This is My life

Still alive and kicking

Still no internet yet…living in Asia can be frustrating at times when something that seems so easy can be so difficult and time consuming. We need a phone line in order to get the internet set up and the phone line is something that we can’t do on our own…there is a string of people that have to do things in order for it to happen…and that takes time. Apparently once we have a phone line, the internet set up will be fast. However, fast is always a relevant term. In any case, it is probably good that we are unplugged at the moment. Every day is busy with trying to get our house set up and functional. Imagine moving into a home with no appliances, little furniture, and absolutely no basic house things – pots and pans, trash cans, hangers, shelving, dishes, etc. etc. Then imagine trying to buy ALL of it when you 1) have no transportation of your own, 2) Don’t speak the language, 3) Don’t know WHERE to find anything, and 4) are still struggling with jet lag and 4:30 am waking times. That might give you a picture of us at the moment. HOWEVER, all is GOOD. This is all just a necessary part of moving and the slower rate at which things happen is to be expected in this part of the world. We are so happy to be here and are loving spending time with so many of the staff members. It is good to explore the area a bit, to enjoy our new (big!) home, and to relax a bit with the slower pace of life. The kids are doing GREAT. Really, you wouldn’t even know that they moved to the other side of the world. They are busy being themselves. Alaina is enjoying lots of people around all the time, Caleb is getting excited that his preschool classroom is right across the hall from Daddy’s office, Levi is trying to keep up with the older two, and Katie is reveling in her first successful teething episode…one down, a bunch to go. I’ll try to update again in a few days…we’ll see how it goes. The connection I am on right now is archaically slow and I am not sure I am eager to try this again. One day our home WILL have internet and it WILL be faster than (insert word for the slowest slow you can imagine). Until then, have a great week. We’ve got more shopping to do, a volcano to go see, and painting and furniture making to be done.

We're here and safe...

Sorry to keep you waiting and wondering...but, we are here and we are safe (just don't have any internet). The to Indonesia was uneventful...and any forty hour trip with four kids age five and under that is UNeventful is a very good thing.  The kids were SO SO SO good and I was so grateful.  They were total troopers with over 22 hours on a plane and four layovers.  LOVE those kiddos.

Indonesia is great...an eclectic mix of our experiences in India and in Malaysia.  We definitely feel "home" though -- further attesting to our deep rooted desire to be in Asia. 

We are busy getting our house set up -- we purchased appliances and are trying to get everything else we need to carry us along until our shipment arrives in September and until we get make a house plan for how we want things set up.  We love the house though...so much potential!

I am not sure when we will have internet..a few more days at least. I'll do my best to keep you updated.