Debriefing

In mid July three of us (John, Jennie and Ella) took off for Colorado Springs to attend missionary debriefing and renewal (DAR) with an organization called MTI (Missionary Training International).   We spent a week at a retreat center call The Hideaway with 16 other families that were also moving back to the US from various countries all over the world.  The main topics we touched on were stress, transition, and soul care.  Most importantly it was a time to share with each other the good, the bad and the ugly, and to discover that what we are feeling is completely normal!

The Hideaway

Ella had her own "class" of 5-6 year olds.  Everyday she also talked and played with kids that were in the same position as she was.  Her amazing teacher, Sandy, helped these kids to learn how to figure out how they were feeling and helped them to put words to those feelings.  We as parents learned invaluable strategies to work with Ella in helping her grieve in a positive way and adjust to a new culture.  We learned a lot about how this transition is different for her than it is for us.  We left Bolivia and came back to something familiar.  For Ella, Bolivia was what was familiar and more "home" to her than the US.

We can't speak highly enough of this amazing opportunity to attend DAR.  We met incredible people and cherished the chance to take a break from our crazy life-in-transition- to really process what we were going through emotionally.  We learned wonderful coping skills and made great friendships as well.

The beautiful view of Pikes Peak we woke up to every morning.

Ella's class

DAR debriefing group, July 2012