Monthly Update April 2013

WHEN IS IT OK TO CHEAT?

The answer is “today”. I don’t have an inspirational or challenging thought ready for you today and I need to go to sleep. So I will repeat what I did once last year and copy and paste a few quotes from my website. A few people commented that they were blessed by them last time anyhow.

Sport is a preserver of health — Hippocrates

Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved. — Henri Nouwen

Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free. — Stormie Omartian

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. — Leo Tolstoy

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

UKRAINE

TENTATIVE FUTURE PLANS

Many of our friends have asked both Marie and I what our plans are after we marry in July.  We have a few basic directions and objectives. We return to Australia after our wedding in July and Marie will apply for a spouse visa. This whole process (and it is a process too much to bore you with here) will lead to permanent residency and will take 2 years or a little longer. We expect to be based in Australia during that time. We would like to save for a visit to both Central Asia and Ukraine towards the latter half of 2014. We would like to move to Central Asia late 2015 or early 2016.

So much has changed for both of us in the past 12 months, but Marie has undergone incredible changes. I am immensely indebted to Marie for changing her life to be with me. We both truly believe we are better together.

NEW ZEALAND

This week Marie is in NZ and I am supposedly getting stacks of work done while she is away and not pining too much. If everything goes as it should then Marie will return to Australia with a work visa. I will join Marie in NZ on April 16 and we will be travelling north.

ON THE HOME FRONT

SCHOOL DAYS

I head into the final week of Term 1 teaching a delightful class of grade 2 students. I have thoroughly enjoyed the class this year and the parents have been very supportive also. Education is truly a partnership and when that engine runs smoothly the ship powers ahead and stays on course.

BEECROFT RUGBY

I had my first game since 2011 last Saturday. I played half a game and was reminded why I love this game. I hope to continue playing when other commitments allow.

WEDDING FEVER

90 days to go!! Join the countdown online as we power through these last 3 months. We are excited to spend our lives together. We are also incredibly appreciative of the many people who have offered to help us in a plethora of ways.

WHAT YA READIN'?

I am still reading George Orwell’s book 1984. I have a goal to have it finished before my next monthly update.

THANKS

To my sister Priscilla and family for looking after Marie for me this week.