Pierced

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Texas Spring Break Trip

This is long overdue! Our trip to Texas held way more than could ever be captured with words. We were there for 12 days and they were FULLLLLLL! We loved each moment spent with family and friends. There's a saying that states, "Everything's bigger in Texas" Thanks to all of you who gave us some Texas sized love :) Hope you enjoy the pictures (Disclaimer - there are some really special moments that didn't get captured at all by photo. I'll have to hold those memories alive in my heart!)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Post Texas - Struggles and Joys

This post is long overdue. I apologize! I have been meaning to blog about our time in Texas for a couple weeks. I will do that next - I promise. I have to gather pictures from a couple different places. So first I'll blog on post Texas!

Aaron and I were excited to get back to the city. Only having a few months left here, we want to make the best of it. However, to be honest, it's not been the easiest transition back to NYC! We've jumped right back into the busyness of life while having sick kiddos, nightmares, and lots of requests (especially Austin) to go back to Texas! I've always known that having a call to work overseas would one day be difficult for our kids. I thought that "one day" would be closer to age 10 or 15....Nope it hit early. Conversations I envisioned having when the kids were pre-teen/early teen years, I'm having with Austin as a two year old! I've shared with him that God told us to come to NYC. And though being in NYC means we aren't in Texas, being where God tells us to be is the very best place to be. It's the best way I could describe to a two year old the concept of being a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1-2.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

It hasn't gone over so well. He doesn't get it. Heck, I can say I don't really get it sometimes too and I have 28 years on Him. But our prayer is that this will be sowing seeds in His young heart that He will be want to follow God no matter what the difficulty is. One of the most important life lessons I've learned is that being in the center of God's will is precisely where I want to live my life. Location doesn't matter. Comfort comes if you choose it. It's not always about a location. The truth of the matter is that life in NYC, though we are far from joys of family and ease of suburban life, is pretty awesome! God told us to come, and He's met us here.

One of the most tangible ways of God meeting us here has been His financial provision. Many of you that walked the journey of decision with us know that our biggest reservation in saying yes to coming to Columbia was the expense of this private university. As Aaron got a fellowship that covered a small portion of school, we felt that was God's way of saying, "Go by faith. I'll take care of the rest." This week we got news that Aaron received a merit based scholarship from the Department of Education. It's $33,000 that will go towards next year in Sao Paulo!!! We were elated! As we began looking at the numbers and combining the two scholarships and one grant Aaron's been awarded, it has totalled 2/3rds of the cost of school. God told us to come, even though we didn't know how we'd make it. We stepped out in faith, He met us there in provision! He is so faithful!

In other "almost news" Aaron is in the final stages of deciding on a summer internship. The conclusion of our time in NYC depended on if Aaron was able to get an internship in the city. If he secured an internship, we would leave in July. If not, we'd leave in May. Our preference has always been to stay as long as possible, so we were eager for him to get an internship in the city. Again, God provides. Aaron had 3 offers for internships. All very good opportunities. But one really cool option. I won't share too many details yet, until the decision is final, but God is equipping Aaron in such cool ways and I am certain the internship will be no exception!

So there's a small portion of life with the Pierces. Always some struggle. Always great joys too!!!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

"Home"

We traveled "home" to Arlington Texas yesterday evening. It was a long flight that happened at bedtime. The boys didn't sleep. We were all exhausted. But upon stepping into Nana and Papa's place there was an immediate surge of comfort and familiar. It was like a long exhale after tensing your whole body. It made me ponder what brought that on.

I looked up the word home in the dictionary:

"a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household" or
"the place or region where something is native or most common"

Nope...not true for me. I think "home" will always be hard for me to define. I was born in Sao Paulo, but that's surely not home. Feel pretty much a foreigner there. Raised in Orlando, yes, there are aspects of home there. The physical building I grew up in, the warmth of my parents love. My extended family whom I adore. That holds some "home" for me. Went to school in Tallahassee. Though that was home for several years, it's more of a distant memory these days. Lived in Fortaleza Brazil shortly after I wed the love of my life and partner in the Gospel. That was definitely a home for a sweet season. Not so true currently. Then there's Arlington TX. It's my hubby's home town. Most naturally "home" to him. It's where his immediate and extended family all live. It's where we brought both of our boys into the world. It's where we spent the last 5 years. It's where we were intentionally loved and nurtured by so many. Arlington holds many of the comforts of home. But I now go "home" to an apartment in New York City. As shocking as this is for most (including myself) that feels like home.

So what is home anyway?
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"
Philippians 3:20

I am so grateful that my parents up and moved me across the world at the age of five. Really thankful. My home - my citizenship - is in heaven. Though I hold citizenship in two countries (no wonder "home" is difficult to define!) my true citizenship is in heaven. I've seen in my adulthood that part of God's call on our lives is to be transient (at least for a while....who knows how long) I am so appreciative of the courage it took for my parents to pack up their two children and move to the completely unfamiliar with nothing to their name. All they had was hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a more promising future for their kids. Hope that they'd made the right choice.

January, I got to go "home" to Florida. Now we are "home" in Texas. I feel blessed beyond measure that I have homeSSSS. Homes where God has lead us to camp out for a while that have shaped who we are. Homes that my boys get to go and experience shear delight of friendships that though not a part of daily life will be a part of our lifetime. Homes that allow me to exhale and remember the Father's Love lavished upon me through His people and His creation. No it's not easy leaving home to the unfamiliar, but as my parents modeled, we do so in hope for what is to come.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19

"Home" on earth will always be sweet home!
So excited for the next 11 days in our Arlington home!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Communal Commute

One of the things I have loved moved about life in NYC is it pushes you into community. I have several thoughts on that alone, that may need to be a post by itself one day, but for now, I'll give you one great example...our bus ride on Wednesday. We met so many people! Austin and Jonathan were successfully in engaging I'd say 50% of the commuters. I couldn't help but chuckle inside.

It started of right when we got one. There was an elderly couple sitting across the bus from us. They could not stop staring at us. I smiled, encouraged the boys to say hello, and they quickly responded to me, "YOU'RE BRAVE"!!! I laughed. For the next 5-7 minutes, I got to hear about their family. I learned how far apart he and his siblings were. I learned how many grandchildren they have. I learned that in 100 years of children in his family, there have been 15 kiddos. Only two of which were boys! I felt very blessed for my two little men!

Then there was the lady right behind us. She was also an elderly woman, but something tells me we wouldn't be able to use the "E" word with her. She was dressed very nicely, fashionable glasses with a blue tint, to match her blue dress, and pretty heavy make up (a bit unusual for the Manhattan woman). She also kept looking at us, but was very hesitant to engage. Instead, for the first half of the ride, she just listened on our conversations. I'll come back to her. For the sake of keeping track of everyone, we'll call her East Side Evelyn (I suspect she's from the East side)!

Then there was Bronx Blanca who was traveling with man. I call her Bronx Blanca because she told me that's where she lived. Initially, they were very involved in conversation. The man was rattling off all these occurrences from his life. Things that sounded like they were out of a movie...and not positive living. Things like "I didn't jump him", "then there was that woman I was talking, she was naked...." A few times there was criminal activity mentioned. The conversation was so "colored" I thought she might be his parole officer. I was surprised after she struck up conversation with me to learn that she was his mother. She was a nice lady nonetheless! She asked how far apart my boys were, we talked about her kids. She has four of them. They are 31, 29, 23, and 16. First three are boys, last one is a girl...we went on for some small talk. She gave me advice about how to space my children out and a few other things I can't recall. At one point both she and her son were high fiving the boys!!!

While Bronx Blanca and I were talking, a man sat down next to East Side Evelyn. They didn't interact at all, but he began kinda quietly saying, "if you have children you should afford them". Not really knowing what to do with that comment, both Bronx Blanca and I ignored him...for the first times. He got a little bit louder. I turned and nodded thinking that maybe acknowledging him would help. Nope...he continued...volume rising. At one point I even thought, "well do I look like I can't afford these children?" I guess he wasn't satisfied by our lack of engagement, so he stood up and continued ranting, "If you have children you should afford them..." this time he went on, "other wise it comes out of our pocket (touching pocket while standing right in front of us headed towards the front of the bus) The tax payer's pocket." He repeated this a few more times then arrived at his destination and left the bus. Shortly after Bronx Blanca and her son also arrived at their stop. They wished us the best and said goodbye as they stepped off the bus.

I knew it was only a matter of time before Austin noticed East Side Evelyn and attempted to talk with her. Sure enough...He looked over, "What's your name???" (I don't remember her name). As she leaned in to answer him, Austin, who has just put a few crackers in his mouth starts to cough. She
jerks back. Of course! I encourage him to cover his mouth when he coughs. I thought we were done with East Side Evelyn by the look of disgust on her face, but apparently Austin couldn't keep her away. He asked again her name. She answered. Then Austin proceeded to tell her about his brother Jonathan and share each of their ages. At this point I'm facing the back of the bus and notice that almost everyone (at least those that don't have headphones in) are looking at Austin- of course speaking in a two year old volume (LOUD) - and smiling. My heart smiled too.

Then Harlem Heidi came one (she told me she lived in Harlem). She was a sweet looking American women with a baby strapped to the front of her (at this point Jonathan's on my back). We exchanged smiles. She was feeding her daughter blueberries. Food- of course that sparked Austin's curiosity. "What is she eating (two year old volume)?" "I'm not sure buddy." Harlem Heidi responds, "Blueberries." We chat....age of kids, how many....etc. Turns out her daughter who in the carrier on her front is the same age as Jonathan. I can no longer carry Jonathan on my front because he's too heavy. She said she hasn't figured out how to get the baby on her back. I coach her on it. I had to learn if I was going to survive city life with two 30lb toddlers!

Then East Side Evelyn chimes in, "You would prefer to have him in the carrier on your back than in your arms?" "I would much rather it. I have two free hands. With him on my back, I can still carry my purse, their bag, the umbrella, and hold my older son's hand." She understood. She asked if my back ever hurt....yes!

Then we met Columbia Carly. From two rows back she says, "I'm sorry... I've kinda been listening in....does your back back have a waist strap?" I confirmed it did. She proceeded to tell me about how she had surgery in July and she had to get a backpack with a waist strap and how much she loves it. East Side Evelyn and Columbia Carly went on to chat.

Meanwhile I realize that Jonathan is sound asleep. This is not a good thing. It's too early and if he sleeps now, he won't sleep at nap time! To confirm, I ask Austin if Jonathan's sleeping. Several voices on the bus respond..."yup" "OH yeah" "He's knocked out"...great! I have an audience and I am going to proceed to wake up my perfectly peaceful baby! I realize how engaged with one another this bus is. Aagin, my heart smiles. I take Jonathan out of the carrier. One lady offers to help us off, but it's not our stop yet. I thank her. Harlem Heidi and Columbia Carly get off. Only East Side Evelyn is left when we get off a couple stops later, but I almost felt the need to say "Goodbye everybody!!"

This is the kind of thing we never get to experience in the suburbs. We get in our isolation bubbles - AKA cars - and drive in solitude to our destination. I never would have thought I would enjoy these bus rides. Yes, it's very difficult carting two children around on public transportation. I've recently been challenged to live a life of gratitude. I could grumble at the difficultly or I could have my eyes open to what it brings to our lives. Wednesday, I chose gratitude. The exposure to society was so fun. How rich of a blend my boys get to see every day. Everywhere we go. We can't leave the house without them seeing someone who's radically different from them. And on bus rides like these, there is connection made. Though it's highly unlikely that I will ever see Bronx Blanca, East Side Evelyn, Harlem Heidi, Columbia Carly, or any of the other commuters again, I am so thankful that for one bus ride we got to connect while passing one another in our travels.