Transition Time

Brooks left last Thursday to go to Saudi.  As much time as we've had to prepare for this move, nothing could have gotten us ready for that day and evening.  Thankfully, Brooks had last Thursday off of work since it was considered a "travel day", but didn't fly out until 8:30pm.  We had the whole day to spend together as a family.  It was a sweet day; very emotional for me; but filled with excitement for him.  I'd write about the moment we said our goodbyes, but I just can't.  However, I will say that when he walked through the double doors entering the airport, something clicked, and I became fully aware that he wasn't just taking a trip.... he was moving.  Thus, meaning, we're moving.  Let's just say that I'm grateful I had a 3 hour drive all to myself back to Lake Charles in my car to gather my thoughts and emotions together.  Of course, Gavin was with me.  He was busy watching Toy Story in the backseat and working on a sucker I gave him to help make the trip a smooth ride. 

Since Brooks has been gone, we've been able to Skype twice a day.  There is an 8 hour difference, so we talk, via webcam, in the morning when Gavin and I are waking up and he's getting off of work.  He also calls us mid afternoon when he's going to bed.  He's adjusting to life over there pretty well.  Our friends, the Sperling's are there, along with other men who Brooks traveled to China with earlier this year.  So he's been having dinner with them and went grocery shopping last night.  He got to experience prayer time for the first time-- in Saudi they have prayer time's 5 times a day where pretty much EVERYTHING shuts down; stores, taxi cabs, everything.  Their people quit working and pray.  So, last night Brooks had to wait outside the grocery store for them to reopen in order for him to shop. 

He had a great flight-- he started putting himself on Saudi time a day or two before he left so that when he made it over there he wouldn't feel as much jet lag.  I think it worked too.  Upon arriving in Saudi, it took him nearly 2 hours to get through customs, get his visa stuff worked out, etc.  He was stopped for his CD's and DVD's while in customs.  Thankfully, we had taken them all out of their cases and were in one of those CD books, and we had turned them all around so the covers were not shown.  The Saudi worker simply flipped through the book, saw nothing, and closed them!  Perfect.  However, he then was questioned about some other CD's in his other suitcase--- CD's that Brooks forgot about... After being questioned several times and then had his bag searched, Brooks realized it was his P90X DVD's.  Of course, those were still in their case, which had bare shirted men on the cover of it and women with half tops on.  HAHA-- the Saudi worker asked Brooks about those DVD's sexual content?!! Brooks then had to convince him they were for workout purposes only.  They ended up letting him through with them and nothing was confiscated. 

Gavin and I are doing great in Lake Charles.  My parents are taking good care of us.  The first few days we were here, Gavin was still sick with a fever and not himself so we mostly relaxed and slept a lot.  I'm sad to say I have only unpacked 2 out of 6 of our suitcases, but that is my goal for today.  We did get out yesterday and went swimming and had lunch outside.  Gavin was excited to get out of the house and to be back to himself again.  We're hoping to spend as much time with family and friends while we're here and make the most of our time in Lake Chuck. 

Thank you all for your prayers during the last few weeks.  It really was a whirlwind of a time.  Now, we're just working on adjusting to our "new life" in transition and are making the most of it!