Well, when:
you can't go and see the latest cool movie -because it's not in english;
when you can't just drop in to see close friends and have your kids play with their kids while you catch over coffee and download, because they live thousands of miles away;
when you can't just tell the kids to go and play outside - because there is no "back yard";
when you struggle to call the parents of the kids' friends from school & kindy and ask them to play, because you feel such an idiot with your bad German and they often can't understand you;
and this is complicated by the fact that you have no time to go to language classes because of work and kids;
and many more examples . . .
I constantly come back to how we know God has called us here. If we didn't know that, we'd be back to NZ on the next plane. I also think of the people we have met here and the friends we have made and how that deep friendships take years to build. I also think of God's faithfulness and of the many times he has physically protected us. And I think of His provision - always at the right time.
I remember a T-Shirt I read when we were living in Wellington: "If you're not living on the edge then you're taking up too much space!". Well, I don't think we're taking up too much space! But if God is not in this crazy life we lead, then it is all for nothing - all in vain.
I am glad we have the assurance that we are doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. I guess that somedays - if I was honest - I just wish it were a little easier. :-)
4 comments:
Ohhh yes, feel for your situation, its very claustraphobic living like that, not having the usual freedom of ringing or visiting a friend, going to the movies, no backyard. Are we spoilt in NZ? Maybe, maybe not. Funny thing is, once you do return home, its like, oh, everythings the same again and somehow you crave for the diversity in lifestyle. Main thing is, dont fall off the "edge" you are living on aye!!! Thank you for your wonderful letter, a reply is on its way.
kisses, hugs.
i can't find my fave movie tonight either. woozie and i were gonna snuggle on the couch (cos the lads have got once-in-a-lifetime free tickets to the rugby) and drown our end-of-week tears in some choc fudge cake (to heck with the gym) and watch The Holiday. in english. but i can't find it.
not much help to you, but hey...
still admiring your bravery.
and can't think of any german words to say it tritely. that's a word, i think.
so: kisses, hugs again.
mwah X
Oh yeah, this is the stuff you dont know until you are doing it aye girl... I can only suggest that you are making more friends and life connections there than you realise, and when your time is up in Germany you will bawl your eyes out leaving the community that you have built around you. As hard as it is, enjoy living in the new normal, because one day you'll return to this life and be bored with the rest of us!! LOL!!
Hi sweetness - love reading your words - very real, very honest. This too will pass. ditto what Ang said - us boring lot - you are having such rich life experiences there you'll be ruined for here with our lame lifestyles (and haircuts), and soft music etc etc. Miss you's. Was out grading tamarillos on the Millers orchard today, and we were remembering you guys and the Cockers. Big hugs to you all xx Nik
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