Positive Pacing

Because I've been asked for one, I conscripted Ken this afternoon to help me get a head shot.  I took a risk taking the pictures today.  Afterall, I'm still only three days post-long-haul-flight, and I was afraid it would show.

But actually, with the natural lighting, I ended up with this, and...well...I think Ken did a pretty good job considering what he had to work with.   It's saying something if he could actually capture something I think is fairly decent, since I'm probably one of the least photogenic people I know.

And...well...there's the jet lag.

Up until now, I've been saying that it doesn't matter how often I do the trip, the jet lag is the same.  As if I had hoped that if after putting my body through the 12 hour time warp often enough over these past sixteen years it would sort of say, "Oh this again.  Okay, got this."  But it didn't seem to be working that way.

Except these last two trips I've actually found myself fairly quick to readjust.  Still just a skitch woozy at certain points in the day, and I'm going to hold to my personal rule of no driving after 12 noon for the first week.  But overall, I'm sleeping well, have close to normal times of feeling hungry, and have been able to stay awake fairly cheerfully until 9 p.m.    

Not sure why, really.  Maybe it's being more conscientious about my hydration before, during, and after the plane ride.  Maybe my expectations are just more realistic by now.  Maybe I'm more used to what it feels like and therefore better able to take it in stride, work with it instead of fight against it.  Most likely, it's because the demands of my ministry life here in Canada are vastly different than they were before, and I can give myself a bit more space to readjust instead of having to hit the ground running.  For instance, I arrived back on Wednesday and don't have to preach this Sunday.  

Whatever the reason, I'm grateful.  Especially as I face another annoying disruption next week; my very first root canal.  Yay.  [I likely won't be taking any pictures of any of that.]

There's lots of good and joyful work to keep me occupied right now, no question.  Following up on some of the planning and logistics from our good conversations when I was at Hot Springs.  Connecting with our beloved Sponsors and Supporters.  Budget and other administrative logistics.  Preparing for two significant speaking assignments in the next few weeks.  All of it energizes me as I map it all out these first days back.  

But I'm finding my approach, my spirit to be steady, relaxed, non-anxious.  My time away was so very restorative on so many levels, and I'm just as happy to bring that into these next months of life and ministry.  Happy to skip some of the jet lag.  Eager to step into Spring.

So here's to a good return, to pacing it out, to mini photo shoots that end up okay, and to a long quiet Saturday afternoon to just be home.