In case you haven’t heard, I’LL BE HOME NEXT WEEK! That’s so insane to me but so so good! God has done some pretty incredible things this year and it has been so beautiful to be a part of it. I cannot wait to tell y’all all about it but if I’m being honest, y’all are a little intimidating to me. And I’m sure I may a little intimidating to you too BUT THAT’S OKAY!
The last few weeks I’ve been trying to put into words a “how to” manual if you will with navigating reentry because let’s face it, I’m not just reentering into America, but I’m reentering back into your life as well!
•Don’t be afraid to talk to me: don’t worry, I am not coming home with a “holier than thou” mentality and I am not “too Jesus-y” to talk to you! I want to hear about you and laugh and share stories together You’ve had a year of experiences and yes, I absolutely want to hear about them!
•Have patience: I have been gone for 11 months and has had to continually adjust to new cultures and environments. I’ve been constantly surrounded by 6 other teammates, lived in uncomfortable living environments and mastered living on $5/day for food. I’m used to being surrounded by people who don’t speak English and who constantly gawk at me wherever I go. If I seem overwhelmed, I probably am, but that’s okay I’ll get through it
•Give a lot of grace: Ive heard re-entry stories about people who have broken down crying in the cereal aisle at the grocery store because there were so many options (I havent seen options other than Cornflakes in months for example). I’ve heard other stories of Racers who have had a massive internal struggle of whether or not spending $5 on food is illogical (remember for me, that’s an entire days budget!)
•Please don’t ask me “how my trip was”: That’s a big question to which I will probably answer “good”. It’s hard to sum up an entire year of experiences and stories into one word so ask me specific questions! What was my favorite ministry? What country had the best food? What the heck is a squatty potty? These questions will not only help me process but they will also help you in hearing the real stories and the real beauty that the Lord has done this year.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY!!
•I’m still me!! Don’t worry that I will return someone totally different and new. I still want to sit at coffee shops and talk all afternoon, I still want to wander around for Target for hours on end, I still love you so so dearly. I’m still me, just me with a more expansive world view (and a pretty sick Chaco line)
Don’t worry; there will be no test upon my arrival and if you do not follow these suggestions I will kick you and never speak to you again, I’m not that dramatic y’all. I want and promise to extend grace and patience to y’all and all I ask is the same be extended to me. It’s a beautiful new season I’m walking into with the Lord and I cannot wait to hug you all and tell you all about it!!
