Learning Patience...

The process of moving to China has definitely been a lesson in patience. First, it was waiting to see if we would get the job. Then when I knew we'd be moving to China, I wanted to know when, so I knew what to prepare for. And while we knew early on that it would be mid- or late May, we've been waiting.... and waiting... and waiting... We don't want to buy plane tickets before we get visas, and before we got those we had to submit all kinds of documents to get an invitation letter.

Today I thought we might know. Ryan left at 4:30 AM to drive 4 1/2 hours to Chicago to go to the Chinese consulate to get our visas. We were told if he submitted the application by 11 AM and paid for it to be expedited, he might be able to pick them up that afternoon. Though he made the deadline, after waiting in line for 1 1/2 hours, he was told they were too busy to process them that day, and he'd have to come back on Tuesday to pick them up. So, we still can't get tickets and our leave date!

But, each day teaches me to rely on God more. He knows. And each day brings us closer. The reality is hitting that we'll likely be in China in under 2 weeks! But, more and more the realization grows that this world is not our home. We sometimes don't even know where we'll be the next day. But if we've trusted Jesus as our Savior, we know where we'll be spending eternity: in heaven with Him. I look forward to that day.

Busy Days... but Joy!

It's a busy day! Final documents just arrived to allow us to get our visas - finally! Trying to look at the options to figure out what we need to do. Add to that the need to finish packing our boxes to prepare to ship over... But seeing this sight in the morning just makes things not seem so major. We are so thankful for our little bundle of joy!

From Cairo to China...

June 11th, 2013. Ryan and I were in Cairo, Egypt for a time of prayer and seeking God's direction for us. We were visiting a team in Cairo to see how they worked, with the potential of joining them one day. But after a week, we both sensed that this wasn't the right fit for us. So, we were asking, "then what?"

That morning as we read the Bible and prayed, I asked Ryan, "What about China?" Since college he had intended to live there one day. He'd been there 4 times, including a semester studying abroad, had studied the language enough to get around, and had gone into engineering partly for the purpose of being able to live and work overseas. And every time he'd tell me about China, his face would light up...

But his eyes had turned to the seemingly greater need in the Muslim world. For the past few years he'd been looking to going there. But when the place he'd focused on wasn't seeming to fit, he replied he'd been thinking about China too. So we prayed...

A few days later we were riding in a taxi with an older gentleman named Bob who had spent his life working in the Muslim world. Surely he would see the great need there and encourage us to pursue it. As we were discussing things with him, conversation turned to the city we were in. Ryan mentioned that he loved big cities, and, having spent time in Shanghai, that "it is the city of my heart." "Then what are you doing here?" Bob asked. After explaining our reasoning, Bob nevertheless encouraged us to look into China again.  Incidentally, his own daughter had gone the China route - so he was able to speak to us from experience. Hmm... coincidence?

So we continued to talk and pray. For months. We made pro & con list to compare staying where we were in Iowa, moving closer to family, or going to China. We went in circles, as they were all good options, all with opportunities for ministry.

There were other things to think about, though, as our first baby was due the end of October. So we prepared for the birth, while talking to people about the possibility of moving to China. We thought of getting support to learn the language and then looking for a job. But things just didn't seem like they'd work out with that scheme. Hadassah was born and we settled in the craziness and joys of parenting. By January, after a LONG trip to go see family, we decided to just look for a job closer to parents. We wanted our little one to know her grandparents!

So the job search began... writing a resume, getting it critiqued, and submitting it to any and every relevant company within a few hours of our parents. Nothing. Time was running out as our lease in Iowa was up the end of March and we wanted to move by then. But then, things were coming together! An in-company transfer was opening up for Ryan to move to their southern branch. We'd be directly in between our parents. What could be better?

But on a whim, Ryan had submitted a resume to a Chinese engineering company at the beginning of February. Hearing nothing from them, we put it out of our minds. Finally it looked like we'd be moving south! As we began looking for homes to rent in Alabama, an email rocked my Monday morning on February 25th. The company in China wanted to talk to Ryan? My brain, which was already gearing up to move closer to home, went whirling. But when Ryan saw the email and began jumping in joy, I knew it was something we'd pursue.

Things moved quickly. In less than 2 weeks he had 3 phone calls and exchanged lots of emails. At the same time, the in-company transfer was lining up... We were torn. And confused. Which one would actually be happening? But amid the confusion, we had peace. We knew God would bring us where He wanted us to be.

Monday, March 12th dawned early for us. If we didn't get a job offer from the Chinese company, Ryan would be signing on for the transfer South. I got up early and checked email... nothing. With the time difference, it was already late evening in China - after working hours. "Does this mean we're moving to Alabama?" I asked Ryan, and he confirmed. We were both excited now, talking about houses and budgeting and when to move, and how exciting it would be to be closer to family and friends. We read the Bible and prayed and made breakfast. I also couldn't help but email family and close friends sharing the news of our exciting move!

But then, not 20 minutes after I sent that email, Ryan was getting ready for work while I sat down to see if anyone had replied. That's when I saw the email in the inbox, from the Chinese company, with the subject: "Job Offer." "No" - I thought - "No - we were so sure... Ryan!!!!" And so he jumped up and down again. We laughed and agonized and prayed. It seemed crazy - we'd wanted to move closer to home, not half-way across the world... But when would another opportunity like this come?

So Ryan accepted the job. He put in his two-weeks notice at work. I wandered around the house wondering where to start... I was supposed to pack to move to China? We freaked out together later that afternoon, feeling a little sick to our stomachs realizing what we were giving up. We wondered if it was the right decision, and prayed for peace. And God answered. Ryan's parents told us they'd store stuff in their basement so we wouldn't need to get rid of our barely-a-year-old wedding presents. One of my close friends said she'd come to help me pack. My parents said they'd come to help us move out.

Thus began the process of listing all of our furniture for sale on Craigslist, making bags and bags of things to donate, and boxing things to store, while making a smaller pile of things to bring.  Within 2 weeks, on March 24th, we were pulling out of snowy Cedar Rapids... on our way to Shanghai, China.

I'd finally be getting to see the place that had captured my husband's heart. And though I was still nervous about all that was left to do, I was excited!

We aren't there yet. Work permits, visas and final packing take time. We've been blessed to have weeks to see family and friends to say "Goodbye". At least for now. There'll be yearly visits home, and we're planning to evaluate again after 3 years. But, we know this is where God would have us be. It's been a crazy lesson of faith to get us there... And we can't wait to see the rest of the story!

Picnic at the Park!

Amid busy days of many errands to run, we combined going out for shoe shopping (since we hear our sizes are hard to get in China!) with a picnic at the park. It was a great half hour of introducing Hadassah to the slide and just sitting in the shade with those we love most, smiling, talking, and encouraging Hadassah NOT to eat the grass she kept picking. ;)

Even though it meant we got home later than expected which threw off Hadassah's nap... It was worth it. :)

 It's pretty safe to say she was THRILLED with the slide!

 Posy in the sun

These are times to cherish...

Saturday Serenity

Amid all the details of preparing to go overseas and SO much screen time researching, ordering, typing lists and correspondence... It was nice to get outside today and just enjoy God's creation.

 Sunny on the Ohio with Grandparents!

 The little cutie tries to put everything in her mouth ;)

 We are such a blessed family!

 We discovered you can STILL dip kiss with a sleeping baby in an ERGO! ;)

Somebody woke up :)

God's creation is amazing... and so calming.

Dishes in the Sink...

Dirty dishes stacked, spilling out of the sink... it's a sight that has always discouraged me. I don't like starting a new day cleaning up yesterday's mess!

But one way marriage has been good for me is that while I can tend towards being a (mild) neat freak, Ryan, while he enjoys a clean house and thanks me for it, isn't as bothered by messes. He easily overlooks them, and his priorities are in different, better places.

Evenings are precious time together to read, walk, sing, pray, or spend time with friends. While I would naturally  clean up after supper, Ryan often wants that time to be together - he just got home from work in time for dinner, and it's time to connect. So I'm learning to choose to look away from the sink and into the eyes of my love. We're building memories that last, a relationship with a strong foundation of quality time.

And those dirty dishes? Ryan surprised me early in on marriage one day by thanking me for them. He'd gone into the kitchen before me, and said when he saw the dishes, it reminded him of a great evening and made him think, "My wife loves me."

While I'll still take the times I can to do dishes at night (while Ryan sings and plays at the piano, reads to me, or completes a one-man task), I'm learning it's sometimes better to leave them. Showing my husband love is more important than having a spotless house.

The site of those dishes still makes me sigh inside, but ever more they're a reminder of my love for Ryan. They make me smile, as I remember the evening that left them there. So, as times to choose love over perfectionism arise, I'll keep leaving dishes in the sink...

God Fulfills His Promises!

The lights dim, and the audience hushes in anticipation. I’ve seen this a dozen times, sometimes sitting in the audience as I am now, sometimes from the wings. But as the music begins and the dancers spin into motion, there’s a crucial difference: I don’t know the steps.

So much has changed in 4 months. Sure, I know more than the average attendee; I helped guide the choice of songs and costumes, and answered questions along the way. I know almost every one of the dancers by name. But as “The Promise Fulfilled” gets underway, I stop thinking about the “how’s” – I forget to note specific choreography as the dance tells the story; I don’t think about how the dancers got onstage (though I know the ins and outs of how hectic line-ups can be!) as I’m caught up in the moment; I don’t know if a dancer misses a step because I didn’t choreograph the dance. And it’s powerful.

I expected to be amazed at what God has done, as He took something started when I was 16, made it grow, and continued it after I left with a team of my former students, but I didn’t expect to be blown away! I was moved by the presentation, by the story brought to life. It made the life and death of Jesus real in a new way.

“The Promise Fulfilled” was the perfect name… not just in how it fit the storyline of the ballet. It rang true in the way God faithfully brought things together when I was tempted to doubt and wonder how on earth I could get married mid dance-year, and leave my students with no classes to continue. “Trust Me” He kept saying, as I trained in replacements and yet still knew I’d failed to communicate some things. And trustworthy He is! I smile as I squeeze the hand of the man next to me – my HUSBAND. At the time I started choosing songs last year for this presentation, I hadn’t even met him. But now I have a shoulder to lean on, someone to whisper observations to, and there’s a little one growing inside me. All those years I wondered if I was doing the right thing, pouring my life into a bunch of girls instead of getting out and meeting guys… God knew. “Trust Me” He’d say… His faithfulness is amazing!

From the stage, it doesn’t seem like much has changed. Familiar faces beam with smiles as they dance for the Lord. And yet, I enjoy the new choreography with fresh styles; girls I’ve had in class since age 4 execute moves I didn’t teach them; I see growth and progress. The girls that took over aren’t just “filling the gap” and allowing things to continue as normal. They’re growing in creativity, and challenging the students to progress. They’re glorifying the Lord in greater ways. And as I see a student I couldn’t get to smile beaming with confidence and joy, I see that the teachers aren’t just training them in skill; they’re mentoring them and pouring the love of Jesus into their lives.

An exciting change is the addition of more guys to the stage – 15 to be exact! The guys that had filled roles for us in the past have grown in strength and expression, and when a group of 8 took the stage (the song a complete surprise to me!), moving perfectly together and looking like they were having a blast, I wanted to cheer. Wow – God’s taken something that started primarily for girls and given guys a great outlet to worship Him too!

When asked at the end what my favorite dance was, it was impossible to choose… from little ones with hands on shoulders or skipping around a "sycamore tree" to older ones moving together with the same angles and expression, there was something in every single one that made me smile, sigh at the cuteness, get goosebumps at the power portrayed, and even tear up. Ryan exclaimed, “That was my favorite presentation yet!” and then seemed a little apologetic, realizing all the others were ones I’d directed while this one I’d not. But I agreed – “The Promise Fulfilled” was my favorite too. Maybe partly because I didn’t have to do any all-day work to help bring it together… ;) But mostly because of the clear message of Jesus life, death, resurrection, and the joy that awaits us in heaven. When the girls ran up the aisles to “Jesus” at the end, I wanted to run up and worship with them!

As the teachers stood at the end and shared how the semester had challenged and grown them, they too radiated the faithfulness of God. “It’s when I knew I couldn’t do it that He did even greater through me than I imagined.” “When things went wrong, He worked it out and left me with no doubt that all the credit goes to Him.” “What we do is all for His glory.” And it was evident. As I see the lessons of faith learned and the confidence in Him gained… yes, He fulfills His promises. I pray these girls never forget that.

My sister asked me later that night if seeing everyone dance made me miss it. And I realized I didn’t… the season I’m in as a wife and soon-to-be mother is sweet and fulfilling. It’s quieter, but one I’m rejoicing in. Teaching was a wonderful, rewarding time. But living each day with one man is more rewarding and wonderful than teaching 100 girls… I always wanted to be a dancer when I was growing up, but surpassing that was my desire to be a wife and mommy, and that time is here. :)

Our God is faithful. I always knew as I worked on productions and saw them come together that it was God, not me. There’s no way I could have brought everything together; He gave me strength and led me to do things I never would have dreamed of because He was the One doing them. And yet when I was leaving, people wondered how it could continue without me… Well, The King’s Praise Ballet was God’s all along, and He’s not just continued it; He’s made it blossom and grow in my absence, showing that He is the Giver of creativity, harmony, and grace. I’m praising Him!

-Anna