Across The Pond
Written by Alison Chino of The Chino House
It’s one of those wild hares you dream about doing one day. You sit around and talk about it,
What if we just picked up and left this town? What if we moved to another country? Europe, even? How would our kids respond? Wouldn’t it be so good for them to experience another culture? Especially the teenagers? Are we still young enough to make a big, sweeping change in our lives?
My husband and I have had lots of conversations like this over the years. Conversations like those led to our spending six weeks in China one summer with two toddlers, and to traveling the Pacific Northwest and Canada for three months in a pop up camper with four kiddos.
And while we do really love an adventure in our family, I have to admit that I am a little terrified by the next step in our journey.
We are moving to Scotland for three years.
We’ve lived in the same house in Arkansas for 11 of our 19 years together, but we are selling it, giving away as many of our possessions as possible and flying to Aberdeen, Scotland in the fall with the clothes on our backs.
And whatever we can fit in a luggage allowance for six. I’m considering leaving all my clothes behind to save space for my Le Creuset. We may not have two schillings to rub together, but if I can find some beans, I’ll have a pot in which to cook them.
We are flying to Scotland on a wing and a prayer, because my husband, Taido, has been accepted to pursue a PhD in theology, a longtime dream of his. He is leaving his life here as a youth pastor/theology nerd and hoping to parlay his dual passions for study and ministry into something beautiful on the other side of the world.
To say that we are still working out the details of this little undertaking is to put it mildly. We have passports. We are in the visa application process. We have some dates for when schools start. We have our house for sale.
Friends, that’s about it.
The equation we are hoping for is not one that really makes sense when you look at it on paper:
Faith + Hope + Prayer = Chinos in Scotland with Food + Shelter
However, the most wonderful thing about a journey of faith is that when you tell the story of your adventure, you mark the fingerprints of someone greater than you all over your life.
I shouldn’t have been able to go to the private college I chose, but the funds came in from places I never imagined.
I almost missed out on marrying the love of my life, but somehow, miraculously I was given the chance to see him in a new light.
I thought I would only have three children, but I have this precious fourth child that someone just knew I needed.
When you tell stories like these, you get to wonder anew at how everything came together. You say how astounded you were that everything worked out, even if it was not according to your plan.
I can’t wait to see and share the story of how our family’s life comes together across the pond! Whatever happens, I know from experience that there will be a few bumps in the road, but also that I will want to hang on tight and wait for the moments that blow me away.
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I loved reading your honest, life-giving words. Thank-you for the reminder that when we step out in faith, we are taken care of. Life should be lived under our Father’s careful eye, free and adventurous :). Blessings on your new journey!
Thank you so much Sara! Great description of how life should be lived!
What an incredible gift of adventure you have been given! I just know that you and your family will absolutely have the greatest time of your lives exploring and learning all their is to experience. Don’t take any of your clothes! Get some of that gorgeous plaid and wrap up in it. Sarah W can send you directions on how to knit with that luxurious yarn you are sure to find as well. Le Creuset? I’ll babysit it for you. A couple of pots would use up all of your luggage allowance .anyway. Perhaps we can get them interested in sponsoring a new set for you in Scotland — how else are you going to make awesome lamb stew — or veggie stew — whatever! Beans are always good tho. I am going to miss you, your sweet smile, and those locks of yours! I will be following your adventures and look forward to sharing in this time with you. Who knows? I may be knocking on your Scotland door while you are there! Keep in touch. xoxoxo
Thanks so much, Debbie! I will take this packing advice to heart and I’ll be looking for you in Scotland!!
Wow! How amazing! We toss around ideas such as this in our house too, but have not had the fates lead us in that direction yet. I can’t wait to read along on your adventure, Allison!
Thanks Fawn! I read just this week that we should just DO those things we’ve been dreaming of forever, and I thought, OK, here goes! 🙂
You are going to hate Scotland, I am sure of it.
Just kidding! Only sour grapes because I MISS YOU ALREADY! Much love and wonderful wishes for your big fantastic adventure!
You’re going to love it too because you are coming, right???
I just happened to stumble on your blog today while looking for a recipe for blackberry/peach cobbler… and then I found out you are taking your family over the pond for an amazing adventure! I only hope that you love it as much as we did – we lived just north of London for two years (2005-2007) with our two “babies” (11 and 9 when we went) and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. It was crazy, challenging at times, and totally changed our family for the better I believe. I can’t wait to follow along on your adventure and relive some of the memories of ours! Soak it all in and remember that no matter how hard it seems today, tomorrow it will be memory that you all will have forever.