Moving is Exhausting

We have moved to a new country once again!

Moves are exhausting - We remember moving in across town in the states - it really could wear you out. We are coming to realize that the exhaustion is not just physical, caused by moving boxes and suitcases and furniture... there is something more to it.

We have hardly anything with us (possession-wise) at this point.  We pared down so much before moving overseas... We packed in 12 checked bags because we got an extra bag each for having humanitarian tickets - going to help the earthquake effort in Nepal.

These extra bags are a blessing and a curse - We had to air freight them into Bangkok (they got held up a month in customs!) and now that we have moved to Indonesia, we have 6 trunks waiting for us in Bangkok that we can't ship until we get 'permanent' visas...

All of this to say - we are physically moving LESS!  But we seem to be even MORE tired... I think part of it at this point is the cumulative effect of living in our 4th country in 9 months.  In each new place, we have dealt with culture shock, cultural behaviors and foods, language, driving patterns, learning where and how to buy food (learning what food to buy...), and changing up jobs and responsibilities every step of the way.  We have spent holidays and birthdays absent from those we love - all the while wondering when we will have a semi-permanent place to call home.

But now, we have a plan in place - we have a home for at least a year while we learn Bahasa (Indonesian language) and we are outfitting it in a way that makes us feel comfortable... somewhere we can feel at least a little settled and established and 'come home to' if we have to make a visa run or other trip for a meeting.

We are exhausted dealing with another culture  - but it is a good exhausted.  It is an exhaustion that comes once again with a honey-moon phase that holds hope and promise that this culture - these people - this is what is going to feel like home.  It is infectious and even our girls are feeling good about being here.

We'll have photos and such to post soon - (we think they'll connect our internet tomorrow?)

But until then - know we are tired, but we feel like it is a good tired. We praise God we will finally get a chance to slow down and catch our breath. To settle into a place and a culture - and call somewhere 'home'.