We have Arrived!!

We arrived safe and sound to our new home on the beautiful island of Kauai. Life is looking pretty good for us right now. The kids are adjusting well, as well as their mom and dad. It's been literally days and days of waiting in line-ups to get our new lives in order and to some degree of normalcy. The church community has been phenomenal so far, welcoming us at the airport with a huge crowd and 30+ fresh floral leis. They prepared our home for our arrival and placed fresh beautiful exotic floral arrangements in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. Meals on wheels delivered delicious food for the first 3 suppers and we have fruit galore to enjoy. Tomorrow we are taking a break from setting up the home and we are heading out to Poipu Beach to celebrate Canada Day with a picnic, afternoon of fun in the sun and hopefully a glowing sunset. The weather has been hot but bearable under the coolness of the trade winds. The skies partly cloudy and it has rained at some point every day.

It was huge, ugly and scary looking. I walked into the house after registering Ben for school and there it was...laughing at me in the middle of the kitchen floor. I panicked. What should I do? I was paralyzed with fear of the creature in front of me and I had flashbacks of a movie I had seen years ago...Arachnaphobia!!! Ugh, the creature commanding my attention in my kitchen was a tarantula sized grotesque looking thing on steroids(which upon further examination and identification from my friend Eileen) was a cane spider. Never in my life have I seen such a huge frightening spider that did not live in a small confined space at the zoo. Eileen(911 operator cane spider)talked me through bringing on the imminent death of this beast, but warned me about the potential egg sac. WHAT??? Apparently if the spider has an egg sac, you can't hit it with the broom because it will drop the sac and the babies will hatch instantly!! Do you see a problem here??!! Anyone who has ever watched Charlotte's Web knows that they don't just have one tiny spider baby, but zillions of the speedy wretched creatures. Lucky for me...no sac!! The sweat on my brow lightened but still...could this thing track my movement and leap towards my throat...I was assured not..."just wet a paper towel and throw it on top of the spider" Eileen said. Easier said than done. I was still cowering in the next room. Roy was coming over soon. Maybe he'd get it for me. No, I had to be brave...for the children. Fearing for my life, but knowing it was him or me, I got close enough to slow him down with the wet paper towel...but now what?? Oh, "whack him" Eileen said ...once, twice....ugh, he's not dying...two more times real good, and he shrivels up into a dead little spider ball. Roy's still not here and Ed is gone. Oh crap. I have to pick this thing up and dispose of it. Ewwww. More paper towel and the broom ought to do it. Success. "Mommy, what were you doing" Oh just killing a little spider, honey. "A daddy long legs?" Uh, yeah. Something like that....a daddy long legs on steroids. Welcome to Hawaii. I'm told by Roy that the centipedes are even worse. I can't wait.

We're on our way!!!

Well the house is empty and the stuff is gone. It's be a long hard couple of weeks preparing for this next phase of our lives. We've had a few glitches here and there and I'm sure there will be more to come. Unexpected little things that can potentially cause great frustration if we let it. We are now sleeping on a queen size air mattress, and the kids on these great camping cots that friends have loaned us. AND we are watching tv on a tiny 8 eight size screen. It's amazing what the boys have learned to cope with!!!! Work ended for me on Friday, June 9, 2006 just over 11 years to the date of employment with Canadian Blood Services. (I started June 5, 1995). My colleagues treated me to a fabulous italian seafood dinner at Bombolini's (Linguine alla Paradisio--pasta with scallops, shrimp, mussels in a dill sauce...YUM!) They also dug deep into their pockets and bought me a silver chain and pendant that reminds me of the color of the ocean. It was definitely an emotional time. Now we are working on closure for the children. Two going away parties to plan and execute before our travel date of June 27. Our last days in Canada are filling up fast with coffees, lunches, and dinners out with friends and family. These last 2 weeks are sure to go quickly!!

Rain, Rain Go Away

The last several weeks have been extremely trying for our friends on the island of Kauai. The rains have come, and come, and come, for 4 relentless weeks soaking the land to its core and most of their spirits as well. The end result of the rains was the bursting of the Kilauea Dam due to its swollen basin. The water swept away homes that were close by killing several people, one a 22 year-old bride that was to have been married that day. The whole island has succumbed to a flurry of flash floods burying resorts and hotels under a sea of red water stained by the soil of the land. Thankfully, the army is nearby and on hand to provide assistance to those most directly affected. Pumps are proving to be of great value to the locals to remove this unwelcome visitor from their land. Please pray that the rainclouds will shift and wander off over the ocean. A small reprieve has come in the way of sunshine, but much more is needed to dry the land and warm the hearts of some of the most genuine people I have ever known.

The Countdown

A huge chapter... full of life's greatest twists and turns has been hurdled over and conquered. Way to go Buller family!! I am proud to be a part of such a strong, resilient little family. We have struggled and cried, triumphed and laughed...received clear vision when were too blind to see. And we have marvelled over God's continued faithfulness in our lives. Harsh conditions often result in unfathomable beauty. Clearly, much growth takes place in the dark. We have waved a sorrowful goodbye to a dreary yesterday, and whispered a sweet hello to a sunny (literally and figuratively)hopeful tomorrow. A new chapter is beginning... It seems to taunt us with delicious opportunities, but reality reassures us that it will come with its own unique set of issues. Leaving our hometown after 30+ years will bring anxiety, but as we step out in faith...it will also bring great reward.

Our Journey begins... Since receiving and accepting the call to Lead Pastor at Kalaheo Missionary Church (Kauai), I have begun the tedious job of purging unwanted items from our present home. It feels good...a cleansing of sorts. The basement is first and then I'll work my way up. Today I got rid of 7 big garbage bags full of old clothes and stuff!! Junk BE GONE!!! I should've done this sooner. Simplicity is cleansing to the soul. And alot less complex than one would think. We have alot of work in the days ahead but the excitement and the anticipation of the "BIG MOVE" keeps us focussed. Kauai, HERE WE COME!!!