A new place

We have arrived in Zambia and are settling in to the place we will call home for the next 5-6 months. We are so thankful for the prayers of many of you across the States for traveling safety. It was a whirlwind trip, but full of new and interesting experiences. The kids slept relatively well piled like puppy dogs in their airplane seats. I was slightly appalled that they all cashed out on the tile floors in Heathrow Airport. Why can’t they make airports slightly more comfortable?

When we first arrived at Heathrow Airport, we left the airport and took the Tube (London’s subway system) into London. I don’t know if the kids remember anything because they were so exhausted, but we have the pictures to prove it. On the way back to the airport, one of the kids sat on my lap and we both fell asleep. I woke up to find drool dripping off my arm. The child who did it claimed it was merely tears from dealing with the emotions of leaving family. It’s debatable.

Finally, packed up for the trip to the airport!

Hanging out at O'Hare waiting to board our plane waiting outside the window!

The Thames River with the Eye of London in the background.

Big Ben! Thank goodness we watch educational movies like Cars 2 so our kids recognize this famous landmark.

Buckingham Palace. But no view of the Royal Baby.

The kids were all enamored with the loooong escalators at the tube station.

Just two short weeks ago, we finished packing up our house in Woodburn. Pulling out of the drive with my children hanging their heads out of the windows screaming goodbye to our empty house caused my eyes to well up with tears. Trying to explain what the moment felt like is difficult for me. As I drove to the end of the Delagrange Drive, my mind was flooded with memories; bringing 2 of our children home from the hospital after their births, parties, cookouts and camping in the backyard,  reading to the kids under the giant shade trees in the front yard, obstacle courses in the house, fires in the fireplace on those cold wintry days…But I testify to the fact that even though I felt slightly bereft…I was filled with peace. The verse that says “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." was filling my spirit.

That house was our haven. Now as we settle in Zambia, our hearts yearn for the comfort we felt in that place. As we begin to grapple with a culture we don’t yet understand, we feel a little unshaken and unsure. But oh how I love the fact that these feelings turn to longing for our heavenly home. There we will rest and delight in His presence. But for now, He gives us much grace and wisdom as we work together as a family to create new history, new relationships, new work, new joy and a new place of haven.  Here. Right now. In this place.