Hey there friends!
It seems so strange to be writing to everyone from California instead of Paris, and though I am now on the same continent I find myself feeling more removed at times than when I lived in Paris. I hope this finds you well. Here in Southern California the weather is wonderful, married life is a blast, and I am learning to patiently wait upon the Lord in the midst of much transition!
The transition home to America has been more difficult than the transition to Europe. For what reason, I am not so sure. I am grateful, however, to be transitioning into something as exciting as marriage at the same time because my tendency is to focus more on allowing God to mold me into a godly wife, not how to grow into an American again...though I do need growth in this area as well! For the past week I have been sitting in hour-long, back to back traffic
to and from my commute to work. I watch the cars inching along around me and praise God that I will not have to live like this forever as most Californians do. My time in the car consists of jamming out to whatever song happens to be on the radio, rolling my window down to breathe in that beautiful California air only to roll it right back up to prevent choking on pollution, and listening to audiobooks downloaded off itunes(you can purchase biographies of people like Jefferson or Ben Franklin for less than $1!). It is in these times that I miss traversing by foot down the streets of Paris, or cramming into metros and having my space invaded by the smelly yet beautiful French, and surprisingly liking the invasion! Southern California, beautiful as it is, is not France. Gertrude Stein is known for claiming, "America is my country but Paris is my hometown." I have always loved this quote and now hold it dear to my heart as some days I really do miss "home."
By this point in my email my husband is probably reading with a sheepishly sad face, wondering why his wife is not crazy about California yet. Bryce, breathe, and smile, knowing that you are my home now, and where you go, I will go. I must also point out that the small annoyances of California such as traffic,smog and difficult government and school systems have no hold on me as being married is so lavishly good that I would live in the smog forever. Many times I have promised Bryce that I would indeed live with him anywhere (please Lord, not Brownsville, TX!), even in a card board box! After only 2 months of marriage I can confidently confess that even if this cardboard box were smaller, my promise still stands, and more so now than ever.
I mentioned work in the paragraph above. Yes, God indeed works for the good of those who love him! Ha! I finally have a job-and low and behold, it is with Young Life. Currently, I am the Regional Admin. for the San Diego region and after only working 2 weeks I love it. Though it is different than what I am used to, such as being a loud clown with teenagers, the stability has lifted my spirits more than ever! I am also substituting on the side which will give me great exposure with the middle school and high school students I miss so much!
Bryce has developed a fun friendship with some highschoolers that work out at our gym and we went to a highschool football game a couple of weeks ago after promising to go. What a blast! To be in the midst of that world again brought us so much joy-and laughter! Bryce is being amazing and working part time for an organization called Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship that has a rich program for developing pastors and church leaders to counsel their church body and other individuals. He is working hard at school though amazes me at what he will sacrifice to make sure we spend quality time together. So far our favorite activity is Friday nights-staying home for pizza and movie! (It's the little things...)
God lavishes his rich blessings on us daily, the greatest of all being the incredible gift of marriage, and having a partner and best friend with whom to walk through life. Though this walk has only begun, I am so humbled to be married to such a godly man with such a servant's heart, and for the opportunity to grow in the knowledge of our Savior and further God's kingdom with Bryce...
Just in case you're not quite tired of reading, I (Bryce) would like to add a short note to sing the praises of my wonderful wife, since I know she wouldn't do it herself. I grow more thankful each day for the wife the Lord has graciously given me. Lisa has done the most incredible job of making our little cardboard box into a warm and comfortable home, and being wonderfully patient in such a small space. In spite of the limited space in which we live and the often fickle and inconsistent behavior of the one with whom she lives, Lisa has loved me and served me in ways that humble me and, I know, bring our Lord much glory. I am so thankful to have her as my partner on this pilgrimage.
We are so thankful for your friendships, for those whom I know personally and those whom I only know through reports from Lisa. I look forward to meeting more of you as we continue forward. We will continue to keep you all updated on the whereabouts and the goings-on with the newly-formed Waller family.
Much love,
Lisa and Bryce
(for those of you who don't know me by my new last name, ahem, Mark Avent... it is Lisa "Madrid" Waller!"
