If you've ever traveled, you know that the pictures you take don't tell the whole story.
You just can’t capture “hangry” in an image (nor would I, Meg, want to) or the frustration of figuring out the subway or buying groceries in a foreign language. We don’t stop and say, “I’d like to remember this moment of being lost in the pouring down rain on my bike” (or at least I don’t!).
Moving abroad, likewise, brings many highs and lows. I think it’s important for those observing the highlight real to consider the sacrifices and the crabby moments in between the glamour shots. And for those of us living abroad, we must remember the highs when we encounter the lows (like trying to guess what your German teacher is asking you...Ich heiße Meg!?).
This has certainly been our experience! We are in the “adjustment” phase of transition—what a cringy moniker! What comes after adjustment might be great, but the process of change is just downright uncomfortable and messy. It often feels like whiplash. One moment life is filled with sunshine and ice cream or the exhilaration of finally figuring out the right visa form and then then next moment you get caught in a hailstorm or misread the email (in German) and have to start over. The back and forth. Hills and valleys.
But fortunately, our God is the Creator of those hills and valleys, the Shepherd who has wandered the vast expanse and can guide us through. It is this gift of presence, gratitude, and hope that sustains us through the superficial ups and downs. We may yet encounter a deeper plunge, but today we celebrate the little things and extend ourselves grace upon grace when life just happens (and you leave your phone halfway down the mountain and hike back to it only to discover some generous German lady has it at the summit).
Here are some very real realities of life right now:
Yay! Meg got a bike! Then proceeds to get lost in the pouring down rain unable to communicate where she needed to go. Miraculously, her phone gives her just enough of a map to direct her towards Chase, who comes bearing warm döner kebabs (a German take on the Gyro)! Hooray!
Yay! Chase got a bike! Fifteen minutes later his pedal falls off. Phew, there’s a bike repair shop across the street! Ugh, the screw is stripped and it needs a whole new pedal system. Chase’s bike is now spiffy and up to date!
Yay! We made it out of quarantine! Huh, is Munich what we hoped it would be? Then the sun comes out, and with it the people and news that Biergarten's can open soon. The city sparkles in the sunlight!
And then there are all the blank stares and confusion when we try our nominal German, but also the smiles when we get it right (or close enough)! Also, our crummy carpet (literally full of crumbs and we don’t have a vacuum cleaner) that finally got cleaned by housekeeping (they only come every two weeks in our hotel due to Covid). Alles gut.
Hills and valleys, friends. We are along for the ride, please pray our spirits can keep up with the rollercoaster of “adjustment!”
It's a difficult transition, no doubt. However, you are young, resilient, and have goals and aspirations that will overcome the negatives. Thankfully, you are both stable and determined, and have your sights set on your mission. Godspeed and stay safe!