The Honeymoon Phase

It happens in every country where we’ve landed--that blissful, “Everything is awesome” feeling that THIS is where God wanted us all along.  Everything He’s orchestrated in our lives has led to positioning us in this place at this particular time in history.  When we landed in Texas, I wrote what was essentially a love letter to the city of Round Rock which was printed in the local paper. So it’s been with Australia.  Here are the factors that are fueling our euphoria:

1. The weather.  We landed in Winter, which means cool mornings and evenings and daytime highs in the 70’s (Fahrenheit, as we are still not fluent in Celsius)--ideal for walks and bike rides. The air is clean and occasionally smells of jasmine.

2. The Crazy Critters: koalas, wallabies, cockatoos, kookaburras, (small happy dance as I finally spelled that one correctly on the first try!).  No kangaroo sightings yet, but I am confident they are on the way!

3. The water.  We haven’t had hot water in our kitchen for 10 years.  What a difference it makes for doing dishes when you don’t have to heat it up in a kettle and pour in boiling water for proper cleaning. Plus, we can drink water from the tap. Huzzah for no more water delivery! 

4. Driving is going well, thanks to my Heavy Lifters. I’m driving a little bit almost every day, though slightly less lately due to the incredible 50 cent bus fares. (It’s election time over here, too.)

5. The energy.  We are meeting with new people every week, getting to know the area, striking up conversations with random strangers.  We’ve joined groups at the library (English classes, story hour, Toastmasters).  Ministry is new, fresh and full of endless possibilities. Interest is high and people’s curiosity is piqued.  

Falling in love with a country, a person, or even a ministry is rarely the problem, but staying passionate about it after reality hits is the challenge.  John Cougar rightly crooned, “Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone.”

We have yet to make a home where mosquitoes can’t find us and our sinful natures fail to get visas.  Sweltering, humid temps lurk around the corner making my hair frizz with anticipation.  The crazy critters include spiders and snakes of the most venomous varieties. Though not deadly, magpies are known to swoop at your head throughout the nesting season in Spring, which began on September 1. One realtor claimed a magpie took out a chunk of her dad’s scalp. People even put spikes on their bike helmets to deter swooping, which looks like something straight out of Mad Max.  That hot water tap comes with a hefty price tag and people’s enthusiasm wanes as the newness wears off.  

So when tensions get high, and our pain tolerance is low, do we move on?  Other than the fact that we are TIRED of moving (did I mention that this is our FOURTH country in 10 years?) of course not.  We learn to love Australia as it IS- both the bitter and the sweet. The LORD put us here to reach people in Australia.  We’re on permanent assignment, until He makes it clear that it’s time to go.

One of our kids’ favorite books was “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” by Judith Viorist.  The refrain was “Some days are like that, even in Australia.” When the honeymoon is over, we will still be here.  Like Easy Company in Bastogne, we’ll dig in our trenches and hold the line, doing our level best to advance the Kingdom.  We’ll remember that we are trophies of God’s grace, even when we lose our shine, and our “new car” smell.  Christ’s love compels us to be faithful, consistent, and keep moving the ball up the field...while dodging the magpies.     

Swoop! There it is! (Note the red eyes!) Photo by Joe Pee on Unsplash

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