The 6’s

Monday, September 9, 2019

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

—Hebrews 13:14

It has been said that there are stages of grief and adjustment when moving to another country.  I have found that to be absolutely true.

Six weeks and six months tend to be difficult times apparently.  We are at the first “six.”  As of last week, we have been in Indonesia for six weeks.

As that mark approached, the homesickness flooded in out of no where and it’s so hard to describe.

  • I don’t want to go home.
  • There’s not one particular thing or person I’m missing the most.
  • I’m not overly frustrated with the language and culture (at the moment).

I’m just sad.  There’s a heaviness that I’m just not sure what it’s about.

I’m doing all the things I know to do to keep myself healthy mentally so I know it’s just a normal phase of this adjustment.  I’m so thankful for the training and preparation MAF had us do before coming and for all the seasons God used to grow us over the last 20 years to prepare us for such a time as this.

This too shall pass.  It might be like passing a kidney stone, but it will pass.

I frequently wear this necklace as a reminder :)

In other news……

Emma had her first volleyball game last Friday.  She made VARSITY this year.  So proud of her!  But, I do believe her game Friday night might have been one of the only times my kids have not had a grandparent attend their game.  Although my mom did get up at 3:30 AM for me to message her with updates while the game was going on :)  Also, our whole MAF family in Salatiga here showed up and cheered and yelled and embarrassed Emma so that felt like home… haha!

Some of our MAF family showing Emma was “on fire” playing volleyball.

Jack and I passed our first unit of language school!  Puji Tuhan!!

Jack, RJ and I presenting a song in chapel at language school.

 

Jackson’s foot healed and he has decided to try out volleyball this week and see if he is healed enough to handle it.

Jackson healed and ready to play volleyball!

RJ is rocking helping us study, learning Bahasa from practicing our flashcards with us and sitting in on our classes.  As always, he could use prayers for adjustment and attachment.

Thanks for all your comments and encouragement.  They mean more than you know!