I have not blogged regularly in the last month . . . . more of a vacation from the blog. My return to New Zealand was delayed by dental surgery and the precautions taken regarding my risk for infection. I have been cleared for travel and will begin my way back to New Zealand on Friday, overnighting in Los Angeles then flying out Saturday night, arriving strangely on Monday morning (with the international date line).

I visited Calvary tonight and was encouraged to see many friends. This visit has been a good process of bringing closure or working towards closure in a number of ways.

Over the past several months Naomi and I have been in conversation with trusted friends, colleagues and medical personnel regarding my long term care with a neuro-stimulator implant, my increased disability and risk of infection. We have made the decision to leave New Zealand, reluctantly leaving Laidlaw College and the many wonderful people at the college and at our church, St. Paul's Anglican. Naomi and I have always stayed in places for a long while and our departure honestly feels and is premature. The medical difficulties of the past 7 months in particular but realistically the past four years have taken a significant toll. We felt the need to relocate while I am able to work fulltime and get insured versus potentially having another debilitating episode overseas.

God has been so kind to us in this season of life. The deep struggles have been a refining fire for both of us. We are looking forward to moving to Dallas, Texas, a warmer climate than Philadelphia though we would love to live near friends and family. I have an opportunity that will become public in a few days. We are both praying for God's grace and strength in the days ahead. The next five weeks will pass quickly. Our home will be packed up in mid-February and at the end of February, we will fly to the U.S.

We ask for prayer during this unexpected time of change and prayer for Laidlaw College as my leaving leaves a gap right at the beginning of a new school year.

An unexpected joy is that Rebekah, independently had decided to move to Dallas, so we will be close by each other. We are excited about that.