Moving from Virginia to Quebec to Africa, then from Africa to New York to Maine… It’s familiar territory for the active duty military and also for the occasional full time mi$$ion@ry… Therefore having both afflictions in our medical history, yes, we have moved. The good thing is we are not truly “wanderers.” We are not traveling aimlessly or without purpose. I think it is healthy to be flexible (learned that one from the Navy), but also to have a goal (probably the doctor talking now). Leaving the mi$$ion field was one of the hardest decisions of our lives. We left Africa tired, frustrated, burnt out. We stopped blogging, stopped dreaming, and stopped planning. We came back to “do medicine” (of all things), and to start healing. I think jumping back into medicine was a pivotal decision. You see, in order to go overseas, we stopped medicine to learn French, study the bible, raise our family, and raise support… Then we went overseas, had our months of orientation, then started learning a new language, living in a new culture, only never to be able to practice medicine. The proverbial doors kept closing… So, we returned to New York, got our feet back under us and into medicine. Finally, the doors didn’t seem so broken.
After an email, phone call, and two site visits, Dale and I are now serving/working/living in Northern Maine. They needed both an ER physician and pediatrician and Dale just happened to find the barn that he was looking for…that happened to be next to a covered bridge. We always wanted to have chickens in Africa… Now, not only do we have chickens in Maine, but also cows, pigs and goats.
Please join me in a new adventure/ blog updates here in Northern Maine. Maybe not as exotic? But certainly a journey.
So blessed to have you and your sweet family here :-)
Agreed! Not exotic, but an adventure in itself. Looking forward to updates~
Love you guys! Great post.
Yay! Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in Maine.
Wow, quite the journey you’ve taken! Glad to know you are back stateside and practicing again. God is Good! I love hearing about your lives and seeing pics of those beautiful, sweet kids. Miss you guys.
Tears of joy flowing over here!! So happy for yall! God is faithful! God is the healer! God is the provider! Love you guys so much and so thankful for our friendship! And no, I will no follow you to Maine! but I’ll come visit!
God is good all the time….and all the time God is good !! Life brings many seasons….praying for your Beautiful family !!
I am a bit of a stalker on Facebook never really writing anything but I have enjoyed seeing your family grow and hearing the snip-its of info on all that you are doing. Hoping and praying you guys settle into new everything’s quickly. Glad we were able to be part of each other’s lives for those months on the Islands. God Bless you as you serve him in Maine. ( I worked on a summer camp for three consequetive summers on Lake Sebago. You any where near there?
Love to all the family, Katy Wilson
We hope the wanderers will be so happy here in this great community that the wandering will cease!
Wow! Excited to read. Had not idea you all were in Africa!
Hooray! Anywhere He wants you is where you should be!!
Glad to hear of your current plan. Thought of you each time I saw pictures of the kids with the farm animals and wondered where you might now be. My, the kids are growing; looks like Dale has his farm; and you are doing what you are trained and have a passion for. Jerry and I have returned to the states and may return to RVA if there is a short term need. Comfort in knowing God is in control. We’re back in our house in Iowa, same as when you passed through previously. Welcome any time. Blessings to you and your family. Look forward to ongoing updates.
LOVE IT :-) can’t wait to hear more. Miss you so much!