Friday 23 September 2011

Servant


I have been reading so much concerning servitude.
There was a childhood song we used to sing in church:

"Make me a servant, humble and meek
Lord let me lift up those who are week
And may the prayer of my heart always be,
Make me a servant today!"

Not much I can add to this! I want to see Jesus lifted high in my life! I want Him to be glorified in everything I do. I pray that these are not just words. I am humbled and need Him more than ever!

Thursday 22 September 2011

Back in the US of A

My in-laws have left this morning. On the plane back to Scotland. After dropping them at the curbside check in, Eliza noted that Grandma "forgot to kiss me on the mouth". I rolled down the window to let the teary eyed Grandma know and Eliza was promptly kissed.
The goodbyes were then proceeded with the excitement of Austin and Joel coming. A 2 year old has no concept of distance or emotional stress. This has helped me with the far thee wells.
Matthew won an award today at work for his service. Chuffed!
Where to begin since the last 6 months have passed so quickly. We live in my old stomping ground of Cat Hollow, Round Rock Texas. I had friends that lived close if not in the same subdivision. So it is familiar. I have been amazed at how merciful and faithful the Lord has been. We were living with my parents for almost 3 months and in that time Matthew found a job working for a company called ESP (they contract out doctors to hospitals). He is managing all their computers. We found our house by the grace of God, which we found out went on the market the day we flew out of Scotland. We viewed well over 10 houses and this one stayed on the market for us and was affordable and perfect!
Reentry has been strange in another light...I have changed a lot in 6 years. And evidently so has everyone else. Funny how we expect everyone and everything to stay the same. I am finding my way as a married woman and mommy amongst my side of the family. I have discovered I am different. Things that were never noticeable before, are now. Things that I would have never thought about before, I do know.
I love Eliza in Texas. She is thriving! I can guess the unlimited sunlight has a big part to play in that! Sun is a wonderful thing!!! Samuel has come on leaps and bounds...so many milestones since we have been here. Samuel turning one, learning to walk and talk and Eliza potty training. We are blessed.
I am gonna start writing regularly. The Lord is showing me new things everyday.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

6 months!!


Okay, I have totally slacked at keeping people posted or keeping my sanity written down...or writing to keep my sanity...
We have officially been in the united states of America for 6 months. Today!
We have managed to get a job and a house and are actually settling into normal life.
The in-laws have been here for the last 3 weeks and are way in 2 days time.
We have more visitors coming for the Tattie Holidays. Ross clan can't wait!!!
I will write more on the journey's end a little later tonight, but I wanted to get something down...give anyone who actually reads this a heads up! I am excited about writing again! See ya in a couple hours when the house is quiet and I can hear my own thoughts!

Thursday 17 February 2011

Countdown


We are on the countdown part of the journey now.
Next week is Matthew's last week of work and we get finished packing up!
We will move into Matthew's folk's house for a couple weeks while finishing the tail end of everything. Then set off in sky to Beautiful Texas.
No set date as of yet when we will actually leave the country.
Our new owners will be buying our fridge, washer & dryer. We are charity shopping loads of stuff and had a massive clean out today! So much still to clear. I hate the whole moving process. The packing and all that.
I am not feeling nearly as overwhelmed as I was a couple weeks ago. I have asked for peace and the Lord has given it to me. Now the only part I am not looking forward to are the goodbyes.
So I will think of that another day!

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Contented Texas


The house is sold! We had the container guy out this afternoon to give us an estimate on getting all of our stuff shipped over. Matthew had kinda gone on Autopilot. I feel much better now the house is finally sold and the kids are oblivious! So things are definitely moving right along.
Life is so funny. The places it takes you and the things that are learned. I am 30 years old and feel accomplished. Not to sound stuffy, but I am really happy about how life has turned out for me.
I recently had a revelation on the Christian principle of Contentment. I always thought it was something to aspire to, but it is essentially something learned.
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
It is a time waster and a life waster to always want more. Now, I don't mean in "live your dreams" department. I believe God gives us talents and passions and we should pursue those things.
I personally have found myself (in the past) looking around and saying there is so much more to life than this. But today I look at my husband and my two kiddos and love where I am in life. I no longer mourn the life a world travelling missionary, or a coffee shop owner, or an stage and screen actress. I am grinning as I type this because I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in life. For this moment. And for the first time in my life I love that fact!
It may sound trite and insignificant. But to be loved by the Most High and to love Him back...that is where contentment lies. No matter where in the world I am or what location my actual body is in. Really is a revelation from God. Now saying all that...give me a few months and see how I am feeling then. :0)
I am grateful for my life and I am grateful for my family and I am SO grateful for my Saviour!

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Family Update!


As of today we have 2 offers on our house and Matthew's visa arrives tomorrow by post! I am so overwhelmed! Talk about moving fast suddenly (redundant)... Our visa interview went without a glitch and everything has just been rolling onward since. To think we may actually be in Texas by Samuel's first birthday...Really excited about it! A complete understatement. On that same note, it is bitter sweet. This house is the one Matthew & I have built together. "you buy a house but sell a home"- So true! We have raised our kids thus far here (I know they are only little) But is seems strange to leave it all. Friendships made here also...So strange to say goodbye. But new beginning waiting for us on the other side and I can't wait to see my family whenever I want. To see Bella & Isaac growing up and having dinner at my brother's house. Oh and all the good food! How I miss this! The Lord has really amazed me in this entire process. Allowing Matthew is come to terms with moving, getting his visa pretty straight forward and the day the house goes on the market we had a viewer...I believe it has been His hand from the beginning! Admittedly I tried to move Him along. I wanted to be back in Texas years ago, but for whatever reason it had to be in the Lord's timing and I choose to trust that. So will keep this updated for the move and everything relating to that!

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Visa Update


How crazy has this week been?
After waiting and waiting everything is going into warp speed and I am trying hard not to panic. Monday we received our letter for Matthew's interview. February 1 at 10:00am at the London
Embassy. We have the house lady coming on Friday to measure the rooms and the photographer coming Monday to take photos. The house will be on the market soon and my head is spinning. I can't get anything in order. I have tried making check list after check list. What room to start in? What is worth packing at the moment and what are we still going to need? Am I ready to move? Am I ready for change? Are the kids gonna adjust ok? Will Matthew be too bothered by the Texas heat? Will he find a job? Will we find a house quickly and not have to live with my parents for ages? Will my head explode if I think too much? Oh and what if for some crazy reason we can't get his visa?
Then yesterday my nephew was born. Levi John Watkin. Beautiful boy. I am so grateful we were still here for his birth! I am grateful that we were still here for Matthew's folks. We visited him tonight and my mind relaxed for awhile.
The Lord has it all under control and I totally believe that and choose to trust Him. Good grief. If He wasn't there....I think my head would in fact explode!
Ok so there is our update so far! Will try and stay posting on here. If for no other reason than my own sanity!

Saturday 8 January 2011


Will take the quiet time of the day to write a bit.
Seems the days are really passing and I have not done anything to get the house packed or ready. We still have yet to have Matthew's interview down in London and are waiting on the date. After we have an idea of the interview date we will put the house up for sale. Feels like time is just speeding by while we wait. Matthew and I are ready to go. That is what we are doing...waiting...
Then the new life will start in Austin, Texas and beyond! I have looked (out of curiosity) at the website for houses on the market and can't believe the size. Houses are built small here in the UK and I can only assume because it is an island and so flippin cold. But the thought of having a bigger house is so exciting to me!!!
Can't wait to get the kids rooms sorted and Matthew and I 's stuff up ...
Urgh...so much for writing, phone ringing! No rest for Mommas!!

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Friendship


I have been wanting get my thoughts down on relationships for what seem like ages.
We have a had a strange year when it comes to this. I have personally realized so much about what relationships are than I had originally given time for.
I always hated when people would say things like " I have too many friends already, I don't have room for any more". Seriously thought it was stupid thing to say and how shallow a person to say it. But I can kinda understand it now. While friendships are indeed a gift from God, they can also be a pain! Of course by our own making. We are selfish people who want anything and everything that we can get out of a relationship and very rarely do we give much back. It is a rare occasion that you find someone you feel is "worthy" to get your attention ad love like you want yourself.
Sadly this is so contrary to what the Lord has clearly written in His word about friendship and relationships...but most people- Christian and none- are selfish.
There is a scripture that says "A friend makes himself friendly". I have tried honestly to be this kind of friend. Especially when I know I am going into a new country or place of work or anywhere where I don't know anyone. But it is honestly hard cause you are expecting others to be the same. One great example of this that I am totally guilty of...After Eliza was born and I went to my first Mother/Toddler group. I had brought a couple of friends that I knew, a neighbour and fellow co-worker. There was about 30 or so ladies there with all toddler age kids. We sat there waiting I guess for the "already mothers" to come and welcome us and join in conversation. This didn't happen. We sat quiet and chatted to each other and left never wanting to go back because of the cliques that were so obviously formed. Sadly I see now I was totally at fault, just because of the scripture I wrote above. I never engaged either. I fear this is turning into a rant. But , in a nutshell...I have learned to really appreciate the ones who enjoy my company, go out of there way to let me know I am their friend and show me. I try very hard to do the same, but know it is difficult, specially after marriage & kids. Want to be more friendly! I guess.
All done now...none of that came out how it was in my head...but so it goes....

~Beth