Adaptation.
Merriam-Webster defines adaptation as “the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation”.
Process.
Merriam-Webster defines process as “a series of changes that happen naturally“.

I have a natural process for everything that I do, and I like things to go smoothly in the order I prefer. Some people call me stubborn or picky, but I prefer to be particular 🙂
I don’t always deal with quick change very easily; it has to be a gradual process for me. I like to be adventurous and try new things, but I like to have time to prepare beforehand.

My first trip to Uganda was in 2010 – I was 19 and had just completed my freshman year of college. I traveled back in 2012, 2014, and 2015. On this most recent trip, I did a lot of personal reflection about myself and my previous mission trips, mostly to Uganda. I would consider my college years the years when I feel like I really matured and “grew up”. I was born raised in the US, but I really grew up in Uganda. The trips to Uganda (and other mission trips during those crucial years) really impacted my development as a person, but more importantly, my relationship with Christ. Every time I returned to the country, relationships I built only grew stronger. I watched and experienced changes within the country. I gained a familiarity for the culture and its people. I yearned to go back to Uganda, while in the US, as much as I yearned to come home to the US, while on the trips. It became my second home. 

The beauty of the Lord I kept coming back to was that He never changes. Always has, always is, and always will be the same. I am overwhelmingly grateful this is true, but it also baffles me. Humans are always changing. Even though we don’t always like to change, we are always striving to do better and be better. We find comfort in the fact that the Lord’s promises never change, because as humans, we are never satisfied without changing ourselves. We need the stability God provides while we go through the natural process of change. Adaptation.

The Lord knows me. He knows my needs. He knows my wants. He knows my comforts. He knows what stretches me. He spent these past few years molding and changing me. He helps me through my own stubborn thoughts. He humbles me. He teaches me about Himself. He teaches me about myself.

Now, I am excited to announce that I will be returning to Uganda again in January 2016! I may not feel as prepared as I want to, but God has prepared my heart just like I need it. He taught me to always turn back to Him. He walked me through the process of adaptation to my new home away from home, and I’m not done yet. I have only scratched the surface.

Thank you all for reading and letting me share my debriefing thoughts from the trip. The rest of the blog is going to be a letter that I have written about my return to Uganda. Yes, it is long. (Obviously, I wrote it…) This is very near and dear to my heart, so please take the time to consider reading it and learning about my next great life adventure 🙂