All posts by Dove Familie

Not the Same

God spoke to me this morning through my washer and dryer.
Okay, before you think I’ve gone crazy, read on.
As I was thinking about our current living situation here at the training center, I was reminded of cultural differences.
Everyone here lives in a quad: four apartments with a shared living room. My assumption then, and apparently the assumption of many, was that all the apartments were the same.
I was talking to one family about the frequency of laundry because of the almost doll-sized washer and dryer. They looked at me oddly and we discovered that their W&D are full sized.
On another occasion, a couple couldn’t figure out why our boys were sharing a room – that is, until we realized that their apartment is three bedroom, while ours is two.
And as I thought over those interactions this morning, it hit me: what a powerful lesson for us as we prepare cross cultures and learn to live with another peoplegroup. Just because we do things a certain way does NOT mean others do the same. We must be careful to not make assumptions. We need to seek to understand the practices, habits, and cultural norms of those with which we want to meet. In fact, we may need to give up some of our preferences in order to really gain an understanding of their values and mindset.
It’s easy to think our way is the best way. It’s easy to just assume that others do things like we do them. But I have a feeling that over time our minds will be broadened to some of our habits daily practices that are extremely Western, and maybe even extremely unnecessary.
(And as I try to start wrapping my brain and heart around all of this, I am, appropriately, starting on this helpful book!)

Week 2

We are about mid-week through our second week of training. Things continue to progress nicely. Last night after the boys were in bed, Zack and I started on one of our big homework projects. It was really enjoyable to read together about Norwegian culture and customs!

Back to School

We feel like we are back in school! We arrived at our training facility on Monday and began classes Wednesday. Things are going well, but we are staying VERY busy!

This is a book we’re just
starting to read. Anyone have any
thoughts or opinions on it?

Please pray for us as we get into a new routine and try to learn as much as possible over the next week.

Also, there are LOTS of people living and working together. Please pray that everyone stays well and that sickness does not become a problem in this close environment.

Thanks for checking in. We’ll try to write again soon!

 

An Added Blessing on the Road

It just happened that the halfway spot for our drive could easily place us close to several adoptive families that I’ve known through blogs and email for a long time – some for probably 4 or 5 years.
And it worked out that we were able to meet three of those families for dinner last night. What a treat to finally meet people I feel I’ve known for years! I loved seeing our kids together. Honestly, walking into the restaurant and seeing faces you’ve only seen in photos is like a great big celebrity sighting!
Thanks to our sweet friends for taking time out of your weekend to meet up. And thanks for your friendship and prayers!







Hitting the Road: July 22

Today is a big day!! We plan to attend early church, and then will begin our drive to Virginia. We are staying the night near Charlotte, NC, where we are meeting up with several adoptive families for dinner. Then tomorrow we will arrive at the training center. We have a meeting Tuesday afternoon and training officially begins Wednesday.
The last couple of weeks have been busy and emotional. We’ve said our good-byes and packed up all that we’ll need for the next 8 1/2 weeks.
Please pray for us as we enter this next big phase…
While transitions can be tough for anyone, we ask for specific prayer for our sons. Please pray that throughout our moves to Virginia, Vancouver, and Norway, they will feel safe and secure. Our prayer is that it will further affirm that even when outside circumstances change, families stay together.
Please pray for Zack and me as we enter a time of intense training and preparation. Pray that our hearts and minds will remain focused on God, and on the calling that He has placed on our family.
Please pray for our parents and extended family. Pray for them as they say good-bye and as the reality of our move sets in.



Packing

As I type, the movers are here and packing our belongings. They will stay in storage until we arrive in Norway.
It’s yet another reality moment for us, as we think about the fact that the next time we’ll see things like our beds and table and sofa, we will be in Oslo!

More fun

After our stay at Stone Mountain, the boys and I headed for the lake. We arrived just after lunch time on Friday. Mom was on our her way back from vacation with my grandparents, and her husband was still at work. But after unpacking, we headed on over to their house (just 2 doors down) and went swimming.
Once Mom & Tommy arrived home, they took us out to dinner. Saturday, we slept in (well, 8:00 is late for our boys). Then we spent the day swimming, eating, boating, and watching a movie.  It’s been a great visit!
I’m so thankful for the time I’ve gotten to spend with my parents over the last several days. I’m thankful for the way each has shown love, support, and generosity to us. And I’m thankful our boys have had another chance to make some great memories with grandparents.




Stone Mountain

For years, Zack’s dad has been wanting to go on a fishing trip with his boys. So they are finally doing it.
While he spends time with his dad, the boys and I are spending some time with each of my parents. Yesterday, we arrived at Stone Mountain Park to spend about 24 hours with my dad and his wife. We’ve had a great time. Ropes course, 4D movie, mini golf, train ride, sky lift, 4-story indoor playground, outdoor water playground, and the laser show. It was a long and busy day, but it was a lot of fun.





Closing a Chapter

Today marks the last day of work for Zack. He’s been with the same company for nearly 15 years.Longevity in the workplace is something you don’t see much these days. Seems there’s always a bigger company with a better offer. Sure, he had his share of offers and big promises from other companies. And sure, the company where he is has its flaws – every company does. But his company has been great. Good pay, good benefits, good co-workers, good advancement opportunities, and a value for family and personal life.

He could have gone elsewhere and would probably have made more money. But there really is something to be said for a job that gave him flexibility to attend a school play or take a sick child to the doctor, and one that ended well before dinner time each day so we could all sit down as a family. He rarely had to travel out of town, and we knew he’d be home on weekends.

I’m thankful for the way he provides for our family. We’ve always had everything we need, and more. I’m grateful for his strong work ethic (he had a great model in his dad). What a great example for our boys!

And I’m excited about the beginning of the next chapter of our lives!

An Interview with a Gremlin

For those that are new to our blog, Daniel is our younger son and is affectionately referred to as the Gremlin.
If you’ve ever met him, you get it it.
(If not, you’re missing out!)
Today, I thought it would be fun to interview Daniel and let you know how his summer is going and what he has coming up. So here we go…

 

Jenn: Hi, Daniel.
Daniel: Hi.
J: How are you?
D: Good.
J: How old are you?
D: Seven.
J: What grade did you just finish?
D: Kindergarten.
J: So that means you are…
D: In first grade!
J: What are your favorite things to do?
D: Make a tent, and eat hot dogs, and peanut butter jelly.
J: Is there anything else you like to do?
D: Play. Have fun with my brother. My brother’s named William. And I have a family. I have fun with my family outside.
J: So, tell me about your summer so far.
D: My dad went to ski. I have fun with my Mommy. I watch TV and my hair is spiky. But not right now. I want to have snow so I could go skiing and make a snowman, but it’s hot outside. I don’t know what temperature it is in Norway. I think that’s all.
J: Are there any places you like to go in the summer?
D: Yeah. On my brother’s birthday, we went to Graceland.
J: What is Graceland?
D: It has food. And Elvis used to live there. And it’s very fun to go there. And one time I went to Tennessee.
J: What did you do there?
D: Just run. I run and the sun was hot there. My grandparents took me to the zoo. I loved it. Now we are just talking about it.
J: What else will you do this summer?
D: Go running. And walking. And go to Stone Mountains and have a away party [going away party], and go on a big ship, the cruise ship.
J: Are you going anywhere else this summer?
D: First we’re moving to Virginia.
J: What will you do there?
D: Just run and some walking and kid’s classes.
J: What will you learn?
D: I don’t know. About Jesus. About how to be a MK, a mission kid. About how to be a good friend.
J: Are you excited?
D: Yes.
J: Are you scared?
D: Yes.
J: What will you miss?
D: Adie [our dog]. And Zoe and Dande [in-law’s dogs], and I miss my old house.
J: What are you excited about?
D: To be a MK. And to make new friends. And to tell them about Jesus.
J: Anything else you want to say?
D: No. That’s all. The end.