We all have defining moments, moments that even years later you can remember exactly where & when you were when you made a decision that shapes you, or something happens that changes your life forever. Mine will forever be played out in my mind with me stood in the kitchen of our rental house in NZ on valentine's day, realising that I had a split second to make a decision that would decide what path the children and I will take in life (well, until they're 18 and then they get to have their own defining moments, right now, they're included in mine, like it or not!) The view from the window will be etched on my mind forever as I stood and tried to make a decision about whether we could stay here, whether we could leave everyone and everything and make it work here. After all the planning, the tears, the money, the horrific 24 hour flight, here it is, my life, reduced to a split second decision.
I'm not a gambler by nature, but I'm taking a huge gamble on New Zealand being the best thing for all of us - as a family, as a couple and for me. I've had my foundations rocked a bit (appropriate given that we live on the shaky island) but I'm putting my faith in God's own land (a name an old kiwi I met on Marine parade the other used, I think I like it!) and I'm hoping that faith is repaid.
This place gets under your skin, it makes you feel fresh and alive, whilst also making you feel insignificant with it's wild, immense beauty. If you ever have a big decision to make my advice is to fly here, sit looking out at Napier bay and make that decision. It strips away those feelings of being a bit too big for your boots, it makes you realise that in the big scheme of things, you and your problems are really rather minor. The upshot to my soul searching? Well, that I'm here & I'm staying here. I've choosen my path.
