Gratitude for Friendships Near and Far
I love having friends but making them is a whole other ball game. With all the moves I’ve had in my life, one would think it gets easier making new friends, but it doesn’t. It’s hard…every single time. Even so, making friends is worth the effort and I’ve learned to cherish the incredible friendships I […]
Friendship Needs + Super Creamy Hummus
I’ve shared on here before that our first 2 years on the field were rough, as they typically are for many. So many things to adjust to—new language, new culture, new environment, new food, new smells. I didn’t mind the adventure of learning new surroundings and trying new things, especially in my early 20s. Moving […]
You Belong Here Too
My friend recently posted a picture on Instagram and I almost wept at the memories. It was an image of me standing at a wedding with arms draped around two of my sister friends with other close, family-like friends in attendance. Sprawled out on a north Alabama hilltop. The sun positioned at just the right […]
Icing and Mochas
I was watching them play from the window, wiping (licking) my fingers from the frosting I had just finished putting on my 8-year-old’s birthday cake. It was the first time he could celebrate with friends in 3 years and my heart was so happy for him. We were back in our passport country for a […]
Three Ways International Work Changed How I Make Friends
You know that thing that happens when you start thinking about a topic and then you see it everywhere? A Facebook friend recently posted this article from the New York Times. It’s about the “quotidian familiarity” possible in female friendships as compared to the expectations of a romantic relationship or marriage. A takeaway is the […]
A Cord of Three Strands
You might remember an article from The Culture Blend late last year. Writer Jerry Jones dissected the never-ending transition of overseas workers and expat transplants known as Goers, Stayers and Newbies. If you’re like me and the 94 commenters on the article, I’m guessing his thoughts resonated with you, too. I’m a Goer. Call it […]
Rest, Breathe, and Receive
Registration for Spring Connection Groups will open in two days. A year ago, I hit the point where I was done. The kind of done that says, “I have nothing left to give, so I think I will crawl into the nearest hole and sleep for a year.” Since I am not a bear and […]
Build Your CABIN
As our friends are building their RAFT for leaving well, what do we “stayers” build? How about building your CABIN? C Count the Cost. Again. Remind yourself of the call and purpose that first brought you here. Remember how worthy He is. Rededicate all your being to the trustworthy One who is asking you to stay. […]
Apples of Gold That Don’t Rot In Our Mouths
I regretted the words as soon as I spoke them. The look on her face conveyed the pain I had unintentionally inflicted. In trying to offer encouragement, I had instead communicated she should be ashamed for feeling the way she did. I had wanted to offer hope by sharing a new perspective on the situation, but […]