It has been a while since I have journaled on our journey of life in SE Asia. As we settled into life as expatriates, routines began to emerge. Since 2016, one of our routines was summer visits to the States, then back to life in SE Asia. Well…this summer brought a new turn in events…a curve ball thrown into our routine. In light of this, I would say, it is a good time to share again about our journey. I would also say that at this point, this journey, since 2014, has been learning to live life “Not Normal” or living life in a “New Normal”.

At this point in our journey we have extended our “summer” visit into the beautiful fall season, and are now headed into the holidays as well. This has been an extended and unexpected time in the States for us. It has come with its challenges AND its blessings. I want to share a couple things that I am in the midst of learning and re-learning as we maneuver through this season.

First, it’s been learning to live in a paused state of life. Paused in the sense that there are projects and vision put on a low simmer, waiting for the time when we can we return to Asia. And it certainly is a paused state of life because I am living without roots. My home (apartment) is in Asia, so I float from living space to living space while in the States…basically living out of suitcases and a storage unit. As I think of “roots” I first think about being rooted in a solid substance like a plant in soil. Then my mind changes as I remember that there are some beautiful ivy plants in my apartment in SE Asia that are “rooted” in water. They are not in the solid substance of dirt. They are in a liquid, not solid. AND they survive and thrive in that condition. So it makes me stop and realize…maybe my current state of life is not rooted in a solid substance like dirt BUT my life is rooted in a life-giving substance that brings beauty and causes me to thrive.

The second lesson I would share is the art of “re-framing” or seeing the beauty that surrounds me. I could get caught up in all that is wrong. I could get depressed by the barriers that seem to loom in our path. I could focus on the frustrations of not being able to plan ahead (oh my!!!). And if I chose any of these options, I would miss the beauty of this journey. I am so aware that this is a special place in time. I will not pass this way again. In some respects, I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, but I do what is before me today. Today, I can see the beauty of the changing season. Today, I can take the time to see, touch, and be in the company of my sons and many friends that I have in the States. Today, I can enjoy a fire in the fireplace at Cracker Barrel (a favorite eating spot for us). Today, I can enjoy the scenery that is in this part of the journey and be thankful. So why not enjoy the journey? Why not make delicious lemonade out of the lemons? And in the midst of this, I am developing new skills, greater flexibility, and keeping those brain cells firing because of the frequent adjustments that I have to engage in.

So…this expat life and this journey in SE Asia…is it still worth it? I would say YES! Is it always comfortable? I would say NO! Is it necessary? Again I would say YES!
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Please take some time to enjoy the pictures of our journey in the last month or 2 as we have enjoyed the journey and made lemonade.

This is one of my favorite family pictures. It is a picture of my mother with our youngest son before he graduated high school. We made a visit to her home in Texas like we usually did about twice a year. This was one of the last visits our son could make with us to see her.
So what is this Blog about?
I wanted to honor my mother and to share an ideal that my mother instilled in me as well as lived her life by. "When there is a will there is a way."
Those who knew my mother knew she was a strong woman. She was a determined woman. She was a resourceful woman. She was a loyal, faithful, and compassionate woman. And in some ways, you would say she was a fighter. When a problem came her way, she was not easily discouraged to find a solution. She was not afraid of hard work, and she was diligent to find ways either around, over, or through the situation. Her strong will caused her to not give up. And her strength was anchored in a power that was stronger than her power. She knew that and relied on the Greater Power that was on her side!

In our travels and in the present pandemic situation, we have been impressed with the differences we have seen in Americans and in other nationalities we are familiar with. In the American culture our sense of independence and that sense of being a "fighter" is still strong and evident. I am thankful for that. I am thankful for a people, a nation, that stands strong and stalwart in the face of howling winds of adversity and blazes a trail of right, truth, and justice.Some people feel powerless and without a voice. These can find themselves following the path of least resistance feeling there is no other way (versus blazing a trail of right or truth). Now, in no way is this advocating lawlessness or chaos. This is about finding your strength to stand and continue forward even in the midst of adversity, problems and oppositions.

Maybe the first path is blocked. So what is another path forward? Another saying my mother (and many other mother's have said) is "don't cry over spilt milk". To be able to find another "way", we have to be willing to not stand at the "old" way and keep mourning over what won't or can't be. We must recognize, there is another way...let's find it. Instead of seeing the WALL...start looking for the DOOR that is in the wall.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Be strong. Be Compassionate. Be Faithful to the vision or dream you carry.

Do you like to be surprised?
A definition of surprise is "an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing."

I must say that I haven't liked every surprise that has come my way. And at the same time, there are some unexpected or sudden things that have happened that have caused great delight! One of those surprises came in May to John and I. For about 6 years we had slept on extremely firm mattresses in Asia (coconut husk filled). And in May, we came across a couple moving back to the States who had a mattress topper we had been desiring! Here is John with the pad. It is now in our home and we started enjoying sweeter sleep!! What a great surprise this find was for us!!

As I think about life in this current season, I think about surprises. I think the world has been caught by surprise by events that have unfolded in unexpected ways. I then think of how we can tend to react to surprises. In the moment we will react more than respond. As we settle into the "surprise", we are able to stop and think and make more of a calculated choice versus the automatic reactions. Responding puts the sense of control back in our hands. Stop -- Think -- Choose -- Respond

So some thoughts...Embrace the moments of life. Let life surprise you at times. What does that mean? Look for things that are new or awe inspiring for you. Like what? Enjoy a starry sky at night. Enjoy watching a thunderstorm roll in.  Take time to step beyond this technology driven world to see and be awe struck with the creation.Capture the joy of a moment. Put the worry on hold. Worry and dread will rob us of the joys that can be hidden in the most unlikely places and moments. Enjoy the surprises. And the moments that have sourness mixed in...remember to mix in some sweetness. How? Cultivate a thankful heart. Look for the good that still surrounds you.

Believe. Life is good. Look for the good. Expect the good.
Enjoy the moments when good surprises you, and take a deep breath when the surprises want to take your breath away through fear, etc. Weeping lasts for the night AND JOY comes in the morning! Be ready to be surprised by times of GREAT JOY!