Re-entry is hard, in many ways even harder than living overseas. In re-entry, you are trying to sort out a massive change in identity,...

“Return Slowly” sign at The Hermitage Community Last week, I heard a story. There was once a group of Western scientists that wanted to...

There is a familiar rhythm to this time of year in the expat world: it is saying goodbye time.  Many people conclude their time overseas...

After six weeks, Lent came to an end yesterday.  It was a long and hard season for me.  I started out in the U.S., waiting for visa...

My first project after returning to China was finding a new apartment.  The landlord of my previous apartment sold it, so I couldn’t...

I was talking to a friend and apologized for the grief that my decision to go overseas is causing everyone. She said, “grief is a strong...

A few weeks ago I got Ingrid Michaelson’s new album, Lights Out.  The refrain of the song “Wonderful Unknown” strikes me every time I...

Goodbye. It has such finality.  There’s so much longing and sadness.  And yet, it is inevitable.  We all say goodbye to people and places...

Today’s prayer is inspired by the concept of the transition bridge and Psalm 46. You are my “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in...

I don’t like transitions.  The past year or so of my life has been full of them; I am approaching the one year mark since I was finished...