Weather-related Waiting

From Jessie's perspective:

In April 2007, when we arrived in our former city with 12 suitcases, 4 backpacks, and a banjo, we "hit the ground running". We spent weeks and months completely outfitting an apartment, studying the language in a university setting, leading various studies throughout the week, loving on orphans and new siblings, and just surviving daily life in that environment. We worked hard to the very last moment, hosting 26 visitors from June to August 2008. During that time, we were also handling all the necessary paperwork needed for our upcoming move, shutting down our apartment and business affairs, and saying goodbye to so many good friends.

In August 2008, when we left our former city with 10 suitcases, 4 backpacks, a banjo, and a keyboard, we entered a new state of existence: WAITING. We waited two weeks in HK for more medical/paperwork/visas to be approved. And, now, we are waiting in our new city to find a way "to get started" and to be able "to get outside" to meet folks. Why waiting? Well, during the past month, we have experienced two typhoons and an earthquake....our family's first typhoons and earthquake.

The first typhoon hit while we were in HK:
Typhoon Nuri, August 22, HK ; (damage pictured below).
Then, after being in TW for just ten days, we experienced our first EARTHQUAKE on September 10. The quake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, hit at 3:43 p.m. on Tuesday, shaking buildings in TP. "This was the biggest earthquake of the year so far, but because of the distance and the great depth (off the coast and in the ocean), there is not so much to worry about," said a government official.

Then, we experienced our second typhoon: Typhoon Sinlaku, Sept. 14, TW; (preparing pictured below).
None of these weather-related events caused any problems for us personally. However, they did shut down businesses, government offices, schools, and bus, subway, and airline routes. So, a lot of the time, we were housebound and waiting.

Waiting is not a word that any of our family members are comfortable using. Hurrying, pushing, striving, running, rushing....these are words we usually use to describe our lives. Maybe, it is because of our "Southern" upbringing, but we have always functioned in light of the words of the old hymn: "Work for the Night is Coming." "Hit the ground running" has been our theme everywhere we have ever lived. And yet, lately, we've been doing a lot of waiting.

I know that my Sovereign Father knows what is best for each of us. The weather-related waiting has given us time to rest and recuperate, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We've been given time to grieve the loss of our old city and focus on the needs of our new city. For the waiting, we are thankful. We look forward with great anticipation to see what He has in store for us next. We allow Him to be in charge of the divine appointments He has planned for our next days, weeks, months, and years. We wait on Him. He is our "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow."
Some photos obtained from other internet sites.