27 April 2005
Two days ago we visited with another couple with whom we are close and whom we trust. We laid out before them our present plans to go to Kenya and the Czech Republic next year, the reasons we chose to do so and some of our anxieties about going. We received from them no small measure of excitement and encouragement for these ideas. What’s equally important, though, is that they offered us two more perspectives about our upcoming trip. They were able to show us things that we hadn’t considered before—virtues and challenges—so that we could have an even clearer vision of what we’re getting into. This couple is similar enough to us that they can sympathize with our deepest desires and needs, yet are distinct persons able to look with fresh eyes. It is a blessing to have such persons in our life to help us work through what can be an agonizing and anxious decision-making process. We thank God for them.
We shall each have to be aware of what the other needs during this extended trip overseas. Especially, since we are both introverts by nature, we will have to make sure that we get sufficient recharging time. With so much discovery of people and places—both of which require a great deal of energy from us—our quiet, non-interactive time will be quite precious. Part of that time will have to be interaction with each other: checking in frequently with each other and being sensitive to what is expressed in our personal conversation. After all, we’ll be our only support system while we’re traveling. We look forward to meeting new people and forming relationships, but in four months we won’t be able to get genuine, deep support from others. The upside of all this is that next year could prove to be a time of annealing, strengthening our marriage by the fact that we will have to depend on each other so much more.
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