Before I left for Ecuador, I was talking to one of my friends about all the things I was freaking out about… mostly Spanish to be real honest! And he told me, “Don’t worry. It’s just a New Normal.” I just gave him that ‘I have no idea what you are talking about’ look. And he said, “Look, think about all the times you started something. How nervous were you the first time you stepped into Starbucks on your first day of work? And now its no big deal. You could do it in your sleep.” He had a point. At some point in every stage of life there is a New Normal. Something that is New right now but by the time you leave it, it’ll feel as Normal as breathing.
Today I bought my ticket to come back to the United States and I was having a hard time breathing. People keep asking what I am planning on doing once I come back and to be honest I just don’t know. There is nothing I am feeling extremely passionate about doing and to be honest, that scares me. But just last night I was reading my journal from when I first got here to Ecuador and I actually had a good chuckle. It was all so NEW; learning Spanish, making friends, living in a foreign country. I actually wrote: I am so proud of myself. I walked home all by myself today. Now it feels so normal, I think of it LESS than I think of breathing! It used to be a new that scared me to death… but now it’s my life that I’m having a hard time leaving. Moving back to the States feels like I’m starting all over again… with the new. Hopefully one day it’ll feel normal again.
7 comments:
Love You Jamie
Can't wait to see you James! I can't believe it's been two years already!
Hi. I found your blog on a missions site, I can't even remember what it's called now but I'm glad I did. I visited Ecuador for the first time this summer on a short term missions trip and fell in love. Your journey is an inspiration, thanks for sharing it.
so the new has become normal...and the once normal is now the new...don't worry,don't worry, it'll once again be "normal", plus the states welcome you back. Nice. All you have to do is keep your confidence and positive approach as you always do, and you'll find what you're looking for. So...what an adventure through the "Door"....welcome back....great chapter and life story to share with others, very funny and ironic every step of the way.Bienvenidos.
Hi Jamie,
I can identify with the feelings you are having because we all went through that when we moved back from overseas, twice. Just take a day at a time, trust the Lord, and enjoy each day as He will lead and direct you to do what He wants you to do. You will miss your friends from Ecuador, but you will make additional friends here. Someone once said to me, "God gives you the people you need, when you need them, in the place you need them." This was an encouragement to me many times and I hope it will do the same for you. And by the way---we are READY FOR YOU TO COME HOME!!!! And as always, I'd love to have a welcome back party for you whenever you would like it! God bless you, Jamie. Love, Roxane
I vote you start writing books! You have a gift with words and I'm blessed each time I read your blog. Miss and love ya! Can't wait for your visit to Greenville!
Mellissa Crain
I've loved reading your posts - and can relate from being a foreign exchange student there in Loja in 1973! (yes, almost a hundred years ago!) You paint the pictures that I lived - and a new normal? ohhhh in the days leading up to my departure from my "family" there, to return "home" to the US, I know I was in shock, realizing I would likely never see those who had indeed become family again. Today, keeping in touch is so different, and I think I might be hoping that I will get back in touch with them "some day". If you know Magdalena or Maria from the family Reyes Del Velez please tell them to be in touch!
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