Delayed gratification and Gratitude in Lockdown

It has been an interesting experience moving to another country during a pandemic and lockdown. The pendulum between discouragement and concern when you realize what may not be able to get accomplished in level 4 lockdown, continues to swing to relief when yet another problem is solved and hurdle cleared. The people of New Zealand have been very welcoming and helpful- future colleagues whom I haven't even met offering assistance and advice.

Adapting has been the name of the game and what I have learned is that the mental game is where success is lost or won.

Today we did our longest walk yet and took the kids to the Sir Barry Curtis Park and checked out some other food markets (one of the few things open during the lockdown) on the way back home. It's been good to get the physical conditioning for the kids back up. After stopping competitive sports, being stuck at home due to pandemic and the Arizona heat, the kids have been needing to get their strong legs back. The weather is so nice here near the end of New Zealand's winter, that getting out of the house is very pleasant and we've been going for walks every day.

I'd actually used a picture from this park in a blog post months ago when we'd secured a temporary rental. To walk through the park today I had to remind myself that I was indeed in reality and not a dream. How surreal it was to be on the grounds in real life.

I will admit that there are so many things that Randy and I and the children want to do that we cannot yet do. I love that our kids are learning so many life lessons of resilience and flexibility and discipline etc. but I also want them to get back to playing with friends and going to school. When frustration or impatience sets in, I do what I have always done and I count my blessings. God has taken care of us every step of the way; opening doors that first appeared closed, giving us the stamina and the smarts to get things done; blessing all of the detailed research and planning that we did before we came. We are happy and safe and eating Randy's amazing food so what is there really to complain about?

Amidst all of the loss and the bad news of the world, I do still feel as though the sky is the limit for my family, and that for that I am grateful.