When you are out of your comfort zone

It's so cold!

Ok, maybe not as cold as some of you get, but for our standarts, it's COLD!

It does not snow here where we live. It does on the mountains that surrounds us, but it's cold anyways. Too cold. I like winter, I just don't like being cold.

It's tuesday here - but monday still in many places and monday where Ann Voskamp shares the Multitude Monday. So here I am. I have been thinking a lot lately, how me and my little family been thrown out of our comfort zone and how we're dealing with what comes with it. We have been living here in Masterton for 8 years now. We have family support, we have church support, we know our way around, it's home. But when God says to you: Get out of your comfort zone - it can be very hard. We moved out of our house, sold our belongings, packed our bags. Hubby left nearly two weeks ago - daddy is not around. We are staying with grandma - any routine is out of the door - even though we do try to carry on with some sort of normality. When we decided that we were moving countries with three kids, somewhere we have never been before, we were quite excited. A new place, a new church, new friends, new shops (hehe). Everyone comes up to me and say 'You must be so excited' and truth is, I am excited. But I am also anxious, scared, sad. This whole new adventure is really really close now and I am starting to get a bit nervous. I have been speaking to hubby everyday and he keeps telling me how different things are over there, even though it's only Australia. Then I realised we are actually starting from scratch. We are out of our comfort zone big time and it's so scary! I know people do this kid of things everyday - move countries, or jobs, or face lifestyle changes. It's just seems like it a huge task when it's happening to you. So I am clinging to Jesus. Because I know he has gone ahead of us, in every single step we have taken so far. When I look back in our journey, I can see how He has been with us throughout the whole process and there is no denying, we are where we are supposed to be. When I see it in that light, I start to get really excited because, yes, this is an adventure, the type of adventure that He has prepared for us Himself. It seriously cannot get any better than that. And I am so thankful and humbled by it. The gratitude list continues: 31. The adventure32. Pretty fabric33. Thrifty shops34. Slow cookers35. New items of ridiculously cheap clothing36. My new handmade by me jewellery37. My talents so I can make them :)38. Awesome people that bring me inspiration39. A church family where I can be myself40. The unknown - because He is ahead of us!

Being graceful and patient

I got a situation.

I ask you to read this with a light heart, but I need to vent. I need to let it all out and work it out in my head how I am going to deal with the situation gracefully and patiently.

Not easy.

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So most of you are aware that Jason has gone to Australia two weeks ahead of us and the kids and I are staying with my in laws. You see where this is going, don't you?

Please don't get me wrong. I love my in laws, we get along fine, but I think living there is not ideal. The house is really small and MIL is a bit of a clean freak. I have three kids, they are loud, messy, like any other kid. I do have to nag them a lot in the morning when we are getting ready for school, but what parent doesn't? (If you are reading this is going 'I don't have to nag' please share your secrets!!)

Anyways, MIL is hard to live with. She won't say things to my face, but she will tell the kids to tell me things when I am standing right there. Not just that, I keep getting "if it was me" or "if it was my children" speech on and on and on. And I seriously don't mean just a little speech... the WHOLE time we are there, she does not stop complaining or comparing my kids to hers (her youngest being nearly 30 - my hubby!) and just being a pain for the sake of being a pain. I think she keeps talking to hear the sound of her own voice, or maybe she feels that she needs to do that? If things are not done the way she wants them done, watch out. I am so upset because of it, I honestly don't know what to do to make it better. I am trying really hard to think ahead to avoid unpleasant comments, but it's a losing battle my friends.

That was my vent post.

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Now, how am I going to deal with her gracefully and patiently? How am I going to go on and NOT explode and be angry at her or say things I don't mean?

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. It is so hard to bite my tongue and not say anything when I really feel like telling her to butt out!

So far I have done well. Apart from telling her to stop judging one of my friends, someone she does not even know - and I did it nicely. But I am really upset this morning. It's only 9am and already I feel like I can't take it anymore - I still have 13 days there! I am glad I go to work and the kids have school. Otherwise I don't think things would turn out okay.

As I type this, a verse comes to mind:

"You have heard what it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 'But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn his the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said. 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy'. But I say to you 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" Matthew 5:38-45

Let me just say this: She is not my enemy. As I said, we do get along, I just think we're having a 'own space" collision. I am in her space and she is in mine.

I think Jesus was aware of how difficult it was to 'turn the other cheek' when he said those words. It's one of the hardest things to do - because in our own minds - we're being wronged. I am doing everything I can to avoid the complaints and rambling, but no matter what I do, I still get them. I think it's so unfair and it does not make it any better to have someone in the background criticising every single thing I do. It's very hard to let go and not be upset or annoyed by it not to mention the unspoken tension.

I am really working hard on this one. Be gracious and patient. Turn the other cheek and agree with things even when I really want to scream and hide. I know it's not for long, I know I have the power to make things or break things. Given the circumstances, I do not have an option but be like Jesus and practice my patience. A whole lot.

It's actually tuesday here. But here we go:

21. Chocolate cheesecake

22. Friends who let me borrow their car!

23. Karaoke! So much fun

24. Kid's tv channels (it's been so wet around here, and grandma's house is small)

25. Safe flights

26. new crafts on my to do list

27. Cough syrup and honey

28. Our new car in Australia

29. Jason's new cell phone - I can call him

30. Phone cards - i won't cost in laws a cent for the overseas calls!