all I could do not to email Jannene to see if she had received our assessment from Compassion Services. We had to trust God that everything was getting in place, and we would hear at the exact right time.
Fast forward 2 weeks. I'm sure I'm checking my email every 5 minutes, by now, to see the name JANNENE WALL in my inbox. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Remember: Jannene is in Australia. There is a 15 hour time difference. So basically when I was checking my email, it was the middle of the night there. I didn't care! She should've been up! I know, thats ridiculous, but I'm impatient, hence God trying to teach me the slightest bit of patience. Tuesday night I was up until midnight. I checked my email until about 12:30am. That was a decent hour in Australia. Nothing. I finally drifted off to sleep with visions of China running through my head.
Wednesday morning (December 14, 2011) I woke up (at 7:30am, & if you know me, that's early) and, of course, grabbed my phone, and checked my email. I saw the greatest sight! JANNENE WALL and the subject line read: Acceptance International China Concern. I was shaking. I opened the email and read these words "I have now been able to complete your application process and have attached our acceptance letter." And then I opened the attachment and read "Congratulations, I wish to advise that International China Concern is now in a position to accept your application for longer term service." I couldn't breathe. I was in shock. The information we had been waiting for was here. They accepted us! All 6 of us! I ran downstairs to tell Andrew. He was concerned that I was up already. I gave him a hug. He said he was scared. LOL I told him the news. I think it was all we could do to not cry. Jacquelyn was in the living room with us. I told her next. She jumped up and down with joy. Next I told Brendin. He wasn't so enthusiastic.
We called our parents and siblings. Everyone was filled with mixed emotions. We were (are) too. Next came the call to my best friend. She was the only one that received the news in person (so handy that she lives around the corner from me and was able to swing by right away). A few more calls to close friends, then it was public. Facebook public. Tears of joy and sadness came. And I had to leave for work for the next 5 hours. How was I going to concentrate?? It was hard, but I did.
Thanks for all the comments on Facebook. I am amazed and honored by all the wonderful comments on my status. You will all be missed terribly!! Knowing this is God's plan for us, actually has me feeling at peace about it all. A very strange feeling.
Okay, enough rambling, and on to some details. We are looking at leaving in August 2012 (after August 5). We have a few more papers to sign with ICC. We will be signing on for a 2 year term. I'm sure it will be the first of many 2 year terms. We have been given the names of the team leaders for the Changsha project. They are Ruth and Mike. This couple will now be our contact, 'go-to' people, from here on out. They will be able to help with us all our preparations in China - visa's, living arrangements, job descriptions etc. Its a little over-whelming, all that needs to be done. It will take us the next 7 months to get everything in place.
We have a LOT of things to get in place before we leave. This list can also serve as our prayer requests :)
And then of course there's the goodbye party :) maybe that should be a :( ?? Prepare yourselves for a big party - there may not be a BIG party, but you can still prepare yourselves for one :)
So now we prepare ourselves, our children, our home, our friends, our family. This is truly a huge adventure we are embarking on. I am amazed at all that has happened in the past 2 years to prepare us for this move. I can not believe, that after living in Airdrie for 31 years, I am willingly moving to China. Amazing how God can work in someone and prepare their hearts.
I will go for now. I will continue to keep you updated with prayer requests, praises and just general 'stuff' about our adventure. Thanks for all your support and prayers. You will all be missed more then you know!
Lets back up a little bit. Since my last post, there has been nothing to blog about (regarding our journey, anyways). We had our interview and were now waiting to hear from Jannene (our main contact with International China Concern). Jannene decided that this particular time was when she was going to visit China. That didn't fit well with our schedule. LOL She was going to be gone for 2 weeks. We never prayed for patience, but God decided to give us a lesson in patience anyways. It felt like she was away for 2 months, not 2 weeks. It was all I could do not to email Jannene to see if she had received our assessment from Compassion Services. We had to trust God that everything was getting in place, and we would hear at the exact right time.
Fast forward 2 weeks. I'm sure I'm checking my email every 5 minutes, by now, to see the name JANNENE WALL in my inbox. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Remember: Jannene is in Australia. There is a 15 hour time difference. So basically when I was checking my email, it was the middle of the night there. I didn't care! She should've been up! I know, thats ridiculous, but I'm impatient, hence God trying to teach me the slightest bit of patience. Tuesday night I was up until midnight. I checked my email until about 12:30am. That was a decent hour in Australia. Nothing. I finally drifted off to sleep with visions of China running through my head.
Wednesday morning (December 14, 2011) I woke up (at 7:30am, & if you know me, that's early) and, of course, grabbed my phone, and checked my email. I saw the greatest sight! JANNENE WALL and the subject line read: Acceptance International China Concern. I was shaking. I opened the email and read these words "I have now been able to complete your application process and have attached our acceptance letter." And then I opened the attachment and read "Congratulations, I wish to advise that International China Concern is now in a position to accept your application for longer term service." I couldn't breathe. I was in shock. The information we had been waiting for was here. They accepted us! All 6 of us! I ran downstairs to tell Andrew. He was concerned that I was up already. I gave him a hug. He said he was scared. LOL I told him the news. I think it was all we could do to not cry. Jacquelyn was in the living room with us. I told her next. She jumped up and down with joy. Next I told Brendin. He wasn't so enthusiastic.
We called our parents and siblings. Everyone was filled with mixed emotions. We were (are) too. Next came the call to my best friend. She was the only one that received the news in person (so handy that she lives around the corner from me and was able to swing by right away). A few more calls to close friends, then it was public. Facebook public. Tears of joy and sadness came. And I had to leave for work for the next 5 hours. How was I going to concentrate?? It was hard, but I did.
Thanks for all the comments on Facebook. I am amazed and honored by all the wonderful comments on my status. You will all be missed terribly!! Knowing this is God's plan for us, actually has me feeling at peace about it all. A very strange feeling.
Okay, enough rambling, and on to some details. We are looking at leaving in August 2012 (after August 5). We have a few more papers to sign with ICC. We will be signing on for a 2 year term. I'm sure it will be the first of many 2 year terms. We have been given the names of the team leaders for the Changsha project. They are Ruth and Mike. This couple will now be our contact, 'go-to' people, from here on out. They will be able to help with us all our preparations in China - visa's, living arrangements, job descriptions etc. Its a little over-whelming, all that needs to be done. It will take us the next 7 months to get everything in place.
We have a LOT of things to get in place before we leave. This list can also serve as our prayer requests :)
- we have to decide on the fate of our house - i want to sell it (profit will be used to pay our debts, take us to NL to see Andrew's family and get us to China...anything left will go into an untouchable account for when we return to Canada to live - we will have money for rent or a down payment)...Andrew is talking about renting our house
- the fate of all our belongings - what do we sell, what do we store, what do we take
- research and decide on a home schooling program for Brendin and Jacquelyn
- prepare and send out prayer cards
- prepare and send out partnership letters
- find out what odd things we need to bring (shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant etc)
- banking!! is there a bank in Canada that has an agreement with a bank in China so that we are not charged a million dollars in service charges for accessing our money
- renewal of everyone's passports
- work visas so we can enter China
- and the list goes on and on and on
And then of course there's the goodbye party :) maybe that should be a :( ?? Prepare yourselves for a big party - there may not be a BIG party, but you can still prepare yourselves for one :)
So now we prepare ourselves, our children, our home, our friends, our family. This is truly a huge adventure we are embarking on. I am amazed at all that has happened in the past 2 years to prepare us for this move. I can not believe, that after living in Airdrie for 31 years, I am willingly moving to China. Amazing how God can work in someone and prepare their hearts.
I will go for now. I will continue to keep you updated with prayer requests, praises and just general 'stuff' about our adventure. Thanks for all your support and prayers. You will all be missed more then you know!
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