It was the end of 2007, life felt perfect. We lived in Kilpauk, a beautiful suburb in Chennai, India. Our apartment was a cute 3 bedroom- tailor made for us. The little window between the kitchen and dining room was a signature detail that we all loved. The little balcony had heaps of potted plants, a cage with love birds, and another one with guinea pigs.

I was designing homes and schools and fully enjoying the flexibility of working in the firm owned by my father-in-law. I was able to come home early and spend the evening with my sons. Tennis lessons, art classes and music filled our evenings. We had maids to keep the house clean and cook regular meals. I baked and added my personal touches here and there. Ranjit worked hard and put in long hours as a structural engineer.

We lived close by to our fathers and our extended family. Ultimately, ife was full with innumerable get-togethers, time with family and friends, and weddings, which I thoroughly loved!

Our boys, Michael and Meshak were enjoying school and doing well. I enjoyed learning the bible at (BSF) and led a small Bible study at home for friends.

Then, one day, Ranjit came home from work and announced that he was thinking about us relocating to New Zealand. ‘What?! You mean that tiny island at the south end of the earth!?’ I could hear my heart scream, I loved the home we created and had no desire to live elsewhere. When he went on to say he was applying for work in Auckland, I took out the map to see where exactly it was (I didn’t even know how to spell it!)

During this time, at BSF, we were studying Genesis and Abram´s (Abraham)story jumped out at me.

Genesis 12:1 NIV

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’

I could not believe that God could use these words to speak to me, as he did to Abram. I used to love BSF discussion time, but this week I was silent

I prayed to God, I pleaded to Him. Ranjit applied for work, had a phone interview and got the job in Auckland. I continued praying. Surely God can stop all this from going ahead? I was not prepared to move our family and the home we created across the ocean to a new country. 

After Ranjit left to Auckland, the boys and I continued to stay in India, completing the paperwork for residency.ll the while, while I was preparing, I was also praying and hoping for God to stop this sequence of events. The boys were bewildered as we talked of new schools, new friends, saying goodbyes and moving home.

I was trying to persuade God to let us stay, where I could make cupcakes in the backyard, tend to our plants, and enjoy bible study with our friends. Instead, God was planning something else for us by the seaside.

In March 2010, with our residency in place, my sons and I moved to Auckland, bags and luggage in hand. Saying farewell to our home church atSt Paul’s was hard. The Sunday school had been our abode for years. Our faith had been built by the stories and choruses and prayers there, and now we were leaving.

We said goodbye to Lady Andal school, a home away from home for our boys. There were hugs, tears and photos.

Our flight was the following morning. Our home was all packed, the balcony was empty, the pots had gone, the pets had been given away. The boys were asleep as I walked through the stillness amid suitcases and bags.

In silence, I thanked my God as I knew in my heart that I was in His will. Yes, this was not what I had prayed for.but God had changed my heart, he had given me peace and I could see circumstances lining up.

We arrived in Auckland on March 27, 2010. I placed my hand in His. He has led me day by day. What a journey it has been.

Thank you Lord for going by your will and not mine. Amen.