So recently Danielle, who was my maid of honor, moved to Dallas with her husband. We hang out casually pretty frequently but we also workout together 3 days a week. And it's been great. Crazy. Having a friend. Like crazy.
I used to have a ton of friends! But then, I was living in a dorm and everyone lived right down the hall. Not everyone was free all the time but someone was usually up for some conversation whenever I was in the mood. And given that they were right down the hall, I didn't have to call and face rejection should they be busy. (After too many rejections, you stop trying...)
And then I left college. I left my home and my family and my friends. And I moved to Texas. Which wasn't a move I was really excited about. Excited about moving to the next step of the journey that'll take me to Papua New Guinea! But ... I'm pretty sure that the only reason Texans are so proud of Texas is that they need something to cling to, justifying why they live here. It's a delusion.
The missionary community has been great. Sympathetic of those who have left their family and loved ones and welcome them in. I've had friends come. But they also go. In some regards, it's easier to maintain these friendships as no one is leaving anyone. We're all at this huge train station waiting for our turn to leave.
But when I go home. When I try to reconnect with old friends...
It's hard.
I left them.
I left. and they went on living their lives. And then I try to butt back in again like nothing ever happened.
"Um... excuse me, Elizabeth, right? Listen, yeah it's been a long time but, you know, I've got things, going on, I've got to get back."
And then it sinks in.
This isn't my home anymore.
And then I leave to PNG and it's worse. Out of sight. Out of mind.
No one remembers you. a whisper in my ear. You're all alone.
And that's why missionaries are crazy.
So. If there's a missionary somewhere out there in the world, in the states or out, that you know and love, drop them a line.
1. Like their Facebook Photos
2. Comment on their facebook status
3. Send them an email
These and other gestures of reaching out let them know that while your life may be busy (and we totally get that! Our lives are chaos too!) that you still love them and that they aren't alone.
Happy missionaries stay on the field longer, doing more Kingdom work.
Extend the life of your missionary with a Thinking of You note!
1 comment:
Dude! I've totally been there. That same whisper has made it to my ears. I hope you get good "chillin' with a friend" time! I miss you. Thanks for writing this. Good stuff!
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