Transition and Adventure

In 5 days it will be one year since I arrived in Indonesia. One year since I left family, friends, snow, sugar houses, and a language and culture that made sense to me and moved to the other side of the world.

eating french toast and pancakes at a sugar shack in Deerfield, MA one year ago

recent photo with Zoe

In just a few weeks (okay, about 6) I will finish language school and be done living in the town of Salatiga on the island of Java, Indonesia. Daniel, Zoe, and I will be serving with Mission Aviation Fellowship on the island of Papua. To be honest, part of me does not want to leave. Why not? Because I really like it here! This place, that almost a year ago was strange, new, and hot has become familiar and temperate. I am able to speak and understand enough of the Indonesian language to start to make friends with local people. There are so many people--both Indonesians and ex-pats--who I will dearly miss!

Also there is the thought "we've learned how to live here and soon it will all change" that keeps coming to my mind unbidden. I have been lying awake at night thinking about Transitions.

Upcoming Transitions:
I will finish language school April 13th.
On April 14th we will leave here and start our 5-flight journey back to the US for a mini-furlough. The purpose of this time is for Daniel to finish some training that was snowed out in December 2010 and for us to get to see family, friends, and supporters.
While in the US we plan to be in the New England area, Ohio, and Idaho. I hope Zoe travels well!
In late June we are flying from Idaho to Papua, Indonesia (via lots of cities of course).
Then we plan to live in Sentani, Papua for 6 months to 1 year for more training.
After that we will move somewhere else in Papua, but we don't know where yet.

I think the hardest thing for me is that I do not even know where I will eventually live. It is hard to plan for an unknown future.

But really, does any person know what will happen in the future?

I want to change my perspective and look at my Transitions as an Adventure. Instead of worrying about the many transitions and how my baby will adjust I can be thankful to be on a great adventure with my husband and baby and with my Trustworthy God.

"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt. 28:20b)