Third Culture Thriving

Much of this life is just not absolute. There are lots of uncertainties, lots of grey areas, lots of things changing all the time. We find one rhythm that feels like it works for us, and then something changes and throws that off. We think we've found the right house staff, but our needs change. Flight prices go up, roads close, your favorite cereal isn't imported for a few months, pandemic regula...

Today, I want to do something a little different. I want to give you three metaphors that I've found useful as I've traveled through similar phases of acedia myself, that you can use for personal meditation, prayer, or journaling. My hope is that these metaphors will help you see your host country as the gift that it is for your journey, and that you would come to appreciate the beauty in the Lord...

Today's episode is part book review, part hearty book endorsement. I first read the book The Wisdom of Stability by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove fairly soon after it's release. You may know his name from his association with Shane Claiborne and the New Monastics movement, and as such, he is a truly perfect person to write a book about staying put.

Today is a big one, friends. If you'll permit me,   I want to gently and graciously tackle one of the biggest questions I get in my work with Third Culture Thriving: should I stay, should I go? How do I know when it's time to leave my host country? I want start by saying that I do not intend to give your any kind of answers or even framework for finding answers here. Simply, I want to give you som...

Finding time to quiet ourselves and process our lives can be a challenge. Our lives overseas can be chaotic, unpredictable, and demand so much from us. And when we do find that space, often we find ourselves so overwhelmed with all of our thoughts and feelings, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin.   Our lives feel like one big jumble in our brains. Where do we start?   Introducing the...

The status quo, the way it's always been done is only helpful if it's truly helping everyone. If it's not? Remember your agency. The health of your family and ministry are the most important, and from that will flow the goodness of the Lord's calling for you in your host country. Remember your agency, and make the shifts you need.

In keeping with our September Intentions Project theme of Patience, a replay of a popular early TCT episode. 

To set the tone here, what constitutes a dirty home and what clean will mean to any of us is entirely subjective. So rather than outlining a cleaning schedule for you in this episode, instead I'm going to talk through some principles that you can think about or questions that you can ask yourself, that will help you create your own plan off action. Ready?

We talk often about the tension between wanting to be as generous as possible and also needing to maintain healthy boundaries. While this is a worthwhile conversation to have, it's one that is centered solely around our comfort and ability to be healthy and continue to give. It's necessary to also look at the other side of this situation- how our generosity affects the people on the receiving end.

Is stayng or going constantly on the table for you, because you don't have any specific term commitment? Consider instituting your own terms of commitment and times of reevaluation!

Today's episode is a quick and practical one- 5 quick health tips for you, wherever you find yourself in the world, no supplements or equipment or crazy things needed. Let's go!

In keeping with our monthy Intentions Project theme of Rest, a replay of one of TCT's popular early episodes. 

Many of us have just slogged through the emotional minefield that is leaving season. Hard goodbyes and identity crises abounded for us, but we've made it.   But for some of us, this season brings new adventures. It's arrival season! Families transitioning to new countries are settling in and finding their footing. So, hey! Today's episode is for all of you. Here's five things to do in your first m...

A quick episode about what leaving and loving well can look like- from the stayer's perspective. A collection of thoughts on what I've seen people do well over the years, and how a "leaver" can be kind and thoughtful to their inner circle as they go.

In keeping with this months Intentions theme of REST, we're replaying a favorite episode from very early on in the podcast. 

Over the years, I've shared my story of struggling living abroad and coming out the other side (as much as one can, I guess) in bits and pieces. Most notably, the pilot episode talks about this in a lot of detail. It was a lot of really strategic intentional work that got us to this place, and a number of intentional choices were made that increased out longevity on the field- and today, I want to...

Maybe you're finding yourself in a trying season this year. Maybe it's like mine, where you're grieving the departure of friends or colleagues. Maybe you're grieving the death of a dream of some kind, or an unwanted shift in focus, or something you've been praying for that isn't coming to fruition. Maybe you're leaving the field, but it's the last thing you want to do. I encourage you, dear friend...

I feel like nobody really talks about how difficult the re-entry back to your host country can be. Yes, jet lag can be brutal, but theres also an emotional wall we can hit when we return, and it can be incredibly challenging and discouraging- and it can hit even if we are incredibly happy and ready to be back in our host country. Today, I want to share some thoughts about re-entry, both practical...

After a brief hiatus for summer travel, TCT is back with a fun episode about the 10 things saving my life right now. I'd love to hear yours! 

As we wade through the many places where we can be generous and have profound effects on the people around us, may we be lead by the Spirit and walk in obedience to his calls. May we be wise and discerning, seeking to build up the people around us rather than solve an inconvenient problem. May we be creative and insightful, understanding the implications of generosity and seeking the best way to h...

On today's episode, we are discussing the idea of "borrowing prayers", plus I'm sharing my favorite prayer books.

What if strength of faith isn't shown in having all the answers or blindly moving forward, but in the ability to doubt and question and wrestle and beat our chests,   in communion with Christ and acceptance of his goodness and love for us? What if the growth of our faith depends on this honestly and vulnerability, instead of running away from it?

It's the beginning of the year and my inbox, podcast feed, and social media is flooded with posts about simplifying and decluttering. Which sounds utterly magical. Until. I remember that a lot of this hoarding is not just purposeful, but necessary. Friends, decluttering and simplifying is a whole different beast when you live abroad. But I'm here to tell you- it IS possible. You just need a plan f...

This month's intention is Endurance. Why START with endurance? Isn't that an intention for the middle or last stretch of a project? I think we are weary. The last few years have not been gentle to us, and we don't feel like we are at a fresh beginning of a life stage. Instead, we feel smack in the messy middle of a lot of stress, overwhelm, and unknown. We need the perspective shift, to remind our...