sickness and taking stock

this is the beginning of the third {yes, number three} week we have been battling sickness in our family. i am sharing some thoughts on that and a new place to call home...

a place to call home

last week was a crazy one, no wonder our whole family {including the 2 year old} slept late this weekend.

we never would have expected to have so many things fall into place and end up with...

reflecting and anticipating

we are on the eve of our move to the far north. we have had a marathon mission to down size and purge our {no-longer-needed} belongings and it feels very satisfying. it's a reflective, anticipating time as we gather everything together and move on...

on the last day of 2014

i savour the process of reflection; looking back and discovering choices and decisions that have shaped life and events that have thrust you into new situations to find new things about yourself.

so on the morning of the last day of 2014, i want to acknowledge a year full of deep lows and some highs... to commemorate and acknowledge but also say farewell. i am ready for a new year!

fare thee well

i have had this sitting as a draft ready to send and now finally can from the warm land of the USA...

it is the time to say farewell to our friends and family in korea as we return to new zealand, our home where our goal is to sow into our home soil and put down roots as a family.

we're heading home

Photo credit: Emma Penning

We could never have dreamed that God would have lead us through a season of four years in a busy, bustling peninsular in southeast Asia. He has given us the ability to endure some amazing highs and significant lows and we are thankful for it all.

It has been a bittersweet realization that our season living and teaching abroad in South Korea is now starting to wrap up and come to an end. The focus gradually shifting to finishing strong and returning to our homeland.

As I pause to acknowledge the season we are in and share it with you,  I know fully that the realization of how we have changed and what we will take away from this experience will become 'real' as we make sense of our next steps. We already recognise that we have learned lessons here in Korea we would never have learned back at home and how our little New Zealand viewpoints have been melded and stretched. We are so grateful. There is something very unique and poignant about living in an expat community; friends become family and your identity is shaped even more so by what you carry inside of you and is mixed with what you meet along the road.

We are thrilled to settle back home and see our little boy gain strong roots in his kiwi identity. Drawing closer to our extended family and friends. Initially, of course the unsettling feeling envelopes and you think, how can we do this?!; it has been one of the most overwhelming things to look ahead into this year and to be met with question marks staring back at you.

But with my Hubby's super awesomeness, he has secured a permanent position at a local area school and we start back at the end of July. For the next six months I plan to transition with Isaiah and initially pick up teaching assignments where available. I don't know where I fit yet and would like to continue to develop in the educational leadership field somewhere. That's one question mark I am accepting right now. I am learning that question marks are also possibilities.

There are still the unknowns and adjustments and 'Oh can you imagines', the thrills of forgotten comforts. We sure will bleed some as we leave this place where lifelong friendships have been forged, sisters/brothers, and made memories that will last forever.

So, very hard.

But so right. 

Baby Hub is here

We welcome to the world Isaiah Kenneth. 

Born 17 December 2012 at 3:52pm at home in water. We are all well and feel blessed to have him arrive safely, weighing 7lb13 (3540g). 

We are now a little family of 3!

Currently...

 

Obsessing over: Man I didn't realize that this 'nesting' urge actually really is a reality when you are pregnant! I would say obsessing is a strong word but I am 'chipping away' at our baby room. We had the crib and change table drawers arrive yesterday so it's starting to take shape which is really exciting.

Working on: Lots of projects at school - getting used to a new job and new expectations from others and myself... by the way, I am LOVING it.

Thinking about: Family - being able to see them and hang out when I get back to NZ in November. Our baby - thinking about how we are going to have a son or daughter to hold by the end of the year - it still blows my mind!

Anticipating: My mum arriving in South Korea on Monday evening! Sososo excited to show her around and for her to see the baby Hub bump!

Listening to: 'Take Heart' by Hillsong United, can't get enough of this song right now. Also 'Ghosts Upon the Earth' by Gungor... SO good.

Drinking: H20 and decaf coffee every now and again.

Wishing: Praying for a blessed last trimester of this pregnancy, it has been amazing so far...

And a new season begins...

It's official.

I begin a new role in our school next year.

It's been my little big secret and I am glad I can share it now :)

This new step takes me out of the classroom to supporting the program that teachers implement throughout the year.  I am really excited, challenged and blown away that this door would open for me.

I am trusting in God's grace and His plans... I know I am in the right place.

Dreams

Sunny days, green grass and that view.