In just 16 days, our family gets on an airplane and starts
our journey to strange and interesting country called America. Politics, riots, and lawsuits set aside, there's much to look forward to. Family, friends, dishwashers, dryers, Christmas carols, and chedder cheese make the list. But to be honest, there's a few things we're nervous about as well.
We are no longer 100% American.
Sorry, we’re not. We’re not really Thai either, but we’ve
been pretty out of the loop on pop-culture. We first noticed this when my
husband that he completely missed March Madness. It was already May. So if you
rattle off your favorite actor or TV show, please don’t be offended if I ask if
that’s a town in Montana.
I’m going to drive like a 95-year old.
 |
| Thailand Traffic. |
Seriously. American driving freaks me out a bit. You all
drive on the wrong side of the road and go at crazy speeds. If I start to go
over 45 mph in Thailand, I feel like I’m really trucking. Plus there are those
little black cars with blinking lights on the top that expect people to stop at
stoplights and stop signs. Next month, if you see a driver with bloodshot eyes
nervously driving at 20 mph on the wrong side of the country road,
politely wave and point me in the right direction.
America is a frozen tundra.
 |
| Our last venture into America 3 years ago. |
Our house in Thailand, on the other hand, usually ranges in
the mid 80’s to 90’s inside. A few weeks ago I began planning what clothes I
would take to the States. I had a hard time convincing myself anyplace (like
New Hampshire in January) could REALLY be cold enough to need long pants. When
I pictured myself wearing a heavy winter coat, I may have begun to hyperventilate a
little. We will be rocking the 90’s clothes when we’re in the States this
winter. We’ve had no need for winter clothes here or in our previous home in
Florida.
We love America, but our kids may be homesick.
 |
| Just one of the friends we will be leaving behind. |
On a more serious note, we and our kids will be leaving a lot of good friends behind. We do our best to help our kids understand that they have two homes. But it’s hard for a 3 or 6 year old to think of “home” a place where she doesn’t remember anyone her age. Especially when “home” covers a region thousands of square miles wide. No matter how good of a friend WE think you are, to our children you are legendary strangers that mom and dad talk about in fairy tales. Please, help us fill in that gap. Let them get to know you.
Overall, we are very excited to leave THIS home that we love and go visit THAT home we love.
But please just have grace and patience with us in our awkward third-culture moments. Our faces till look very American, but don’t be fooled. Our minds are part Thai. Thank goodness our true and never-changing home is in heaven. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing how God molds us and teaches us in these next few months as we visit our other earthy abode.
2 comments:
So good and so grace-filled.
Whenever we go back, I'm just going to link to this on my blog. Your description of our friends being from "fairy tales" to our kids is so true. Even our kids' cousins, who they saw a lot last time, have become mythological after 1.5 years over here. Because 1.5 years to a kindergartner is 1/3 his life, or 1/2 his remembered life.
Will be praying for you often.
Ivy, thank you for serving Jesus! This is a well written letter. It expresses the heart of every missionary. I will be praying for you as you readjust to the States. For a long time, I wrestled with where to call home. When I'm in the States, my mind constantly drifts to Liberia. When I am in Liberia, my heart misses family and friends in the States. Our citizenship is in heaven and our home is not of this world. I praise God for all He is doing in and through you!
Post a Comment