The Shift

 It happened noticeably at the beginning of last week.

Final days fun at local splash pad park

Suddenly I woke up each morning with new thoughts surging through my mind. People and situations that hadn’t been at the front of my mind for months kept popping to the surface. It was like we reached a tipping point and the islands, its people, our life, role and responsibilities over there were coming into sharp focus and the US was starting to fade.

We had finished most of our major commitments. We found that we didn’t need to listen as carefully when people were making plans. The messages in the group chats had started to not apply to us— we won’t be here anymore.

Only a couple weeks ago, we had some meetings online with people on the islands about things in the coming months and I struggled to engage and think clearly about the details. My brain was still too full of the next few weeks in the US. I hadn’t made the shift yet and I struggled to juggle both our remaining US responsibilities and schedule with everything on the islands.

Recital marking he finished the beginner book!

This shift started as an unconscious thing. But then I noticed it happening and embraced it. It is a marker that we are at a transition point (actually lots of transition points this time around). We realize that at any transition there is both the saying goodbye, letting go, potentially grieving or celebrating what we are leaving, as well preparing, welcoming and embracing what is to come. Our life has included lots of these transitions, but that doesn’t mean we always do them well. But we do know that there has to be a shift of focus at some point, if we refuse to let go of the former or don’t prepare for the other, then there will be trouble. If we try to hold everything in our mind all at once, then we end up overwhelmed.  We cannot do both.  We need to make the shift.

This shift is a reminder of our limitations. We are so finite. We can’t process everything all at once. Ultimately it leaves us in awe of the One who is able to juggle not only our whole lives, but all people, through all time. Wow! So glad, He’s the one in charge. 

19 years of marriage!

PRAYERS ANSWERED


Our final week in America has gone very well.  We’e been able to have some meaningful times with friends and family, get through our to-do list, and not gotten too stressed about the packing process—thanks for all your prayers!  On the islands, our teammates who were sick are feeling much better.  The island family that was experiencing dark spiritual things has seen an improvement in the situation, but they are still fearful- let’s keep praying for them. 
This week we celebrated our  anniversary-- we are thankful for our 19 years together!

PRAYERS REQUESTED
A new app is available to islanders, giving them access to more of the Word— pray for many to download, listen and read. The translation project had to stop some checking meetings because of health concerns for one participant— pray for healing and for the logistics to come together to reschedule. We travel today—leaving in just a few hours.  Pray that our flights go on time and without cancellation, for bags to go through, for good health and no Covid, and for peace and trust in our spirits throughout.  As always, pray for Megan’s back to be strong and healthy throughout the traveling process.  We will say goodbye to our daughter and drop her off at school on Friday.  Please lift up this big transition for all of us.  Then we will travel on to the islands on Sunday, so please remember us throughout the week as we slowly make our way home to Clove Island.