This week last year we visited Motiongate for the first time and were caught completely by surprise when the Madagascar kiddie ride turned out to be a literal Mad Pursuit. We were tossed around, holding on for dear life, the skin on our faces pulled back to our ears as we shot through space faster than we could have imagined. (the link takes you to a YouTube video of what it’s like to be on the ride — so fast, but so fun).
A year later and we find ourselves on a similarly frenetic ride. This is the week that we’ve been praying for all month as we knew that the defense expo that is in town would bring all of the major players in the business to Abu Dhabi. Our future here has been unclear and we were hoping that some in-person meetings would clear out some of the fog that has been shrouding our path.
The past 24 hours have felt like we’ve been shot out of a cannon once again as we find ourselves riding up and down and flying toward something we couldn’t have imagined a month ago. It appears that this change in direction means that we will be able to stay in Abu Dhabi for another year. We’re waiting for it to become official, but we’re celebrating today.
Well, it’s February. I guess it’s time for an update.
Day 347 — still drifting on the raft. Water still salty. The sun is hot.
Or to put it another way: same, same.
Actually, in Abu Dhabi this week I actually needed a sweater outside (I usually have to wear one inside because of the AC). I think it was a frigid 72. I had goosebumps. Seriously, I really did. Brrrr.
So what’s our plan? We are continuing on, day by day as if we will be here long term, but holding it all loosely, ready to give it up at any time. Josh has a job, which is great, but we’re still bobbing along without an anchor, a sail, or a map.
If you want to know how to pray for us in the month of Feb, please pray for wisdom and clarity and confirmation for our next step. We anticipate that we will have to make a decision in March and we currently don’t have enough info to move ahead. I hate being vague, but honestly, there’s not much else to tell. It’s work related and that’s 95% of the info I currently have.
We are content and at peace, but fatigued mentally (which makes us tired physically). On the flip side, Camille has been having a great run these past few months. She’s excited to go to school, jumped right back into swim team without any tears, and has been cheerful and enthusiastic instead of timid and fearful. It’s a 180 degree shift from February last year.
First day back in the pool — just jitters, no tears.
ready to perform in the choir concert
The kids have all been busy, but doing well with academics, sports (Cross-Country for the boys), and music. The boys are in Dubai this weekend for a 3 day workshop as part of a combined choir with students from all over the region. Next weekend both Carter and Caleb made the team for Cross-Country finals so they’ll be racing here in Abu Dhabi, and then they both have a variety show performance 2 days later featuring songs from the 90s. My house has been filled with the sounds of MMMBop and NSync these past few weeks as they practice their parts. Good times. Someone asked us what we’ve been doing lately and we realized that we’re busy, but none of it is our stuff. It’s all kid-related — it’s a good thing we like them so much.
So we’ll just keep on day by day until things change. It’s a good life, but an unsettled one. We’ve been talking about how nothing in life is certain, no matter where you live, but we get a front row view as we are constantly reminded that nothing we do here is permanent. Whether we are in Abu Dhabi for 10 months or 10 years, our time will end. Our foundation is built on sand, both literally and figuratively.
