This Journey Together: Similar But Not The Same

It's been one week in country! The time has flown and lagged all at the same time. The list of accomplishments is short and the expectations of ourselves is probably more than it should be but we are working on that.

So how are we doing? This is the question we've been asked a lot in this first week. Well, it's difficult to answer that question but I'll try. I'll start with the kids. They are excited about our new city and adjusting to the new temporary routines of public transportation, new foods, hearing a new language and solitude. We are seeing the outbursts of emotion, tears, and pain of adjustment too. Thankfully mostly they are doing well and sleep routines are almost re-established!!

Andrew and I are simply in survival mode and probably will be until permanent housing, our shipment arrives, and visas are settled. We are doing our best to get our barrings in a place we arrived in a week ago. Andrew has been a wonderful navigator of buses, metros and trams while looking like a pack animal most of the time. We are quite the show on public transportation with the loudest kids by far.

Something I've been saying all week is things are "similar but not the same." This applies to almost every area right now. There are some things that are super different but when it comes to day to day things I'd say it's fairly true. Not that I expected things to be the same or that the same is good but that's just how I'd describe most of my surroundings.

We are finding comfort in the time together as a family and sharing each night about how we are doing. The Lord is guiding us and strengthening us daily. I've been led to many passages on joy and peace lately, specifically Philippians 4 comes to mind. This is one of may favorite passages,

⁴"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Oh, how I need to soak in these verses daily. Prayers? Yes, please!! For everything mentioned above and for this pregnancy. I'll share more soon but there were some complications we were made aware of shortly before we left. They are hopefully minor but we need to find a provider soon in addition to all the other things on the list. So again, I'm trying not to be anxious but pray.

Here are some pictures from our first week. Enjoy!