Sep 8, 2011 | Stories
Travelling is a strange thing sometimes. One minute you’re wiping tears from your eyes and staring out the window as the brown hills dotted with green bushes go by, Bloemfontein in the rear view mirror. The next minute you’re watching two squirrels precariously balanced, stealing seeds from the bird feeder in the neighbour’s back yard, the gray skies of London dotted with airplanes overhead.
As strange as it is, here we are, at HH’s brother’s place, and the trip here couldn’t have been much smoother. The boys slept nicely for good stretches of the flight, the Bear gently tuckering out with headphones still round his ears and a kiddie cartoon on his TV screen, the Baby passing out in the bassinet and then in HH’s lap thanks to turbulence.
{In London, pregnant with the Bear, circa March 2008}
Some friendly folks helped us get our loads of carry-ons to the plane, which was a BIG help. (We loaded the carry-ons because we can have a lot and they don’t get weighed…grace, people, this is a transcontinental move!) Then we were initially rather concerned at our landing when the stroller we gate-checked had to be picked up at baggage claim, because four hands SHO WEREN’T ‘NOUGH to get everything through immigration and to baggage claim.
{This has happened to us before, and it shouldn’t have been a big surprise, but when you’re running on such a small amount of sleep, everything feels surprising and it’s hard to figure out how to navigate such circumstances…Hero Hubs to the rescue!}
The Bear decided he could barely make the trip from the plane along the skyway into the airport (read: he started wailing and asking to be carried about halfway, and HH was too far in front of me to know it, because he was keeping up with two nice gents who were helping carry our stuff, and I was toting the baby and a big pillow and 50 people were waiting to get through behind us. I consciously made the decision to relax and laugh.)
So when we were finally off the airplane and inside the terminal, we watched the little electric cars that take disabled passengers through to immigration and the baby was just looking so sweet, and our baggage looking so plentiful, three of us managed to score a ride. (Thanks to HH for asking!) The boys and I hopped on with some of the bags, and the Hubs met us at immigration with the other two.
Did I mention the baby’s diaper was so wet I was getting wet at this point?
But the awesome lady electric car driver who took us to immigration told the Hubs to hop in (because she’d dropped off the other passengers and there was space) and drove us up to the disabled section where the officer actually came out from behind her desk to collect our passports and ask us questions and clear us through. (Questions like why it looked like I lived in the UK but don’t anymore and why we have so many passports…) We probably missed out on standing in a line that would’ve taken AT LEAST 30 minutes. Score!
I pretty much felt like royalty on that electric rickshaw riding through Heathrow today. {Did you know those things fit inside the elevator?} I decided to opt out on doing a royal wave and rather wave the baby’s sweet little hand at the passengers we were passing by…because then who could be mad?
And I think if we had a chance to hang out, Kate Middleton and I would be BFFs in no time. But what’s her last name now?
Other than a bag that was temporarily delayed and momentarily sent me into great concern (but not panic) mode, and a momentary delay in finding the driver we’d arranged (bless his heart, he’d been waiting two hours and finally went to the loo!) it was smooth sailing from there, and we are incredibly thankful.
So if any of you prayed we’d be especially blessed in our travels today, just know that that prayer was answered. Thank you!! (And thanks to all of you who’ve been thinking of us!)
We are heading to the train station, and on our way up to Bonnie Scotland tomorrow afternoon…whoo hoo, we’ve missed you Scotland, the brave, Scotland the beautiful!
And if anyone talks to Kate, just let her know we’re probably gonna get a pay-as-you-go sim card for our phone this afternoon, and then she can call me anytime.
xCC
Sep 8, 2011 | Guest Posts, The Good Word
Hi friends! As I mentioned already, I have some guest posts lined up here and there, during our travels over the next ten days. My dear friend Amanda {who writes over at Seriously.} is sharing today. I think the topic suggestion had something to do with home or transition or moving or whatever anyone fancied talking about (who knows what I’m saying these days?) but Amanda blessed me with a good story that I wasn’t even aware I was a part of.
Friendship…such a gift from the Lord. Enjoy!
****
I’m so excited about posting here today while my friend makes her long journey through the UK and then back to North Carolina! We’re praying for the Collies—safe travels, happy babies (and parents), and an easy trip! We can’t wait to see you guys!!!
Caroline and I have a long history. We met while we were at East Carolina together about. . . well, 10ish years ago? Is that right?!?!
Shoo whee, Caro, we’re turning into old ladies!
And, in all actuality, we weren’t close friends while we were at ECU together. We attended the same campus ministry, had many friends in common, shared some meals together, and my sister was even her roommate at one point.
But, it wasn’t until the past year or so that we’ve really reconnected via blogging, emails, Christmas visits, and the occasional phone call. However, she has become one of my most trusted friends and I DELIGHT in the fact that she will be returning to the area in a mere few weeks.
Caroline came back into my world just in the nick of time. I was preparing (as much as one can prepare for such things) to lose another friend to ALS. Not only was this person near and dear to me, she was also my spiritual confident and mentor. She was the one person that I could be strangely and comfortably vulnerable and transparent with. Losing that friend was a major blow.
Around that time I was also feeling some tugging on the heartstrings (and most definitely from the Lord) that I needed to invest more in my relationship with Caroline. For some reason, the Lord laid it very heavy on my heart to contact her about support for their ministry in South Africa. I began praying for her, her family, and their ministry. She and I began exchanging emails on a more regular basis, and our friendship flourished this past year.
I am so thankful that I’ve had Caroline to “chat†with via the web this past year or so. It’s been such a blessing to discuss life, family, and spiritual matters with a lady I respect so much. I delight in her humor and in her sweet spirit. There were many days that I wish we could have had chats over a strong cup of coffee, and I look forward to those when she’s back in good ol’ eastern NC! She was a breath of fresh air during a very difficult time.
Sometimes the Lord puts people in your way because He knows you’re going to need them. And it’s always interesting when He puts people back in your way decades down the road. My mama always said to be nice to everyone because you just never know when your paths will cross again in the future.
I’ve recently started a new teaching position in Washington, NC (the same place sweet Caroline is headed! WHOO!!!) It’s not my first year of teaching, but I feel like I’m starting all over again. It’s so hard going to a new place. Whether it’s a new job or an actual move, it’s hard having to make acquaintances and new work friends, and figuring out the routines, procedures, and locations. It’s very intimidating and overwhelming, and somewhat lonely as well.
Unbeknownst to me, another old friend from my college days, Kathryn, also works at the school and she and I have shared lunch a few times. It’s been such a relief and a blessing to have a familiar face in the workplace!
I love it when God reveals pieces of His plans for us—even when they are revealed decades later. Caroline and I certainly had no clue that He would bring our lives back together when we were sharing college experiences. We were too busy Painting It Purple* in our pre-baby bodies!
But I am so thankful that the Master of all things does all things in His time.
I’m a scheduled and routine driven person, and there are many times I’m ready for God to open His Big Book of Life and let me in on all the secrets and paths I’m going to take. I’m one to try to rush Him and try to persuade Him that little ol’ me has got it all figured out.
Me.
A blip on the radar.
A vapor.
I approach life with an urgency of what if?, then what?, and how? Caroline has reminded us time and time again that life is not an emergency. I love it when He shows me that He’s going to handle it in His own sweet time.
So, whatever life is throwing your way this moment—a new job, a difficult conversation, a season of joy, a season of discomfort, or a transcontinental move—just keep reminding yourself that He’s in control of the clocks, the plans, the conversations, and the paths. He works all things together for our good.
I didn’t know that I would need Caroline’s friendship. But He did.
I didn’t know I would work one day with Kathryn. But He did.
I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
But He does.
*******
Amanda, thank you so much for sharing with us today. I wasn’t expecting to be such an integral part of the story but it blesses my soul! Your friendship means heaps to me!
Happy Thursday, guys and gals…hopefully we’ve landed in London by now!
xCC
*Note from CC: Our alma mater’s school colours are Purple and Gold. At the end of sports matches, especially football games, the announcers often close off at a winning game by saying “You can paint this one purple!” Probably my Dad’s most favourite sentence to hear, more than any other.
Sep 7, 2011 | Stories
Well friends, here we go…it’s Wednesday the 7th of September, a day that has been in our minds for quite some time. Not only is today the day the United States was nicknamed Uncle Sam (in 1813), but it’s also take-off day for us. We’re driving to Johannesburg and flying out this evening to head almost due north for a brief visit to the UK, and after nine days split unevenly between London, Edinburgh, and a special wedding in Linlithgow, we’ll arrive in the Carolinas on September 17th. Which, incidentally, is the day before my birthday.
New Year. New Decade. New Continent. New Adventure?
In the meantime, I’ve grabbed some spare moments here and there to prepare a few things for you, and I had the delightful joy of welcoming some guest posts from friends near and far. So there’s a heap of good stuff scheduled to come your way over the next ten days!
Beware, however — the posts headed your way are scheduled to show up without me pushing a button every day, and I might not get a chance to check that it’s behaving properly, that all the comments are polite and don’t need moderation, or that there aren’t any pictures posted where I have something in my teeth.
Be that as it may, there’s definitely a nice line-up on its way to your computer screen, or iPad, or cell phone, or whatever other device you might use for internet viewing.
So please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked position, slide that seatbelt around those gorgeous hips of yours, and get ready for take-off…
Auto-pilot begins in three…two…one…
xCC
Sep 5, 2011 | Stories
Hi friends! Along with preparing suitcases, laundry, toys, and the expectations of one little Bear, I’ve been preparing a few goodies for you while we’re travelling. I know right? You can thank me later.
You can look forward to some photos of my favourite six-month-old {and possibly yours, if we’re related or you don’t have any friends with six-month-olds}, the recap of when three became the new two, some guest posts extraordinaire, and maybe a little more of this and that, let’s just see how it goes.
In the meantime, question.
How have six months passed since this happened?
Wasn’t that last Tuesday?
Feel free to say a prayer for us… the little sicknesses here and there… our stuffed suitcases… Goo-Goo and Gammy…
MANY thanks (again) to you sweet friends who’ve emailed to let me know you’re thinking of us. It means SO much! Although this transition isn’t easy, we are well.
More on the way!
xCC
Sep 3, 2011 | Stories
Thanks to an observant reader (who also happens to be meeting us at the airport to buy Mr. Potato Head) I’ve realised I accidentally said we were leaving on the 1st of September. Incorrect, mis amigos! Our departure for the UK is actually on the 7th of September — we’ll be departing on a late evening flight.
And ever since we got back from Knysna, (travelling through howling wind and serious bush fire long story to get back) time suddenly feels like it’s moving like this:
{Can you guess what the Bear’s favourite toy was from his birthday? Clever badge if you can be specific!}
So, after an early brunch in Bloemfontein, we’ll be driving off to Johannesburg for our flight to London. And I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Or typing about it. So please say a prayer for us (and Goo-Goo and Gammy especially) on the 7th!
{And if you said a prayer for us on the 1st already, well thanks. We needed that, too.}
In the meantime, I can report the wonderful news that we picked up the Tank’s passport this morning. Hallelujah! We are so thankful to have that important little document in our hands. And I’m hoping I can take a picture of the baby’s adorable mug shot on the photo page to share with you. Because it is hands-down the sweetest little baby photo you’ve ever seen in a passport. And I’ve seen ’em all. (The Bear has three right by himself!)
Now, one last dispatch from Bloemfontein for your information and prayerful consideration: it seems like the Bear is picking up a little cold, the Hubs is sick with something, and the baby is either teething or picking up a cold or both. And we have a looooong flight on Wednesday. So there ya go.
Whatever you’re up to today, whoever you need to remember to hug or thank or call or smile at, don’t forget to seize the present opportunities. For time, my friends, she flies.
xCC
P.S. Have you been checking out the Five-Star Shots of the lovely animals and scenery at Kruger National Park, which the Hubs has been posting every day over at Quiver Tree Photo? Quality!!
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