Going "Home" with Lauren Pinkston | TRP 26

08/29/19 • 37 min

On the difficult days of expat life, we might be guilty of daydreaming about "going home." But then, we snap ourselves out of it and declare, "what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!" We pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and march forward, determined to stay the course and not let anything threaten to send us packing. Over time, pride takes over and suddenly we think "going home" is equal to "quitting." But what if it's EXACTLY what the Lord is calling us to do? What if going home is the next RIGHT step to take? Join us as we chat with returning guest, Lauren Pinkston, on the topic of going "home."

Connect with Lauren | and her fair-trade business: Wearthy | and her new job

Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog.

Connect with Denise

Connect with Alicia

Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources. Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook.

We also have show notes! Light reading for your pleasure.

Questions discussed during this episode:

When you moved overseas, did you think it was going to be forever?

When you started thinking about coming back to your passport country, walk me through what that looked like. Was it just because your 5-year contract was coming to an end?

What were the confirmations to move back?

How did you work through the bitterness and resentment and get to a place where you were ok going back to the U.S.?

Did you have any fears about how you would be viewed once you got back to the United States?

How did you finish well? What were some of the things you did before you got on that plane that has allowed you to live in more freedom being back in North America?

Now that you’re on the other side, what was it like landing and still having the hardships you carried with you from Southeast Asia?

Now that you’ve been through the whole process, how has it been confirmed that this was the right thing for your family?

What’s on the horizon for you?

Connect with Lauren | and her fair-trade business: Wearthy | and her new job

Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog.

Connect with Denise

Connect with Alicia

Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources. Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook.

We also have show notes! Light reading for your pleasure.

Questions discussed during this episode:

When you moved overseas, did you think it was going to be forever?

When you started thinking about coming back to your passport country, walk me through what that looked like. Was it just because your 5-year contract was coming to an end?

What were the confirmations to move back?

How did you work through the bitterness and resentment and get to a place where you were ok going back to the U.S.?

Did you have any fears about how you would be viewed once you got back to the United States?

How did you finish well? What were some of the things you did before you got on that plane that has allowed you to live in more freedom being back in North America?

Now that you’re on the other side, what was it like landing and still having the hardships you carried with you from Southeast Asia?

Now that you’ve been through the whole process, how has it been confirmed that this was the right thing for your family?

What’s on the horizon for you?

Previous Episode

It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Back to School | ITTS 07

It's that time of year again: school uniforms are being purchased, homeschool rooms are being organized, and kids are holding signs and cheesing for mom to mark the first day of school. In this tea-time episode, we're discussing the experiences we've had in our host countries with local school and homeschooling, along with some things we've learned. We also talk about what kind of students we were growing up, how you better not miss too many days of public school in the States "OR ELSE," and how one PTA president let power get to her head.

Come connect with our community on Instagram. Also, find Denise, Alicia, and Melissa there, too.

Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast.

Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources. Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog.

Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

Next Episode

Speaking Honestly about Life Abroad Long-term with Rachel Pieh Jones | TRP 27

When we first move overseas, we don’t often think about the long-term implications. It’s hard to wrap our minds around what nearly 20 years of life abroad will look like, or if we’ll even make it to that point. Quite honestly, not many people do stay for that long. Rachel Pieh Jones, the author of the book Stronger Than Death, speaks honestly within this episode about the unexpected grief and loneliness she has felt while staying overseas for the long-haul. She also shares about the things her family has done well over the last 17 years, the benefits of staying long-term, and why we need to start being more honest about the joys and the hardships of life abroad.

Connect with Denise

Connect with Alicia

Connect with Rachel: Blog | Books | Newsletter | Instagram

Do you need to keep up with your Netflix shows while living abroad? Try Express VPN to allow you to view all American channels you are subscribed to.

Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources. Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram or Facebook Private Group.

We also have show notes! Light reading for your pleasure.

Questions discussed during this episode:

What has it been like raising your kids in Africa and now sending them back to the States? What have been the challenges and joys in that?

Looking back, is there anything you did really well or wish you would have done to help prepare for this time when they’re being launched to extended family and friends?

Was there any awkwardness with the relationships of extended family members or do you feel like your kids fit right in and it was a smooth transition?

Do you feel like this stage in life is something that’s talked about enough in the expat community or something that’s not addressed?

What are some of the amazing things you’ve seen because you’ve been overseas for 17 years?

Have there ever been any close calls where you’ve thought, “maybe we should go home.” If so, how did you decide to stay?

Share with us the story behind your new book and what it’s about.

If you could encourage an expat woman right now, what would you say to her to help her fight the good fight one more day?

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