Hitting the Low and God's Blessing through it All

So the past few days, Dustin and I have just been struggling and having what they call here, having a Shanglow day. After talking last night we are realizing that while we are settling in here and making a home there are certain things in our daily lives that have accumulated into our Shanglow feeling.

First we have pinpointed, and I have mentioned this before, the loss of ability to drive. While it is great to be shuttled everywhere and our driver could not be nicer, there are many things that make this change hard. First and foremost both of us enjoy driving. Secondly, we did not even realize how time in the car for us back home, was quiet time. And then of course the obvious which is that it is your freedom. To not be able to go where you want, when you want is an adjustment. Yes our driver answers to us, but we give him Saturday off and we share him. So, if I am still at the store, and Dustin wants to head home he has to wait til I get home, and then wait for our driver to arrive which takes another 30 minutes from our house.

The second thing we pinpointed is we are getting virtually no alone time, or down time. Dustin was used to being able to go biking (very hazardous here on these streets) and I was used to my schedule at home and my support team of Dustin's family and mine.

Finally, mostly for Dustin, as I come from a larger city originally... He is adjusting to not being able to get away and go to the State park or be in a place where you do not see hundreds of people all the time. Even the apartment lends itself to being around strangers at all time.

So, what did we learn in all of this. Mostly that our transition is still in progress, and seemingly the small changes are what are adding up to what make us feel that we are not at peace, or as Dustin described, just restless and what I describe as our Shanglow days. The other lesson is just in how God continues to support us and bless us in this journey. We both went to bed sort of down and focused on what were facing and wondering how to address the issues. We both prayed and it is amazing at how God works.

This is our morning today:
Dustin had a fantastic and supportive meeting this morning. I got an e-mail from one of the girls that I met at church and we are scheduling to get together with them as a family and individually. Dustin got an e-mail from one of the men he met here and was invited to join a group of men that go biking each Sunday (through a safe neighborhood). The e-mail for the women I met also was filled with information about restaurants, stores etc. She even included addresses and phone numbers. I also had mentioned my cold that I have right now, and she offered to drive over to me some over the counter medication. To most this in itself is so kind, but the fact that she lives on the other side of the river nearly an hour an half away makes it that much more special. Finally, Dustin and I realized that we will need to get an Ayi sooner than later. This will be the only way that I will be able to get some respite time for myself. As usual, Danny, Josh and I went to the park this morning and we were alone for no more than 10 minutes, when a women and her son arrived. She not only shared with me a park that we can go to that is near by and as close as we will come to a State park with not a lot of people, she also has a name of an Ayi that might work out for us. Finally when the boys and I arrived home we ran into our neighbor who also lives on the 5th floor (there is only us and them on this floor on our side of the building). She was so incrediably nice and said that when she was not running out the door, that she would love to get together and talk more and get to know each other.

Amazingly, all of this happened before noon today. (In addition, the antibiotics are working and I am feeling much better--the Starbucks I got this morning is also a great help. :-) )

All I can say is WOW and to say what a faithful and great God we serve. I encourage anyone who is feeling down, has some problem, talk to God. I actually just sort of sobbed and complained to God, but the great thing is he listens to even that and answers, which is evident in our day so far.

Well, I am off to go tackle the dust on the floors, the dishes and laundry before the boys wake up. (Looking forward to getting that Ayi :-) ) We are going to take advantage of Italian night at the clubhouse and eat out tonight. I am hoping it is good and we can turn it into our Wednesday night tradition.