Thursday, March 6, 2008

Let's Have A Party!

I'm so glad you could join me! How exciting to be part of THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY hosted by 5 Minutes For Mom. Such fun to surf the interweb for some new buddies :-) As we get ready to move overseas, I can see these connections becoming my life-line at times, when I'm homesick, frustrated with learning a new language, or just in need of some laughs.

On my next birthday I'll hit the half century mark [but not until later in the year; much, much later] and instead of being all settled and matronly like I expected, I've just finished giving away all my furniture and I'm packing up my favorite pillow, about 500 books, my sewing machine and fabric stash and moving to South America.

Oh, and I'll take Hubby along, too. :-) Seriously, for him it's kinda like going home. He grew up in Argentina, living there the first 20 years of his life. He'll be able to slide right back into the language and culture.

Me. Not so much. Two years of college-level Spanish and I can barely speak kindergarten Spanish. But as Hubby is apt to say, I like to talk too much NOT to learn!

Why are we going? 'Cause God said to, that's why! No, He didn't write it down anywhere. But He did make it clear that's His plan for us. So...here we go... hopefully in the next few months. Been getting ready for a while -- like years.

We're an ordinary American couple. We met at college, got married, had 2 kids. Our kids turned out remarkably well, considering all the mistakes we made! :-) And like everyone else, we're muddling along the best we can.

In the course of our almost 29 years of marriage, we've lived in four states and Hubby has held jobs ranging from sales to houseparenting to construction. And all along we've been active in the local church. The past 11 years Hubby's served as a bi-vocational pastor and we also spent one year volunteering with a ministry to orphans in Uganda, East Africa.

We've learned a lot of lessons along the way, primarily that it's not so much what we can do for God, but what God can do through us. We're pretty "puney" in and of ourselves [puney is a good southern word meaning small, weak, insufficient]. So it's a good thing it's all about Him and not about us!

I love to read, quilt, read, eat chocolate, read, spend time with family and friends, read... And I have no literary taste. I'll read just about anything except scifi and romance novels. My greatest cultural hurdle will be minimal access to books. In a language I can read, I mean. Hence the 500 plus books I'm taking with me. And thank the Good Lord for amazon.com and eBay so I can continue to feed my addiction. I'll probably spend more on postage than on the actual books. But hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I look forward to blogging my experiences of living in another country. Having done this short-term in Africa, I know others are amused by my cultural faux pas and I'm not above poking a little fun at myself. "Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained." (John Powell)

27 comments:

Jenny86753oh9 said...

I'm party-hopper....nice to meet you! How exciting for you guys! I grew up in India as a missionary kid and wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

brooke said...

Thanks so much for your comment! I've made some semi-complicated purses (with linings and pockets and stuff) but they are generally more along the lines of tote bags. I know you can do it! And wow, you're moving to South America... that's amazing. And your quilts sound really cool... do you have any pictures of them anywhere? I'd love to see them.

IL Social Worker said...

Party hopping here - happy blog party! May God provide many blessings to you in South America.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Wow, what an amazing new adventure and mission you have embarked on! Blessings to you. Angela

Shawna said...

May God bless your ministry. What a huge step and an amazing opportunity.

I love to read myself and do book reviews. Please stop by either of my sites if you get a chance:

http://scampsplace.blogspot.com

http://teenlitreview.blogspot.com

Judy said...

Happy Party. I lived in Brazil for three years so I know whereof you speak. You will find that the internet truly becomes a lifeline.

You'll be surprised how quickly you pick up the language. Looking forward to reading of your adventures, because that's what you will have.

Blessings...

Milk Mama said...

Wow! What a blessing! I can't believe how many Christian women blog! It's awesome! God bless you and your ministry! Happy party going!

Sarah

Cherrye said...

Wow. THAT is a big move. I just moved to Italy. Come see my blog to read about adjusting...

Also, there is a book club started by Expats and we basically share books and send them around the country.

I think the website is readerswithoutborders.com/bookswap.

If not, email me (from my blog) and I will find the address for you. It has been a lifesaver for me here in no English-speaking man's land.

Unknown said...

Hi from N Ireland.

God bless you as He leads you to the next stage of your life's adventure with Him.

Enjoy the party:)

Write From Karen said...

Wow! You're on the threshold of something fun and different! I'm nervous FOR you! But you'll be fine, it sounds like you have faith and you're in good hands. May God bless your journey and your new life!

Enjoy the party!

Write From Karen

Ivanhoe said...

Oh my - good luck with your big plan! I moved from small european country to the states almost eleven years ago, so I know it is not easy... But you can do whatever you put your faith in!

DeeBee said...

Hope you are enjoying this party week! It's nice getting you know you and your blog.

DeeBee said...

I'm having a great time party hopping and I hope you are too. Your recipe sounds delicious. It's nice to meet you. I enjoyed your blog.

Unknown said...

Wow, what a grand adventure God is preparing for you!

Hope you'll stop by my party! Have a blessed day!

Alexis Jacobs said...

What an amazing experience for you. Wow!! God is sure working in your life.

Blessed said...

just party hopping - I love to read too! I understand the addiction thing :) Good luck in your move.

momofmhasr said...

hopefully my kids will turn out alright also. Come see some of the mistakes we are making.

Jenni said...

visiting the party...
What a NEAT adventure you're living, being in Argentina! My dad spent 2 years there in young adulthood and LOVED it.
God bless!

~cassie~ said...

Thanks for the comments...It is good to meet another southern girl...Moving to South America...that is awesome...May God bless you in your ministry

MMM said...

Nice to meet you. I came over from the party and wanted to meet another southern gal! =)

Brandie said...

Hello! Moving to south america - good luck with that. Sounds like it will be an awesome thing for you and hubby! I'm sure God will be many great things through the two of you!

The Random Muse said...

Good luck with the move. I love that quote you used at the end.

Deb said...

Great post! Hope your enjoying the party! I’ve been meeting tons of new people! Hope to try to visit at least half of them before Friday! You never know when you may meet a forever friend. Pop by for a visit if you get a chance! Enjoy your day!

Forgetfulone said...

Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm so impressed you're moving to S. Am and that you lived in Uganda. My pastor recently returned from a trip to Uganda and Malawi where our church has missions (Uganda - teaching and orphanage--Malawi - birthing clinic and other missions). One of our elders lived in Malawi for almost 30 years. Raised his entire family over there, and his son is still there keeping his father's work alive.

Sorry to go on so long. You're invited to my blog! http://forgetfulone.blogspot.com/2008/03/lets-party.html

Terri H said...

Thanks for joining the party. I've enjoyed getting to know you.

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Awesome, awesome post! We have some friends who are serving in Johannesburg now that their kids are grown. Hope you'll stop by my party as well!

Ami said...

Happy Blog Party! I'm still making the rounds and wanted to say hello! It sounds like you have a really interesting future ahead of you. Looking forward to hearing more about it!

Stop by and say hello if you get a chance.