Debriefing and Renewal

I drove down to a town just outside of Colorado Springs yesterday. The drive from Denver was quicker than I thought it would be. The only real problem I have with it was the small grooves in the road which makes the wheels on the geezer car shimmy and shake. I was going like 80 mph and was double attentive to the constant jiggle. Nothing is wrong with the car it's just the tread on the tire is not happy with the groovy road. Nevertheless the trip ended at MTI...Missions Training International. I am participating in a debriefing program that will allow me to process what my experience was in Norway and be ready to step into the place I am now. I have met a few people already and it is so cool to know that they have been beaten and battered in thier adopted countries too. Is that good? Or just comforting to know that there is hope and peace from that place. Yeah....that is the good thing about it. A couple of us walked to Lake Palmer (about a mile) to find icecream. Well we laughed and had a great time while we sort of got lost. It did help that we were all missionaries so we were 1. leaders 2. outgoing 3. friendly.....we found the place and made some friends along the way. One friend was this deer...
we caught him crossing the road in the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. You know there are deer crossing signs that he could have used but DID NOT! I saw the Sinclair sign too....the dino...and perhaps the deer saw it too and was confused, thinking it was a deer and crossed anyway. What you don't see is the mini van that is ---just---cut off from the shot to the left. Every one is safe....but the deer was not practicing good road crossing habits. DO not learn from him.
Along our walk we saw this beautiful scene. The sun streaming in between the hills and the slow moving train just below. I felt for a moment that I was overwhelmed by a Norwegian sight....then I saw the size of the houses....and it popped my bubble.
there's that.
there's that.
This is the view from my bedroom window. I have a room to myself for the whole week here. It is a peaceful place with a great staff. Many hurting people and just exhausted folk.....needing deep emotional healing. A great place to do it. We will have group gatherings, small girl groups, and then individual meetings beginning tomorrow. I guess I feel I have been debriefed quite a bit since I came home...but there is always more. One thing I really hope I can do is to spend time ALONE. I have a tendency to spend time with people ALL the time....even when I really want to be alone. I hope I can do some painting, hiking, solo speed scrabble, reading, journaling, and worship. If you think to ask me about my progress, just ask me. Rest and release is a huge part of change. When there is huge change like moving to a new country I would suggest a cease and resist. But you know as we talk in a group we discover that the debriefing from missions can look like really trying to just fit into your new culture. It is so complex. I would encourage you to reflect often because maybe you are not moving from another nation, but there are CHANGES in your life...and you are allowed to be successful at them. As the Lord to show you how to be prepared and how to cope.

I shall post more frequently now that my amazing vacation is over. I was in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado....and more. I am refreshed and feel ready for this week here in debriefing.

P.S. I love my life. I think it is good that you know that.