So it is all really beginning to sink in right about now. On that level where you can't divert focus from anything negative or less than ideal, by only focusing on the "excitement" and "newness" of the whole venture. I have no idea where are life is going to go after this, if I'll like living over there, where we will end up after wards, etc., etc., etc.
I am gearing myself to not see my family for two years. Safari will be almost 9, Asher will be 6 the next time I see my family. My nephews and nieces will be so grown. Will they know me anymore? And honest truth, will I see everyone again? Cause you never know what life holds.
I am not trying to be negative or say I wish we weren't doing this. Cause truth be told, if God gave me the choice right now to keep moving forward or give me a solid life (a home, good income, close to family, all the "securities" of life, etc), I'd still pick this. Hands down, no contest.
And it's not cause it's not hard, cause it is very hard. Many times harder than I like to let on. Because I am always the happy, positive, ready to blaze a new trail, anything is possible kind of person. And that is who I am, it's not just a facade. I really believe that way. But occasionally I reach those points where I have to pause and dig that conviction in a little deeper (Dan. 1:8), set my gaze a little stronger (Is. 50:7), and then keep moving forward.
Because more than anything in this life, I want to know that I truly lived out my purpose. That I never let "life" and my culture's expectations of life dictate what I do. That I would be one who helped usher in the kingdom of God onto this earth in the here and now because of the life that I lead, regardless of what it costs me. That I was willing to lay down my life to do my part in freeing people from the injustices of this world, even if it meant giving up my own comfort and opening up my eyes and heart to the suffering of real, breathing human beings all around me.
Because I know that my life is not my own. It is only on loan. And one day I will have to give an account of everything I did and didn't do. Ephesians 2:10 says, " For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." So I know He has predetermined steps for me to take and works for me to do. And they are all for His glory, not for my own comfort and preference. I live for the day I will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Cause in the end, eternity is all that matters. And everything I do now determines that.
If my life brings anyone closer to Jesus in any capacity then it is worth it. It is worth not having a home, a "normal" life for my kids, feeling broke compared to everyone else, being misunderstood by others, uncertain future, laying down dreams, hopes, and desires, and whatever else you got. I just have to trust that He has it all covered, and my kids covered, and that it is working for the good of my whole family. Because that's the God I serve.
So this was me, digging my conviction in a little deeper and setting my gaze a little stronger. Thank you for bearing with me and I hope maybe you gained something out of this... If not, I sure feel better! :)
Rita Springer sang one of my all time favorite songs, "Worth it All". Been a bit of my life's mantra :). Take a look at the video below. It is more for the song, less for the video. In fact not for the video at all! It's all I could find. Just listen, and I pray God would speak to your heart and give you grace for whatever lies ahead in your future.
Julie
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
We're On Our Way!
Wow. So much has happened in the last few weeks that I don't really even know where to begin. Informatively speaking, we have been approved for our visa for Brandon to study in Australia for two years and have bought our plane tickets, so we are officially on our way! Hooray! What a headache that was and what an inward journey we went through to get that point.
I won't bore you with the details, but we really had to battle our way both spiritually and naturally to get our visas. But God is faithful (as always) and answered in such a special and beautiful way, just like our sister in Mexico prayed He would do. So thank you to all who prayed for us, those in Australia who gave me contacts to help me, and those who contacted the immigration dept. for us on our behalf, etc.
Our last official day here is June 28th, as we leave first thing in the morning on the 29th. So we will be trying to fit in as much visits with family and friends before then as we can, as well as get the rest of our stuff sold, and work as much as possible before we leave. It will be a busy two months. Wow... only two months.
Now, just some personal updates on our family. Brandon has started his temp job with the census. Don't know how long it will last, but it is a great opportunity and though I am still working, it gives me a chance to be home a little more. I miss being a mommy. And anyone that knows me, to say that is huge!!! As I do not have a natural tendency towards the domestic :).
We were also able to spend a week down in Padre for some much needed R&R as a family. We originally were just going down for a day or two to take some new clothes over to an orphanage across the border but were able to get a few days in at the beach as well. Happiness!!!
The week turned out to be so much more than we planned. I love how God does that so often. He uses our wimpy little plans and then blows our expectations out of the water! I will be blogging on that later as it truly deserves its very own and I want to invite you to be a part of something awesome that God is doing. So stay tuned!
A few pics of our week in S. Padre for you:
Safari is determined to be a surfer girl
Look out Baywatch!!
Brandon, Safari, and Asher passing out clothes
Safari playing with the kids
Love to you All!
The Griffins
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Update: Movement has Commenced!
Yay!!! We have finally made some forward movement in this whole process. We just paid for the first year of school and for two years of Overseas Health Coverage. So now, we wait to get Brandon's CoE (Code of Enrollment) back from HILC and then we can apply for our visa!!! We are still working on his RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning - explained at length in previous post) for the first year, but they said we could go ahead and pay for the first year and they could apply the paid fees to his second year when all the RPL is said and done.
So now we need you guys to PLEASE pray for us in a couple of areas:
1) Visa Process: Brandon has a flag on his name with airport security as a possible terrorist. Apparently there is a person on the "terror watch list" with his same name (Charles Brandon Griffin - go figure!). Every single time he flies we get searched to the max and have all kinds of issues, so he constantly has to prove he is an American citizen ("my name is Khan and I am not a terrorist" - sorry, very few will actually get that joke!:).
We are currently working with TSA to prove that he is not whoever this other Charles Brandon Griffin is. Our concern is that if this doesn't get resolved quick enough that it will flag him in trying to get a visa and enter another country. Please pray for God's favor in this area and that this matter would get resolved quickly. And just the whole visa process in general. I do not know why I have so much trepidation about this, but I do.
2) Finances: Just to quickly fill you guys in on the last year or so of our life, we have sold our house and moved in with my (Julie's) parents. We have sold all our belongings and will sell the last of it (cars and what we use now for daily living) closer to the time of leaving. All we will have left is personal belongings that will fit in two bags each and B's music gear that he will be taking (and a few sentimental items stored at my parents).
This has been really hard for us at times, as most people our age (early thirties) are digging in their roots and really settling down, and here we are completely starting over. But we know that just like all our beautiful examples of faith that walked before us in the Bible, it will all be worth it in the end. So we move forward grateful and having to run to Him many times in the midst of all the trials, but each time find ourselves getting up from our knees deeper in love with our Saviour and more in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of our God.
Presently, I have been working about 35-40 hrs a week as a waitress and B repairs iphones, does handy man jobs here and there, and is about to start a job with the census, all while we keep the kids home and home school!!! What a challenge this season has been for us, and my parents have been AWESOME (just a quick shout out to them)!!! Only by the grace of God in our life has any of this been possible.
In accordance with our student visas we can only work a maximum of 20 hrs a week while school is in session and unlimited time during the breaks. This poses a bit of a hardship for us as it is hard to maintain a family of four on part time work, and I will still be home schooling the kids. Of course this is all on top Brandon attending school and serving at Hillsong Church (requirement for schooling, and the whole point we are going!), but I have faith that His grace will provide all that we need.
We have separated our expenses into two categories. 1) College Expenses: Tuition for two years, RPL fees for one year, visa fees, plane tickets for the family there and back, purchase of a car, health coverage for two years (required to get your visa), and a deposit for renting a home (basically everything to get us there, get B through two years of school, and get us started when we get there). 2) Living Expenses: groceries, gas, cellphone, internet, school costs (for kids), clothes for kids as they grow, weekly rent ( just daily living expenses for a family of four). I am very pleased to report that we are at about 75% of our College Expenses financial goal!!!
And so we are asking you, our family and friends, to prayerfully consider financially supporting us in any possible way. We have truly sought to be diligent in our finances and prepare as much as possible, whatever that has required of us. Please be in prayer about the Lord possibly leading you to help support our family, either with a one time gift, or a continual commitment of support throughout our time there, or maybe somewhere in between :).
We are in the process of getting set up and sponsored with a non profit ministry so that all support given would be made tax deductible to the giver. We will let you know that information as soon as it is solidified, which will be within the next 2-3 weeks. Thank you so much and God bless you all!
The Griffins
So now we need you guys to PLEASE pray for us in a couple of areas:
1) Visa Process: Brandon has a flag on his name with airport security as a possible terrorist. Apparently there is a person on the "terror watch list" with his same name (Charles Brandon Griffin - go figure!). Every single time he flies we get searched to the max and have all kinds of issues, so he constantly has to prove he is an American citizen ("my name is Khan and I am not a terrorist" - sorry, very few will actually get that joke!:).
We are currently working with TSA to prove that he is not whoever this other Charles Brandon Griffin is. Our concern is that if this doesn't get resolved quick enough that it will flag him in trying to get a visa and enter another country. Please pray for God's favor in this area and that this matter would get resolved quickly. And just the whole visa process in general. I do not know why I have so much trepidation about this, but I do.
2) Finances: Just to quickly fill you guys in on the last year or so of our life, we have sold our house and moved in with my (Julie's) parents. We have sold all our belongings and will sell the last of it (cars and what we use now for daily living) closer to the time of leaving. All we will have left is personal belongings that will fit in two bags each and B's music gear that he will be taking (and a few sentimental items stored at my parents).
This has been really hard for us at times, as most people our age (early thirties) are digging in their roots and really settling down, and here we are completely starting over. But we know that just like all our beautiful examples of faith that walked before us in the Bible, it will all be worth it in the end. So we move forward grateful and having to run to Him many times in the midst of all the trials, but each time find ourselves getting up from our knees deeper in love with our Saviour and more in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of our God.
Presently, I have been working about 35-40 hrs a week as a waitress and B repairs iphones, does handy man jobs here and there, and is about to start a job with the census, all while we keep the kids home and home school!!! What a challenge this season has been for us, and my parents have been AWESOME (just a quick shout out to them)!!! Only by the grace of God in our life has any of this been possible.
In accordance with our student visas we can only work a maximum of 20 hrs a week while school is in session and unlimited time during the breaks. This poses a bit of a hardship for us as it is hard to maintain a family of four on part time work, and I will still be home schooling the kids. Of course this is all on top Brandon attending school and serving at Hillsong Church (requirement for schooling, and the whole point we are going!), but I have faith that His grace will provide all that we need.
We have separated our expenses into two categories. 1) College Expenses: Tuition for two years, RPL fees for one year, visa fees, plane tickets for the family there and back, purchase of a car, health coverage for two years (required to get your visa), and a deposit for renting a home (basically everything to get us there, get B through two years of school, and get us started when we get there). 2) Living Expenses: groceries, gas, cellphone, internet, school costs (for kids), clothes for kids as they grow, weekly rent ( just daily living expenses for a family of four). I am very pleased to report that we are at about 75% of our College Expenses financial goal!!!
And so we are asking you, our family and friends, to prayerfully consider financially supporting us in any possible way. We have truly sought to be diligent in our finances and prepare as much as possible, whatever that has required of us. Please be in prayer about the Lord possibly leading you to help support our family, either with a one time gift, or a continual commitment of support throughout our time there, or maybe somewhere in between :).
We are in the process of getting set up and sponsored with a non profit ministry so that all support given would be made tax deductible to the giver. We will let you know that information as soon as it is solidified, which will be within the next 2-3 weeks. Thank you so much and God bless you all!
The Griffins
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Slow Moving...
So, just a quick update of where we are in the process of moving to the other side of the world. Take a look at the title of this entry. That about sums it up :). I know that in truth, it is not slow at all. God told us in Sept./Oct. to move to Sydney and now in only three months time (approx.) we will be there. A total of 9 months. Not slow. But it feels S.L.O.W. Every aspect of getting paper work, sending paperwork, asking a question, waiting for a response, etc. seems to take an eternity.
I have never been good at waiting. For anything. But as the Lord reminded me so beautifully yesterday, right after I had my fear-of-unknown-no-idea-what-our-future-holds-God-what-are-you-doing meltdown (poor Brandon!), in Psalm 37:3 that we are to feed on His faithfulness. I love that!
He reminded me that just as we would die without eating food everyday, that there was no way I was going to make it without feeding on His faithfulness on a constant basis. And just as we turn to food to nourish and sustain us, that His faithfulness is what I need to turn to for my emotional and spiritual nourishment and ability to be sustained through this life. And not on a one time, know it in my head, "Oh yeah, God is faithful", but I need to feed on it and take it in, letting it give life to my very soul. To meditate on it. To keep coming back to that aspect of Him as we continue through on this journey.
He showed me that I had been putting my trust in other things, and trying to gain security and peace from those things when my peace and security can only come from the truth that He is indeed faithful. And that as much as I want to, and think I need to, I don't need to know what the future holds. Because He is Faithful. That's all I need to know. I love that. And hate that.
I remembered something I gave my mom years ago when I was in high school. It was a little, plastic plaque/frame thing (sorry mom, I know my days are coming to get ugly gifts from well-intentioned children) that said, " We know not what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future". Touche God. You got me good.
So all that to say, we have not gotten very far in the process :). Right now we are trying to get B's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) done, which is turning out to be a much bigger deal (and expense) than we originally thought. We have been working on this for a couple of months now.
Our hope, and their preliminary assessment, is that doing this will credit him the first full year and he will start in the second year right away. He is doing the full three year program, so he will only be in school for two years. And then, onward, ho! We shall see what befalls us after that time.
Please be praying for us as we still have to get all this RPL application stuff squared away, get his enrollment finalized so we can get our visas, plane tickets, finish raising/saving money etc., etc. and the gap is closing fast on us. But... God is Faithful!!! And that my soul knows very well!
Till next time beloveds,
Julie
a.k.a "Jz"
I have never been good at waiting. For anything. But as the Lord reminded me so beautifully yesterday, right after I had my fear-of-unknown-no-idea-what-our-future-holds-God-what-are-you-doing meltdown (poor Brandon!), in Psalm 37:3 that we are to feed on His faithfulness. I love that!
He reminded me that just as we would die without eating food everyday, that there was no way I was going to make it without feeding on His faithfulness on a constant basis. And just as we turn to food to nourish and sustain us, that His faithfulness is what I need to turn to for my emotional and spiritual nourishment and ability to be sustained through this life. And not on a one time, know it in my head, "Oh yeah, God is faithful", but I need to feed on it and take it in, letting it give life to my very soul. To meditate on it. To keep coming back to that aspect of Him as we continue through on this journey.
He showed me that I had been putting my trust in other things, and trying to gain security and peace from those things when my peace and security can only come from the truth that He is indeed faithful. And that as much as I want to, and think I need to, I don't need to know what the future holds. Because He is Faithful. That's all I need to know. I love that. And hate that.
I remembered something I gave my mom years ago when I was in high school. It was a little, plastic plaque/frame thing (sorry mom, I know my days are coming to get ugly gifts from well-intentioned children) that said, " We know not what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future". Touche God. You got me good.
So all that to say, we have not gotten very far in the process :). Right now we are trying to get B's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) done, which is turning out to be a much bigger deal (and expense) than we originally thought. We have been working on this for a couple of months now.
Our hope, and their preliminary assessment, is that doing this will credit him the first full year and he will start in the second year right away. He is doing the full three year program, so he will only be in school for two years. And then, onward, ho! We shall see what befalls us after that time.
Please be praying for us as we still have to get all this RPL application stuff squared away, get his enrollment finalized so we can get our visas, plane tickets, finish raising/saving money etc., etc. and the gap is closing fast on us. But... God is Faithful!!! And that my soul knows very well!
Till next time beloveds,
Julie
a.k.a "Jz"
Thursday, March 11, 2010
You Are Officially Invited
Welcome to our Griffin Journey blog! As we embark on this next phase of our life, we want to be able to share as much as we possibly can with you, so you can stay up to date with our goings on and happenings as we live out this crazy thing called "life". This will be our "hub" of information of the days leading up to our departure of this great land we call home (and yes, even though it is currently struggling, it is still great:), of our time spent at HILC, and the beautiful land of Australia that is calling our name.
Not only will this serve as a flow of information to keep you up to date, but many times we will be sharing the thoughts of our hearts with you, along with times of asking you to keep us in your prayers, and hopefully getting to share with you the joy and beauty of answered prayers. And honestly, there will be just some plain bragging! Cause, hey, we will be living in Australia :)! And as I have been telling everyone, if you have ever needed a reason to visit Australia, here it is... YOU are officially invited to come over and see us. Anytime. I mean it :)
We love you all. And that is not said lightly or carelessly. You are a handmade creation of the God of the universe, with the thumbprint of His image on you, and that my friend, makes you worthwhile and worth loving.
Brandon, Julie, Safari, and Asher
Not only will this serve as a flow of information to keep you up to date, but many times we will be sharing the thoughts of our hearts with you, along with times of asking you to keep us in your prayers, and hopefully getting to share with you the joy and beauty of answered prayers. And honestly, there will be just some plain bragging! Cause, hey, we will be living in Australia :)! And as I have been telling everyone, if you have ever needed a reason to visit Australia, here it is... YOU are officially invited to come over and see us. Anytime. I mean it :)
We love you all. And that is not said lightly or carelessly. You are a handmade creation of the God of the universe, with the thumbprint of His image on you, and that my friend, makes you worthwhile and worth loving.
Brandon, Julie, Safari, and Asher
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