Let it linger

These weeks are flying by.  I’m caught in the middle of wanting it all to slow down and also I’m so excited for the future. I realized this year that I haven’t finished this one book in a series because I don’t want it to be over.  I want to linger just a little longer in these sweet moments.  I spent a long weekend with my parents and just lived normal life with them in their town of Long Pine.  I drank coffee and ate pastries at the Coffee Vault.  I sat at the jail with my mom as she was working as a dispatcher for that county. We made dinner and watched movies.  It was peaceful and I wanted to linger in the doorway a little longer as I was leaving.  Please be patient with me if I hold on a little longer with hugs and goodbyes these next few months.

I’m currently reading the Envision - Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook by Stephen Jones and this is another step that makes me pause and catch my breath.  The prep for moving overseas to a completely different culture is heavy.  I just read the chapter that talks about endings.  My job has ended, I ended my wedding coordinating at church, some friendships will end, my familiarity with my neighbors and grocery store aisles will end.  And let me tell you…my heart hurts.  Have you ever heard the saying “one day you’ll pick up your child and when you set them down it will be the last time”? It's the WORST thing to think about! However, it makes me stop and appreciate the small moments while I’m in them.  I want to soak them all in.  I want to stop and appreciate the flowers starting to pop up in my backyard. Today I’ll open my windows and let the warm breeze blow through my home for the first time this season. The last first time. 

I was fortunate to know I was having the last conversation I’d ever have with my grandparents on this side of heaven.  My grandma and I were chatting at our family reunion.  She was holding my hand and kissing it and just telling me how much she loved me.  My grandpa lasted only a few more years after he lost his sweetheart.  On his last day, we told each other how much we loved each other.  He was so happy to see me and Joel and we teased him about trying to die when we were there to take him to lunch. My sweet Grumps kissed my cheek and shook Joel’s hand and later that day slowly slipped into rest with his Savior. This is kind of what it feels like. Sweet-bitter goodbyes. I want to linger just a little longer even though both of my feet are out the door and God has prepared a path for me to follow. 

So like Stephen talks about in this book, I’m in between endings and beginnings.  I will be ending a “normal” pattern of life.  My social norms will end.  Being known in my community will end.  I now have to pray about how important these things are to me. A lot of the things that are “ending” are major parts of what I consider my identity.  It's exciting to have new beginnings but I struggle with the endings.  However, this I know for sure.  God called me to this very moment.  I never could have (or would have) planned this.  I have prayed that I would have a heart that is after what the Lord wants.  This is us following his will.  He didn’t say it would be easy, he said he would be with us and we have felt it.  Joel and I are being really open with each other about our feelings.  Each new step forward causes a rush of excitement AND makes our stomachs drop with nerves. We’re in between and still so cared for.

Please continue prayers for us.  Praise the Lord for comforting us and giving us confidence in him. Praise him for how we feel so cared for and loved.  Pray for us in these next steps and endings.  

Let us linger a little longer with you because we’re trying to remember every moment and store up how loved you make us feel.  These next 6 months will go by so quickly.

How can we pray for you? Please send us an email at joelandkateinberlin@gmail.com and let us know. 

Love,

Your Omaha Damons 

(Joel, Kate, Samson and Juniper)