Hot Church

There seems to be a hot theme running through my week.

Today it was hot church.

Our church is refurbishing a new premises. It is a fantastic venue which, on completion, will be an awesome centre for worship, ministry and outreach in Wan Chai. It is a 10-15 minute walk from our apartment (quite considerate really). Today we had our very first Sunday service at the new premises. The demolition work is complete and we worshipped in an empty brick and concrete shell. It was fab! And it was hot (30+ degrees and 90%+ humidity). There wasn't air con or toilets in the venue. Like I said, it was a concrete shell. I wore my lightest summer dress and my most comfortable construction site heels. And I still sweated. But, praise the Lord, I didn't once feel like passing out!!!!

NB The children met for sunday school in an air conditioned venue nearby. They had fun and they were cool and safe - but I don't think they had as much fun as I did!

Hot Yoga

Two days ago I went to do a yoga class with my friend Fi. She is a member and I was able to tag along for a free trial. I made sure that the class would purely be a practice in exercise and didn't involve any spiritual chanting or such. It didn't.

The thing that failed to sound an alarm for me was that is was a "hot" class (even though Fi did remind me that it was going to be pretty warm in there). For some reason that sounded absolutely fine to me (more sweating = good hard workout). I don't know why my brain didn't immediately recall the numerous heat induced fainting episodes and blood noses I've experienced since I was a teenager. Is this really a minor detail????

Anyway, in we went and sat chatting (well, we whispered cause you're not supposed to talk in the studio so technically I think we were okay) in the quite warm room. We were sweating already. Then we started. I was just as inflexible and lacking in coordination as normal, but it was kind of fun. Until the sweating increased and the stars started encroaching on my view..... Now I had an important choice to make. Do I keep going (because I do love a good hard workout) and risk passing out? Or do I stop for a drink and a little rest and see how I go? My face was as red as a tomato. I had a drink and a rest. Did this help me cool down? Not one bit!! After all, it was 40 degrees in there! I tried to do a bit more. Nope, the risk wasn't worth it. I gritted my teeth and decided to make a bee line for the door (which was at the front of the room). My safety is, after all, more important than how silly a bunch of strangers may think I look.

I got intercepted at the door by the instructor, who suggested I sit down right there and drink some more water. Whether I wanted to or not, the decision seemed to have been made for me. There I sat at the front of the class, cooking. I moved back to my mat next to Fi and made a galant attempt at some of the floor work but just couldn't find the inner drive to push myself to fainting. I sat still. The instructor suggested I lie down. I did. And there I lay, cooking. Feeling ridiculous (as well as thankful that I am now old enough to not really care whether I looked foolish or not).

And so, hot yoga is not for me. I am pleased to report that I didn't faint. Neither did I vomit on the way downstairs to the changing rooms (though I felt like I might) or have a blood nose. And ironically enough, while I was quite definite I didn't want to do a class that involved any spiritual elements, I spent about a third of the class lying down praying to my Father God....

So You Think You Can Dance?

Hmmm. This is a tough question. I certainly don't think I have what it takes to be Australia's or America's favourite dancer. That's for SURE. But the question I have is, when I get to the end of the day, or wake up at the beginning of a new one, do I have a reason or the inclination to dance?

That would be nice.

Anyway, enough philosophising. I am dance focussed again because we are just coming to the end of the American SYTYCD Season 6 and it is making me homesick for my Mum and Dad and family. When we arrived back in Australia at the beginning of 2008 my Mum told me that if I wanted to be in the know when it came to family conversations I might want to start watching this dancing show. I did. And I have been glued to every Australian and American season since. Except that I missed the latest Aussie season. It was starting just as we left for HK.

Last night I sat and watched the penultimate episode of the American season and I had a little silent cry as I missed my family and being able to share it with them. I love you and miss you all.

Thank you for introducing me to the dancing!

An Anniversary ends the Silence!

I have been busy. And I'm tired. Blogging has taken a back seat to the craziness of life right now. When will things slow down?

But I am taking just a few moments to give thanks in words for the miracle of Shae's life. Today is the anniversary of her surgery. She is strong and happy and keeps pace with the best of them. She stands out from the crowd because of who she is rather than because of her colour or fatigue.

So, today I take time to say thanks - to our Heavenly Father who made and has provided for Shae. Who sent His Son to free us from sin, sickness and death. And for the opportunity to recall every Easter from now on the new life we have witnessed before our eyes.

Look At That Tall Building!

We have re-expatriated. 5 nights back in the big city and it all feels incredibly normal. What a long forgotten feeling that is! I like it.

On a purely geographical level everything looks, smells and feels familiar. Yes, a little bizarre and frustrating in places - just like the good old days - but so familiar. There are decorations around for Chinese New Year. Red and gold strands of fire crackers, lai see packets hung on blossom branches, stylised fat jolly statues of chinese men dotted around IFC mall (one of which Ethan was convinced was Santa - go figure!). Yesterday I was fascinated by a display of canned abalone for sale in Park n Shop - prices ranging from about $130 to $400HK. For tinned seafood that really did seem rather excessive to me (even with the bonus of a free saucepan with the purchase of any 2 cans).

The funniest comment so far has been from Ethan when, with great enthusiasm, he exclaimed "Look at that tall building!". Of course, the instant response was "which one???". I hope the wonder stays for a long time. This is a very exciting place to be.

But on to the people. We have been so welcomed and loved since we touched down here. The kids do not remember everyone who has embraced them (and there have been lots of embraces!), but they have certainly not gone hungry for attention, playmates and entertainment. It was a joy to see them scooped up into the after school frenzy by the sons and daughters of our Hong Kong family - swinging on the monkey bars, playing follow the leader and various other assorted school yard games. So much love at every turn - familiar faces making the landing soft and easy. Thank you.

There have been moments. A few tears. A few tantrums. My hair is curly again. We have not seen the sky yet (on our very first day Asha asked me "why is it so grey here?" - she'll get used to it). And I wish we could send some of this rain down to Adelaide.

But we have not been without sunshine.

Peace

It's done now.

Thursday was indeed a difficult day. Watching our life get put back in boxes. The kids were looked after by Aunty and friends throughout the week and were happy to avoid the process, but I did bring them back to see everything dismantled, packed etc. so that they had a reference point for the next step.

We are now staying with Mum and Dad. It is wonderful. The burdens feel like they are peeling off and there is peace and excitement sprouting in our hearts. This is a good place to be - on the springboard, training behind us, ready to dive!

It feels like we are ending well. Thank you all the dear lives that have nurtured us to this place. Jesus goes with us, and we take you in our hearts.

Panic

It is 5:01am.

I have spent half the night on our comfy lounge dozing, but....

I can't sleep. Again.

I am feeling dreadful about taking Asha, Shae and Ethan away from here. They are so very happy. Are we doing the right thing? I know all the reasons we have for moving our family back to Hong Kong. They are good reasons! Very valid, very foundational. And yet - oh boy, this is getting tough. And yes, I am doubting this whole situation. Gone is my rock solid resolve. What have I done? What are we doing?

Grief.

The movers come on Thursday and this week I will finalise clearing out our home. Our beautiful, dreamed-of home. We will finish fixing everything up - for someone else to come in and enjoy. We will eat chicken sausages from our local butcher for the last time, swim in our pool for the last time, watch the light fade in our garden for the last time, 'pop over' to my Mum and Dad's house for the last time, hear the footsteps of our kids up the floorboard passage way to the bathroom for the last time.....

I can't think about it any more. But I will. I will think about every single moment as one does a magical experience that I know just cannot last forever. And I will worry for my children because I just can't help it.

And the next adventure will start and I will be okay. But endings are always hard.

SIX!

My baby girls are six. It happened on Thursday. They are beautiful and they were so excited and they had the best day ever, and quite possibly so did I.

We took them out for breakfast and they had blueberry pancakes with icecream (what's not to love about that?). The afternoon involved a water games and pool party with 18 of their school friends plus siblings and their cousins. It was a very hot day (39.9) and it was perfect for such an event. Yes, there were water balloons and a water pistol hunt. Hot chips from the fish and chip shop were a hit. Their cake was a jewellery box (which didn't quite turn out how I had planned, but the girls loved it anyway). My Mum and Dad and sister, Sheriden, were incredible helpers, Jane provided all the party gear (including a gazebo and trestle table!) and Matt was the best lifeguard and pool boy that ever there was. 26 children swam simultaneously in our pool for over 40 minutes and there wasn't one tear shed! Justine Clarke's "It's My Birthday Today" (currently my favourite song) was played many times throughout the day. The girls were spoilt with gorgeous presents (and I also felt spoilt just witnessing it). It was a fantastic day. Our sweet six princesses went to bed smiling, and all the effort was completely worth it.

Toe Update

So, about this toe of mine. It is officially broken. I've seen the x-ray (not that I needed that as proof - the angle the toe was pointing in was enough to convince me!). The GP I saw on Monday morning sent me off for an x-ray, I saw the film, dropped it back in to the GP and then thought it was all over except for taping the poor injured soldier up straight until healed.

Wrong.

The doc gave me a call at about 4:30pm saying that she had looked at the film, discussed it with some colleagues and concluded that it is a bad break which has displaced the toe and therefore has the potential to not heal properly and cause all sorts of future pain/joint/arthritis issues. I need to see a specialist to ensure the toe heals properly. I will need to get a special boot to assist with this. For a toe? Really? She assured me that a boot would be the best option as I would be able to take it off in the shower, for instance, and on the plane. The plane! How long will I have to wear this thing for?? Admittedly, there are less than three weeks before we fly out but I am living in la la land about the reality of how little time that is and the idea of wearing a boot (no matter how convenient it is) for my final weeks in Oz is more than a little frustrating. I am grateful, however, for the doctor following up with me so well and that if this gets sorted out properly now I may be able to avoid long term problems.

We went to see Avatar with David and Jane tonight. I haven't found the right words to describe the experience yet, but it was pretty amazing. When we left the cinema and made the obligatory girls rest room stop I was chatting to Jane about the saga of my toe. She made a comment that perhpas it was a heroic and somehow fitting picture that I will end up limping toward the finish line here. Perhaps it is. Many things have been broken during our Australian season. But as we read in Ecclesiastes - everything has a season. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to dance.....

Two Wheels in the Garden and a Broken Toe

Last night we went to the Fern Avenue Community Garden where Mum and Dad a have veggie patch. We means our family, Mum and Dad, the Banks' and the Douglas's (ie my sisters, husbands, kids). We cooked woodfired pizzas in the pizza oven (yep, it was insane - 40 degrees+ with a wood oven going!). But we chased the shade and enjoyed the intermittent breezes.

And we feasted on gourmet pizzas.

And we celebrated a lazy mid-summer night in the garden.

The girls rode their bikes around the garden and up and down the street (now without trainer wheels - a new skill acquired just last weekend!). Ethan patted the resident bunny and a visiting cat and marvelled at the spiders. Creature heaven is what that boy was in!

And we felt sad at the thought of leaving it all behind when we head off on our new adventure on February 1st. Leaving again. Oh, my heart. How can we live with all these goodbyes? Perhaps only because we know that they will be followed by warm and rich hellos.

And today I broke (or maybe dislocated, I'm not sure) my toe. On my right foot (you know, the one that is most useful for driving). Of course, it happened on a Sunday afternoon, so I will have to wait until tomorrow to see a doctor. Might I add, for those of you who have never seen your toe pointing in a freaky and strange direction - it hurts. A LOT.

Wet Wet Wet

Asha, Shae and Ethan got to bed a little late tonight due to prolonged outdoor water activities.

It is going to be 40 or so for the next 4 days here in Adelaide so I thought I ought to nurture the garden with some water so it could go the distance. The kids came out to watch after we'd finished dinner. Well, not really to watch - they came out and got absolutely drenched! They squealed with delight as the ran around on the grass not really trying to avoid the spray of the hose. It was lovely! Kids don't really get the chance to do much of that these days with our drought and water restrictions. And all I could think of was my own childhood - trying to remember a summer when we didn't run under the hose or sprinkler and get bee stings on our feet.....