Deep Breaths

Don't hit the 'back' button...it really is a new post!!

Yes, I know it has been a awfully long time. We are so sorry for taking so long but hope this makes up for it a bit. As many of you will already know, we have been rather busy settling in and have lots to report.

JOBS: John is working for a ministry based in Texas called 'Intimate Life'. They are dear friends of ours and John edited three books for them a few years ago. He is now working on a couple of their new projects and its been much less stressful than the book he wrote last year. The hours are really flexible and work well with my job too. Speaking of which, I'm working at Starbucks as a Barista, something which I love. As I have shared with many of you, I was done with teaching and really needed something with a lot less stress and fewer off-the-clock hours! It's definitely the best job for this season in our life ...and I get tons of free coffee!! Most of all though, I had no idea that Starbucks is such a giving, caring company and I'm so impressed with them and proud to say I work there. The people I work with are awesome and I actually enjoy my job.

HOME: We have bought a gorgeous house and are settling in the last few things (more on that later). It's a brand new three bedroom, three bathroom two-story house with an open plan living, kitchen, dining room, and a finished basement (which is our office and family TV room), plus a back wooden deck/veranda, large garage and huge storage room. We keep looking around saying 'is all this really ours?'- God has certainly blessed us, especially through our friends and family, and particularly our parents. My mum and dad were able to send us some money for new furniture and John's helped us with appliances and other things too. (Thanks guys, we couldn't have done it without you. We love you lots and lots.) The house is right next to an excellent primary/elementary school and just outside Cleveland so it's quiet and surrounded by nature and just a few neighbours. Anyway, photos will be posted soon - don't be mad - there is a reason for the delay!

OUR STUFF: On July 23rd, our stuff was packed into boxes, and taken by a shipping company estimated to arrive in TN, 2 months later. However, almost 5 months later after a number of crazy delays, heart attacks, worry and confusion, our boxes finally arrived yesterday. John and I kept only what we could fit into four suitcases for our plane trip, which was mostly summer clothes - it was July- and have been waiting anxiously for our winter clothes, books, cds, dvds, kitchen stuff, office bits, bedding etc. Most of all, John's computer was in the boxes, so we haven't had internet access since we moved in, and he has had to go to his parents' house every day to work. Which also means, we haven't been able to keep up with people as much we would like, or blog, hence the delay. Even still his computer needs some adjusting to work on US power so I am writing from Larry's computer. BUT we promise as soon as it's all sorted and everything is in place, we will take pics of the house and post them.

MINISTRY: we are teaching the middle school (which is aged 11-13) bible class every Wednesday evening and it's a lot of fun. It's the first time John and I have been able to team teach and we are really enjoying it and loving how the kids are responding. We are also on the verge of starting something with another age group after the new year (more on that when it happens). That's one of the reasons why our jobs are such a blessing because we have much more free time to be invloved with the lives of young people- something important to us.

Anyway, please comment as we enjoy knowing who is keeping up and thinking of us. Makes us feel closed to the ones we miss.
Love you guys and thanks for the emails, prayers and thoughts.
Leia (and John)
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posted by John and Leia @ 11:52 AM