Warning:  This is not a “feel good” post.

Adjusting is a struggle.  Adjusting is fun, exciting, challenging, growing, and necessary . . . but it IS a struggle . . . And the biggest struggle is within myself.

I have moved into a new culture.  The people do things differently than I’m used to.  The people are speaking a different language that I don’t know yet.  The days are much hotter.  The walks are much longer.  The ministry is vast and new.  I’m the “new girl” on the ministry team.  

I am adjusting.  What this means for me many days is  . . . exhaustion, frustration, disappointment, apprehension, confusion, and doubt. 

I know the right things to say and others tell me all the time that this is normal for the adjustment period.  They say . . . Learning a new language takes time;  It is normal to be more exhausted is a warmer climate; You don’t have to do everything all at once; Don’t rush yourself; It is a lot to process and taking time for that is important.  These things are true, and while I know them to be true, it’s still hard. 

If you know me, then you know I am an overachiever who is used to getting a lot done and doing it well.  That is not the case for me right now and it’s hard for me.  This is the struggle.  My team is understanding and even encouraging, but my struggle is with myself.  I so easily accept GRACE from God and others, but often forget to extend it to myself.  I am getting better at this, but I’m not there yet.

This may not have been the blog that you were looking for, but I think it’s important to share all parts of this journey and not just the “pretty” ones.  Please understand that I feel very blessed to be here.  I’m extremely excited about all that God is doing in this place and count it an awesome privilege that He has purposed for me to be a part of it.  I have begun to get a glimpse of the ministries here and I look forward to sharing more about those with you in upcoming blogs.

Thanks for walking through this journey with me . . . All of it.  I can’t guarantee it will always be what you or I expect, but His plan is greater than our own and that’s the plan I want to follow. 

More to come on what’s happening with the ministries here soon . . .