Re-Entry: 2nd Month in America

        After a bunch of travel during my first month back in the US, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Alabama with my parents.  That month flew by.  I worked on preparing, printing, and sending out a special thank-you letter to all those who supported, prayed, and encouraged me as I was serving in SE Europe.  I spent many happy times with friends -- meeting for coffee, going to people's homes, and also being able to do some outdoor adventures with friends.  During time back at home, I enjoyed meals with my parents and younger brother and his wife who live in the area.  I got to be apart of laying the new flooring in the living room of the main house, after dad had so carefully planned out the layout and purchased the flooring.  In the midst of this, I was also keeping my eye out for online job postings in the Ohio/Pennsylvania area.  I applied for a few jobs.  It was an informative time because it helped me get back into the mindset of what kind of job skills employers are looking for to fill their positions.  It helped me to make an informed decision later on, when I did get a job.  During this time I was also in touch with a friend of mine from Erie and looked forward to when I would next be able to get together.  The first Sunday in October I had the chance to present for 15 minutes at my sending church in Alabama.  It was followed by a fellowship lunch and great time to speak with many dear families there.  Finally the time culminated with an opportunity to go on our fall camping trip.  (This camping trip has been a tradition for nearly 20 years now with over 100 people coming each time).  The camping trip was a sweet time of renewing friendships, introducing a friend to my family, catching-up with several family members I had not seen and really been able to talk to for a long time, and, of course, numerous games of volleyball.
        During my second month in America, a lot happened.  It felt fairly restful but it was also a very useful time because I was going through a major shift from living in a different culture and language back to living in the context of my family and friends here.  Relationships take time.  Without time spent together relationships can change or become distanced.  Relationships also are intentional.  So a lot of what happened was in the area of relationship: with this way of life, with family, with friends, with my church, and with the complex system of our American culture.  Because of the standard of living that we have in America, it means, people have to learn to maintain a car.  It means interacting with many people from many different backgrounds.  It means moving fast at times and taking advantage of the moment.  It means making schedules.  It means intentionally going out and forming relationships in a certain way.  It means shopping in a certain way.  It means coming to situations with an informed set of information or expectations.  We are an educated culture and if you don't go about things in a particular way, you will probably experience a certain amount of either embarrassment, confusion, or stress.  Even they way one communicates or the expected conversation topics are set for various settings.  If you have been away for a while, it can feel a bit stressful to try to "fit back in" at first.  So, that month and a half at home was good and very helpful in the whole transition.  It was also very meaningful as I was able to re-connect with so many people who I hold dear to my heart.  I am so grateful for the family and friends God has placed in my life.  Their friendship is a cherished treasure.  Their lives have impacted me in many ways.  And I still learn from them as I remember their examples of faith, honesty, integrity, love, and trust in God.