We are in Dallas. Our Thursday and Friday ran together as we pulled an all-nighter packing our lives up. We never would have made it without the help of our dear friends Jodi and Yuliya. Thursday afternoon our family was walking the alleyways of the Old City and Friday evening we were driving through the suburbs of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. (after NY, LA and Chicago). Why so many people want to live here is a mystery that I guess we will discover.
We are staying at the home of friends who are traveling for two weeks. Once upon a time they were IBEX students. If measured in terms of square feet and pictures on the wall, they have come a long ways real fast. When they return, we’ll be moving closer to the center of Dallas to stay with other friends who will be around for a week before going on vacation. Altogether we are hopeful that this will give us enough time to locate a church and a house. A car is in there too but that should be easier than the other two.
I wish that I could be focused solely on this transition, but I have so many things on my list that just didn’t get done this summer (or last semester, or the one before that, etc.) that I really must apply myself very carefully to clear the decks, at least make some progress. Most of the time I feel as if I am going backwards, with more things being added to the list than subtracted. Either I am loved or incompetent.
A new thing on the summer list is to “refresh” my Greek in preparation for a course this fall. It’s amazing how much you can forget in 12 years.
In recent times, people have told us “congratulations” or “you must be excited.” Perhaps that feeling will come. At this point, we feel more of the “loss” than of the “opportunity.” We feel more of the “leaving” than of the “arriving.” We still believe this is God’s will and we know that we deserve nothing from him, including another second in Israel. We should be rejoicing over the wonderful years thus far, and we do.
UPDATE: I have changed some words in the last paragraph to more accurately reflect my feelings. The original post was written when I was quite tired.
Hey Todd, my family will be keeping yours in our prayers. We know how rough such changes can be! My sister and I were close to your kids ages when we moved away. It’s fun and frustrating all at the same time.
It’s encouraging to know that when you’re following God’s will to the best of your ability He will bless your time, no matter where you are geographically or culturally.
Looking forward to seeing you again sometime! No desmayes!
Dan
good job on getting through so much in such a short time.
Aaaand, I hope your living funeral is a really really good one!
Here’s lookin’ to Greek, finding streets, houses, churches, cars and whatever else God has ordained!
Todd, Sarah and I are feeling a bit of this too as we prepare to leave our home in California for Princeton. I can’t imagine doing the same thing and having to do it coming from Israel to Dallas; the cognitive dissonance must be staggering! God bless you both as you open to this next chapter in your lives. Let’s keep in touch. Regards, Chris