Thanks to mulitiple airlines, we landed in Oklahoma City June 28, 2018. Thanks to the generosity of a local Norman church, we have been comfortably living in a temporary house in Norman.
Chris and I are expanding our nonprofit, Fahrenheit: Real.Life.Mentoring. It actually doesn't look much different than what we were doing in Vienna. God has given Chris some great connections with local men who have a heart for mentoring. We are looking forward to seeing the open doors God has planned for future partnerships. My role has expanded to encompass more administrative responsibilities but that doesn' keep me from meeting with women!
We've quickly found a church that shares the same vision for reaching others locally and globally, Antioch Norman. Through our church, we've discovered a great group of friends in a small group. It's nice to not really "know" people but because of your bond in Christ feel like you "know" people!
God has given Chris and I new relationships and new young men and women to pour into - a thing He does often! When I look at the new faces He has allowed me to love I am amazed. He has also kept those "old" relationships alive and well. Having spent the last nine years apart from some of my closest friends, I forget I can just pick up the phone and actually talk with them.
Addison, our oldest, is graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma on December 14, 2018!! Milestone among milestones! We are so proud of the journey she has taken not only educationally but in life. We haven't gotten much face time with her as she has been focused on finishing her college career well but ... who cares ... we live on the same continent!!
Parker continues her Gap year by working several jobs. She has developed a great community around her through our church - people her age who share a similar vision for life. She has embarked on a 10-month training class that meets weekly. The end goal is to grow deeper in her life with Christ. She hopes to make a trip overseas, to a not yet determined location, to close her Gap year.
Libby is attending an online school, Epic Charter School. When she's not grinding away at her core subjects, she's involved in a private Musical Theatre school twice a week. In January, she makes her debut in the musical, Big Fish. She's longing for a dog (which we can't have until we get our own place), and a driving permit (which makes me shudder at the mere thought).
Those are the facts.
Here are my heart messages.
The transition for me, personally, has been smooth. I envisioned what living this side of the ocean would look like many times. I'm happy to report that most of my imaginations have not come true. I do miss my friends. I do miss my coffee. I do miss my city, my apartment, my work in Vienna. But, there is such a peace, overall, that can only come from a good Father.
Peace, however, doesn't mean the absence of "off" days. The "off days" come in the form of down days ... or hurting for your youngest child who has made the biggest transition of the family ... or wondering why there aren't more cafes in which a person can just sit and be and sip sweet nectar (truly, a real struggle!)
My biggest heart cry is a permanent place, the place I believe God has highlighted for our family, to become a reality and make our home. As the holidays approach, I fight to keep my peace. Fight I will. I will not listen to any lies the enemy tries to whisper - or yell - to confuse me and rob me of my state of contentment. He has no power.
I am reluctant to make our temporary place "homey" ... somehow believing making the best of my circumstances will somehow trump the joy that is to come. Yet, I will find a balance while waiting. It's a daily thing ... this waiting on God. And yet He's given me such inner strength despite feeling like a weak vessel. He's good. He's really good.
Most of all, I feel emotions rise and fall at the drop of a hat. This, too, is normal. I don't like it. But's it's normal.
And so there you have it. My update. A year from now, this will seem perhaps laughable. The issues that are currently center stage will have been resolved. So I keep perspective in its proper place and lean on a God that has walked so faithfully with me over many years. I'm in His hands.
There you have it,
Christina
Coffee Ratings 1 (low) to 10 (high) of my Norman Hot Spots:
Starbucks (1); only suitable for the 1x a year Pumpkin Spice Latte
Stella Nova (7); great space, lots of energy, sunny, bitter coffee so one must order a Flat White
Panera Bread: (5) plenty of place to park your bumm, refillable, average coffee but it comes in a lovely mug
Grey Owl: (2) Hippie vibe, bitter coffee, not a fan
All About Cha: (8) Great Italian Cappucino, great space, comfy chairs
