It's been a while since I've had time to blog more than just menu plans. We've been busy and Ian is in full swing with the text portion of his project. He hijacked my macbook so he could write in the library where there's less distractions. I finally have it back, so I'm going to take this opportunity to update you all on our current transitions.
Ian is graduating May 16, and we still don't know what post-graduation holds for us. In previous years, LA graduates would have jobs lined up well before this point in the semester. We, on the other hand, have the economy crisis. Firms are interested, but don't have the funding to say "you're hired" ... not yet. So we wait. God is using this to grow my trust in Him. I'm a planner and worrier. Planning isn't bad, but I'm learning to rest in HIS plan and timing, and give my worry to him every day. I don't want to deal with it, and I don't have to. We may be jobless, but we aren't hopeless!
My family is taking us to the Philippines for about a month this summer. I am so excited to spend so much time with them, and to see our extended family — it's been over 10 years! And Ian is excited to meet them all for the first time and experience a new culture. We got our passports in the mail about a month ago. Mine, by the way, is horrible. It wasn't a great photo to start. I hadn't straightened my hair. We did the quick Polaroid at the post office. But things really took a turn for worse when someone in the passport office decided to have a little photoshop fun. He/she adjusted the brightness in the photo making my face so pasty I look like I have the flu. Then, he/she showed off photo editing skills by "cutting out" my hair. The flipped out, crunchy-needing-trimmed ends extend beyond the box. That's right. A disgusting glob of hair is actually hanging out of the photo frame, oozing into the rest of the passport. Even Ian, who told me I was beautiful when I had walking pneumonia, admitted it doesn't look good. Passports last for 10 years. yay.
It's setting in that we're leaving. The church is starting the search for my replacement, and we're getting applications and interest. It makes our relocation more real than ever, and I feel melancholy. There is so much I'm going to miss: being able to watch Dancing with the Stars with the gang, the encouraging faces at church, going home just for the weekend, Bluestem Bistro... We are so excited for our future, but saying goodbye to home and the way of life we embrace is going to be a painful process.
That really sums up where we are right now. Excitement, sadness, the unknown, the familiar. Change is constant in life, but these are big ones. We'd really appreciate your prayers for God's guidance in Ian's job search, and that we will be able to make the most of our moments, both as we leave and as we make a new home. If there is anything we can be praying for you, please leave a comment. We would love to support you as you support us!
