In two hours we will board a plane and head back to our home in South Asia, passed the cows and fields until we get to the little town we live in and the flat we call home, tucked on a hill overlooking the valley below. Are we excited? yes! Are we thinking about the unknown ahead? yes. Do I have anxieties about delivering a baby in South Asia?–yes. Are we sad to leave our family and friends in the States? yes.
Despite all the thoughts and emotions, we are ready to return to the people of South Asia– the ones we have been called to and love so dearly. The ones we have established friendships with and who know us by name.
T R A N S I T I O N
What comes to mind?
The entire year of 2020?! * school * job * moving * growing family * friendships * life seasons
It’s a word everyone can relate to in some way or another.
For our family of two, soon to be three, we have been pondering this word in the context of transitioning back to our home and work in South Asia. Asking …
- what does it look like to for me and/or my family to transition well when returning overseas (or coming to the States)?
- what/ who do I need to say “no” to?
- what/ who do I need to say “yes” to?
- what traditions do we want to instill during transition?
- who can I ask to help me during transition?
- how can we prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies for transition?
Here are a few thoughts we have come to realize recently.
NUMBER 1: transitioning well (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas)
- setting boundaries
- begin packing early
- eating out at our favorite places the last week instead of cooking
NUMBER 2: saying “no” (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas)
- to everyone except relatives
- to hurry
- to worry
NUMBER 3: saying “yes” (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas)
- to family
- to packing as early as possible
- to teamwork
- to enjoying every moment
NUMBER 4: traditions (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas)
- Andy’s Ice cream runs during the last weeks
- Enjoy our favorite foods that we won’t be able to get (beef, tomato based BBQ, frozen custard, American milk, raspberries & blueberries)
- family debrief with relatives before we leave
- watch a movie about the host culture you live in to prepare for re-entry
NUMBER 5: who can I ask for help (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas). If you’ve ever moved overseas, you know what I’m talking about. It takes a village. It’s already difficult but it you don’t have support, it can be really rough. Here are some things that can bless people in this kind of a transition: trips to Goodwill to donate items they have gone through, helping them sell items, bringing them a meal, watching their kids, helping them pack, cleaning the house/area they are moving out of, praying over and with them…
- family
- friends
NUMBER 6: how to prepare our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies for transition (what it might look like for us when transitioning back overseas)
- heart– conversations with people who “get” what we are doing or are fellow expats (even if it’s just a quick text check in)
- mind– set expectations for travel and re-entering the culture/ watch a cultural movie
- soul– praying for your transition. memorize verses that bring you hope and comfort
- body– not saying “yes” to last minute invites because we don’t want to get on the plane already exhausted (although we will try to sleep on the plane)
Just a few thoughts at the airport on a cold and cloudy day in the midwest as we process this current transition.