Life Goes On
Wise King Solomon said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 – 2).
We are approaching the half-way point of our time in Uganda. When we left our home, we told everyone that we would see them in six months. We smiled and tried to pretend that everything would be just how we left it when we returned, but deep down we knew things would change. Life goes on without us. Babies are born, loved ones die, friends move away. We should not be surprised, but somehow we are.
During our time in Uganda, we have missed the birth of our nephew Benjamin Gash and the death of Jim’s uncle Bob Koontz.
Our new nephew Benjamin Gash
We will also miss the move of the Perrin family to Texas. These are just some of the births, deaths, and moves. There are other friends who have experienced the joy of a new baby or the sorrow of the death of a loved-one. Many Pepperdine friends are moving away from Malibu at the end of the school year, or moving back to Malibu after traveling abroad for the school year. We won’t see this new Pepperdine tapestry until we return.
Children grow. Birthdays are celebrated. Four of us have celebrated our birthdays in Uganda. But for me, the actual date of my birth did not seem so important this year. We often meet children in Uganda who do not know their exact birth date because they were orphaned or abandoned. So an approximate date has replaced their actual birth date. Despite an accurate birth date, they continue to grow. We have celebrated with some adopting families as they were granted permission to take their new children home.
Life goes on. I get it. Life does not revolve around me. Death does not revolve around me. Moves do not revolve around me. I should not be surprised to find that things are different when I return home, but somehow I will be surprised. Things have changed at home, but I haven’t been there to see the process. My family and friends should also not be surprised to find that I am different when I return home, but somehow they will be surprised. I have changed in Uganda, but they haven’t been here to see the process.
So there will be a lot of catching up to do when I return. You will need to tell me what I’ve missed. I will need to tell you what you’ve missed. We will need to be patient with each other as we share the stories of our lives. There will be times when we have to pause mid-story and say, “oh, sorry, you weren’t there when that happened.”
There is a time for everything. We have missed some things. You have missed some things. But life goes on. When we return home, there will be a time for us to talk, laugh, cry, pray, celebrate, share, and understand.
The changes at home are likely to pale in significance to the changes you and your children have undergone as a result of your time in Uganda. I pray that we will be here to welcome you home. Please know that we are praying for you and for all you are doing while you are in Uganda.
Remember the “Bits and Pieces” poem? I guess you could not spend six months in Uganda without it becoming part of you and you becoming part of them. I think God likes that.
Well said. How could we let God be in control and not change? This experience will always be part of you and your family. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you in a few weeks. We are praying for all of you.
Joline, You write so very well about what is happening with all of you in your lives not only in Uganda but as you see us from afar. Thank you for reminding of those many changes that take place in Malibu right under our noses year after year. I think of the students who leave yearly but this year I am thinking particularly of the faculty members who are retiring….Jon Johnston, Steve Lemley, Mike Jordan, Avery Falkner, Bill Phillips, Carol Adjemian, all of these so devoted to students and talented as professors. I am sure there are others at the Law School as mentioned our dear Tim and Lucy. There is a time….
Thank you for sharing, Joline. What a talented writer you are!
We can hold on to the things that do not change… Our Faithful Heavenly Father, true friendships, the love we have for each other, the hope we have in Jesus.
Much love to you and yours!!!
I look forward to the catching up. Miss you loads!
Joline,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your entries, especially this one.
Take Care,
Sterlyn