Processing and planning a transition season can be really challenging. The good news is that we are never alone, support and resources are available. Thanks for joining me today on navigate on Tim Austin and this podcast is designed to take the guesswork out of transition. Whether a transition is looming in your future or you're trying to make sense out of a past or current transition.
This shows for you, in each episode will introduce strategies and tools individuals and teams can use to effectively navigate seasons of change. At navigate, we want to help you leverage the challenges of change for optimal growth. Today, I'll be talking to Laura Anderson as she shares her personal transition story. Laura has recently transitioned back to life in the US after nearly 15 years as a foreign missionary at a Children's Center in
Mozambique. During her time overseas, she felt God developing in her heart for the unique needs of global workers. She is thrilled to be continuing as a missionary home based this time developing a missionary member care program for her organization. So join me and Laura as we discuss her recent transition. Thanks so much for joining me today, Laura. Thanks for having me on.
Oh, I'm so excited that we could have this conversation today. And we go back quite a few years because we're friends from our college years at Bethany University, little private university tucked in that Santa Cruz Mountains. And yeah, like, like, a lot of us, most of us from those years, we all kind of scattered and found ourselves working, serving living in different places. And some even in some more remote places, and others like us in Central Asia. And you guys and
you it's in Mozambique. Yeah. So it's interesting, you know, obviously to kind of track with with your, your college friends over the years. And, you know, I think that we kind of lost track for a while. But then somehow something connect some situation or friends or maybe a Facebook page or something kind of reconnected. Well tell us, Laura. What did you What exactly did you do in Mozambique.
Mozambique. My heart was to go. A teenager, I wanted to care for orphans and children. And so I went to work at a Children's Center with Iris ministries. My first year, however, I had agreed to be the head of hospitality. We have between 500 to 1000 visitors a year, and my role was in hair color. Their whole process their whole business. I had some time with the kids, but not nearly enough. That first year I had the wonderful privilege move into dorm five known as
autolyzed dorm. And I worked and lived with the PI Pedro voice. When I moved to the dorm, I had 44 years that first year was really good. 48 Wow, that's a lot. That's a lot of kids, boys and Wednesdays and the same
Being mom to a lot of kids. And
I myself had some of the national staff who were wonderfully, I worked alongside of them. And on average, I probably had 30 during the rest of my 14 years that I was working full time. So that was the main goal that I had during my time. Like I had my fingers in a lot of pies as you do in this moment of the year. I helped a lot of areas, but I mostly was a dream come true.
Wow. Okay. And it was that part of the you know, as you were as you were going and preparing to go to Mozambique, is that something that you had on your heart to do to work with these kids?
Yeah, that was what I had been dreaming about for a long time, even through my time with destiny. I don't know. I'm not sure why. But as a teenager, I knew that someday I wanted to work with vulnerable children. I knew that term back then. I knew that's what I wanted to do.
Great. Great. Well, now you mentioned you're developing a heart for global workers and, you know, other expats who live and serve all over the world and and caring for them and serving them. How did that come about? Tell me a little bit about how that how that translating? Well,
All throughout my time in this league, in addition to working with the kids, and my official role, I was kind of the unofficial care caregiver for a lot of the other foreign missionaries who I work a lot. I always had a heart, pour into them and bless him and
come alongside them. And if you really hated that was, I had been a resident of inequality, because everyone together and trained by the amazing candidates, who impacted so many of our lives, for sure, and then I was a resident director at Vanguard University in Southern California. And that's, for the four years, I have continued my training, and really just coming alongside people and supporting them and encouraging their success and their ability to
type in your students. And it became, with my colleagues my permission, center, I brought that with me. And during that time, you know, I also did with you in your development, you learn programming activities together in our community. So I was always doing kind of No, no, always every time there was a little tired. Head of heart. Also, I was the recipient of a lot of care and support, it is easier to hear, hear us, but also on the field by various
people. And I always knew that when I returned to the US, I wanted to be able to finish. I wasn't sure what that would look like, I want to go to my home. I want to do people care packages to care for them. And I think I didn't really know about misremember care, and that really brought to my attention. It was like where my heart for a long time.
Yeah, yeah, that's, that's neat how that, like you said kind of unofficially began to just be part of what you did out of out of your heart of serving and caring for others. So a long, a long time. Through that, three years, through your years in Africa, on an in an unofficial capacity, you you functioned as a as a member care person in a lot of ways you came alongside
people. And it's interesting how how the Lord uses those things to prepare us for the next season those even those unofficial rolls, right.
It's amazing. It is always building and taking us and we don't know what he's going to develop and whether it's our talent or our interest. I don't know maybe they're kind of run of the mill, but he's kind of cultivated into something very personal.
Yeah. Good. Well, so you've transitioned back to the States. You're in home, what about 18 months now? Okay, so let's go back to your time of coming to this point of decision making this transition? What kind of what were some factors? What were some things that catapulted you into this transition season in the first place?
Alright. Whenever we're making those big life change decisions, perfect to say that when I went Ruby, I went one year, I committed to one year, one year turns into almost 15. Yeah, and I, you know, I always thought this, if you're there 15 years, that's kind of a missionary with a capital and, and they've calling and I just, I just wanted to say yes, of course. So I'm so glad that it did turn into that 15 years, but I didn't ever think
it was going to be forever. But like, I would wonder over the years or years just kind of settle in. After a few years. You're like, Okay, I'm just here until the Lord is beyond that. Like what even is real What? Yeah, and so ahead, experience from time to three. And these are the three and times of almost burnout, and I'm so glad that I did. Because I think I would have felt almost like I gave up over pushing out where I left on a really good note, but
that was kind of hard. I was still getting ideas, passionate. The people I worked with but it started to feel this. A little bit, a little bit of a separating I got released. The work I was inside is a little hard to describe and pinpoint exactly, because that will be 11 kids and so excited about what I'm doing. But yet, there's a shift inside as Oh, Lord, are you? Are you at work here, you know, but ultimately it kind of came down to just knowing that it was time, which is so
frustrating. But how did you know? I know. You know, yeah, that was one of the wrestling was that I selected that I am the work has not changed, or not changed. It wasn't at all get forgotten, I could just lock the door and say, Okay, we're done here. It was definitely a work in progress. And that was, that was part of my might have been easier if I had a definitive reason or a justifiable excuse to fail here. Here's why. And when you find it? Yeah, yeah. I knew in my heart, you know.
So yeah, you mentioned this shift inside, and I, and as part of the kind of the, the process of releasing you from this, you know, this role in and kind of giving you permission to, to look into going into a new season of transition. So I think that's happens a lot of times in our lives. Where, where's this internal piece? And you're right, it is hard to explain, isn't it? It's hard to put it into words. And each of our transition stories is so unique
and so personal. But you did struggle with some of those unknown some of those questions. And making that decision. How Laura, did you? Did you process such a big decision?
Well, you know, it started to feel that kind of releasing, and really praying about that guide. And as a single person, I didn't have like a joint decision, it really was my vision. And so every time I was telling other people, I didn't necessarily want to be influenced or inspired. I was mulling it over but as it as it grew, in a couple months time, I decided to have my dear friend kind of Pray for me, give me
honest feedback. And I thought, you know, I call it out in my email ID or message it, you know, I want to see how I feel when I say it. And when I said it, and I didn't say the cry, which I thought would happen, and I thought I would be back. No, nevermind, I don't mean it, you know. And I got through it, which was kind of a combination that came with its own sort of sadness, you know, like, Oh, really? time, you know, and that
was that was that. And then I told a couple of other close friends that have an epic did that. It just felt right. You know, but it was a part of our, in, in that actual decision making process. Was that okay? I tell my director, and they were out of the country. And unfortunately, I told him and but as I drafted that email that I sat on it for a couple of weeks, because like I'm not ready. So final, actual notice, you know, if your job I feel
like I could take that back. So I adapted this, to walk for exercise on our basketball court at my clients, and I put on my exercise shoes, and I my washing clothes, and of course the poverty, crime Breakdown, Breakdown. And then and I went directly up there, and I was amazed, I hadn't break down or break into tears. I just worked out and prayed to the Lord and thanking him for the privilege of being there. For him, trust
me. Here the eyes permission, and it just, it was a joyful time reflecting on on things that have happened. And of course, that meant that everything I felt I had made the right decision. I knew that God was with me in it, and probably confidence and I could go forward, you know, with the practicality. Again, nervous sadness that I did end up in some fear paper kind of years of time. And what will that look like?
Yeah, yeah. And so yeah, right and, and yet, I love what you say about you decided to say it out loud and and sometimes that's a really challenging place to get to. What are some what are some, maybe some fears around even that initial kind of verbalizing it to somebody else? What what's, what's that about? What was that about for you?
That's interesting, I guess it probably does have to do with the symbol that you wrestle with your internally quite a bit. telling other people it can be a little more real. A little bit vulnerable. You know, one of the things that I found difficult was realization that we are going to do something like this. Or any other, you know, positive endeavor, you usually get a lot
of positive feedback. A wonderful Oh, that's not what's happening to people who are affected either, like your parents were like, let's write a lot of apartment is wonderful. And then when you're done, you're leaving. It's not like you're leaving wonderful. You're going home, you're exactly definitely, definitely a little bit doubting, as I'm just getting this affirmation, you
know, right. talking to people that I was close with, and I was very selective of who I talked with that for coming out, I have wonderful friends, I probably couldn't talk to anybody, but just wanted to narrow it. A couple of people like that. I wanted to see, and I kind of got a very good feedback. And I felt like, they felt like they can hear in into what I was saying that I there wasn't a lot of indecision, you know? To add a little mirror held up.
Yeah. And, and going back to what you said about, you know, when you finally communicated this decision to leadership, I can totally relate to that, because I remember, you know, after my wife and I made a decision to shift, and to transition out of a role that really we've been doing for almost 20 years. And, you know, they both in Central Asia, and at that, at that
point, we were in Turkey. But when we finally made that decision, and then it came to communicating to leadership, I once I, and again, we were like we couldn't, it was just better because of the situation we were in to go ahead and send that email to get the ball rolling. But that that was challenging, and that was hard. And I remember after sending that email that of this decision I we had made together to transition.
It was like, I told my I told my wife, I said, I feel like I just cut off my right leg, you know, like something's missing here, you know?
Yeah. And have real validly closing to work, you know, like a door that probably closed with no errors. Right? Yeah, you're right. good analogy.
Yeah, and I think that goes with any, any kind of transition where you've been, you know, invested for such a long time. And rooted and relationships go deep. And, and all of that. There's, there's a lot, there's a lot around that. It just makes it a challenging decision in the first place. And then how do you process that? So you mentioned kind of, you began to just talk about how you processed and you mentioned, talking to a close friend, and actually verbalizing that saying
it out loud. What are some other ways you process a big decision like this?
Well, one of the things I started doing this reading, and so I also find a lot of value in learning from other people's experience. Yeah. I just wanted to hear what other people did. I read blog posts, and things like that. I'm really helpful what somebody is online. Looking for those resources help to help me to start with the technicalities of wrapping up that long process
And how much time did you have From the time you, you made a decision to transition, and when you actually boarded the plane to come back to return stateside,
I had to work. You know, I was really blessed to have that time. I was so glad the Lord started telling me that so far in advance, because after 15 years, I felt that that time was necessary, it was really good to have it be able to finish well, and to say goodbye and well to promote the community and, and kind of begin that process of untiring and unraveling all those threads that my life has become part of their lives, as well as for the directors to find people to
replace the various jobs. And I can tell you that my main job was deployed. But there were other details on the leadership team. And so it was helpful for them, I can have enough time.
Yeah, yeah. So those are some things that kind of came next, in terms of the processing. There's the kind of the planning stage and the research ease and again, part of the kind of the whole and digital about leaving well, and transitioning. Well, what are some other things?
Well, funny, you should ask him because one of the biggest thing was 100 years of my parents.
That was a good season that, yeah, that was good season that we had. And I'm blessed to be part of that part of your journey. And that way,
You are part of my stories. And you know, I talk about it all the time, it was the best decision I made, was to invest to have somebody working alongside it very focused on me and what I was doing, and you're with Dave, and one of the reasons that I was I was drawn to you is our personal practice, but also that you need to have a transition yourself. They certainly they know from experience, you know, and and that you were starting to work in this area. So he was trained
in it as well. So I thought I'm going to take this leap. And I'm so glad that I did because especially the in terms of leaving that left side of the transition, the two sessions that we had before I left, were very humbled to and helping you
as well. Not only did he come up with some really good practical that, but for me, knowing that I have the accountability that I'm going to talk to you again after that, you know, you are not like a hammer and nail sort of person, like but I just I knew that you were going to ask well, how does it go? And so I didn't want to why didn't do it?
Isn't that isn't that amazing? Just like that. I always am. It never ceases to amaze me how, how that coaching process and that coaching relationship, just something as simple as accountability structure built into that, that coaching season is so helpful for us moving forward, you know, I hear so time and time again.
Those that I that I work with in a coaching relationship will say, Well, you know, what's been so helpful is just knowing that, Oh, I'm gonna, I'm gonna meet with my coach, and they're gonna ask me, How did that go?
You know, it's so powerful. We came up with some really practical and tangible things for me to use as tools. And I have a tendency to be very hard on myself, there are things that you know, I just do well or have a lot of regrets. And I'm, I'm shocked to say and very pleased to say that, through this leading process, I left with no regrets. I don't mean I don't regret anything I ever did in my years there. There are plenty of things I wish I would have done
differently. But I mean, specifically a path that I have never been plagued with. For typical for me, and I think that I'm working on some ideas of how to make the most of that time. And I feel like I made some good choices. I think I've seen a lot of people over the years and have heard other people's stories not even necessarily where I work. I've heard other foreign missionary stories of returning back to their home country and taking notes without even realizing it.
So I had a couple cool ideas. I spent some time a few weeks in Europe on the way back and that was like a little transition and it ended up being with all the dividends were also connected to my words and I was a little trip down there. I'd like to talk to you about my work and have a feeling probably to a retreat, whether it's re entry retreat, it was a general retreat for missionary leaders with me on my reentry and value and doing that later. Determination versus more.
One of the biggest was, is award for a project that had this idea. So I brought him I quoted this from you. And I asked his blessing on it, six months
through the time. And I felt his blessing to us that and including my supporters, came alongside me support me through that time, because when I left, I didn't know what was coming next, I didn't have a job, I didn't have any type of job even lined up, I just left and wanted to come home, are connected with to a rest, hopefully through the process and experiencing and walk through everything in it in a peaceful way. And I felt like I was able to do that because of having that set of evercare on
what I was doing. But I think through all these decisions, and the things that we talked about in this transition Personally, I worked really hard to prepare the people who are going to be following and honor the time that I had been in that time. And I feel really proud of. And it really is a nice moment that I feel grateful to be able to have that. Yeah,
Well, that's definitely Yeah. Leading Well, you know, it's something that you can definitely celebrate. And entry well, too. And, and I think that, like you said, there's there's a lot of, there's a lot of benefit in
being intentional. And especially when you have the gift of time you have these 18 months before before and then intentionally set aside, set aside time after landing in the US to really process and be intentional about that and grassed and reflect and those are all so important to a healthy transition at the same time. Yeah, there's also these kinds of transitions that are, we don't necessarily have to
give them time to process. In leaving, you know, maybe it's a forced transition, a rug pulled out transition where you're, you know, you have to leave quickly, or you have to shift roles quickly. The visa doesn't come through, you know, heaven forbid war erupts in your country, something, something happens. And you don't always have or team dynamics to relationship. So many. So many things can can, can come around to where we
don't always have that time. But I just want to just want to pause here and say, you know, for those who might be listening, or for those who know people who are have been in those kind of quick transitions and don't really have time, there's other ways and there's other strategies to process those kinds of transitions as well. And I think that's important as a reminder, that we can be hopeful about whether we have the gift of time to really process a transition upfront or not.
I agree with him, because I'm very grateful for the time that I've had. And you both take tons of knowing to be able to share leave and then the time after because after having left and returned to the US. So comforted by knowing that for all those people in those other circumstances that you mentioned that God still knows and is still coming alongside people even during that you said there's other strategies and other ways of going, Oh, God, I
wish I had more time. I wish I could have helped you if you had a few more weeks. That's not how it works. So there are and there's different dynamics, you know, in their life experiences or ways to process. Thankfully, he still knows how to minister to are and how to send people alongside us to help with that. To help bridge that so I'm grateful that even people without that same
amount of time. Yeah, but hopefully they don't discount you know, the transition process and what it what it can do for every person.
Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. And those things doesn't don't take God by surprise. So we know that he Yeah, there are other strategies, other resources. I'd love to keep that in mind.
Whatever kind of transition someone is going through, there is hope there is ways to process the whole theme of intentionality kind of as woven its way through this conversation, and you have been really intentional, and there's a lot of reasons you can celebrate just that whole, that whole area of not having regret, and being able to celebrate that. Yeah, that's just so great to hear. And and let me ask you
this, what are some? What about access to support and resources, you know, thinking of people that are out there, some, some of us out there on the, on the field, in certain areas more remote, and they, you know, feel very isolated? may lack resources may lack resources and support in terms of just their relationship with their own organization? How did you get what you needed to help you successfully navigate the change that you were, that you were processing?
I think I'm a little bit naturally. researcher. And also, I have a bit more thinking, what do I need? And how can I? How can I get that? So I think I just started asking questions, people, and, and I started asking people who had left before that I was close with what they did, you know, or wish they'd done. And then I was everything online, there's so
much available. You know, so I found that and I sure can remember how I found that you were doing Facebook ads on there that you started in terms of my posts. And so I must have clicked on it. You know, here's a friend who was a new shoe and the way and when it was time for me to go, I remember that or, and contacted us. So I think it does help to be a little bit proactive and think there are going to be things that I'm going to encounter that are unfamiliar in this process. I
think that helps. Because if you if you're missing Oh, is that, you know, or I'm just wanted to go behind the gap and get caught unawares. In terms of finding the finding the resources, I think I just believed that they were probably out there, that people have walked this road before me. And I wanted to learn. So and then I, I tailored it, you know, I tailored it to the parts that are that hit me and I
Right. Yeah. And that's the beauty. I mean, if technology today, isn't it? I mean, there's so many, you know, in terms of member care resources and ways that you can get support, you know, counseling coaching, a lot of different ways you'd like you said, there's a lot of different things and resources online. And, and I and I would hope that those who are listening today who may be in a more isolated place, or feel like they're lacking support and resources, and reach out and find the
support they need. Yeah, is there it's out there. It's just like you said, you got to do some research and be intentional.
Definitely out there. You know, in my, in my new role, carried on with Iris ministry, back home base, USA now and working in missionary never care. And I'm learning as I go, and I'm spending some time researching and I'm on stand and do wish I had known, you know, when I was really than on the field, how many organizations and people just want to come alongside missionaries and how much is out there online. There's audio, audio teachings
and audio messages. And there's blog, Rafi re entry, which I thought was a really good blog helping people with returning Nestor, but it could be for any time when you live outside your country, not just for foreign missionaries. But anyway, this this kind of is my heart it really blessed me to think how much how many people are trying to come alongside people who are who are out hurting and there are a lot of resources out there.
Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. So it's really obvious you've been intentional and but even with all that intentionality. Know how no matter you know, kind of how hard or you try to be intentional. There's always life on the other side of transition, and what that looks like and how did it meet our expectation. patients and, and so for you. What were some surprises after, you know, on the other side of
transition? And what were some things that shocked you things you didn't expect to encounter since being home?
And it's such a good question, Tim, because there's so many things that even if you read about them, or you know about them, and even, although your questions what you didn't expect, and when you expect them, they still kind of take you by surprise, you know, and the impact that they have on you are the things that that kept that came up frequently that that did really surprise me that I hadn't quite expected, but it's, I guess it is a form of reverse culture shock,
because how often I didn't feel like myself, I just, I would be in the middle of something very ordinary. And I would just think, I don't even recognize who I am right now. And I don't mean that I was going off on, on tantrums or any odd, particularly odd behavior, it
was very internal. And so it's very hard to put your finger on and describe, but I was just feeling like everything was just cost a little bit, you know, and that was really surprising to kind of figure out like, do I even know who I, who I am, you know, right now, or I don't know how I've changed and maybe some of the ways I've changed, they'll fit in so well here. So maybe that's causing some disconnect, or I don't mean to say that they don't fit in, but there is it, it would look
differently here. You can even hear it the way I'm talking about it that it's hard to describe, you know, yeah, yeah, it was, that was surprising how often and that that endures until, until now, a few months later, I still have that feeling quite often. And I hadn't really, it's something quite like that. The other thing is more here, let's grab the beginning of the process. But what I'm feeling now is, I'm very surprised after 18 months, I thought that I would have
found my feet more by now. I I knew it would be hard and challenging. And I was anticipating, you know, this was some of the roadblocks and stumbling blocks, I guess that come up, but kind of 18 months I'd be kind of back in a groove and I in some ways I am but not the way I thought it would look, you know, not the way not as thorough of an adjustment as I thought I would have made by now. Perhaps I was very
unrealistic. About Okay, you didn't you put all this effort and work into but it's still it's gonna take the time it takes you know, and things creep up and, and surprise you. And yeah, the ice isolation. I sometimes feel internally and externally that that surprise, I shouldn't surprise me. It's kind of somewhat of an obvious and thing people talk about but it just knowing that it might happen versus how it makes you feel. Those are the things that take you by surprise, I think.
Yeah, yeah. Right. And and also how long this these feelings might come or research? Yeah,
they do. I mean, I mean, I don't feel the way in my first, my first couple months, I don't, I don't feel that those feelings quite so often. But the fact that they kind of creep up and pop up and surprise you, you know that they're still there?
Yes, well, I'm in almost into my third year after a big transition. And I can totally relate to that Loris that still things come up feelings, like you said, it's a lot some of its internal, its identity issues. You know, who the whole question like you said, Who am I? And, and that,
that is understandable. Although our expectations don't always aren't always there, that real, that realistic level of thinking, we're always hopeful we can do this in a shorter amount of time, it will just take a year to get my feet on the ground and feel like I'm you know, rooted and have a sense of purpose or an identity going
forward. And and always encourage always encourage people to think that it could possibly take longer some of those things It doesn't mean like we're not accomplishing things along the way or moving forward in different ways but always that that internal peace processing could could take longer and and again, it goes back to God's God's purpose as well in terms of how what he's doing in us and and how he shaping us and preparing us for the next thing.
Yeah, Have we never gone on through a big transition have we never left to go to the mission field and then returned and need to carry on working in the United States and our own cultural norms, I would still be at work and we will be, we will find other touch points as As for what we're learning, you know, like how to type nurses, or osis, marrying or having children, but now ours if we have the same touch point of my life on the mission field, so it, it feels like it's always
tied to the transition, and in some ways it is. But it also is just as kind of growing and processing in that the true path back to that, you know, does that make any sense? Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. So that's why I think that, you know, when we talk about these characteristics of transitions and, and principles and strategies and tools that we can use, and, and I think so much of this applies not only to those who have made big transitions like this from maybe an overseas and from an overseas context to back in the States, but just transitions transitions in general, whether that be big shift in ministry, or work in career roles, or family transitions, you know, move big
moves, whatever, whatever kind of transitions we're going through, I like to I like to hope I'm hopeful that what we discuss in these podcasts is are things that we can pull out and apply and gain insight from in order to move forward and our unique transition story. That so what would you say to someone, Laura, someone, maybe their six months, maybe a year, maybe two years into a major transition, and they're still struggling?
Maybe they don't feel like they've really made any headway or progress or don't feel like they're, you know, they're, they've gotten their feet on the ground or still struggling in some area, even internally, identity and purpose. What would you say to someone like that? Maybe, you know, maybe they expected to feel more settled, have more clear direction? not feel like a fish out of water, like many of us do at times? What would you say to people like that now that you're 18
months? On the other side of your transition?
Oh, it's such a great, great question. You know, I my biggest piece of advice for anyone in that situation would be to seek out support. And as much as personal as that can be reading books is helpful reading blogs, of people, there's one called rocky reentry. And I think there's an excellent blog, but one on one support where you
can tell your story. So whether that is a coach, a transition coach, if it's a counselor, if your medical insurance covers counseling, if your church offers free or reduced cost counseling for missionaries, or maybe a church in your area, if your church doesn't. So many people have such wisdom to share. And they've either walked that road before, or they've walked through it with other
people. And I think that one of the things if you come back next 1218 months, and especially if you're still really struggling, I mean, there's going to be after effects. But if you're really in this place of struggling, you can feel more and more isolated. Because by that time, you kind of feel like people have heard my story already. They're sick of me talking about this, I don't know
who to share this with. So if you can talk to someone who can come alongside you, I think that this is very powerful, even just to tell your story to be prayed for by someone who gets it, you know, who doesn't say Well, yeah, you know, you know, sort
of things. And unless you experience your unique situation, you know, and we're not all the same, we won't all have processed it even the same, but at least people who've either walked it before, or in the terms of the counselor, coach, maybe they've walked alongside other people before and they've seen enough to know how to be a voice of wisdom and guide. God doesn't call us to walk through any of these things alone, you know, an isolated by
ourselves. So I just think there's a lot of people who understand where we've been and wanted to offer that help. You know, I don't know if this is helpful, and I hope so I hope it helps someone tip I thought of it recently and I really had to share it with you during this podcast. And that is that I've been mulling over myself. Why in terms of the transition, why the transition when I was going to movie it was full of unknowns. area knows, you know, a lot of things, but it helps writing and
Mexicans and invigorating. But why did this move transition back to the US, which was full of on them didn't know what my work was going to be or anything like that, or what life in the US would be like? Why does it feel comfy? instead? What? What is going on inside of me that isn't seen that God has exciting this thing ahead for my time in us just as he did when I was going to move me. I don't know if it's because we're going
back. I'm not sure what the dynamic is there, but in a moment over, because I think that happens too often. And I want to say, I want to have a posture that says, Lord, anytime I'm entering, and I know that I feel you beating me, I want to have that same expectation that lie ahead. And it might be hard thing to do always will be going before me in the same way. So just offer that is that, that maybe people could roll that
over for themselves? You know, if that's been a factor, and what God wants to show them in that because I don't have the answer yet. I'm pretty good.
Yeah, we are we are on an adventure with God. And thinking like you are committing to a year and it turns into almost 15 years, and of adventure with God in Mozambique, or, or it's it's short lived. And yet, all of this is part of God's our transition story. And it's
really, really exciting. To think in that terms kind of reframe, I hear you saying reframe the leaving piece, and the way we look ahead and, and and our expectations toward the future, when we leave, to kind of reframe that in terms of this exciting adventure with God as well. That part hasn't ended that we have a lifetime. We have an eternity for that. Right. Yeah, that's great. Right. That's great to be able to land on on this as we wrap up our podcast today. Good. Great
advice. from Laura Anderson today on just yeah, take time to process that transition. Tell your transition story to someone, find trusted friends, mentors, counselors, coaches, that you can begin to process and share your transition story with. Great, great way to wrap up our podcast today. Thanks so much, Laura, for joining me today. This has been this has really been a fun conversation.
Oh, you're welcome. And it's been a privilege and an honor that you asked me and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much.
Oh, you're welcome. All right. Have a great day. As a transitions coach, I love listening to and supporting my clients as they tell their transition stories. Book a discovery call with me and encompass life coaching comm if you're interested to learn how working with a coach can help you get intentional around this time of transition. Thanks for joining me today on this episode of navigate podcast. I've been
your host, Tim Austin. And if this has been helpful to you, would you mind raiding the podcast writing a review sharing on social media and of course you can subscribe so that you're sure to get in on the next episode. And I'll see you there.