Tag Archives: furlough

Moving Between Worlds

Family, , ,

a poem by colleague Sarah Gerig

When I move between worlds
my coffee always tastes bad.

I open the coffeemaker to dump in my grounds,
just like I did in my other world.

But my scoop is new — larger and deeper —
and I have to mentally adjust.

But my coffee is an unfamiliar brand,
with an unfamiliar flavor.
Will it be strong and bitter,
too heady and heavy,
turning my stomach with its bitterness?
Will it be weak and golden,
unable to renew my vigilance
and fill my mouth with its fullness?

When I move between worlds
the first cup is always disappointing to me
even when everyone else is licking their lips.
For I have not acquired the taste
for the coffee in this place.

When I move between worlds, the coffee tastes bad.

But before long, I learn
which brand suits my style
which scoop measures perfection
which mug fits best in my hand.

Then I know that I am home.

Transition, again/still

Church, Family, Holidays, Missiology, Thoughts, Travels, , , ,
Joel applying for his first job, on an ipad, during a sunbreak

We’re behind on getting news out, but we’re starting a furlough/home assignment year. Part of the news issue is that we’re much in need of rest. So if you haven’t heard from us, please don’t take it personally; most haven’t.

So we’re trying to get some rest, but can’t seem to stop moving around. We’re currently in Orlando, FL for meetings, and heading for a couple days at the beach. The current schedule has us starting to set up our furlough house in August (thanks for those already working in this!!). 😂

Joel stayed behind in Washington, starting work at a Christian camp today until he starts at LeTourneau University. It was surreal going through the application form with him, filling out form after form, most of which I’d seen before but only in paper, the whole process on an iPad… So we hung out outside the main office while he filled it out, and got to participate in a sunbreak. 😉 After growing up in the tropics, he has only seen jokes about sunbreaks…

Applying for jobs has changed. Lots has changed in the US since we spent more than a couple weeks here. We’re planning on occupying our house in Fort Worth to minimize transition stress, but things won’t be the same. We’ve heard of lots of changes in the church and wider culture since we left in 2019 (remember, before COVID?). Yes. We left BEFORE COVID. It will be interesting re-adapting to what’s going on now. If you see us acting weird, please be gracious with us as we figure this out.

I’m other news, I ran into a couple from Togo yesterday, and had fun chatting with them (in French) with no problem. 😉