Burnout and Big Questions

Well, we always said that we'd re-evaluate our timeline here in Thailand around the time Eden was ready for Kindergarden. We got in such a flow of living and working here that we didn't really consider it as much of a milestone as we considered Eden's education and continued to move forward. However, just a little too late we realized we were super burnt out, were struggling as a family, and deeply considering our future with our organization in Thailand.

Asking big questions is necessary, but its also very scary. Everything that we had gotten used to in our life here was up for question, but we knew it was really time to push into the hard questions. Through prayer and also guideance from our organization, Adam went on a 3 month sabbatical. I also considered taking time off, but decided to shift my schedule a little bit to give room for consideration, support my husband, but still pursue the ministry things I was passionate about. Part of that time has included further language study for me, which has been something I have really desired, but haven't found the time for with my other responsibilites. Adam began doing the majority of the childcare during the week, carpooling Eden to her new half-day kindergarden, and has been working hard to pursue the Lord, healthy relationships and conversations, and find peace.

In the meantime, I've enjoyed organizing some large children's programs, spending time with the medical patients that our organization supports, and teaching English. For me, finding a good work-life balance has been so challenging since having children and I continue on that journey. After lots of prayer, support from our community, family, and organization, Adam and I have decided that we will continue with our organization and in Thailand. Praise the Lord for his guidance and love during this challening time and for the love and care from our community. We feel blessed and though we are still on a journey to rebuild after burnout and difficultes with transitions within our organization, we feel that this is still the place God wants us to serve.

Prayer request:

Please pray for us as we recharge, have hard conversations, find balance, and Adam goes back to work! We are also so blessed to have my family coming for a visit for Christmas.

Current Need:

In other news, we have had the great blessing to use a work truck for the last 6 years, since Eden was born. We don't own a vehicle here (just a motorbike) and it has become clear to us that we are finally in need of a personal truck that we can use for our familiy's needs and also for all of our work trips and needs. We have been praying that God will provide for this need so we want to ask that you would pray with us as well. A friend has graciously lent us a vehicle until he returns in January so we are praying that in the new year God will provide!

Merry Christmas friends,

The Wallis family

Photos:

What we've been up to:

-Aimee helped organize a couple of Christmas parties: one for our ethnic staff and families in country, another supporting games for a Karen church and our medical patients.

-Adam started a D&D campaign with a group of expats at the Game Tree cafe in town that he runs every Tuesday.

-Thailand had their iconic lantern festival in November

-Eden started half day kindergarden in September

-We visited our coworker's Akha village for their church's Thanksgiving celebration (for the harvest)

-Aimee made a Thankful Tree with the medical patients

-Aimee organized several large childrens programs in country (the most recent with around 200 children)

-Quinn and Eden enjoyed seeing their aunties and uncles from Brma during trips and trainings

-We had a staff retreat in town

-Adam and Aimee taught at a training of trainers

-Aimee and team hosted a training for children's workers

-Eden turned 6 and had a mermaid, princess party!

-Aimee, Eden, and Quinn took the medial patients to see a movie at the mall and did lots of craft projects

-Aimee won 2nd place in a 20 km trail race