As many of you know, we spent 10 weeks over the summer in Canada. After 22 months in Changsha, China, we had the privilege to go back to Airdrie for 10 weeks. It was a time to reconnect, relax, and reflect. Thanks to everyone who made our time in Airdrie a memorable, wonderful, 'cant wait to do it again' trip! Your love for our family, and how you each showed that, blessed us beyond words. I can not express how grateful we are for each of you. We love you.
But enough about that. On to writing what I came here for.
The Little Things
Its not often we take time to sit and look back on how far we have come and what we have learned. We often notice the big things we have learned, the big changes - the things that can be marked with 'flashing lights', with a 'WOW!', the unmistakeable big things that happen in our lives.
How often to we really take note of the small changes taking place in our lives? The everyday things, that little by little, add up to something huge, something amazing, something that you never thought could be accomplished.
I've had a few moments this past month where something has happened that has me in awe of just how far I/we have come in the past 2 years. 2 years ago, my thoughts would've been "never! that wont be me/us". 2 years of little things happening each day, that have now added up to huge things.
2 years ago we didnt know the bus system. We didnt know how to tell a taxi driver where we wanted to go. We didnt drive electric bikes. We didnt know street names. We didnt know how to get across the river. I was so confused with the street names, directions and neighbour hoods. Now, we both ride electric bikes as though we have been doing it our whole lives (for me, I just learned in May how to ride). Just last week we rode our bikes to our friends place on the West side of the river - and didnt get lost. The other day a guest was lost when taking the bus (didnt get off on the right stop). Andrew was accurately able to tell them where they needed to go to get back to the complex. From confusion to confidence.
2 years ago we could say 'ni hao' (hello) and 'zai jian'. Now, not only can we say it, we can write it: 你好 and 再见。 We can say a whole lot more, and write more, as well. We are having little text conversations on WeChat in Chinese. We can have simple phone conversations as well. Although there is a whole lot we don't understand, there is so much more we do. Its amazing. 10 days ago we went to the furniture market to look at round tables. We wanted 8 chairs and a lazy susan for the table. We knew our budget for this. We also knew how to confidently ask the shop keepers our questions (including if they could give us a discount) - and understand the answers. It was such a confidence booster. Today, my electric bike's battery was dying. We took it to the bike shop. We were able to convey was wrong, understand the answer and get it fixed. It runs good as new now.
Relationships. We have explained many times just how important relationships are here. With our team, with the locals, with our local staff and children. It takes time to build those relationships. 2 years ago, we knew no one. We didn't know where we fit in these relationships. Now, we know. The warm welcome we received from everyone when we returned was amazing. The welcome from our team was as though we were family - we are family. There was excitement on the local shopkeepers faces when they saw us back at the market and buying local food (like the bread from the 'bread man'). When we went into the centers, the pure joy from the staff and children showed us just how much they appreciate us. 2 years to build relationships that will continue to grow and last a lifetime.
On a day to day basis we didn't notice how well we were getting to know our city. We didn't think our language skills were improving that much. We weren't sure how well we were building relationships. Now that we are back, any doubt we had has been erased.
Take note of the little things. Look for where those little things will take you. Notice the big things too - look for the little things that added up to the big thing.
Take it all in. Time is so precious. Knowledge is so precious. Learn every day. Stretch yourself every day. Get out of your comfort zone - little by little. One step at a time. Do the little things that will lead to something amazing!
