As many of you know, I am headed “home” to
America in a few days. While I was hoping not to return under these
circumstances, I still feel a great deal of eagerness at the thought of seeing
my passport country again. Below is a list of things I am looking
forward to upon arrival. This list is by no means complete, but it might give
you a bit of insight into the person who steps off the plane.
- Pavement
- Driving faster than 20 mph
- Going outside without mace
- Restaurants
- A winter wardrobe
- People who understand my accent and do NOT ask me where I am from
- Friends who have known me since “way back”
- Children I do not teach or will not teach, and can simply enjoy
- Experiencing worship in my heart language and culture
- Churches with carpet
- Anywhere with carpet
- Vanilla chai tea lattes
- Cherry coke zero
- Looking people in the eye when I speak
- Single men :)
- Unlimited internet access
- Christian radio
- Current TV shows, books, music, movies, etc.
- Fellowshipping with the American Church
- My dear family
Many missionary children and cross-cultural adults often
struggle with transitions and all the changes transitions can bring. While they
look forward to so much, they also grieve some things they are leaving behind
with each move. Here are a few things I will miss…
- Walking to work
- Teaching
- Learning from other cultures and perspectives
- Community events
- The Ukarumpa family atmosphere
- Helping others and letting them help me because “we are all we have”
- My cat, and yes, the dogs
- Not feeling the need to look in the mirror
- Sunny, warm days all year round
- Being a part of something bigger than myself
- Worshipping with believers from many heart languages and cultures
- Having people over for dinner and being invited out many times each week
- My Bible study girls
- The “For Sale Board” :)
- Friends who know what homesickness feels like and what it means to always feel at home
- Hearing first-hand accounts of how a tok ples Bible has changed a community for the first time
- CHEAP second-hand shopping
- Being surrounded by so many wonderful, content, and godly single women
- My first grade class and watching them grow up
- The part of my heart that belongs to Papua New Guinea
