So, here's a small picture to compare Year 1 to Year 2 - Wesley's birthday celebration: 2018 vs 2019.
2018
When we first arrived in Tanzania last year, it was August 15th. Honestly, our heads were spinning and we were trying to find ways to keep bits of "regular life" for the kids, and for us (despite no McDonald's or Goldfish crackers here). Wesley's 7th birthday was on August 22nd and Chris had started new-hire orientation a few days before so he was at school all day (which equaled a more emotional mom at home as we were unpacking). So, it was just me and the kids at home - adjusting to this new place, not sure how to get around, no car, not knowing many people yet, and feeling waves of homesickness. But, we celebrated our sweet Wesley!
A new friend helped me arrange a car to the grocery store where there's a coffee shop next door along with a playground. I got cupcakes for the kids (iced coffee for me!) and Wesley got to pick out a present at the store (a toy car which he still loves!). I honestly don't remember much else of the day except that Wes had such a good attitude even though we weren't with family, we're in this completely new culture, we don't know how to communicate. I was asking him about all this last night and he reminded me that we made pancakes for his birthday dinner - he always remembers pancakes!
So, it was a rather simple birthday coupled with jet lag and uncertainty of what was ahead, while grasping for "normalcy" in this new life, but still the kids were smiling. Thank you, Lord!
2019
Jumping ahead... this year we arrived in Dar on August 9th, picked up at the airport by a dear friend (and 2 of her boys) in her van that was stocked with snacks for us as well as dinner for that night! Our kids played happily in the long car ride back to our house. Again, going to our house in TZ it was that weird mix of feeling like coming home but also not totally feeling rooted here as our worlds constantly feel like they are shifting. Which I guess they are.
(Side note: One sweet blessing as we got to our house - Anna was walking in the front door and she said "I just love this house, momma". Thank you, Lord. Here are a couple pictures from the day we got home to Dar.)
Wesley's birthday (still on August 22nd :) was far different this year, except one similarity was that Chris was at work. We invited one of Wesley's best buddies over for the day to play and hang out. A year ago at this time, I couldn't comprehend driving 45 minutes into town (Peninsula area), on my own, on the left side of the road, dodging motorbikes and cows, to pick up a kid for a playdate - but now it's something we do often and the route is familiar. The kids had a great time and we enjoyed cupcakes to celebrate Wesley's birthday at lunch.
That day felt good. A sort of accomplishment to celebrate a birthday together knowing a bit more about how to do life here, knowing some spots that we enjoy and feel comfortable, because truthfully we often do still feel unsettled and out of place living in such a different culture from our own.
We are thankful for how God has opened our eyes to see the ways He is helping us adjust.
The Lord put this passage on my heart as I was writing....
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." -Psalm 139
