“For I know the plans I have fo you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11
As I sit down to write our annual “Christmas” letter, like never before I’m staring at the screen wondering where to begin, what to write. It has been a year like none other, yet I’m at a loss to actually describe it – not necessarily the events, but the range of emotions that has accompanied the events, most of which are still a bit unresolved. Hence, it is a “New Year’s” letter this year.
The first few months of the year was dominated with college talk, applications, scholarship hopes, essays, letters of recommendation, and waiting. The 3 younger kids thought it would never end – many a dinner conversation was centered on colleges. In the end, Jake chose to attend Villanova University, a Catholic school in Philadelphia. He has wanted to be in the Air Force since he was about 12, and after much research, he decided ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) was a good way to pursue this goal. He was awarded an ROTC scholarship that requires him to serve 4 to 9 years after college, depending on the field he goes into.
About the same time as college decisions were being made, we learned we’d be moving back to the US. With conflicting emotions, we began the process of relocating – sorting, cleaning out, giving away. It was very humbling, as our pile of things that “just weren’t worth moving back” grew and grew, to watch the excitement of our Indian drivers, guards, gardeners and housekeeper as they sorted through our cast-offs and found treasures. Interestingly, they all seemed to take just what they needed, leaving plenty for the others. It’s no wonder they think we are so wealthy, since we considered much of what was there garbage. My driver was particularly pleased to find a small keychain with a photo of our family. “Oh, Madam, now I will remember you forever!”
With more than a few tears, we pulled up our roots and transplanted to Peoria, IL. Our time in India is a time that we’ll always remember fondly – it wasn’t always easy, but it was always interesting! It was also the last place we all lived together, which of course strikes a cord of nostalgia in me. We miss the International life, but it is clear this is where the Lord wants us now, and we continue to adjust.
From a travel perspective, which is one of my favorite things to focus on, it truly was an amazing year – between November 08 and April 09, we were in Asia, the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Australia! What a blessing.
As I said, Jake is in Philadelphia, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He loves Villanova, but particularly loves his Air Force training. As expected, we don’t hear from him often, but he does (usually) promptly answer text messages with a quick “Love you, too, Mom, miss you, too.” That’s about what I expected – and to be honest, he doesn’t have the best examples in communication from his parents.
Sam is a junior, taking the IB diploma program (the same Jake did in India) at a local public high school. This wasn’t an easy decision, but one we prayerfully considered, and believe to be the right one. Adjusting to American High School hasn’t been the easiest thing, though he has the personality to make it work. Sam played on the school soccer team this fall, though his season was cut short by a knee injury requiring surgery to repair. He’s doing well now, nearly back to full strength. He’s already talking a lot about colleges, so the 2 younger kids aren’t getting a break from that subject!
Ahnalies is in 8th grade at Peoria Christian School. She’s adjusting well, making friends and staying out of trouble by playing basketball, volleyball, and violin. She has developed her own strategy for fitting in: 1) In a group, never be in the front (where it looks like you’re leading) or back (where it looks like you’re just a hanger on), stay in the middle so you don’t draw attention 2) In class, don’t say what you know out loud – if you whisper answers the person in front of you will say it out loud, therefore getting the credit and only he/she will know you provided the answer, and 3) if asked to give an opinion, go with the majority. It seems to work for her, though it has drawn much distain from her highly opinionated older brothers.
Joe is 4th grade at PCS. He has made the transition the most easily, though he misses India, and especially his best friend in the world, Isaac – the 2 of them lived at one another’s homes on weekends for 2 years. Joe is an easy, laid back kind of guy who keeps everyone around him laughing. Needless to say, he quickly made friends here. He’s our family’s ambassador, as he has met more people in our neighborhood than any of the rest of us combined, and gives us tips about where to go out for dinner after he’d already been there with neighbors. Joe also played soccer this fall, though he’s pretty much up for any activity and hasn’t chosen a favorite yet.
Mark continued to do his job in India for several months after we moved back, and is currently in a temporary transition job, which sort of means they are keeping him busy until they find a job they want him to do here. It isn’t an easy position to be in, and he’ll be glad when he has a more defined role.
I think I’m in a transition job as well. I spend a lot of time in the car, being the only licensed driver without a full time job (Sam will be able to get his in April). I also help out in the library at school, a position I love –being surrounded by books in my happy place for sure! Other than that, I’m still trying to figure out who and what I am now.
As we go into this New Year, we wish you our Redeeming Lord’s peace and comforting presence in all you are called to do.
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