Update… on the (non-engineering) wife side of things

After 3 years in East Texas (the longest we've ever stayed anywhere since Justin and I met each other), we are in the middle of a huge transition.  In a nut shell, we are visiting family in Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas before relocating to Gothenburg, Sweden (mid July) for about a year and a half.  Many of you know that we are going there to continue working on the New Ship Project for Mercy Ships.  Justin will work on final designs with a company we've hired, and from there we will relocate again, to Tianjin, China, for the construction of the Atlantic Mercy.

Here are the popular, and oh so interesting, questions and answers concerning our family!

“Are you excited (about this new adventure)?!”  From day one, I had mixed emotions about leaving our home in Lindale, TX. The girls and I had many activities through the week, at our church and with friends.  We got into a routine and it’s always a bit of a challenge to break out of that and start over.  At the same time, it IS exciting- and breaking our ‘comfortable’ routine may be very well worth it.  There are fears about starting over with my 2 and 4 year old in another country. Thankfully, there is peace from God that outweighs the fears, a peace that says ‘this is right.’

As far as calling it an ‘adventure’… well, I won’t be gallivanting around Scandinavia or trying out every restaurant.  Justin will be hard at work, reviewing crazy, complex drawings, and I will continue as full time Mom.  I suppose it will be an adventure to make new friends, shop at Swedish grocery stores, cook in our apartment, get used to the Krona, eat lots of fish, and learn how to say things like ‘jag pratar väldigt lite svenska.’ 

“Are you ready for cold weather?”  No, nor am I ready for 18 hours of daily darkness in December.  My kids (who have mostly lived in Texas) have no proper winter clothing… Time to hit the consignment shops!  I AM ready for a beautiful summer though.  We’ll deal with the cold a little later.

“Will Justin be paid?”  No, we are still considered full time in Mercy Ships and we are still supported by friends, family, and churches.  Mercy Ships will fill in the gaps for the extremely expensive cost of living in Sweden.  (This is where I’ll put in the plug about donating… click the big green button and join us in building the world’s biggest non government hospital ship, to serve the poorest in West Africa!).

“What will you do about school for the kids?” I am not 100% sure, but a Swedish friend has been helpful in providing me some information concerning preschool.  It seems that the government allows up to 15 hours of free preschool per week for every child three years and older (including MY kids J).There are also a few English speaking preschools and churches in Gothenburg.  If all works out, I would love to enroll Lily in September and Evelyn in December (when she turns three). 

“Do you know how to speak Swedish?”  The answer is no. We’ll be there for about a year, and I bet it would take me longer to learn it. I would like to learn some helpful words and phrases, but let’s just say I am very thankful that Sweden is ranked high in countries that can speak English as their second language. On the other hand, China does not rank so high in fluent English speakers… Mandarin Chinese is the second most spoken language in the world and I might have to make that more of a priority. You know, it’s always what I've wanted to do… learn some Mandarin while living in Sweden.  ;)

This leads to the next question: “Do you speak Chinese?” No. But I hope to learn. I have a feeling my kids will pick it up more quickly than I will.  I am thrilled (sarcasm) at the thought of my children speaking Mandarin behind my back.

“How long will you be in China?”  We will be there as long as it takes to build the ship… estimated 2 - 4 years in Binhai, Tianjin on the Bohai bay,  91 miles SE of Beijing.

“What will you do about school for the kids in China?”  Well, one thing at a time. I really don’t know, but off the top of my head I think there are three options:  local Mandarin speaking schools, private international schools (but who knows the cost and the availability? If you do, let me know!), and then there’s the third, and somewhat feared option, home school. 

“What will you do with your house? Will you go back (to East Texas)?”  We are renting out our house and we have no idea if we will go back to East Texas/ Mercy Ships main office.  We will strongly consider living on the ship once it is ready to sail and serve in West Africa- but that is several years away, and again… one thing at a time.

For now, my ‘one thing,’ is spending time with family. The next thing, is a cross Atlantic flight with the busiest two year old on earth. After that, Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind.  Trusting Him, not just myself.  Acknowledging Him in all I do, allowing Him to make a straight and clear path for us…. In any country, in any language.