One, we look for other scholarship opportunities that would allow us to continue as planned.
Two, we go on our own and pay out-of-pocket. Expensive but do-able.
Three, we come back to the States.
None of these are may favorite just so you know. I would rather have things just as they were, but the more I thought and prayed about it the more my thoughts changed. After returning to the States I would have a semester to finish at UMD and then a years work requirement with the US government. If I didn't like that job then we'd be about two and a half years from "settling down". We'd be no where close to a life of permanency. While it's fun to have "adventures" it would be nice to know that you have a permanent home somewhere. So maybe this is a good thing.
However, there is still a decision to be made. The up-side is that we could return and jump back in to what our life was prior to leaving without that much trouble. The down-side is that I would be a long way from finishing my degree. My advisors allocated a lot of hours to my study abroad program because of the level of intensity, therefore getting me down to 12 hours when I return.
So I'd like to continue on to Beijing if only that it will be faster in the long run for my graduation. It will also help to remove the leach that is the Univ. Bill Pay System.
So that's what's up. Keep us in your prayers as this decision will have to be made within the month because I will hear back from the university in Beijing around that time and they will need an answer. Hopefully, we'll have one.
4 comments:
I'll be praying!!!
praying for you guys!
Your in our prayers.
J&J -
I overlooked this entry when looking at the blog last night so this comment is after reading about your decision. I know you weren't asking for advice but here's some anyway. It's what I do!!!! It’s not so much advice as sharing my experience and hoping that can somehow help you.
I know there is great comfort in having a "normal" life with things that feel “permanent”. I understand about being torn between the excitement and seemingly endless possibilities of something new and the safety and security of what you've always known or at least looked forward to. However, I've come to know is that they are not mutually exclusive. The difference of course comes in my attitude. Fabulous adventures filled with opportunities to "mission", to explore, to fulfill my purpose can be found everywhere...even in my backyard. I've learned that for me it's not so much the exotic locations themselves that provide the fix that my soul needs, it’s my openness, my willingness, and my attitude when I’m there that makes it all FEEL different. It’s opening myself and letting Spirit guide me, letting God work through me and as me that makes the experience into “magic”. Since God is everywhere, this “magic” can happen in any location if I choose to let it. Being the bright lights that you are, you’ve probably discovered something similar or perhaps something even more.
I also discovered for me that the sense of permanence, safety and security of a home and its associated lifestyle can be quite deceiving. Very little of our lives is “permanent”. Certainly, it can seem like a 3 bedroom 2 and a half bath ranch house in suburban Maryland and an American dream lifestyle will last forever. It could. It could last you well into your 90’s. If it did, it would still be temporary. In this economy, many people are finding out about how “things” that they thought were permanent like jobs, entire careers, housing and lifestyle are actually only temporary...even when they’ve “had” them for 40 or 50 years.
Who I am, my identity, is more than my location, my house, my career and yes, it’s even more than those who are with me right now. I look at it from the perspective of my Spirit and my Soul. When I do, I see that they are only “things” and that all “things” are temporary. In the big picture, I am my Spirit and in the end it’s that connection of Spirit and God that is the only thing that is truly permanent.
That’s my long winded way of saying that “IT'S ALL GOOD”. You are blessed and you can’t really make a bad decision. Relax. Breath. Eat something unusual and know that it will all turn out just as it needs to.
All the best,
-Dan
d.molino@att.net
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