Welcome

Whether you're a seasoned sojourner, just beginning your journey of living abroad, a domestic nomad, or someone who cares for those making their home far from you, you're welcome here.

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

This week on my Instagram stories I did a poll to find out some data regarding the question that is often on the expat's mind: Do I stay...

liturgiesforalifea

Sep 233 min read

DISCERNING WHETHER TO STAY OR GO

Looking for our library of liturgies?

Click on the "Liturgies" tab at the top of the page to find an index of liturgy topics and links to view them on Instagram.

LITURGIES FOR A LIFE ABROAD

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

This week on my Instagram stories I did a poll to find out some data regarding the question that is often on the expat's mind: Do I stay...

Sep 233 min read

Life In Transition- The Only Thing That Doesn't Change is That Things Are Always Changing

I just wish things could stay the same for a while. After ten years living abroad, I have said goodbye to more dear friends and teammates...

Sep 232 min read

What to Do When You're Struggling With Life Overseas

I moved overseas with my husband and children in 2015, and a little over one year into life abroad I found myself struggling, but I...

Sep 232 min read

"Crafting Liturgies for Life Abroad" Available Now!

Late last year, after facilitating two workshops on writing liturgies for people living cross-culturally with overwhelmingly positive...

Sep 232 min read

Hi, I'm Heather, the creator and writer behind Liturgies for a Life Abroad. I've lived overseas with my family doing non-profit work in SE Asia since 2015. In 2021, I started writing and sharing liturgies and words about cross-cultural life on Instagram. That little corner of social media has become a place for sojourners from every corner of the globe to find solidarity, hope, and words of prayer for when they don't have their own.

LFALA ON INSTAGRAM

A Liturgy for Advent: Peace

#craftingliturgiesforlifeabroad #liturgiesforalifeabroad #prayer #liturgy #lifeabroad #travel #christmasabroad #advent #peace

Holding Christmas in our hearts while we pray for it to take root in theirs.

A Liturgy for Advent: Hope

#liturgiesforalifeabroad #craftingliturgiesforlifeabroad #prayer #liturgy #advent #adventabroad #lifeabroad #christmasabroad #hope

I’ve spent my whole life wanting to belong somewhere. As someone who has moved homes, states, and countries consistently throughout my life, I always felt that the search for somewhere to call “home” was the missing piece in my restless wanderings.

I remember as a child hearing my grandparents sing songs about heaven. With tears in their eyes and a smile on their faces they made melodies about streets of gold, pearly gates, a wedding feast, and a home waiting just beyond the sky. I never connected with those songs much as a young person. Life here on earth just seemed too full of excitement and possibility to long for heaven. I wanted to drink of the pleasures of this life, not pour my cup out at the feet of Jesus in the next.

Now that I live in the tension of perpetual homesickness—never being in one place without missing another—it is clear to me why heaven was so appealing to my grandparents. They had learned that no matter where we unpack our bags here, a physical location will never fill the deep desire we have for home and belonging. We were created for something else, something more. A longing only heaven will fill.

And so I live in the tension of pilgrimage, making trips every few years from one “home” to another, all the while holding the hope of heaven in my heart, grateful that one day I will finally hear my Savior say:

“Welcome home”

and I will be.

When we moved overseas, I lost myself for a bit. I had always found my identity in my ability to work hard, be productive, conquer any task that was put in front of me. Suddenly, all that was stripped away as I was unable to communicate in the local language or understand the culture I was in. Doing things the way I had always done them didn’t work anymore. I was left feeling incredibly vulnerable and helpless.

In those early months and years I wrestled with the feeling that I wasn’t enough- wasn’t doing enough, wasn’t accomplishing enough. I felt like if I asked for help, I was weak and a burden. And because my identity had been so wrapped up in doing and accomplishing, I wasn’t quite sure who I was anymore.

Thankfully, I learned that I am much more than what I do or what I accomplish. I am more than my talents or abilities. I am more than completed checklists or full calendars can measure. I am chosen and beloved, even when my hands are empty and I have nothing to offer but myself. And asking for help leads to deeper relationships and community that are built on a mutual need for each other.

I am so thankful that I learned to embrace my own limitations and find that true strength is not in self-sufficiency, but in allowing Christ to use my weaknesses to display His strength. I’m also grateful for my community here that saw my limitations, came around me with kindness and support, and found joy in helping meet a need.

If you’re struggling today with finding your identity and footing in a new land, be encouraged that the sooner you humble yourself, embrace your limitations, and ask for help, the sooner you will experience the glorious strength of Christ at work in your weakness, and the blessing of community in your time of need.

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Welcome

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

DISCERNING WHETHER TO STAY OR GO

Looking for our library of liturgies?

LITURGIES FOR A LIFE ABROAD

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

Life In Transition- The Only Thing That Doesn't Change is That Things Are Always Changing

What to Do When You're Struggling With Life Overseas

"Crafting Liturgies for Life Abroad" Available Now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LFALA ON INSTAGRAM

Follow us on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE

Never Miss a New Post.

Welcome

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

DISCERNING WHETHER TO STAY OR GO

Looking for our library of liturgies?

LITURGIES FOR A LIFE ABROAD

Discerning Whether to Stay or Go

Life In Transition- The Only Thing That Doesn't Change is That Things Are Always Changing

What to Do When You're Struggling With Life Overseas

"Crafting Liturgies for Life Abroad" Available Now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LFALA ON INSTAGRAM

​

Follow us on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE

Never Miss a New Post.