I’ve started a new series! Or more accurately a spin-off of the Long Good-bye series. In TV land spin-offs usually don’t do as well as the original. I hope in blog land it’s different. (At least I’m not making any money off this thing!)
So, why am I reflecting on this season in my life? Because the books told me to do it. I’ve been reading about reentry and the authors unanimously suggest reflecting on your mission field experience before you leave the field. (Like I don’t have enough to do already!?) I’ve bought into the idea obviously because I want the end result- a nicely finished chapter entitled “Togo Missions” and a new chapter entitled “?”- umm, it’s actually untitled at this point. Anyway, these experts stress the importance of reflecting on the highs and lows. May God be glorified in all that he’s carried me through!
I’ve decided to break it down into sections by years. Let’s go way back….
Fall 1995/Spring 1996 - Bryan and I are engaged and meeting with other missions minded couples at Harding University in hopes of forming a team to go somewhere in Africa. This is an exciting and idealistic time in my life. I have the desire to do something “BIG” for God with the guy I’m head over heals in love with. Emotions can’t get any headier than that. Oh, and I graduate with a B.A. in Elementary Education.
Summer/Fall 1996 - Immediately following graduation, I head off to Uganda to follow in Bryan’s footsteps by experiencing my own missionary internship. I am shaken to the core and humbled by the extreme poverty contrasted with immense joy in the local Christians. Through this month long internship I am constantly wondering if I have what it takes to be a real missionary. (This of course causes me great stress!) However, I now “get” why he wants to be a missionary.
Bryan and I are married on August 2nd! We tie the knot in San Diego but move to Memphis, TN right away. Bryan begins to work toward his M.A. in Missions at HUGSR and I’m a 3rd grade teacher. We attend the Holmes Road Church of Christ and Bryan serves as their part-time youth minister.
1997- Life continues as above…school, teaching, ministry. Now, add into the mix team formation as other team couples begin to move to Memphis. We are four families at this point: Matt & Andrea Miller, David & Becky Reeves, Mark & Nicole Kennell and us. Mentors such as Monte Cox, Gordon Hogan, Evertt Huffard, Mark Berryman and Tom Moore guide us through personality tests and other spiritual formation exercises. This is probably the first season in which I start thinking that this whole team thing is going to be really hard!
Summer takes me back to Africa this time West Africa. Bryan stays back in the States due to job responsibilities. I travel with the rest of the team to Togo and Burkina Faso to survey possible places to live and work. This separation from Bryan was especially difficult. I remember lots of tears.
In October we discover that we are pregnant with our first child. It’s not hard to describe the emotions I felt: disbelief, surprise, shock, scared…really scared to be a mom. (Can you tell this was unexpected?) I continue teaching as my belly grows bigger by the day. With this pregnancy I realize that my life plan isn’t going according to my life plan. The plan was to wait until we lived Africa for a least two years and then have children. This is an important object lesson from God- hard at first to accept, but the sweet baby at the end of nine months was a blessing.
Okay, that’s enough reflecting for one post. More to come later.
Listen, if you’ve read this much why not go ahead and leave me a comment? I’d love to hear from you!
Tracey, you know I read your blog and love your honesty. I’m so glad you’re willing to share you life with the blog world. You may never know how many people you bless. You will be so glad in years to come that you took the time to write/type all this down.
I love reading your thoughts and remembrances–it’s fascinating to read about the long, prayerful preparation process that precedes a missionary’s placement in the field (wow, there were a lot of “p”s in that sentence!) I’m looking forward to your next post.
I think this is a great idea! I write about my kid, but I don’t really ever journal or reflect on my life. It’s a good thing to do, so keep it up! We’re praying for y’all!
I hope you know I’m always reading your blog and keeping you in my prayers! I’m excited about your being back on our side of the ocean. You’re such a blessing to so many. You will continue to be a blessing as you begin your next chapter. Love you!
Tracey,
I have been reading your blog for a long time. I love reading what is going on in your world and seeing pictures of your boys. Mark and I look forward to getting together with you in a few months when you come to Dallas. My boys love hearing what is going on with your boys!
Blessings,
Gigi
Tracey — I love reading your blog — it is one of my favorite’s because, well, you’re one of my favorite people for one, and also because of your honesty and genuineness. I look forward to reading more.
Love you.
Thank you friends for leaving comments! It’s good to know that you are reading, praying and loving me and my family from afar. I am excited about seeing many of you face to face in a few months! Blessings to you!
Hey, rare intersection of good internet speed and time to read and write has occurred! I agree, heady emotions! It makes me think of all the walks from Berryman’s missions class to our Elem. Ed. classes and dating and getting engaged and then married on the same timeline. It was fun to share all of that with you, and then also to be able to share that passion that God was igniting in our hearts for Africa. I also remember calling you to see if you had any sweets an Cottonwood Apts and just stepping outside so you could throw a Little Debbie Snack cake to me, that’s a random memory! It’s always a comfort to know you have a friend who appreciates chocolate as much as you do! Another memory, standing in the doorway between our two rooms at Covington Elementary and you telling me you were pregnant. I was amazed! I love you and I enjoy reading these memories!
Nicole, Thanks for adding your memories to mine! I don’t remember the snack cake toss, but I have to admit it sounds like me! Ha! I haven’t changed much concerning sweets have I?
Love you too!