Sunday, April 24, 2022

It has been a very full couple of weeks since we last wrote. Jordan and Rachel were with us over Easter (first time in the UAE!) and we tried to fit 3.5 years of our life here into their six days (!!!) including a guided tour of the Grand Mosque, celebrating Easter services, a road trip through Dubai for a night in Musandam, Oman to see dolphins, a desert safari, and biking on the F-1 track. Another marker for us was that 24 years ago we saw our firstborn off on his first day of pre-school and this week we saw our youngest off to her last day of high school (exams still to come May 3-20). It was great to host family from afar. J&R are now in Barcelona with Jolyn.

This weekend we have had our friend Chris O with us leading a couple sessions about Transitions for Third Culture Kids and their families. With all these activities behind us we will now be focussing on Geordon’s second surgery this week - PCR test today, entry to hospital very early on Wednesday.

Again, we are grateful to all those who have kept us buoyed up with encouraging words and practical help as we see you on walks, hear from you via texts, phone calls, e-mails, and the encouragement link. While we are somewhat calmer about the “second time around” knowing the process, there are moments of reflection that run deep - so many realities swirling about us. So we turn again to the One who knows us and repeat the request of our home group leader -

“Please be in earnest prayer for Geordon's safety, complete healing, and smooth recovery.”

On one of the last morning school runs this week Joy put on one her favourite songs which then ran straight into another beautiful re-make of a Casting Crowns song on our return home. We’ve included them below.

God With Us (Terrian)

Praise You In This Storm (Natalie Grant)

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2