7 Quick Takes: Isnt it a wonder? One year in Hong Kong!

Its a regular Tuesday evening for us. Kev knocks a whopper 14 hour day and I knock to do lists. I should put my feet up and get lost in a book, but I never do. This particular Tuesday, I have snowflake shaped gingerbread cookies in the oven for a Christmas craft I am running at Sierra's class Christmas party this week. I have Rattie running furiously back and forth along the couch beside me, or more honestly, all over this keyboard. Any typos, I blame her. Before me, the Hong Kong skyline twinkles. Spotify provides the background playlist, intermittently drowned out by an aeroplane on its flight path overhead.

And I wonder where to start. 

This night a year ago, we were at 'The Last Supper' with parents, siblings and cousins in Cape Town. I distinctly remember that hard to swallow, lump in my throat, throughout the evening. Savouring the last hugs, laughs, sharing of food, conversation. The next morning we would give the final hug, smile and goodbye and I would leave home and family, everything I had known, been familiar with and comfortable in. I honestly did not know how I would get through that following day. 

365 days later, 8760 hours of Hong Kong life and here we are. A Tuesday evening described above is now a normal. I have felt incredibly reflective these last few weeks, so much thinking back, and remembering all the 'lasts' we did before we headed off into this timely adventure. A similar lump rises. 

Isn't it a wonder - the hardest thing I have ever done could also be the best thing I have ever done. That just blows me away.

Im not so sure I can fit reflections from 8760 hours of life in a new city into 7 quick takes, so here are my (way more than) 7 quick takes:

1. The good has been so good! 
2. The hard days have been really tough, but they pass. 
3. We have grown, each one of us, exponentially more than if we had not been uprooted and placed here.
4. We have shared our new home with very special family and friends who have visited from Cape Town and Singapore. So many already! Thank you to all of you :)
5. We have watched each one of our visitors soak in the unique city with all its charm and beauty and genuinely love it, which has been such an encouragement, and each time giving us fresh eyes for this place we live in. 
6. We have also shared our home and many many meals around the table, with new people whom we now call friends. 
7. We have had to navigate some cultural differences. 
8. We have had to humble ourselves and acknowledge that our way is not always the only way.
9. We have walked our butts off. 
10. We have slept less. I cant help but *yawn* as I type that.
11. At certain times we have missed being deeply known and understood. 
12. We have navigated language barriers. Sometime successfully, sometime unsuccessfully.
13. We have relied on food and snacks to get our girls through many a day out: when in queues, public transport, walking. There is always a snack stash in my bag!
14. We have been lost and frustrated, unable to find a location even though google maps says we are just there. BUT WHERE??
15. We have learnt what it means to love people. 
16. We have eaten amazing asian food. 
17. We have navigated small living space, a tiny kitchen and a new way of life that happens in our home space.
18. We have said goodbye to new friends, who now live in other parts of the world.
19. We have watched the girls forge new friendships. 
20. We have had days where we have had to remind ourselves that this is where we are meant to be and find comfort and peace in so much of what we felt God say before we made the move. 
21. I have come to realise that life continues for everyone, and not many people are as great at communicating and keeping in touch as I had hoped, but life is busy for everyone and I am understanding that.
22. I have had to let go of some disappointments.
23. We have grown closer as a family, in a way that is hard to describe.
24. I have learnt that a smile can be so powerful when passing people on the side walk whom may not share the same language or culture.
25. We have watched our girls very quickly adopt international accents. One American, one British.
26. We have learnt to do life by public transport.
27. We have explored markets, beaches, mountains and as much as we possibly can. On days like those, I still feel the thrill of being a tourist in a new place.
28. I have learnt so much about myself, having been stripped of what is all familair, and been faced with how weak I am and how much I still need to grow in, by God's grace.
29. I have grown an even deeper admiration, appreciation and love for my husband and bestest friend in the world. 
30. We have watched our girls slip into a new life and flourish in school. Watching them has been one of our greatest joys!
31. I have sprouted grey hairs at a rate I am no longer able to hide or control!
32. We have found the greatest church family, within Watermark, and grown a love for the people which runs deep for us.
33. We have prayed!
34. We have seen and experienced Gods perfect provision and unbelievable faithfulness.

I miss people. I miss the convenience of a car. I miss the Sea point promenade. I miss the sunsets and the sea breeze. I miss the blue sky. I miss doing something ordinary, so easily, knowing you will be understood and knowing you understand how it works (flip, this can be hard sometimes). I miss the smell of a braai in the neighbourhood.  I miss being near and present to share special occasions with family, especially births and birthdays. I miss being close to witness the little people in our greater family who are growing and changing daily.

Everything has changed, but we have hearts over flowing with joy and gladness as we reflect on our first year in Hong Kong and we wouldn't want it any other way, for now. Life is by no means easy, it can be really hard some days, but a deep assurance of being where you are meant to be, is more beautiful than comfort and ease.

So often I am asked, does Hong Kong feel like home yet? Or is Cape Town still home? My answer is YES! Hong Kong is home. Yes! Cape Town is home. This place has welcomed us and crept into our hearts more firmly than we could have hoped for. Of course it is home - we love the people, and the craziness of this great big city, with all its diversity and experiences. At the same time, Cape Town will always be home. I haven't let go of my love for Cape Town and all my history there. I will always treasure it as my first love. 

But for now, we celebrate one year in this timely adventure...