ali's american adventures

Praying for you with this culture shock. Love, Phoebe

#1 Phoebe (Homepage) on 2008-12-20 17:39

"I ate it feeling for all the world like a baby who's just taken her first steps." Oh my- I haven't experienced anything yet that has altered something as simple as eating yogurt in such a profound way. I'm going on a short-term mission trip to Mexico in June -a blip compared to the time you are spending doing what you do- but I am hoping for even a shred of the perspective you've gained. I pray that you will find some comfort as the days pass ...that you will find a balance between the two worlds your heart belongs to. P.S. I've been listening to Tenth Avenue North non-stop since the post you featured them in! I'm hooked!

#2 Lenae (Homepage) on 2008-12-20 20:15

I am praying for you Ali as you walk through the shock of transitioning to civilization while your heart has been left behind. God's grace is sufficient to face the tasks that seem impossibly daunting.

#3 Jenny B (Homepage) on 2008-12-20 21:51

You don't know me. I follow your blog occasionally from the comfort of America. Just a word of encouragement. I have been there! I spent a year traveling the world doing missions from Africa to Asia to Latin America, and it was amazing! But the culture shock coming home is downright suffocating. After a day doing my favorite things - I couldn't handle it anymore and I just wept. "Why?" I was asked, my reply "It is just so hard!", "what is so hard," "IT just is!" Just know you are not alone and Christ will get you through this season. It gets better - for better or for worse...it does.

#4 Courtney (Homepage) on 2008-12-23 11:13

You don't know me, Ali, but I've been following your blog for awhile. This post sounded SO familiar and I wanted to just hug you and tell you you're normal and it will get better. I came home from a year in China and I remember well the trauma of the cereal aisle. I couldn't decide and I'd get angry with myself for being unable to decide. 30-45 minutes later, I'd leave with no cereal. Give yourself some time and some grace to get readjusted.

#5 Gina (Homepage) on 2009-01-06 09:29