The Last First
As we furiously tick off a long list of to do's, we simultaneously moved towards ticking off one of the last 'firsts' in this adventure: our first visit back to Cape Town.
It has been 18 months since we lifted off South African soil and landed in Hong Kong and we can't wait to place our feet back on that rich soil for a couple of weeks. The girls kept up their tradition of the countdown calender and so they have been faithfully ticking it off every morning since 91 days. Now we sit with 1 number unmarked, ready to be coloured over, come dawn. No doubt it will make its mark earlier than usual as two very excited girls rise with excitement.
It feels like another point in this journey to pause and reflect. It's the end of the first chapter. We have also spent time pausing as we process what it will be like to go back for the first time and we have gleaned much wisdom from those who have gone before us! It can be a mixed bag of emotions.
I have not blogged in at least 4 months. Honestly, the last 4 months have gone by in a blink. There has definitely been a different feeling going into the second year and putting my finger on it has not been easy. Whether it is the second year or other circumstances, I am not sure. Maybe both! Knowing that we have experienced most things at least once before, is definitely comforting. And now just for our last, first: going back to Cape Town!
As bags are packed and the busiest month is over, I celebrate so much good that has come out of a busy season. Here are 7 of my greatest joys from the last month, described briefly in words and probably more accurately in pictures:
1/ Shiloh has graduated from Kindergarten and is SO ready to join big sister at Primary school in August. Her little school was just the the most wonderful place to be and we are very grateful that she got to do 18 months in the most caring, Jesus loving, nurturing environment.
2/ Sierra is officially done with year 2 and may I just mention, my girl got a Gold certificate for her Chinese reading. I mean!!! Her class celebrated the year with a water party and too much pizza! She also ended the year with her Jazz performance last weekend.
3/ I am working part time and navigating a new role and life rhythm, but with a sense of God's provision and faithfulness in providing yet again! The best part being that it is with Shiloh's kindergarten which made the goodbyes to those staff that much easier.
4/ Kev and I celebrated 11 years of marriage last month, another great year of life with this guy and our most adventurous yet.
5/ In May, Kev and I also got to spend a few days in Taiwan; Kev for church planters training and me for pastors wives support club :) Four full days of wives from all over Asia, exploring our hearts and sharing our joys and challenges as we live out this undefined, ambiguous, glorious role of Pastors wife. Taiwan also meant loads of great food and at least two bubble tea's a day, including matcha bubble tea..the best of both!
6/ The Watermark Ladies had a lovely day together a few weeks ago at our retreat, Pause. It was all consuming for me the few weeks before, but all so worth it! We also finished up our last bible study group after 5 studies together. I have loved gathering with these ladies every Monday morning and sharing life together.
7/ And as we approach this time of rest and reconnecting I am most grateful for two scriptures that I carry close to my heart in this time:
Esther 4:14
'For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.'
1 John:4:19
'We love because he first loved us.'
Both of these have really come to me at the right time as a gift and the reminder that my heart needs for what is ahead. Grateful for a personal God who knows my joys and my every need!
Cape Town, we are coming! We plan to soak up precious family and special friendships, savour the slower pace and cosy weather, cherish our girls, prioritise our marriage, read, run...all whilst ticking off our list of 'places to eat and things to see' that we have been adding to for the last 18 months...
It has been 18 months since we lifted off South African soil and landed in Hong Kong and we can't wait to place our feet back on that rich soil for a couple of weeks. The girls kept up their tradition of the countdown calender and so they have been faithfully ticking it off every morning since 91 days. Now we sit with 1 number unmarked, ready to be coloured over, come dawn. No doubt it will make its mark earlier than usual as two very excited girls rise with excitement.
It feels like another point in this journey to pause and reflect. It's the end of the first chapter. We have also spent time pausing as we process what it will be like to go back for the first time and we have gleaned much wisdom from those who have gone before us! It can be a mixed bag of emotions.
I have not blogged in at least 4 months. Honestly, the last 4 months have gone by in a blink. There has definitely been a different feeling going into the second year and putting my finger on it has not been easy. Whether it is the second year or other circumstances, I am not sure. Maybe both! Knowing that we have experienced most things at least once before, is definitely comforting. And now just for our last, first: going back to Cape Town!
As bags are packed and the busiest month is over, I celebrate so much good that has come out of a busy season. Here are 7 of my greatest joys from the last month, described briefly in words and probably more accurately in pictures:
1/ Shiloh has graduated from Kindergarten and is SO ready to join big sister at Primary school in August. Her little school was just the the most wonderful place to be and we are very grateful that she got to do 18 months in the most caring, Jesus loving, nurturing environment.
2/ Sierra is officially done with year 2 and may I just mention, my girl got a Gold certificate for her Chinese reading. I mean!!! Her class celebrated the year with a water party and too much pizza! She also ended the year with her Jazz performance last weekend.
3/ I am working part time and navigating a new role and life rhythm, but with a sense of God's provision and faithfulness in providing yet again! The best part being that it is with Shiloh's kindergarten which made the goodbyes to those staff that much easier.
4/ Kev and I celebrated 11 years of marriage last month, another great year of life with this guy and our most adventurous yet.
5/ In May, Kev and I also got to spend a few days in Taiwan; Kev for church planters training and me for pastors wives support club :) Four full days of wives from all over Asia, exploring our hearts and sharing our joys and challenges as we live out this undefined, ambiguous, glorious role of Pastors wife. Taiwan also meant loads of great food and at least two bubble tea's a day, including matcha bubble tea..the best of both!
7/ And as we approach this time of rest and reconnecting I am most grateful for two scriptures that I carry close to my heart in this time:
Esther 4:14
'For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.'
1 John:4:19
'We love because he first loved us.'
Both of these have really come to me at the right time as a gift and the reminder that my heart needs for what is ahead. Grateful for a personal God who knows my joys and my every need!
Cape Town, we are coming! We plan to soak up precious family and special friendships, savour the slower pace and cosy weather, cherish our girls, prioritise our marriage, read, run...all whilst ticking off our list of 'places to eat and things to see' that we have been adding to for the last 18 months...
ONE MORE SLEEP!
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