Currently sitting here in the Dallas airport, about five hours from arriving at home, I await with butterflies in my stomach to board my last flight of the World Race. There is a swell of emotions inside of me that I am not completely sure what to do with; and quite frankly, I have chosen the strategy of just riding them out and seeing what happens. Life on the race is completely different than life back home. Some things I am now used to are not in any way normal in the States, like not having running hot water. On top of all of that, I have been through what can be compared to a pressure cooker in terms of experiences. God has done a number on all of our lives throughout this year – and we’re sometimes not really sure where to begin processing all of it!
I am so excited to be seeing everyone again, but I also want to put the disclaimer out there that I have changed a bit. I’m the same goofy Becky (maybe with a few new quirks or phrases I have picked up), but I am learning to embrace the things God has taught me this year, and to live in the changes He has made.
Sprouting from a question asked me for my Q&A blog (part 2, which will come soon!) of how I foresee adjusting to the USofA I decided to turn it into its own blog. So I am enlisting your help in this process!
1) I ask for your patience: I’ll be trying to figure out what this new Becky looks like in an old and familiar environment, please be patient as I figure out again where I fit in and how I function!
2) I ask for your questions: I would love to share with you about this past year – but I might need a bit of direction. It’s difficult to sum up 11 months in a few sentences, so maybe come with specific questions.
3) I ask you to share with me: I want to know what God has been teaching you and what has happened in your life these last 11 months! Communication has been difficult over the last year, and I know I’ve missed a lot; but I want to celebrate, cry, laugh, and marvel with you over all that has happened and God has done!
4) I ask for your honesty: Please, tell me when I’m talking too much about, “back in ‘nam,” or, if I have a booger hanging out of my nose, I’m a big girl and can handle it. I have been surrounded by a community that shoots it to you straight during this year, so I’ll probably be doing the same with you. Don’t be surprised if I skip the small talk and ask deeper probing questions.
5) I ask you to update me: With limited wifi access I have missed a lot in current events this year. Please, if I have a confused and lost look on my face when you’re referencing old news (ie. something that happened last December), I ask that you fill me in and catch me up. This includes, but isn’t limited to: political news, pop culture, new trends or phrases, etc.
6) I ask you to accept my need/unneed for space: I have been living in a very close knit community during the race; we even had the rule that we can’t go anywhere alone. There may be times where I want to be completely alone, embracing that freedom; but on the flip side, I might need to be surrounded by people at other times. Please respect that space when I need it, but also don’t force me into my hermit hole – please continue to invite me, but don’t take it personally if I don’t accept.
Thanks in advance for your help as I jump into this transition! I can’t wait to spend time with each of you in the coming weeks!
