Already / Not Yet

And just like that, we’ve been in England for five weeks.  We’ve certainly started a new life in many different ways, and have been working on adjusting our expectations, lifestyles, and culture accordingly.  One of the biggest lessons learned has been “Everything takes longer here.”  And that’s everything: travel, deliveries, getting approvals/clearances, cell phone data speed, shopping, restaurants/fast food, finding a place to park... you get the idea.

One quick way to summarize all the progress we’ve made, as well as all we have left to do, can be captured by one of my favorite theological ideas: the “Already / Not Yet”.  The idea is that by what Christ has achieved on the cross, some things have “already” happened (sins forgiven, we’re called his children, etc.) but some things are “not yet” (all tears wiped away, evil destroyed, etc.).  So with that, now that we’ve been in England for awhile, here’s the list of the “Nichols’ Already / Not Yet” for our first five weeks…

Already (have or done)                              Not Yet

Adjusted to our time zone                            Ever feel like we get enough sleep

Got military IDs                                               Gotten clearance to use the military

                                                                                   computers (i.e. the computer in my office)

Started a sterling and a dollars                  Understand the best way to manage two  

         bank accounts here                                      accounts in the States and two in the UK

Registered Ginger for healthcare               Registered Chris and the boys for healthcare

Filled out paperwork for kids’ school      Kids started in school

Submitted work visa application               Gotten work visa approved

Found a house                                                  Gotten rid of the straggling fleas

Gotten our stuff from the States                 Unboxed everything

Have heat, power, water in the house       Have Internet

Got a fridge, microwave                                Have a washer, dryer, dishwasher

Cleaned out office                                           Gotten heat turned on in office

Bought a car and a minivan                         Ginger gotten her drivers’ license

Sold our cars back home                              Sold our house back home

Bought a GPS, hair clippers                          Bought boys’ bunk beds, vacuum, TV, lamps

Ginger had doctor appointments               Ginger delivered the baby

Visited London and Cambridge                  Visited Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

Met the Colonel (base commander)          Met the Queen

Gotten a speeding ticket on base               Gotten a speeding ticket on British roads

Eaten fish and chips                                       Eaten bangers and mash

Played bass for Sunday worship                Played my guitar for Club

Run 8 Clubs and 5 Bible studies                Figured out the middle school weekend

                                                                                  retreat next month