Everyone loves a good cheat sheet. Here’s a free one that I’m giving out to all my friends and family.
On July 25 I will be making the long trek back home. We will fly from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Taipei, Taiwan for a short layover. From there we will fly to LA where our time on the World Race will officially come to a close. The thought of that is incredibly bittersweet. I am so excited to be going home. At the same time I can’t imagine life without spending every day with my best friends from the Race. Those goodbyes in the airport are going to suck for sure. Really suck.
That’s 11 days away. I can’t really wrap my mind around that one. From 11 months down to 11 days. I have been counting down for awhile now. But now that it is down to two hands just about, I’m finding myself wishing the number would start going back up instead of continuing to go down.
What an amazing year this has been. I am so excited to share with everyone all I have learned and seen and experienced. However, that’s a little overwhelming to me. So I’m going to share some do’s and don’ts about what to do when you see me once I get back to the states.
Don’t bombard me with questions the second you see me. The thought of answering the question “How was your trip” 397 times is absolutely exhausting. That would be like me asking anyone “How was your year?” You would have a very hard time answering that. And so will I. It might seem like a simple question, but it’s not at all. I spent 11 months in 11 different countries immersed in 11 (at least) different cultures with hundreds and hundreds of experiences. I have lived a lifetime and I can’t sum it up in a 5 minute conversation.
Do ask me to go to dinner or lunch or anything to hang out so we can have a set time where you can ask all the questions you want. I absolutely want to retell my stories and share what God has taught me and shown me on this trip. If we have a set time I will be more than willing to answer any question you may have. Having a time where I know it’s coming and can mentally prepare to answer questions is a lot less overwhelming. It would be a lot of fun to be able to catch up with everyone that way.
Don’t be offended when I don’t want to hang out right away. Going back to the states will be a type of culture shock just like going overseas was. I will be attempting to adjust to a “normal” life again. And I don’t even want to think about attempting to get over the jet lag.
Do give me a little time to breathe and settle in at home. Feel free to call or text me and we can find a good time to get together that works for both of us. Just be prepared for me to say in a week or so. I’ve been daydreaming about my couch with a remote in my hand mindlessly flipping through the channels for awhile now. When I first get back to Indiana I will be doing just that with my pup right beside me.
Don’t only talk about the Race.
Do tell me about your life. I know people are anxious to hear about my stories, but I spent a year away and missed out on what’s going on in your life. I want to hear about you too. I don’t want it to be a one-sided conversation.
Don’t be closed minded.
Do listen to my stories with an open mind. Remember that I saw some things that were really uncomfortable for me and I had to be open minded in the situation. Please do the same when listening to me recount them.
Don’t expect every story I tell to be filled with excitement.
Do realize that I was just living my life. The day to day life of a missionary is pretty boring and uneventful. Only the fun, adventurous days get put on instagram.
Don’t be surprised if you hear me yell with excitement about finding toilet paper in the public bathroom stall. Or actually being able to flush it. Or chewing chicken without crunching a mystery bone. Or eating fruit without finding seeds in the middle. Or free water. Or ice in that free water.
Do expect me to be excited about all of the above and more. Remember that I spent a year in third world countries. The struggle was real at times.
Don’t be too nervous to ride in a car with me.
Do remind me which side of the road to drive on and that I actually have to stop at red lights.
Don’t ask me to go anywhere that’s not pet friendly.
Do realize that I will have my dog with me at all times. He will be with me 24/7. He might not like it since he’s so independent. He’ll have to get over that.
Don’t complain about bug bites or heat in front of me. EVER.
Do remember the time in Bolivia when I had over 100 bug bites on the lower half of my right leg alone. And the time in Cambodia when I was sweating while taking a cold shower. I’m not kidding.
Don’t be surprised if I pick up that cute little kid standing by his mom.
Do remind me that this is not socially acceptable in America.
Don’t judge my fashion sense. Chacos, basketball shorts, and an unmatching tshirt are totally acceptable on the race. So is wearing the same shirt 4 days in a row.
Do give me some time to remember what having more than 3 outfits is like.
And last but not least..
Don’t expect me to be the same as when I left.
Do look for changes in me. The Lord has taught me lesson upon lesson. I have grown and changed in ways that I didn’t realize until looking back on my journey. That doesn’t mean that I’m not still me though. I’m still loud and immature at times and my sarcasm has definitely not faded. It just means that I have grown in so many ways and am more confident in knowing who I am and what I want in life.
Keep in mind that this is not a week long vacation I am coming home from. It’s not a vacation at all. It was a year of my life that I lived just like you. My year just happened to be spent overseas.
I am beyond blessed that I was able to spend this year experiencing all that I did. Thank you again to everyone that made it possible. I can’t wait to see everyone!!
