Tips for Transition Sanity
Habit is a crazy thing. Our electricity is out. As I am talking to Sam about the problem, I walk into the next room and switch the light “on”. Though I know there is no electricity, walking into that room initiates an automated turning on of the light. Habit, in defiance of reality. Habits, those […]
Impacting Others
“I wonder how large those windmills are in person?” The results of the conversation were an up close view of the giant windmills dotting the Portuguese landscape and a few fun pictures. “Do you want to come have lunch at my place with a group of the youth from church, followed by a hike?” One […]
Waiting as Long as He Says
“God, the one and only—I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him. […] My help and glory are in God—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.” Psalm 62: 1a, 7-8 The Message “I will wait […]
I Am Not Superwoman
As I write this, my husband and I are in the process of moving to a new apartment. Our small living room is a maze of boxes and packing material. Chaos reigns in our home at the moment. All of our belongings spread all over the apartment make me feel completely and utterly out of […]
The Gift that Dwells in Me
The first Christmas overseas, I sobbed—loud, embarrassing heaves, not gentle, wistful tears—and earned myself an awkward consolation pat on the head from a male teammate who wasn’t sure what to make of this small town Alabama girl who couldn’t pull herself together. I was young, sad, and missed home. Fast forward 11 years, and I […]
From Airplane to Car
One of my favorite views from an airplane is the descent into LAX – houses, cars and freeways for miles. All of it looks small, and I often wonder where everyone is headed while they sit in rush hour traffic. Now as I pass an airport on my way to and from work each day, […]
What If the Color Fades From My Life?
I enjoy being a TCK. I love being part of a family who works overseas, so much so that after we moved to our host country, I began to think that I could never move back to my passport country. To me, moving back would mean living such a boring, dull life and what kind […]
How to Welcome Her Back
Your loved one is coming back! After time in a place you couldn’t pinpoint on a map before she fell in love with it, she’s coming home. You will pick her up at the airport, feed her good home cookin’, take her shopping to update that…ummm…wardrobe. Man, is it going to be great to have […]
Re-entry in the Cereal Aisle
I made one terribly wrong turn. I steered the grocery cart into the cereal aisle at our local grocery store in the States when we had only been back on U.S. soil for less than a week. My heart leapt for joy at the sight of all those beautiful boxes. Ah, CHOICE! Glorious choice! CEREAL! […]
Unpacking ALL of the Suitcases
My eyes wandered over the piles of stuff. Boxes, bags, cords, paper, stickers, dishes, curios. So. Much. Stuff. And so little space. The storage room was already piled high with boxes and books. The hall closet was full of jackets, Christmas décor and wedding gifts. The bedroom closet contained clothing and decorating items. None of […]
Diaspora Blues
I was going on my merry way, enjoying my caramel macchiato and quiet neighborhood, when it happened. I was supposed to be past the hump, right? I mean, I’d been back in the United States for almost two years. Sucker-punch. Sucker-Punch Definition: Primarily involves a closed fist contacting the soft underbelly of a person (beneath […]
Change: A Distraction or a Tool?
I am currently looking out the window in my childhood home. The last time I truly lived here was almost thirteen years ago and I was just starting high school. At that point I had never lived overseas and this home was the only one I could remember. Countless moves and multiple countries later, I’m […]