Back on Guam
Well, we made it. Barely, but we made it.
My husband & I just moved back to Guam, after having lived here for 3 years, leaving in 2015 to move to Japan… we now back again to Guam.
This wasn’t my first choice, in fact, when my husband built up the story of discovering this job opening, ending with, “… & guess where it is???” my initial thought was, “we’re moving to Florida 2 years earlier than we expected?!?” Haha, nope.
But here I am, sitting in a nice hotel room with a beautiful ocean view (not bad for a temporary living situation), shaking my head in disbelief. It feels like a dream. It doesn’t feel real.
But it’s true… I am back on Guam.
A Swirling Mess of “All of the Above”
Guam is such an out-of-the-way place, so when you leave here, you don’t expect to ever come back… you close that chapter in your mind because the chances are so slim the first time around, that a second time just seems an impossible scenario… but here we are.
I wasn’t excited. I was devastated. Not just the unexpected jolt to my routine/life. Not just the disappointment of “not Florida.” Not just the loneliness I felt last time I lived here. And not just the fact that it meant we had to leave our home & friends 2 years sooner than we expected. It was a swirling mess of “all of the above.”
One Tough Move!
If you followed my journey to here, you know it was one of the hardest moves I could have ever imagined from start to finish.
From the movers miscalculating our allowed shipment size, almost leaving behind some furniture & boxes, only to finally agree to call to verify, finding out they had indeed miscalculated & were trying to deny us a THIRD of our shipment space. (oof)
From the movers receiving incorrect information about what we were allowed to ship & us only finding out after we had to pay for alternative means of shipment (ie medicine cabinet, spices, etc.) (oof again)
Then there was the whole shipping our cat thing. EVERY step acts as if they just want you to give up & give up your furbaby. EVERY step. In some cases, we had to come on the phone more informed than their own staff or we would have been denied altogether! How does that happen!? But God provided a dear contact who helped us to know who to ask what to make it happen anyway! Praise GOD!
And the last step for our cat required a military id, which we had for my husband’s job in Japan… but just a couple days before our departure, my husband was notified that instead of the remote relinquishment of his id, they decided they wanted to do it BEFORE we left & nothing we said changed their opinion. It had the potential to leave our cat stranded on our last layover & it was too late in the game to do anything about it.
To say this move was a stressful one is an understatement.
The Mess CONTINUED
Once the military ids were relinquished & our journey began, the mishaps did not end there.
We had 6 bags, plus a medium-sized dog kennel for our cat to lug around the airport.
We had a shuttle to take, with no underneath baggage space, with said bags & cat kennel.
We had to clear Japanese animal export in Tokyo.
We had an overnight layover in Hawaii, of which we were greeted with the news that our airline had no reservation for our cat—by the animal holding facility, who were unwilling to call to check whether it was just my name where it didn’t show, or any pet reservation at all (it was booked under my husband’s name, not mine) & that we should “just check when we get there.” (No stress, right?!)
Then all 6 bags were lugged around the giant hotel area, only to find out no shuttle tickets could be gotten, so we had to find a taxi.
The Last Leg of the Race Didn’t Get Any Easier
And to end it all with a bang, the check-in process for our sweet kitty took THREE hours & although we were first in line, even with running to the opposite side of the airport to my gate, I was 10 minutes late & ONLY because Jamie had pre-check & could get there early, did I make the flight at all, receiving many uncaring responses of, “sounds like someone didn’t allow enough time to catch her flight.” (Ohhh boy, if only they KNEW! … I was not thinking God-honoring thoughts about them at this point & had to bite my lip a few times there.)
The airline was telling my husband they couldn’t wait any longer & that he needed to just leave me there. I couldn’t respond to his messages because I was running WITH bags, asthma, & a bad hip/back… but I made it.
And when I got on that plane, with my mask hiding my face & the loud hum of the engine masking the sound, I cried for maybe the first 10 minutes of it… just flat out sobbing in relief & frustration & hurt that it had to be that hard the whole way.
He Can Do What I Can’t
But I’m here. We made it. Cisco made it. We’re here.
I don’t write all of this for sympathy, but to show you that this whole move was one giant IMPOSSIBLE, but we leaned into God & asked others to be praying, & God put the right people in our path at the right time (because we were trusting in Him over ourselves) & HE made it happen!
So much of the last few weeks was completely out of my control. But God was still in control.
I didn’t know who to call or where to start, but God led me.
I couldn’t control the decisions of others, but God made a way anyway.
I couldn’t know what I didn’t know, but God showed me & put people in my path who did know & could tell me.
This move was impossible from start to finish.
BUT… GOD. He can do what I can’t!
Cling to TRUTH in Times of Troubles
God tells us not to be anxious for anything (I still need to work on this one! It shows I often trust what I can see over what I know God can do & His will/plan & His care for me), but to pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6-9)
He tells us to not rely on our own understanding, but to turn to Him in everything. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
He tells us to be still & know that He is GOD. (Psalm 46:10)
He says that nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 1:37) & that He can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
He says in all our ways to acknowledge HIM (His leadership, His power, His will, His ability, His love, His lead) & He will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
He reminds us that His comforts delight our soul IN the multitude of our anxieties. (Psalm 94:19)
His Will… He Will Make a Way
Where I am limited, He is limitless.
Where I can find no way, He is a Way-Maker.
If He leads you to something He WILL make it work out… we don’t have to worry about the hows, only focus on the Who.
This was a job He led my husband to. The way seemed impossible. But with God, anything is possible & His plans cannot be thwarted. Where we can’t, He CAN.
Continued Prayers Appreciated
Prayers are still appreciated as we look for a home—one that has been well-maintained, feels inviting, & has parking/space for guests. And for 2 reliable cars—rust damage is common on an island & problems are often left undisclosed.
Ask God to help us with discernment for unforeseen problems, that we trust His lead & have patience to WAIT to see HIM move versus just ACTING, & that we find peace during our long period of displacement. Thank you in advance!
Shine HOPE by leaning into Him in every high & in every low in life, letting HIM take the reins of your life, directing & leading you in His plans, not yours. Because even if you’re scared, apprehensive, or anxious, God ALWAYS KNOWS BEST & He WILL work everything together for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
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Kala Scarf
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