So the naming begins...

I have been called by many names in my life time, but "a dancing humpty-dumpty" is by far the most...interesting (for a lack of better words). Who called me that, you might ask? None other than the hubs.

We're in the Land of Oz!

So we've arrived in Sydney, Australia this past Wednesday aboard the new Qantas A380, the much talked about jumbo jet. The flight was uneventful and there were no hiccups whatsoever, unlike the very first time the A380 flew from the U.S. to Australia (we know a couple of "culprits" who cost the airline thousands if not millions of $s).

We were over jet-lag in a couple of days and Jim was running non-stop from the get-go. We were so blessed that our dear friend and teammate let us stay in her apartment while she's in the U.S. for the entire month of March! We love the spirit of community and family that we have among our church-plant team, as well as with our circle of friends here. The apartment is in the city, with an awesome view of the Sydney CBD's skyline and Darling Harbour. It's also very close to the very first place we stayed in when we first landed in Sydney at the end of 2006!

Right now, a couple of things are our number one priority for us during this early stage of transition back into Oz: finding a place to live, and finding a good maternity hospital and doctor for myself. The last couple of days I've been busy researching online, making phone calls, etc.

Today (Saturday) we spent all morning visiting potential rental homes in/near the area we lived before. It was a hot and long morning, but because we had done it before, it wasn't so bad. Actually, we ended up really liking one of the places which we feel would suit us, and we're are putting together all the paperwork so we can turn in the application on Monday. Please, pray we us so that the owners/agents may look at our application favorably. Also, please pray that I may be able to find just the right doctors/hospital. :)

Tomorrow is our very first worship service with our church family. We are so grateful for how the Lord is leading us. Despite the hurdles and trials we face, we feel His hands in so many areas of our lives. We may be bummed about one thing but then realize that He's granted so many of our other wishes and dreams. I am also looking forward to re-joining a ladies Bible study I've been attending about 6 months before I left for the U.S.

One of my biggest prayer requests as I have returned to Oz is for the Lord to show me day by day how He wishes me to glorify Him by my serving others and by my letting Him known through my life. It is shameful to admit that somehow I feel it is easier for me to think of living my life that way here than it was while I was in the U.S. Thinking back, I remember being busy moving around from place to place and being flooded with things to do and people to see (not to mention being sick and uncomfortable for the first two months while I was going through morning-sickness). Did I serve others or let God be known to others in my daily life in the past four months?... Can't say for sure.

But I am grateful for and cherish all the face to face time I've had with many people, including some surprise visits with people I hadn't seen in years, and encouraging new friendships! I am grateful that we got to spend a lot of time with family, especially celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and many birthdays together! I am grateful to have found out we'd be parents and were able to share the news and celebrate in person with family and friends! I am grateful that we were able to see and hear about the amazing things the Lord is doing in and through the lives of so many of our loved ones!

In the end, God loves me so much more than I love Him! This is a great lesson I learn everyday. :)

Brushing up on my "Aussie" as we anticipate going back very soon!

Wow! Time flies when you're busy!

So it's been seven months since I've last posted anything. Now is as good a time as ever to pick up on chronicling about life again as we have many things to look forward to in the next year (and years to come for that matter). Firstly, as some of you readers may have heard, Jim and I are expecting a baby who's due at the end of July! Also, we've been in the U.S. for the past 3.5 months, and during that time so much has happened; so many lessons learned!

In the month of December, we have kept ourselves busy by visiting with friends/church families in SoCal. We also got to spend the holidays with family, and that's when we revealed the "huge" secret we had kept to ourselves for the previous two months! Then, in January, it was all about traveling out-of-state (mostly Jim as I only joined him after my 1st trimester was over, just in case).

It has been a whirlwind experience! Are we tired? You bet. Are we "sick" of it? Sometimes, especially 'cause it's tough sleeping in different beds from week to week, and we long for our "stuff" and our big boy Buddy. BUT, as I said before, God has taught us so much during this time of our lives...we have come to finish each day with just one utterance: God is good!!!

Stay tuned for more posts (and hopefully pictures too)! I promise. :)

Meet Charlie Brown, one of our Labrador's many "pet" toys.

Now you see it...

...now you don't.

Should I be relieved we have no kids?

When I'm Feeling Blue...

...the simplest things in life can cheer me up. For example...

Going Down Memory Lane...

...as we celebrate eleven years together.


1998 - on our honeymoon in Korea (yes, you read it right).


1999 - in San Diego when Jim was at Westminster.


2000 - at a retreat when Jim was a JDS at SCC.


2001 - at a cabin in Big Bear.


2002 - in Big Bear with new friends from NLMC (and Toby).


2003 - backpacking along Italia in celebration of our 5th year anniversary.


2004 - my first trip to Australia; Jim's second.


2005 - at a graduation in Biola.


2006 - in NYC on our trip along the east-coast of the U.S.A.


2007 - Blue Mountains in NSW, Australia


2008 - in Hawaii celebrating our 10th year anniversary.


2009 - in Chicago attending a conference.