Adventure Sick

Life is an adventure.  It is for all of us, just a little more for some than for others.  Lately I've been feeling our lives have more adventure in them than I care for.  And when I speak of adventure, let me be more specific...change.  I have never really liked change, which is ironic considering all of the changes that have happened in our lives and I feel like we have dealt with them well and adjusted.  But I still just dread them because of all of the logistics and emotions involved.  I'd rather stay home...wherever that is these days!  :)  

Now that we're finally settled in and in our groove here in Ohio, change is once again on the horizon.  And don't get me wrong, I'm excited about these upcoming things, but at the same time it feels like a looming storm.  Not to sound too negative, after all storms can be good, fun, and needed. (I understand that well living in Anapolis where in dry season it feels like even your bones are dry!  And a storm can be welcome!)  But either way, big rolling clouds coming in and there's no way to escape it...everything is about to get wet! 

So....one two three here we go!!!

Next week we leave for a 10 way road trip.  We will stop by NJ and VA.  In NJ we'll visiting our home church, some supporters and friends, and family who still haven't met Elijah.

We'll come back to Ohio where Jeyson will likely take his FAA maintenance test.  It isn't legally required for him since he works in Brazil, but since he's here in the US and one of the men from the mission is qualified to give it to Jeyson, why not?  It's one more certification that can open more opportunites.  And, all of the studying that Jeyson has been doing to prepare has really helped him even if he doesn't take the test.

Then, we'll stay for another 2 weeks or so and then drive to Chicago.  In Chicago we'll return our car and visit with the new pastor from one of our supporting churches.  We'll only be there a few days.

Then, it's time to enjoy the holidays with family!  First, we'll fly to Los Angeles, where Jeyson's brother and wife live.  We'll meet their brand new baby, Stella.  My in-laws and sister-in-law (and her husband and son) will be staying with Jeyson's brother so we'll also see them.

Next about 3 days before Christmas we'll drive down to Arizona to stay with my parents for Christmas through New Years.  There we will be also seeing my sister Christa one last time before her wedding!  We also hope to get away for a night or so to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.  And we will also likely abuse my parents and sneak in as much free babysitting as possible give Elijah the privilege of building memories with his grandparents :)   

Then, it's back up to Los Angeles around January 6th where we will stay for just another few days when we fly back to Brazil on January 11th.    Phew!!!

And if that weren't enough, we were contacted by our mission about a month ago with a proposal of a temporary move to another base when we return to Brazil.  There is much to talk about with this proposal.  We are praying about it and seeing if this is what God has for us and talking about some of the details with the leadership, but of course communication is hard long distance.  So, for now we're just thinking and praying.  

Adventure.  Oh my.  I am really longing to get settled for the long term.  I think that is definitely the hardest thing about our lives as missionaries.  It's not true of all missionaries, but being on the move has been a way for life for us and I'm just feeling so worn down.  Not that it means we won't go, but my hope and prayer is that in the upcoming future we will get to feel more settled than we are right now.  Sometimes I'd like to decrease our adventure level.  Sometimes the whole thing makes me break out in tears and acne :)  But sometimes I can keep God's perspective of this world not being our home and think of not knowing what's around the next curve as a fun surprise that He's guiding us through.  I guess it's a matter of perspective.