Sunday, March 27, 2011

Blessed


JOB - check : Nurse on the cardiovascular ICU at the Nebraska Medical Center

CAR - check: 1999 Toyota Camry. Hey, we have 2 camrys with high mileage, but at least we have two cars!

HOUSE - check: Rockbrook area in center of Omaha. LOVE IT!



I'm choosing to be thankful for all the things mentioned here. The Lord has really provided for us. I love our home! The job can be hard at times but I guess what job isn't? Thankful to have one in these times.

So, what else is going on?

Here is the honest truth. We are struggling. Readjustment is hard. No other way to say it. And the hardest part is...very few understand. Family, friends...many don't get us or why we aren't super happy to be back. We are happy to be back, but it's not the same. We are different, everyone else is different. I come back and I don't understand why everything has to be so fast paced around here. Why do we have to constantly be on the go? I feel like my schedule is constantly full, but is it full of meaningful things?

Why when I come back here, I feel like I don't fit in? I don't want to blame the other people...I think it is me. I know there is re-entry culture shock, but it seems to come in waves. Sometimes I'm fine...other days I'm not. I long for the joy of the people in Mali, I miss the simplicity of life, I miss being always aware of other peoples needs instead of always focusing on my "needs". Often what I need here, I don't really need.

I could go even deeper and keep processing through this blog, but I'll save that for another time. I'll end this with what was going through my head tonight. Even through this really difficult time, I'm still blessed. I'm so thankful that Dusty and I got to go to Mali. Thankful for the experience. And as we go through these tough times, I'm glad we aren't alone.

So that's it for tonight. I'm one messed up person. But thanks for all of you who love me anyway! :)