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| Maldives, 2014 |
I'm starting again.
It's a new year.
A fresh start.
A new look.
A new blog.
5 Months ago we landed back on Canadian soil after being in Bahrain, in the Middle East for 2 years. It was the ride of our lives. It had it's ups and downs. The 2 years in a nut shell...INCREDIBLE!
Incredibly Amazing.
Incredibly TOUGH.
Incredibly Fun.
INCREDIBLY INTENSE.
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| Prince Ryden |
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| traditional Bahraini Dress |
Our kids attended a fantastic American International School. Learned Arabic, had field trips like Camping in the desert, Mangroves in Dubai, and Space Camp in Turkey. Also the school soccer team went to Cypress for a tournament. The opportunities, endless. The experience for our kids....undeniably the best thing we gave them!
Do we miss it?
I guess it depends who you ask. I think we all miss parts of it. Some of us miss it more than others for sure. Would we do it again....definitely. When? Who really knows. Yes, we have thoughts, desires, ideas, plans...but when do our plans ever go as planned! Like seriously...let's be honest. It NEVER goes as planned. So, we dream...but but continue to live each day to the fullest.
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| Rhodes, Greece |
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| Everyone has to ride a donkey in Greece.... |
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| my kids had patience with me and all the photo ops... |
We were gifted by being able to move back home. It was, what we were supposed to do. I don't doubt that for a second. Terence going to school...exactly where he should be. He loves it. He has entered a world of learning that he hasn't been a part of for over 25 years. But, he thoroughly enjoys it. The people he's met, the books he's read...it has pushed him to find out what he's truly capable of. He has grown in so many ways. It has encouraged me, as I watch my husband live out his life in 100% commitment to His God...no matter the cost or the risk.
Times in Calgary aren't great on the work front. People are still being let go. Oil is in the toilet. Good, hard workers, his friends...are out of work. Yet, we feel this is where we are supposed to be right now. No, we can't be a student family forever. What we packed away, will not last. So, this new year IS full of a lot of unknowns for our family. Terence has stepped up the job hunt since 2016 has begun. Are there jobs out there....a few. But, of course there are hundreds or more realistically THOUSANDS of people probably applying to all the same jobs. Companies have "hiring freezes" on. So, his friends in the industry can't really help him at this point. Or, at least that's been the case to this point....
But, you know...there's going to be that one job, that one connection...that will land you the job you're supposed to have. Are we worried? NOPE. Curious....yip! I'm a "need to know" kind of person. And, I think as the man of the family, Terence would like to know that in the future he will be able to provide all the needs of his family. All men have that need within them. So, we forge on. Keep trusting the plan God has for us. I don't doubt he has a great plan...he ALWAYS does. But, I know it's never what I think it's going to be. Did I ever dream of living in the Middle East? Nope. Did I ever think Terence would be doing his masters? NOPE. So, I'd like to say I'm completely calm...but that would be a half truth. I'm half calm...half thinking WHAT in the world does He have planned for our family. A nice simple job in Calgary...seems too simple a plan. A phenomenal plan for sure! But, with so few jobs....will we really get one? With all these lay offs?
All I know. Is that if we're supposed to get one in Calgary...we will. End of Story. It may not be the perfect job, but, it will be a job.
My job....is to trust the one who is greater and mightier than I. And, the one that has an amazing plan for our family. It won't necessarily be easy...cause He doesn't promise it will be. But, it will be what He want for us. In life we need to go through things to stretch us and grow us. Stretching and growing is painful. Sometimes almost too much to bare. But, through the pain...he promises to be with us. Giving us strength to make it through. Our 2 years in Bahrain caused us great pain...and great joy. Some of the ways we were stretched I thought I just couldn't bare it anymore. But, when the storm ceased and the sun came out....it truly was worth it all. I see where I was...and how far we came. If it wasn't for Bahrain...we would be in Calgary with Terence attending Seminary. So, clearly the pain is worth it. Just not very enjoyable in the moment. But, with each trial...with each stretching I learn more and more that my Father knows best. And that, produces comfort and peace in my life.
So, onwards and upwards. Let 2016 be a year of further growth in our family...and a year that we will boldly step out in faith once more.
I truly hope that I can continue to blog about the ups and downs of this year to come. I've struggled with blogging lately...so we'll see how it goes. I just have this feeling this year will be a year to remember. And so with aging...we do tend to forget such life events. So, this blog will be my way of remembering what 2016 entailed!
Thanks for journeying with us. Don't be afraid to comment! It's always nice to hear who's following along!
.....Carala
