Transition

Three weeks. It's been three weeks since we've begun this experiment in life stage, jumping from one to another. It always happens- the far off time always comes in life, even though you can't imagine its actual arrival. I was reading in my journal from last January, when this teaching opportunity first presented itself; my thoughts on the changes to come...

I'm keenly aware that I'm in the waning autumn days of this season of life, this sweet season of being full time at home with young children, with my focus almost solely on family and home matters. My days, if I enter work outside of our home, will no longer be light teaching, reading and being read to, cleaning, laundry, meal planning, grocery shopping, trips to the park. Instead they will be spent in the classroom, interacting with many children, participating in the mission of the school. 

I can say with surety that I have been present and delved deeply into this sweet season, reveling in its joys and wrestling with its challenges. There have been hard days and grueling stretches, and I have made many mistakes; I have asked God to cover over my failing and be their Father, and He has been faithful. 

And now as I stand literally on the brink of making a decision and commitment that will alter the course of our days, will set me on a course as an educator again, I ask for wisdom. For discernment. For clarity to enter in with eyes wide open and a heart surrendered...I'm teetering between two worlds- the one that brought me home almost 12 years ago, filled with babies and feedings and naps and exhilaration and exhaustion...and the one to come, filled with growing children and growing older and real responsibilities to people who don't share my last name...

And now we're living it. Julian spending his days in a first grade classroom, entering school with his big brother and sister. Early mornings for me, and my days spent in many different classrooms, covering for regular classroom teachers. Coming home exhausted after a day of being 'on' for many people, needing to unwind and then take up the mantle of responsibility of home. I knew this time would be a major transition, but I didn't know how incredibly tired I would be- carrying the emotional weight of Daddy's illness on top of the life change is so very wearying...but I am thankful, and I know I will soon adjust. What a privilege to be a part of advancing the mission of a school that is seeking to make God's name known and loved among a vast majority of families who don't know and love Him, fulfilling that mission by offering high quality education and a loving, grace-filled environment. I know that God knows what I need and has given me this good gift.  Some glimpses of these days...

 official!

Ju and classmate partner reading

love this of the brothers going to taekwando together for the first time!

brothers coming home from school- so wonderful to be close enough to ride!

Like No Other

How much life can be lived in 2 short months! These months have been far too full for the indulgence of documentation and reflection, but I'm going to attempt some of that now. This has been a summer like no other for us. School ended at the beginning of June and we said goodbye to 6th and 2nd grades, and goodbye to home school. I think that transition is worthy of its own post, and I probably need space to process it more fully.

This was a summer that held travel to three countries for part of our family, two for the remainder, much time with precious people in our lives AND preparation for significant new beginnings.

As we began our summer, Emmy and I had the privilege to travel to Singapore together for a long-anticipated growing up girls weekend (oh, the joy of credit card travel points!). I know this weekend will remain in my mind as one of the most significant things we've done together, and an investment in her future and our relationship. We worked through an excellent weekend's worth of discussions on various issues that cemented the fact that we can talk about ANYTHING, and now have discussed most of the big things as she begins the road to adolescence.

with the Merlion, Singapore's city symbol

Upon our return, she promptly turned 12, and had long asked to spend her birthday at the beautiful Jim Thompson House in Bangkok. We had a lovely day giving thanks to God for 12 years of the joy He has given us in her, and we also just enjoyed being together- our family is a gift.

Jim Thompson House, June 20, 2015

a birthday cake fit for an artist

Two days later we were off to the U.S.- we had not planned to go home this summer but were so thankful for the opportunity to be in Georgia as we continue to walk with Daddy through his journey of cancer. It was a hard, good, happy, sad time. We also were able to spend time with many beloved family members and a few friends who are family. The time was a gift, and I'm thankful for the advice of many wise people who told us, "There's never enough time. Go if you possibly can."

July 2015

Leaving in some ways felt like a tearing away this time, yet there is a quiet assurance that this is where God has us and He is doing good things, building beauty through new endeavors and faithfully building His church as we continue to labor. After a week back I found myself sitting in meetings at my NEW JOB. God has graciously given me a ministry of education in the international school we have come to love these last 6 years as our children have grown there. With Julian set to begin his schooling adventure in first grade, it seems God knew that it would be healthy for me to have a place to pour my energies and use my training and gifts. He is also very gracious to give me a position for this year in which I can transition gently back into education, as a full time substitute who works daily in classrooms all over the school, without the full responsibility of a classroom of my own.

Asa with a new friend on a cultural excursion with the school's new staff

FOUR Mills heading off for the first day of school!

But wait! Before the official beginning of school, after the week of orientation, we squeezed in one final special event, MTW's Asia-Pacific Area Retreat. This is an event that happens only once every four years, and it is a time designed to bring refreshment to workers on the foreign field and to support our children in their journey as third culture kids. It was a sweet time of learning, resting and being with many dear 'family' members on our team and within our organization. God was good to give us the privilege of going, with so many other things vying for our schedule.

With our teammates/friends/family the Henrys, at Legoland Malaysia

big group of special folks from Intown church in Atlanta- some serving on the field, some providing pastoral care, some coming a LONG way to help love our children at the retreat!

As we returned and prepared to begin school, we received the news that our dear Papa, Tim's grandfather, had passed away. One of the gifts of our time in Georgia was the opportunity to hold Papa's hand and tell him goodbye, as we knew the end of his life was nearing. What a life it was. He was a 94 year old, Godly, dynamic man who loved 3 wives well and sent two to heaven, drove a tank in WWII, and never failed to ask us about our lives and ministry and to encourage us, even in his final, weakest time of life. There are many other things we could say about this life beautifully lived. As we shared the news with the children, there were tears, but also joy as we reflected on the Godly heritage Papa has passed on to us, and the privilege we have to take that torch and continue to run the race for God's glory.

Tim and Papa, 2014

Joy and Sorrow

These are heavy days as we are far from my daddy, who is very unwell. My spirit is bending beneath that load, and we pray continually for him and for those dear ones who are carrying the load in close proximity.

Intertwined with the sorrow of this life is so much joy, and that's what I'm reminding myself of today through sharing these glimpses of the sweet that has characterized much of the every day these weeks past...here's a flyover and A LOT of pictures...

our first race together- wacky color run!

 Easter morning at home...

before our annual indoor egg/scavenger hunt

prizes at the end...a fun find at the fancy grocery store!

 

 ...and at Grace City- such a special day of celebrating Christ's resurrection.

this was a fun night- we had a balcony full of people enjoying the lunar eclipse through our telescope!

Ju conquers the mountain on our Songkran hike

inside the cave at the end of our hike- we have spent Songkran with these friends five years in a row now...love them

we celebrated one year at Grace City with a baptism and new members- was a sweet time

intramural soccer- go orange!

green belt black tip- movin' up the ranks

Tim took some Grace City folks to Hong Kong for a justice conference...

Mother's Day- I am beyond blessed by these children

one of my favorite beautiful things about this sometimes challenging place we call home- a reminder of God's goodness right outside our door

And a fun one from my time with Daddy- a whirlwind trip that was time well spent

Bits of the everyday

It's high time for an update at this little space of memory- that's what it's become for me, and what keeps me coming back to it, aside from making grandparents very happy- so in this 10 minute window I find myself with today, I'll see what bits of our everyday I can share. I think this will be a picture heavy flyover of some favorite pieces of life these last 3(!) months- amazing that it's April already and we're preparing to celebrate Easter and counting down to a much needed and anticipated Songkran break! So without further ado...

our 6 year old displays his amazing sense of fashion daily

we celebrated 16 years of marriage- just so thankful

 Grace City moved to our new meeting space- a good move on many levels...

...and we retreated together as a church out of the city for teaching, wacky games, relationship building, and all sorts of outdoorsy activities!

you've really not had a good time in Thailand unless some people have been covered in flour and/or powder

good buddies

ridin' the range

Asa played with all his heart on the school U-11 soccer team...

love the mom in the background clapping with her umbrella after he blocked a shot!

 ...and had field day. Isn't the water balloon toss just quintessential elementary field day?

Ju played shepherd king David in a 4th grade school production (a perk of being home schooled)...

...and Em had an amazing time playing the Munchkin Mayor, a poppy and a flying monkey in the school wide production of The Wizard of Oz! Dramatic productions just make her heart sing!

And finally, every year we love the chance to celebrate the many cultures represented at our wonderful school at International Night- here are a few favorites...

Korean Fan Dance

India's vibrant beauty

lovely Thai dancers representing Isaan

And before it completely slips away, something I meant to include as I talked about Ju's birthday...a favorite little tidbit of conversation from a few months ago that I'd like not to forget...

Julian (at night): "Don't leave me Daddy; I'm scared!"

Tim: "What are you afraid of, buddy?"

Julian: "I just feel like there's a big snowball rolling after me!"

Tim: "Well, just plug in your hair dryer, turn around and melt it!"

Julian: "Oh, okay."

I wonder if pathological fear of snow results from living in the tropics and having no experience with said weather? :)

Six Years of Wonderful

It's been nearly two months since we celebrated six years old for this very special boy...two months! Not to be daunted by being so very behind in my chronicles...here's the birthday boy and the story of this milestone in marking his journey.

Cruising on the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, January 2015

Ju's birthday story began several days before his big day, while the whole family was here and we were still at the beach. We wanted to celebrate him with everyone together, so we asked the lovely French hotel manager what we might do. Her reply? "We will do ze cake...and ze fireshow!" Thus was put into motion a super duper birthday celebration that will not soon be rivaled. Doraemon (Japanese manga robot cat) cake, a special birthday drink...

this was one continuous pour from his shaker...it's a mystery

...and fire twirlers on the beach. At the end of the show they set the words, "Happy Birthday" on fire. I hope six is old enough to remember how spectacular this was!

The real day came a few days later, with much less fanfare. According to tradition, we all went quietly into his room and woke the birthday boy with cake, the best way to wake up!

That evening we went to his favorite noodle shop for some Japanese ramen (he likes it with a jumbo sheet of seaweed...) It was also our last meal with Uncle Tom, whom we then sent to the airport to board a flight to Cambodia.

And then it was just us again for the first time in quite a while! We went home for cake and presents...the highlight of which was a magic set to encourage Ju's most recent career aspiration- a magician. He makes a spiffy one, does he not?

What can I say about this child? Tim and I shake our heads in wonder at how amazing are the children God has given us, and Julian holds his unique place in the family and in all of our hearts. He is kind, silly, tenacious, intelligent, confident, a very good friend to many...just a great deal of fun and sweetness all wrapped up together. He's so affectionate, and I'm still the happy recipient of many kisses. He has friends of all ages, from the Swedish 3 year old next door to the 8th grader down the street to the new kids he meets at the park who don't speak English. I've said already how much I'm enjoying this season of teaching him and having so much time with him...this time is a gift I'm endeavoring to savor with intentionality. I look at Julian now- tall, strong, his eczema at this point in time diminished to minimal proportions; I am so very thankful, thinking of how far we've come and how faithful God has been every step of the way. Happy birthday, sweet Julian- may your life be marked by joy as you glorify God in your journey.