Finally Here!

Greetings from Shatin, New Territory, Hong Kong!
Life in Hong Kong for the Klumpp family (all 3 of us) began a mere 5 days ago. We arrived by b-i-g plane last Thursday night (5:10pm - HK time). Landing between the ocean and mountains was SO exciting. I was lucky enough to switch seats with Brady (who by the way was turning three shades of green at this time). She managed the entire 15 hour flight like a seasoned traveler. It was only in the last few minutes before landing that she decided to get queasy. So we played a "guess what number I'm thinking" game until the wheels hit the ground. Lucky for me - I got to manage between playing the game with her on my left & trying to watch the landing out the window on my right. It worked.."sorta".
(note to self: make the nine-year old take frequent naps on a l-o-n-g transatlantic flight..or give her Benadryl)

Speaking of flights..this one was amazing! There are no words to describe looking out a tiny aircraft window and realizing what you're seeing is the arctic landscape. As far as my eyes could see was white. I could just make out the texture of the land and at one time thought for sure I saw a polar ice cap! If I'd had some binoculars I probably could've seen a polar bear (maybe not).

Back to the landing...
As we were descending I could make out the water and a few islands. On the water I caught a glimpse of what looked to be a cruise ship. As we drew nearer to our destination I could clearly see several ships - what I realized were tankers. They were but 2 inches long as we neared the end of our flight. What an amazing sight - to realize these enormous boats seem so small from up above. Makes me wonder how small we must seem to an Almighty God. And even more mind-boggling - trying to understand how we could mean so much to Him. That He would love us so much that He would knowingly send a representative of Himself (His Son) to walk in a fleshly suit: have feelings, hurts, emotions just like me. More importantly to die because of my flesh/my sin...just so I can have a relationship & future - forever with Him in His paradise.

Someone wise was once trying to comfort me in a time of trial. He said these all encompassing, comforting words:
Imagine your problems, if you can, from above. Your troubles may seem overwhelmingly big in front of you - but try to see them from (say) a fighter pilot's view. They don't seem quite as large from there, do they? Now..imagine them even higher..from God's perspective. They really aren't that big from there. That's how God sees our problems. Just as a small 'blip' on the map. He promises help for the hopeless...rest for the weary..His love for the brokenhearted.
My problems seem so small when I think of them in this way and I picture myself taking them right to His throne...and leaving them there.

24 Hours

The 'clock' on my computer right now reads 8:01am. In exactly 24 hours we will be on a plane taking off from San Antonio airport headed to Chicago. From there we leave at 12:45pm heading to Hong Kong. Sounds pretty surreal. Never thought I'd be going there - let alone moving there!

God has given me several little surprises since arriving in San Antonio last Monday. I'll take this opportunity to tell about them - if you'll bear with me.

I've repacked our five pieces of luggage probably three times since Sunday afternoon..making sure they all fall below the required 50 pound limit. (happy to say the largest is just 47)
All this I've done in the quietness of "Kat's" garage. (Kathleen is Mike's first wife - whom we are staying with in San Antonio. Nico, Mike's youngest son, along with Sarah - his sweet fiance, also live here). The quiet of the garage has really blessed my spirit - caused me to 'Be still' before God. It was also a nice way of listening to my music on my phone for a little while (Selah, NeedToBreathe, Mandisa..to name a few). Michael called it my 'zen time'. The goodness of the Lord today doesn't stop there...read on.

I realized God was even giving me more courage to fly to Hong Kong tomorrow - by placing me so close to the airport this past week. Kat's home sits about 5 minutes from the San Antonio International Airport - the very airport we will take off from tomorrow at 8am.

Side note: I've never been afraid of flying. My first flight was at 12 - on a 4seater - going to New Orleans with mom, dad & the owner of the plane, Roland, an old family friend. We flew over Lake Ponchatrain where I saw dolphins. Priceless. My next flight was by myself to Michigan. Spent the summer of my 16th year with one of my best friends, Lolly. Her family had a cottage by one of the many lakes. Priceless. From there I've lost count of the many flights I've had through the years; however, somewhere along the way I've developed a nervous anxiety about being in the air. Of course turbulence only makes matters worse.

God has given me the opportunity to be so close to so many airplanes coming in to land. (They fly over Kat's house about every 5-6 minutes...landing gear down and headed to the runway). It's really very beautiful - watching them glide through the air on the way down.
He's reminded me that He's in control & all is well. He's gone before us and prepared the way (including the plane ride).

The last surprise needs a little explanation: I like water towers..really. God has spoken to me through...water towers. I first heard Him say 'water' to me when we (Mike & I) were trying to decide whether to live in Dallas or Dripping Springs. We found a piece of land to purchase & build a house on. As I followed Mike's voice - I came into a clearing where there was a 'water tower' in the distance. I knew that was where my home was to be built - a wonderful gift from God. (Note to self: teach the younger women how God speaks in many different ways. The important thing is to remain in Him & listen.) God showed me the next water tower over the fence line in our home (the parsonage)..in Dighton. Showing me this came at such a crucial time - one morning when I was feeling especially down. It was a wonderful reminder that He was there. (God, too, feels what I feel ~ and stands ready to love me through anything).

The last surprise came this morning in San Antonio - as I walked upstairs to retreive something to tie my hair back. I was helping Brady with something and my hair kept falling in my face. As I was walking out of the upstairs bedroom - I happened to glance out a small window that's at the top of the stairs. It's not accessible except by ladder, but you can see a little from it while walking down the hall. What caught my eye next - out that window - was such a strong confirmation from God that I just started giggling & dancing in the hall. Out over the rooftops and treetops was...
a water tower.

...in less than 24 hours I will embark on a journey that will take me to life in Hong Kong - a new beginning. I hope you'll consider taking the journey with me and see what God has in store.
I'm going to look for water towers...

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21).