Long-Term Sub

We feel God keeps affirming the decision to leave Canada. We are only in MS about six weeks; on Sunday night, mere hours after we unloaded the car, a local teacher friend messaged me to see if I would be interested in subbing at her school for they are in desperate need. I said sure. David advised me to email a former principal too, just to see my options. She responded first thing the next morning that she needed a long-term sub and asked if could I start immediately. So here I find myself having completed Day 1. It went well, but I can tell I'm not in MY classroom with my materials or my kids. But the time I get rolling good, it'll be time to step out. That's okay, though. I'm very much enjoying being back in the classroom and planning lessons. When we moved to Canada we realized just how much I viewed my classroom as my mission field. My students are my babies, my darlings.

This week was not how I imagined things going, but I'm so thankful God knows best and He provides. It feels good to be busy doing something productive (infer from that what you will). I'm also very thankful it's Friday!

DFW

Some of you know exactly what those initials stand for: Dallas/Fort Worth. When we knew it was very likely we were leaving Canada, we began praying through where we'd like to begin building our lives long-term. Through a series of events and circumstances, DFW repeatedly stood out. There are several reasons, but I'll highlight a few.

-David has needed to go back to school since before we were married. Because we had two very good jobs and a very comfortable lifestyle, we put off this huge decision again and again. Now here we were, leaving a country with the door wide open before us. So we began researching and praying about which campus and city would be right for us. And no offense to any NOBTS grads, New Orleans is not the right place for us. Southwestern stuck out for multiple reasons and we are here on campus for a tour, seeing the area, and I'm talking to schools.

-That brings me to another reason for DFW--teaching. Do you have any idea how many districts/schools are in this area? I'm getting into a school system tomorrow that has as many schools as the ENTIRE MS Gulf Coast. Teachers also make a good bit more here which will help off-set some of the cost of David's schooling.

-Finally, we are within a day's driving distance to all of our family in MS or a very short plane ride. This certainly beats being in several airports and at least 5+ hours on airplanes away.

There is quite a bit going on here. We've tried to do a good bit of exploring and looking into opportunities for our family. After our tour today, we feel an even greater peace about our decision. We have several months ahead of figuring things out but God hasn't failed us yet. I wish I had all the answers; so do our families, I suppose! The fact is, we are living more on faith than we ever have before. And like I said, God hasn't let us down yet!

What's Going On?

I know many of my posts lately have been quite cryptic. The following is the message we sent to our prayer partners concerning our ministry here in Vancouver. Things are not always what they seem, so I hope this sheds some light for those curious souls. (David wrote this in case the tense or references seem odd.)
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You all have been such an important part of the process my family has gone through over the last year and with that I wanted to let you all know of some changes that are happening in regards to our ministry here at The Common Place. As of January 31, Jamie and I will be resigning our position and moving back to the United States.

We have had such a great experience here in loving on the community of Coquitlam and we will take with us the many joys that this season of life has brought to our family. It was a tough decision to step down and we spent much time praying through it and discerning what God was leading us to as a family.

We sincerely appreciate all the prayers that the members of this group have provided us over the last year or so and will always be thankful to you for the prayers that got us through our time here. We have much to be thankful for as we look back over the last 8 months here on the ground.

We lived in the most beautiful place on the planet, we made some great friends, we impacted individuals with the love of Christ, we encouraged fellow believers, and we sought every day, in every encounter to beam the light of Jesus in this place.

We have no regrets, we leave here with hearts still very much on fire for The Lower Mainland of British Columbia, we leave here longing for God to finish a work he has begun here in Coquitlam.

We covet your prayers over the next few weeks as we travel back to Mississippi, as we readjust to life back in The South, as we just seek out where God wants us next. We have far more questions than answers at this point but we cling to the thing we as a family have clung to since day one. God has a plan for us, and we will run as fast as we can to follow that plan.

We appreciate everything. We hope to continue sharing our journey along the way. 

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I hope that explains some. There are details that honestly some of you will never know. We are not upset (well, a little because we sold everything thinking we'd stay years-forever), but for the sake of our family, we must go. It's been exciting to have mothers come to me and ask about our faith. We've made connections that I will continue to to work on and through no matter where we settle. We have ideas about our future landing spot but you'll have to stay tuned for that! We leave Thursday and Hayden is very ready. This has been hard for him. We look forward to the changes God is bringing into our lives and know we never would have considered them had it not been for our time in Canada. 

Vanity

I wouldn't consider myself a vain person; insecure, yes. But not vain. But when I get overwhelmed with life, I have found that I look to make quick changes on things I can control. For instance, my hair. I love short(er) hair; my husband hates it. I'm sure you're thinking, "Seriously? She's writing a blog post about her hair length?"

Well, there are much deeper issues taking place that I can't divulge at the time, and losing weight is an on-going, lengthy process, but hair, especially the cutting of the hair, is a quick fix. I'm not saying I want to cut my hair at this very moment, but I am strongly considering one of the following looks:

I've done the stacked inverted bob (think Victoria Beckham) before and I'm sure you see a pattern here. I'd sort of like to go choppy, but I am not really sure how to style that. I do like the shorter bob with layers. Who knows. I'll just stew on the idea for awhile. Oh, I'm also open to suggestions!

Home

It's amazing how the simple word "home" has so many different meanings. Canada has never truly felt like home---nothing about it. Journeying across the border into WA (a state so different from MS) feels amazingly more normal than our everyday lives here in British Columbia. Maybe it's seeing MPH on the speed limit signs instead of KM/H; maybe it's knowing McD's and Wendy's have true dollar menus instead of $1.39 or $1.89 options; maybe it's seeing clearance prices at discount stores that are under $10-15 instead of seemingly stopping at $25 (how is that clearance?!). I know those are silly examples, but today my heart is just overwhelmed.

Hayden hates living here. That affects how I feel about it, even though I've tried to be very positive and find as many outlets as possible for us to meet families. The rain really does mess with your mind. I'm not depressed, but with it being dark so much of the day, it is hard to get motivated. Finding a job here is nearly impossible (unless we immigrate, and we're not). Honestly, I miss my house. My home. I miss my big kitchen and Hayden being able to run and jump and us not having to say, "Don't do that! The neighbors are going to complain!"

When we visited MS in November, we went "home." I don't so much miss the actual state as I do family, friends, and knowing where everything is. I have no idea who actually reads this thing, and I haven't updated much over the past few months because there are certain things we really didn't need to share with the entire world.

This year is going to be crazy; no doubt about it. We're not exactly sure how some things are going to play out right now. We have MANY decisions to make. 2012 was a year of growth and change and 2013 looks to be the same. There are things I can't share right now and there are things that will never make it to Facebook. I just needed to write. Ever feel that way? Right now, I'd love nothing more than to disappear for a weekend with David, but it's okay. I wish we knew everything God was going to do, but He surely has a sense of humor!

It's Done?

Seriously? It's the end of 2012? I've been seeing many year in review posts, and I realized I should probably recap my own year--just to have, you know? Since I don't feel like being super introspective, I'll simply hit the highlights!

Last Christmas break-April brought sorting, storing and selling everything we owned. EVERYTHING. We have a couch and loveseat in storage in addition to our personal effects.

In May we moved in with my parents because we knew we were leaving the first week(s) of June. I finished the school year and on June 2, David and our friend Mo pulled out to cross the country and meet Hayden and me in Seattle on Thursday, June 7.

On June 8 we crossed the Canadian border and immediately began trying to adjust to life in a new country. We couldn't get our items that we'd brought with us until the following Monday, June 11.

Our first intern, Wilson, was here for the summer before we even arrived, and our other two interns, Christopher and Shannon, arrived about 3 weeks later. That began a rapid-fire 3 months of learning new people, our community, and different cultures. Our lifestyle, while somewhat similar to America, was vastly different, if that makes any sense!

In late August, my parents came for their first visit. Early September meant that we finally had to learn what it was like to be missionaries as a family of three as our interns had returned home. Hayden and I continued to find ways to plug into the community and meet families. Mo came back for a visit in October. David continued coaching 12-13 YO football and his team made it to the play-offs in November.

November brought our first family vacation and a trip to MS for Thanksgiving. Exactly one week before Christmas brought a heavy snow (very heavy to us!) and Hayden's first experience with the powder and snow ice cream. Christmas was spent quietly at home with no big parties or family gatherings. So odd.

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We've faced many challenges this year. David and I have learned how to stand on our own two (or should that be four?) feet. Our faith has been stretched and pushed. We've grown. I've shed tears. I've had many joys. I do miss teaching, but I greatly appreciate that people have told us we've been a blessing to them while we've been here. Hayden has had a tough time but loves having parks so close to our home . We miss goofy things such as not paying for parking nearly everywhere, Chick-fil-A, tailgaiting, you get the idea. Those things that make the South, well, the South! Vancouver is beautiful...and dark, in many ways. We've learned that sometimes what we think is our purpose is not always. God has a funny sense of humor.

As I sit typing this on New Year's Eve, I glance out the window at falling snow. Insane. I'm so used to wearing shorts (okay, maybe pants and short sleeves) this time of year. I love wearing sweaters and scarves. I love needing my fireplace more than approximately 8 times during winter. But let's be honest, I miss many things about America, too. I do not know exactly what God has in store for 2013. Sure, I want to lose weight, be happier, blah, blah, blah. But more than anything, I want to be in the center of God's will no matter what. I have to accept that I may not know what the next month brings. I'm doing well to make it through today and that's okay. He has seen us through nearly seven months in Canada; surely I can trust Him with today. He's never let me down. I pray 2013 not only moves me closer to my Father, but a bit closer to those dreams I keep locked in my heart. Happy New Year!

Snow Day and New Holiday Traditions

I have been waiting for a day like today since we arrived: snow, fireplace, winter wonderland fun, Christmas movies, and snow ice cream. It was just a pleasant cold and then toasty day. Here are some photos to recap new traditions we've started and the adventures we've enjoyed during the Christmas season in a climate not marked by warm holidays.

 Hayden's gingerbread house from Sunday, December 16, 2012 at The Crossings in downtown Van.

 Reindeer food! Highly important for Christmas Eve.

 

 Our first live family Christmas tree. It smells fabulous in our living room.

 

 Selecting the perfect tree. (Pictures a bit out of order. Sorry!)

 

 Enjoying what we thought was a cold day; if we had only known what exactly one week before Christmas would bring!

 

 Thought these blue lights looked great while the snow fell.

 

 Surrounding buildings with freshly fallen snow that was still dropping.

 More buildings surrounding our clubhouse.

 

 Evergreens with a dusting of snow. Perfecto!

 

 Hayden's first snowball just outside our building.

 

 One happy kid.

 

 He has been asking since fall begin for snow so he could make a snow angel. Wish fulfilled.

 

 Houses across the street. Just looked awesome to wake up to this.

 

We ended this day with yummy snow ice cream. Shared the idea with people who have lived with snow nearly their entire lives. How have they not done this?!