Stepping off the Cliff at 51

As I being writing this post, it is just after noon on August 31st. On the other side of the world, in Bali, it is just after midnight on September 1st. Several of my night-owl friends have been the first to send birthday greetings.

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I just looked back at the post I wrote a year ago, Over-the-Hill is Exciting. It was interesting, to me anyway, to reflect back on the changes the previous decade had brought to my life. I compared the journey ahead into my next decade to an exciting rollercoaster ride.


A year later, on the day before my 51st birthday, I find myself in the position of not having a particular job or ministry to do. For my entire adult life, I have always had an idea of what is coming next. 

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Yes, there have been changes. I could compare those seasons of change to Tarzan swinging through the jungle on vines. I had to let go of one vine in order to grasp the next one. This time, though, I've let go of one vine...and I don't yet see the next one that I am supposed to grab. 
  

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Perhaps a better analogy might be that scene from one of the Indiana Jones movies where Indy encounters a stunningly deep chasm. He has to get to the other side, and there appears to be no way across. No way at all. 

He has a clue. He must step forward into the chasm, and put his whole weight into the step. When he does, a well-camouflaged bridge is there waiting for him. 

He would never have seen that bridge unless he took that first step.

Well, I've taken the step, and I don't deny it is a bit scary. Thankfully, I do have the support of family here, so it isn't as scary as it could be. The bridge hasn't appeared yet, but I am sure it will.

Whether I liken this part of my journey to riding a roller coaster, swinging through the jungle, or stepping off a cliff, I know God is in charge, and I can trust Him. 

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• He designed the rollercoaster.
• He strung the vines.
• He built the bridge.

 I may not know how everything will work out, and that's OK. My part is to keep stepping forward in faith, trusting Him to lead me in the way I should go. His ways are higher than mine.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

Settling In, Starting Over

Rachel and I have been back in Ohio for just over two weeks now. It is good to spend time with family and reconnect with one of our supporting churches. We'll catch up with the others as soon as we can.

Of course, starting over in Ohio means a lot of things are new. 

For Rachel

Getting started in school was one of the main things. School started on August 19th, and she has slipped into that routine very easily. She likes her teacher and is making new friends. I don't think that surprises anyone.

Rachel's School - image

Another main thing for her is spending time with her grandparents.She is really enjoying that. So am I.

For me
There were/are three major things that need to fall into place.

• Find a car
• Find a job
• Find a house

Not actually my car, but like it. I keep forgetting to get a photo. Sorry.  Image

Yesterday, my nephew took me to check out a car that he thought would work for me. As he is a mechanic, I trust his judgment. I am now the owner of a 1998 Subaru Impreza. I bought it free and clear...and the price was really good. That is the first item off the list. I am grateful for the car that was lent to me for a month by a lady in the church, but it is good to have a car of my own.

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Last week, I focused on applying for work. I don't have any firm leads in that area. I'll put in a few new applications today. I will also be exploring the possibility of doing editing work from home. That would take awhile to get started and find clients, so I'll need other work in the meantime to pay the bills. Please pray for an open door in that area as soon as possible.

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The house, of course, has to wait until I have a job, but I'm keeping my eyes open. It will be exciting to see what God has in store in that area.

The title of this post is "Settling In, Starting Over". I suppose we are still a bit more on the "starting over" side of things than we are actually thoroughly "settling in". Even so, God has blessed Rachel and me with an ability to be flexible and adaptable. I am thankful for this, as starting over, especially for me, involves a big step into the unknown. 

There is one thing I do know, though. God has been with me all the way for the past twenty years in Indonesia, and I know He is with me now. I may not yet know where I will work or where we will live, but He does. He will let me know in His good time. (But please, Lord, let that be soon.)

Moving Means Missing - Glitch repaired

This is the last post I'll write looking back on our move from Bali. Starting with the next post, I'll share about looking forward. It seems fitting, though, before writing about our ventures into our new life, to take a moment to write about what we leave behind.

During our last weeks in Bali, Rachel and I experienced such an outpouring of love from both our Indonesian and expatriate friends. I can't possibly write about each one, so I think this post will be more about sharing pictures of our good-byes. We will miss these dear friends. No matter what else happens in our lives...no matter what other firends we make...we will always miss these and more.

Visits with Individual People and Families

Ed Trotter is one of my oldest friends in Bali...and one of the first good-byes.

After dinner with the Lewis family

Lelia Lewis is a dear friend and mentor. We will miss her.

Rachel and I with Daniel and Tati

With Rich and Pam two weeks before we left.

Ibu Yeyen runs one of the three restaurants in town. She has been a good friend for the last ten years.

Ibu Sara is the former director of the children's home. She played a huge part in my last ten years in Bali.

Ibu Nengah has been a part of our lives since before I brought Rachel home.

Saying good-bye to Ibu Komang (one of my best friends in Klungkung) and Anggi (Rachel's best friend).

After sharing an evening with good friends.

Rachel with some of her best young friends.






International Church Farewell

There are so many pictures I could share about this event. Here are just a few.

 Rachel and her friend Sunshine. 











 Farewell with Kids and Staff at the Children's Home 

After the last meeting with the Leadership Team

After breakfast the morning we left the children's home.




 

With Hastin and her son Noah. She and her husband Edy are currently directing the children's home. Somehow or other, I forgot to get a picture of Edy..

Wayan (on the left) and Heni (on the right) have become close friends. Wayan will continue with the sewing program at the children's home. 

Some of the kids from the children's home singing at the farewell service they had for Rachel and me.

A lot of kids to love. A lot of kids to miss.

Final Good-byes

 The contingent of kids from the children's home who saw me off from Klungkung. They couldn't go with us to the airport, but had a time of prayer for us before leaving us at Lelia's house.

We headed to the airport right after church. Here are a few friends waving a final good-bye.

Awe drove us to the airport. I have known Awe since he was twelve years old, and I had the privilege of discipling him in the first years since he became a believer. We will really miss him.

Please Pray

Rachel and I are now in Ohio. Rachel will start school on Monday. I continue to look for work. Please opray for us as we continue to adjust to our new life..

Moving Means Missing

This is the last post I'll write looking back on our move from Bali. Starting with the next post, I'll share about looking forward. It seems fitting, though, before writing about our ventures into our new life, to take a moment to write about what we leave behind.

During our last weeks in Bali, Rachel and I experienced such an outpouring of love from both our Indonesian and expatriate friends. I can't possibly write about each one, so I think this post will be more about sharing pictures of our good-byes. We will miss these dear friends. No matter what else happens in our lives...no matter what other firends we make...we will always miss these and more.

Visits with Individual People and Families

Ed Trotter is one of my oldest friends in Bali...and one of the first good-byes.

After dinner with the Lewis family

Lelia Lewis is a dear friend and mentor. We will miss her.

Rachel and I with Daniel and Tati

With Rich and Pam two weeks before we left.

Ibu Yeyen runs one of the three restaurants in town. She has been a good friend for the last ten years.

Ibu Sara is the former director of the children's home. She played a huge part in my last ten years in Bali.

Ibu Nengah has been a part of our lives since before I brought Rachel home.

Saying good-bye to Ibu Komang (one of my best friends in Klungkung) and Anggi (Rachel's best friend).

After sharing an evening with good friends.

Rachel with some of her best young friends.






International Church Farewell

There are so many pictures I could share about this event. Here are just a few.

 Rachel and her friend Sunshine. 











 Farewell with Kids and Staff at the Children's Home 

After the last meeting with the Leadership Team

After breakfast the morning we left the children's home.




 

With Hastin and her son Noah. She and her husband Edy are currently directing the children's home. Somehow or other, I forgot to get a picture of Edy..

Wayan (on the left) and Heni (on the right) have become close friends. Wayan will continue with the sewing program at the children's home. 

Some of the kids from the children's home singing at the farewell service they had for Rachel and me.

A lot of kids to love. A lot of kids to miss.

Final Good-byes

 The contingent of kids from the children's home who saw me off from Klungkung. They couldn't go with us to the airport, but had a time of prayer for us before leaving us at Lelia's house.

We headed to the airport right after church. Here are a few friends waving a final good-bye.

Awe drove us to the airport. I have known Awe since he was twelve years old, and I had the privilege of discipling him in the first years since he became a believer. We will really miss him.

Please Pray

Rachel and I are now in Ohio. Rachel will start school on Monday. I continue to look for work. Please opray for us as we continue to adjust to our new life..