January

January - the month that would bring huge changes into our lives; the month we were both looking forward to and dreading at the same time.  We were excited about getting back to the Philippines and our new ministry, but dreading the upheaval of packing and the many difficult good byes.

January - the month another chapter in our life was completed; the month of packing, good byes, getting rid of all of our electric appliances, farewell parties, meetings with the Real Estate agent and lawyer for the sale of our house, canceling the phone etc. in our home, more packing, more good byes, last time for this, and last time for that and the story goes on.

Another chapter in our lives had come to an end.  That chapter that had us in England for 6 years included settling into our new home, making new friends, finding a new church and getting to know the folks there, learning new jobs and trying to change many words in our vocabulary so our dear British friends would know what we were talking about.

We look back on those years with fondness - it would have been so much easier to stay put until retirement, than uproot once more and go through the process of settling back into life in Asia.  However we both felt very strongly that this was what God was asking us to do, so in comparison to what He has done for us, it was a very small task, and we wanted to do it with joyful hearts.

About 10 min before our good byes to these precious girls.

We know tons of people were praying for us and God's grace brought us through that first big step.  Somehow in the midst of it all we were able to leave our home, hug our close friends for the last time and have a couple days with our British family.  The Lord was very gracious to us, helping us to continue to put one foot in front of the other and now our feet are in Canada.

Locking our door in North Cotes for the last time. 

I'll post a few short blogs with some of the bitter/sweet; happy/sad stories of our process of good byes, packing and leaving our home and family in England; from being settled in our home in North Cotes, to being with our wonderful family in Canada.