« Seek Ye First | Home | A Few ‘Tech’ Related Things »
Merry Christmas!
Written by Tamara on December 23, 2009 in News
They say moving abroad is on the top 10 list of “most stressful” events. It’s true! They also say there is no greater reward than following God’s call on your life. This is VERY true!! The latter being the reason we spent 2009 moving our family to the other side of the world.
12 months ago today our Christmas had us sipping “cool” drinks in our air conditioned home down in Townsville, Australia. We wore sleeveless shirts, shorts and flip flops! Palm trees blew during the tropical storms we had outside and rain flooded the streets during the typical tropical downpours. We had green tree frogs croaking from our drain pipes as they sought shelter from the wet, fruit bats flying amongst the mango trees and Christmas parties galore at the Reef to Outback YWAM base.
Caleb and Jessica had Christmas concerts with shiny, sweaty faces and we were reminded of Christ’s birth with a live nativity on the beach.
Amongst these familiar things was also a family who was getting ready to say goodbye to what had filled their previous Christmases. And 12 months later….
We sit in our heated home on the complete opposite side of the world. Our arms are covered, we have material covering our feet (also known as socks!) and we seek out warm drinks and an extra blanket at night. A different type of noise is heard outside. It’s the sound of snow shovels clearing people’s sidewalks. Extra time is spent working out how many layers should be worn in order to keep warm and tyres are swapped on the car in order to provide traction on the icy roads. Faces hurt and breathing is hard as we come in from only a short amount of time spent in the backyard.
This Christmas is different for us in SO many ways. However, the one thing that has remained constant for us is the VERY thing that brings us hope and reassurance when we face all that is unfamiliar to us. It’s JESUS!
As we continue to help our children with the emotional part of our transition from Australia to Canada, we find great affirmation as we tell them…the SAME God who loved us, protected us and provided for us in Australia is the SAME God who will do the same for us here in Canada. Yes, things are different on this side of the world, but God remains the SAME and He is our ALL!!
Wherever you are spending your Christmas this year, however familiar or unfamiliar things are around you, we wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. May you feel the constant and ever fulfilling love of Christ at this special time of year.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Oh, this makes me miss Australia so much!
Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2009 at 3:37 am
I’m glad you have the white stuff outside to celebrate with those “-” temps! God’s blessings to you guys for 2010! I’m glad you’re here on this side of the world and I hope our travels make it up to you next year.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:15 am
Hi Bill,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Christmas at your parent’s place. As a military wife I can relate to the stresses of moving but the move I loved making was the one back home. You are so lucky to have such a loving family in Calgary. Your mom and dad are so awesome. I loved watching them be grandparents as it is the first time I have seen them with Caleb and Jessica.You are blessed to have them in your lives as they are to have you back in their daily lives. I loved seeing Jenny and Shannon and their new places. It was nice to get to know Matt in the midst of family. What an exciting time for them and you are there to share it.
I haven’t seen your grandmother in many years but she is just the same and Scott and I enjoyed visiting with her.
It was a pleasure to finally meet Jessica and Caleb. Uncle Brian enjoyed giving you a tour of the airplane and he said that Caleb was a really smart kid. Maybe one day he will become a pilot too! Jessica and Caleb were a delight on Christmas Day. So well behaved even though they were surrounded by excitement and up so late. I look forward to seeing you and Tamara at the wedding in March.
Love Aunt Sue
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:17 am
G’day guys
What amazing changes to embrace, very ‘bracing’ too!(Sorry, old English teachers must rhyme on.)Tim had about 9 weeks in the UK over the past six months, but no snow. I still remember him excitedly throwing snowballs at himself on the Columbia ice fields years ago when my sister was teaching in Vancouver.
I’m enjoying a wattle bird in my gum tree as I avoid planning for the new teaching year.
Another of our past students is in Calgary I think at present.
Love to all
Jill