What are we doing on the other side of the world?!?

Although I have kept a personal journal since I was in 3rd grade, I am one of those people who said I would NEVER have a blog.  I am also one of those people who said I would NEVER move to another country.  I am eating my words, because obviously I am now doing both of those things!


So, HOW ON EARTH DID WE END UP HERE?


About 7 months ago, Keith called me from work (at Shell in Houston) and said, "What do you think about Australia?"  I think I said something like, "Australia is nice, and I like their accent."  He asked what I'd think about moving there.  For some reason I didn't immediately tell him he was crazy for asking me that, but rather I actually considered the possibility!  Well, that opened up the door in my mind for being an expat, and when the Brunei opportunity came available, Keith thought it would actually be a better fit than Australia.  My first question was, "Where is Brunei??? I've never even heard of it!"  


So began my geography lesson... Brunei is in Southeast Asia, on the island of Borneo.  Borneo is divided up mainly between Indonesia & Malaysia, but a tiny little piece on the NW side, by the South China Sea, belongs to Brunei.  It is 5 degrees north of the equator, and pretty much about as far as you can get from Texas.  Literally.  It is truly on the opposite side of the world!


Keith and I started praying about where we should be... whether Australia, Brunei, or Houston.  I started getting the answer that Brunei was going to become home.  BUT... Keith still had to apply for the position and be accepted.  In late March he got the word that he'd been hired.  SURREAL is all I can say.  What on earth were we thinking?  Were we really going to do this?  Surely it would somehow fall through.  I didn't even have a passport!


Fast forward to August 15 when our family of 6 landed in Brunei, after a 32 hour trip.  That alone was a bit insane with 4 kids ages 8, 7, 4, and 1!  People on the plane would ask if we were on vacation, and it was so strange to reply, "No, we are moving to Brunei."  Wait, did those words just come out of my mouth???  Yes, they did.  Holy cow.  We ARE really doing this.  We are actually here.  It still feels surreal.  Like it's just a vacation.  I don't know when reality will set in, that we are, in fact, living on the opposite side of the world.  It's crazy!


Who knows what amazing adventures lie ahead for us, and what God's plan is for us over here?  That remains to be seen.  For now we are going to embrace the experience.  Today is our 4th day here, and so far so good!  The kids got to feed monkeys today, we enjoyed a nice, cool day on the playground (yes, it was overcast and cool this morning!), and I ate some yummy Singapore fried noodles for lunch.  This afternoon we plan to go to the pool.  Keith has the day off because it's a Muslim holiday celebrating the revelation of the Quran.   Brunei is a Muslim country, although they are tolerant of Christians.  Not sure what we'll do for church though... stay tuned for that one.


I hope to share our experiences, as well as the unique culture, with our family and friends through this blog.   So many people have requested it, so I hope I don't disappoint!  Thanks for reading!