The year is coming to a close and the next is bringing massive and exciting changes along with it. Nita and I have always been fans of change - we somehow seem built for it. We enjoy seeing our life in seasons where each part is clearly defined by people, places and passages. The beauty of a life shaped by these three pillars is that it’s entirely portable.

The people who are important to us here, will still be important to us there. When we’re somewhere different, new faces will appear and help to expand our understanding of who we are and how we evolve as human beings. Those new acquaintances will move forward with us, join our friends, and challenge us to grow.

In some ways, the same can be said of places. The passing scenery may remind us of landscapes we know, perhaps in the way the light blankets the land, the shape of the rocks or the color of the fields. And while the landscapes can allude to places that are familiar to us, at a deeper level they’re different. When we understand the people that live there, the impact it has on the surrounding cultures, and it’s relevance to their beliefs, we begin to see that the familiar is somehow alien.

Finally, the way we move through the world has to be considered – we’re guests in other peoples homes. We know that we represent an imprint of our own community, and sometimes a singular conclusion about an entire people can be based can on a brief meeting. It’s important for us to remain aware that the impression we leave can have reverberating effects for those who follow.

So, grounded by our pillars yet filled with excitement and anticipation, we continue to plan and move into this amazing world.