How to Survive 27 hours of Flying!

Well this trip did not go as I had hoped! In the midst of all the turmoil (and some tears) though there was peace. A delayed flight on my first leg made me miss my next flight, which then cascaded to missing all of my flights. God is good though and I felt His care through the numerous emails, text messages, and Facebook comments from friends and family.

He provided unique blessings like a row to myself on my longest flight. The flight was pretty much full, but there was something wrong with the headphone jack of the person sitting next to me, so he and his friend were moved and I had the whole row to myself for the 12+ hours of flying! He also provided a hotel room in San Francisco when it seemed like there were no rooms left near the airport. Then in Singapore I was able to get a transit hotel room, which are usually next to impossible to get without a reservation. After 18 hours of flying, it felt good to shower and lay down for a few hours. There were other numerous little blessings from the people I met, to not having to pay any charges for my luggage in Indonesia. 

I do have to admit though that I was very glad to see my friends at the airport at my final destination! I am enjoying a chance to rest after traveling for three days and getting settled. The biggest struggle other than the missed connection early on was the fact that when I opened my luggage this morning here in Indonesia there were numerous things missing. My crate was almost completely empty! It was locked and didn't look damaged, but it was odd because there were things like only one shoe of a set. Possible it got dumped and things fell out. Whatever the reason it is hard to lose those things, like some of my special Christmas decorations, my exercise shoes, contact lenses etc.

Here are a few pictures of the adventure...

All of my ducks in a row. A gift from my three sisters, they headed to Indonesia with me. You will see them in pictures to come. 

All packed up and ready to go! Three checked suitcases (each weight just below the 50 pound limit) and two carry-on pieces). 

Ready to leave from the Portland Airport.  

Was so glad to finally be boarding this flight to Singapore after missing the first one. 

Surviving these long flights, has become quite the skill for me and I have slowly but surely figured how to make them at least tolerable and sometimes even fun. 

My bag of goodies for long plane rides. Gum, ibuprofen, lotion, glasses and contact solution, credit card for purchases on the plane, a pen for filling out immigration forms, and the all important deodorant. It goes in the seat back in front of me, while I am on the plane so I can reach it easily. 

A good journal helps pass the time, to process the emotions and record the experiences of the trip - this one was a gift from my sister, Laura. 

A good pair of noise-canceling headphones. They help keep that plane roar to a minimum, which helps save my sanity. They are also great for layovers in noisy airports, like sitting in the Starbucks at the Jakarta Airport :) 

Arrived!!! 

Arrived safe and sound, with what I thought at the time was all my luggage. This is my bedroom at my friend's house, where I will be living during language school. 

Making it home sweet home! 

The Countdown has Begun

Well I am less than 48 hours from departure now! So much running through my head - some good, some hard and lots of tears. In the good news, I finally got my visa on Friday morning! This visa will allow me to stay several months, but I will need to leave the country at some point when the visa that will last a year is issued.

I was blessed this weekend by two of my sisters (who I had thought I had already said goodbye to) coming down early on Saturday morning. Our whole family was able to be together for this weekend before I left. I got several gifts from them including a fun PowerPoint and several small ducks, one for each of my sisters.

This morning I was also commissioned by my church in Hood River, Oregon. It was such a joy to share in a time of prayer with everyone. I was surrounded by family and friends. My Regional Mission Director from WorldVenture, Doug Hazen, was also able to come. Also joining us, were Bob and Liz Long, past missionaries at Bethesda Hospital.

Six and half years ago, on my last Sunday in Indonesia, I folded up the bulletin from church and tucked it in my Bible. I have carried it in my Bible since, as a reminder to pray for Indonesia. At the time I didn't know if I would ever return to serve there. Now I am less than 2 days from departure! I am excited about the ministry the Lord has planned for me, but leaving is also very hard. I will miss my family and friends here a lot!

A Time of Transition

Life is full of a lot of "lasts" right now. For example, the last time to see my Grandparents and other extended family for several years. Last time to visit places like Lost Lake. 

With my Grandparents in Wenatchee, WA 

Saying goodbye is hard to do, but my eyes are also on all the "firsts" that are soon to come. This is a big transition. A hard transition. We talked a lot about the process of this transition during a couple of my trainings. It helps to know that what I am experiencing is normal and also to know that no matter how hard the stage I am in right now, that it won't last forever.

This might not be the first time you have seen the picture and information below and it won't be the last either. That is because I think it is important for you to understand not just the what is happening with me physically but also emotionally and spiritually. I am currently in that first transition stage and I am quickly headed into the chaos stage!

A bridge in Indonesia and a perfect example of this transition

Settled: Life is normal with stable relationships, a secure work environment and known routine. You are on solid ground!

Transition: Focus is shifting to destination. It is time say goodbye to people, places, pets, and possessions. You have started down the side of the bridge - the way ahead looks long and a bit scary but you are excited about what is on the other side. It is however, hard to leave the settled feeling of this side and say all those goodbyes. 

Chaos: Life is full of unknowns and ambiguity from how to communicate to how to get to the grocery store. Anxiety and exhaustion are frequent emotions. You are in the middle of the bridge and awfully close to some fast rushing water!

Transition: You are learning the language, becoming comfortable with a new routine and role. You are headed up to solid ground but not there yet!

Re-Settled: Different but stable relationships, work environment, and known routine. The new normal - you are on solid ground again!

The following was also shared at one my trainings. It is I Corinthians 13 adapted for the missionary. It is my prayer that in those hard moments, the Lord will fill me with love for Indonesia and her people. I hope that is your prayer for me as well, as I once again adapt to Indonesian language and culture...

If I speak with the tongue of a national but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all that I possess to the poor and if I spend all my energy without reserve but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, is kind to those who mock her accent; love does not envy those who stayed home; love does not exalt her home culture, is not proud of her national reputation.

Does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek her own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of her home country, does not think evil about this culture.

Love bears all criticism about her home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails, but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will cease; where there is linguistics, it will vanish.

For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part.

But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America, I spoke as an American, I understood as an American, I thought as an American but when I left America I became a learner of a new culture!

Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly, but He will live in it intimately. Now I speak with a strange accent but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain: cultural adaptation, language acquisition and love.

But the greatest of these is love.