We're getting ready to say good-bye to London. We almost had to say good-bye a few weeks ago but we were given extra time here which has been a blessing in many ways. Originally Todd was going to have to return to London to finish up his job here. Now because of the flood delays, he has finished his job here and he can take us to Australia and stay with us. Whew!
I've never been very fond of change. During my senior year of high school my parents sold our childhood home to move across the street. I was devastated. I'm still that same girl in many ways although I've learned some things along the way.
In 2005 Todd and I made our first big move and had a baby that same year. We both thought that took years off our lives. In 2008, we did it again, but this time our move was overseas. (In fact, I've joked with my mom that she cried her eyes out in 2005 when we told her we were moving to California. By the time we told her we were moving to Australia in 2011, she didn't shed a tear. At least we broke her in slowly). We hope that the previous moves have prepared us well for this next move and baby.
In some ways this move is easier because we know what to expect from an overseas move. In other ways, it's more difficult for me because I don't know anything about Australia. When we were preparing to move to London, I had been here before, always been enamored with the idea of living here and I was somewhat familiar with Europe since I had lived in Italy before. Australia is a different story all together. Todd has been there briefly to find us a house, but neither of us know much about the country.
I am so grateful to know that wherever in the world we go we have friends through the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's comforting to know that the Church is the same throughout the world. I know that it will make the transition to Australia so much easier for the children and for us. It's constant when everything around us will be different.
Thursday as our plane takes off I will look out over England and be grateful. Grateful for the good people we've met. Grateful for the fond memories. Grateful that our family has been able to share this together. And yes, I'll cry my eyes out. I imagine it will be something like when I left Italy after 18 months. Sweet anticipation about what will come next, and bitter emptiness about having to leave. Even though I knew it wasn't going to be forever and I've been blessed by the whole experience, I can't help but drag my heels as I go. Our family's hearts belong to England in so many ways.
We were there nice and early to get a good view of the program.
We stopped for lunch and then headed home to meet Todd and finish packing. Our flight departed London at 10pm. We had to mentally prepare ourselves for our 12 hour flight from London to Singapore, 2 hour layover, and then a 7 1/2 hour flight from Singapore to Brisbane. Whew!
That's my kind of sick day!
We're getting ready to say good-bye to London. We almost had to say good-bye a few weeks ago but we were given extra time here which has been a blessing in many ways. Originally Todd was going to have to return to London to finish up his job here. Now because of the flood delays, he has finished his job here and he can take us to Australia and stay with us. Whew!