Well today we finally left, really a mixed bag of thoughts and emotions, everything from are we making a huge mistake through to whoo-hoo here we go.

Someone once said “Can a person live a full life cautiously” and therefore I try to remind myself of that or should I say both of us as we fly away from America. Of course robin has different emotions and feelings as she walked away from her home of 30-something years.

Our path today takes us from Raleigh to Nashville to LA to Auckland to Christchurch. We left RDU around midday Tuesday and won’t arrive in Christchurch until Thursday lunchtime, yes losing a day somewhere along the way. I am sporting my ATL Braves shirt to represent.

As left the ground in RDU we talked about the journey ahead of us and the words that filled the above 2 paragraphs. Reflecting on the uncertainty ahead. We have been living with this uncertainty since about May this past year. Our conversation went onto the leap of faith we are taking in these steps. Then realizing that no leap of faith is partnered with total certainty or else it wouldn’t be called faith, would it. Sometimes the obvious is right in front of us.

Last night or New Years Eve was not what most people would do, as we rushed around finishing our packing and making sure we had taken care of everything. We did stop round 11.30 to have a “out with the old, in with the new” moment as we enjoyed some Jailhouse brewing company beer, brewed in Hampton GA. And ate some Lolly Cake a NZ institution. (If you have to ask what that is you have no idea what you are missing). A good way to send off 2012 & welcome 2013 “out with the old, in with the new”

I will say the the hardest thing about leaving today was saying goodbye to Cora. Our precious Weimaraner. Because of various complications and regulations we won’t see her until May…. Yes May. We feel really badly about this and to think when we left her today she had no idea what was going on. Thinking we were going out for the day or a few days. The longest I have ever spent away from her is 4 weeks when I went to NOLS. This is by far the longest time and we are both struggling with this.

Today we (as in Robin, her parents & brother John) went to an NC State Mens Basketball game. I haven’t been to many basketball games so it was fun to go. John got us some sweet seats and we had a great view of the game.

NC State Mens B-ball have a tough task being in a conference (ACC) that includes Duke & UNC, and therefore have been consistently in the shadow of those two teams or under-acheiving. However this year they might be half decent. NC State’s colors are Red, Black & White. But there was no doubt that red is their color of choice. As we approached the PNC Arena, red began to dominate our horizon. Once inside the arena almost everything was red, even the seats, yet to be filled.

We were definitely surrounded by the Red Sea.
BTW NC State won, and quite handily.

Two nights ago we got to particpate in a McClenny/Tuten Family Christmas tradition. Well, more Tuten tradition, which is Robin’s mothers madien name.

This tradition is one i’m glad we didn’t miss this year. We’ve had it almost every Christmas i can remember here with family.

Frogmore Stew!!!

It has nothing to do with frogs, in case you are wondering. But it is amazing. A few details…

We have it every Christmas, seldom Christmas day, but 1 or 2 days after.
Always prepared by Brian & Garnette (Robin’s Aunt & Uncle from Charleston SC)
It contains 4 or 5 simple items. Sausage…3-4 different types (including a really hot’n’spicy one), corn, potatoes (2-3 different kinds) and SHRIMP. Then lots of seasoning and spices… to make it taste amazing. A secret blend of Herbs and Spices and no i’m not talking about KFC. Brian and Garnette (Garnette, in this case this week) basically take all these ingrediants and…. shhhhhhhhh i’m not telling how they do it. However you can buy the spice kit for it by checking out the company that has perfected it. http://www.charlestonspice.com/home

Slight bias there, Charleston Spice Company is co-owned and operated by Garnette. They have great stuff and lots of other wonderful spices etc even a hot cocoa mix that’s amazing. You can even order online.

Ok enough of that. Moving on. Once the feast is prepared, then we all get to sit around the table and EAT. Not unusal but the eating is done with fingers only, no silverware, and you put newspaper down on the table and eat and then eat some more. Its amazing. The taste and feast are well worth waiting for this slow cooked meal. Then as you eat you throw or place your shrimp leftovers and corn on the table in piles to clean up later by simply rolling up the newspaper and throwing it away. This time we were a little more civilized and used plates.

Don’t believe me.. check out these photos.

This past Sunday we went to church, the 4th Sunday in Advent. Central to the message of Advent is waiting. I get the message of waiting, and when i say that i don’t mean that in a cocky way. The word of God still brings new, fresh, challenging even funky insights to me every time i open its pages. Well, maybe not every time.

Sunday’s sermon focused on Mary-mother of Jesus. I suspect many sermons around the world focussed on her during worship this week. Mary is a brilliant example of waiting. Not to mention all the societal pressures both obvious and subtle that she encountered during her pregnancy. I have to admit that as we entered into the sermon yesterday this was the framework for the message i was expecting.

WOW, was i wrong. However in all the right ways, and for all the right reasons. More about that later. What jumped out and hit me smack between the eyes or in my soul, whatever you want to call it was this statement.

Advent… not a time of who we think we are, but who God has called us to be.

Think about that for a second, read it again, read it aloud. Ask the person next to you what they think about it. Advent… not a time of who we think we are, but who God has called us to be. As i sat there and listened and thought about this it turned the whole ADVENT=WAITING equation on its head. How often when we wait do we just wait (don’t like to use the word JUST too much, but seemed appropriate here).

How often when we wait do we just wait? “I know that the end will come because that’s what waiting is about”. We focus on the end, and want it to hurry up and get here. “i need to get through this to get to the end.” Or… “Once this is done, we will be almost at the end”. How many more days until we leave the US, or how many more sleeps until Christmas. We almost see the waiting as a necessary evil to get to the end. Almost like a chore, or the tick tock of time has to happen, like some law of the universe before we can get there, where ever we are going.

What if along with, or buried in the time of waiting we framed it with thoughts of, transformative experiences of who God has called us to be. Almost like a dual focus of waiting, but also pondering, even changing into who God called us to be.

What if we took the waiting, and threw off the dogmas, the ideologies, the who we think we are’s and looked at who God has called us to be. If we took the time of waiting and examined EVERYTHING about us, or a part of us to sit, listen, reflect, argue, disagree, even shout about who God has called us to be. I wonder what Mary did during this time. I suspect she was not one to sit well. How could she when she had the Savior of the Universe kicking around in her belly. That’s some serious power in the belly. I wonder if she had cravings for different food. Anyways… if wonder if she took time to consider who God was calling her to be, while we don’t read many reflections on this i’m sure Mary wasn’t good at waiting.

What would waiting and even making choices and decisions do to move you towards who God is calling you to be. What would it do to your world, perception of it, even your friendships, relationships, almost everything in it.

This same question of “who God has called us to be” is definitely a transformative question. A calling question is at times a question of what is going to change, what is going to be transformed in your life. Since we are considering this at Advent, this time of year in the Christian Calendar i am reminded and prompted to step out little further. A little further to another important time of year in the Christian calendar, Lent. A definite time of considering through transformation of who God is calling us to be.

Imagine what this does to the message of Advent. It almost brings in a message of Lent at the same time. Really hoping i’m not going to be struck by lightning when i say that. That is certainly not my intention.

We could almost rename it … ADLENT. I can hear it now… Come and be in ADLENT, a time of waiting but also considering who God has called us to be.

Who said Jesus wasn’t cool? Who said He wasn’t relevant? Who said He isn’t up with the times, or keeping up with all the cool kids?
Who said Jesus isnt Chill? (isn’t that the language all the cool kids use nowadays?)

Last night we attend Christmas Eve Service and amongst the hymns we sang there was one called “Still Still Still” and there it is at the end of the very 1st line, proof that Jesus/JC or whatever you want to call him is the coolest person around, or the most chill of us all.

“He sleeps this night so Chill!”

There we have it folks, proof that Jesus is cool, or chill. And has been for a very long time. But 1st offically recognized by the Austrians, in 1918. See here for yourself.

Jesus is so cool, or so Chill that they even named Christmas after him!!!

The past few days have certainly been very varied and interesting for Robin and I. And i have pictures and reflections to prove it.

It all started when Robin and i went to dinner last night. Now don’t get me wrong i’m all about good quality food and it tasting good and fantastic atmosphere. And no this doesn’t mean i’m a food snob either. But dinner last night was one of those places where i know it was very well prepared, and cook, with the finest ingredients in a very soothing atmosphere. BUT… as far as the quantity of food. That left a lot to be desired. I mean the Ahi Tuna i had (in fact my entire meal) could have fit into the palm of a small child’s hand. No joke. I guess i didn’t know it would be high on this and high on that, but low on volume. Not that i think dining at some Golden Trough AKA Golden Corral or inset your favorite buffet establishment here________. But last nights meal was, hmmmm lets say, left me a little wanting.

After that we went by this independently owned book store (yes they are still out there, not all owned by Barnes & Noble, or from Amazon.com). We went to this wee gem of a store to listen to a Bluegrass Band. Yes a band in a bookstore. I can hear all the Librarians of the world freaking out right now at the thought of the noise. Carolina Road was there name and they were brilliant. Some old school bluegrass, with a fresh taste. After the music we left to hit the Whole Foods, for… what else cookies… my weakness, and to make up for the small portion at dinner.

That was Friday… well almost. a picture tha’ts worth a 1000 words. chillin’ with Cora.

Saturday was brilliantly sunny, BUT cold. Looking forward to going back to summer time. And temps in the upper 20’s or 80’s for you Americans. This evening, we really got into being in the ‘burbs by going to the neighborhood cookie swap and carol sing. Robin & her family live in a neighborhood that the same families have lived in for many years. They grew up together, went to school together. They even have a swim and tennis club, but not like some cheesy gated sub-division. This neighborhood has a lot of character. Folks know each other and do many activities year round together. This evening we got to participate in some of this by going to a cookie swap. Yup, i got to eat more cookies. Then we split up into two groups and went to 11 houses and sang 3-4 carols at designated homes of various people, mostly older adults. It was quite a cool experience, and really enjoyed myself.

Here are some photos from the past 24hrs or so.

After much waiting & everything else that goes along with this circus. We have a date for leaving America! While its not the most perfect set of circumstances with a few things not quite finalized. We need to go, we have a house to move into, and the date is looming. We both have jobs to start, and the date is fast apporaching.

With this date of departure at least it will be easy to count how many days we have been home/in NZ when asked.

• “We have live here 30days now” OR..
• “Hey Robin, guess what? Today is our 90 day anniversary of living here.”
• “Wow its been 1 year already”

Ok enough suspense… Our departure date is…

January 1st 2013. At least it will be easy to count how many days.

A few weeks’ backs I posted about finding fun in the ‘burbs of Raleigh. Since then i have found that in many ways. Not just in the nearby State Park, which has been the basis for most of my adventures, but also in the fun i have had creating ways to get to that same State Park (SP).

Last night i pursued another. There is a creek/river (Crabtree) close to Robin’s parents’ house and its forms a wooded corridor with a Greenway paved trail system. The paved trail doesn’t go all the way to the SP but the corridoor is there and for about the last few miles it is undeveloped, wild and un-kept. Probably because the City of Raleigh ran out of $$$. Good idea all the same, and what has been completed is about 15 miles of Greenway. Anyways i went for a run last night around 8pm in the dark; headlamp attached and explored this last piece of the corridor. I didn’t quite make it to the SP, and promise i didn’t run through anyones backyard… well not that i could tell.

It was rough, undeveloped and wild. As far as wild goes around here. All the time with the lights of houses, Christmas trees, and the hum of the city filling some of my senses. What a contrasting place to be. The extremes of bushwhacking over & under downed trees, pushing through briers, and traversing along steep banks trying not to fall in the river.

I made it home after about an hour, a little scratched up with bloodied legs, but fulfilled i had found another urban adventure.

The events of the last Friday have left us with everything from lost for words through to complete anger. In addition to all the emotions, thoughts and feelings inbetween those aforementioned extremes. It is however quite typical for us as humans respond to grief in these ways. And to think that most of us who bother to read this have no real connection to Newtown, yet in other ways we are really connected.

While we cannot even begin to walk in the shoes of the families, brothers, sisters, parents, co-workers, husbands, fathers, mothers, neigbhors this sparked an emotion in you as Americans and as a planet that at this point does not seem to be waning.

While i try to live my life for what its worth by the expression “I want to be someone who is quick to respond but slow to react.” I’m surprised i made it to Monday before i begin to type.

In the past few days i have found myself gravitating towards Twitter to read ‘the response of the people’. I am not naieve enough to think that Twitter is where it’s at as far as the real pulse, and balanced opinion of the people. However more likely the platform of… well anyone who has a smartphone and knows how to use it. THAT IS NOT a good cross section of public opinion. However it has demonstrated to me lots of people who have been quick to react. Please don’t get me wrong, i’m not judging them for that. This is but one way of voicing the absolute disgust for what occured.

I do have some thoughts on another matter connected with this act of selfishness. But have sat on the sidelines and waited until now for dust to settle. However happy to observe that the driven passion to drive change continues amongst Americans. There is something to be said for waiting and listening. We have two ears and one mouth and so should listen twice as much as we speak.

That said I have waited long enough.

What has surprised me the most is those out there that have (even very publically said) made comments along the lines of wishing the Principle of Sandy Hook Elementary School had a M4 in her office, so she could look this young man in the eye and I quote “Blow his head off”.

Speechless!!! thats my first response to this. Speechless. Really, how can you say that. This is wrong on so many levels. And here are my thoughts on why.

* Sure lets go ahead and arm teachers and schools, what happens next? What part of that is a great solution, even as a human being, a member of planet earth, that idea doesnt solve anything. You heard of the phrase escalation! What if the next shooter knows all schools are armed and decides that his (& its mostly he) act of volinece will be to set off a bomb. Or shows up with a tank, or a shoulder launched rocket. Do i sound silly. Back up a little and look again at your answer and argument. I wish the principle had… so she could blow his head off.

* All countries have laws, you dont have to agree to them, but if the majority do then it becomes law, its called democracy!!! For example seat belts in cars, you might not agree with wearing them. But guess what ITS THE LAW! Deal with it, legislate change, or go move somewhere where its optional. Or lets pick another one. Speed limits, you might not agree with them, but… wait for it ITS THE LAW! Deal ….

* My faith tells me to avoid an eye for an eye, what does your faith tell you to do. Enough said on that. not much else to interpret there.

All weekend as i heard these responses of arming teachers etc. from various folks (& they were few, hmmm i wonder why) I was pondering in my head for a parallel arguement. A metaphor that would allow me to consider this experience using another example or a ridicious agrument similar to this one put forward by certain individuals. It sat uneasy with me all weekend. But this morning while i was walking Cora it came to me… thank you Cora.

Here it is… The Cigarette Smoking agrument. Remember when this was a hotly contested issue. We ALL knew it was bad for us and bottom line… SMOKING WILL KILL YOU!!! However some very powerful individuals still maintained that it wasnt dangerous. They either lived in denial or would avoid the issue altogether due in part to the fall out, the horrible truth, loss of income, wealth for them and their companies. Sound familar. Now go ahead and insert assault weapon gun control debate in here over the top of the cigarette smoking arugment. Same meat different gravy, or as some say same poo, different pile. There were even moives made about this and the attempt by one man to expose the cigeratte idustry for what and who they were. In the end some very powerful individuals and companies both in the courts, Washington DC and in influencing legislators got to snuff out the truth or what we all knew but were powerless to comfront to the point of change. Again i say… sound familar. The movie is The Insider (1999) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140352/

* And one more point. This is further to the point of arming teachers etc. On August 25th this year there was a story about two NYPD cops shooting a man on the street outside the Empire State building after he had gone to his once place of employment and shot his old boss. As he entered the street the NYPD officers approached him, guns pulled and an ensuing short gun battle took place. What became an almost bigger story was the FACT that 9 innocent by-standers were hit by stray bullets from the officers. Not deliberately, but accidently as they tried to take down the man who had just shot and killed his former boss. Sad story, yes, but consider this. NYPD Officers, trained professionals in using, and discharging not only a weapon, but how to use it i’m sure in a crowded situation like that. A tense situation, a place where many innocent people were around. And while they took the offender out. 9 PEOPLE still got accidently hit by trained professionals. Excuse Mr. Congressman, you want to put weapons in the hand of a Principle, who is untrained, and in a very tense situation and expect them to “Blow his head off”

Today was a good day! I got to go out to the Wilson NC area. About an hour east of Raleigh to help Bill (Robins Dad) work on one of the properties they own out there.

We spent the day pulling down, dismantling an old out building/barn that was built way back when. It was a cold windy and sunny day, but good to be outside. Part of our fun today included pulling off old roofing iron, using my truck as a demolition vehicle (whereby we tied rope between the building and my truck & “stepped on the gas”), Chainsawing at trees around the building, chainsawing various parts of the building, oh and of course getting my truck stuck in the open field behind the building and creatively coming up with a solution to get it out.

After a quick lunch break we got straight back to it. We worked until after sunset and left with a building that was essentially floor boards and a foundation only. At times the building cooperated as we dismantled it then at times it was amazing how remained standing as we cut, pulled and chainsawed here & there. Made me think about the power of hurricanes and tornadoes if they can rip and building like this apart in seconds.

On another note though. Some of the maneuvers we did with my truck today reminded me of a classic Toyota truck commercial from the 90’s, a classic, timeless, check this out. http://youtu.be/nRxcGnBpvVs