Transitions...

Hello, friends! 

When I was younger, I developed some knee soreness (probably from not taking care of myself during cross country season). After college, I decided that marathon running was probably not in the cards for me but I wanted to challenge myself physically, so I took up triathlon training. It wouldn't be the same distance as running a marathon, but open water swimming, riding a bike, THEN running, seemed like a good way to spend a few hours. It's been a while since I've competed but occasionally I'll still do a triathlon at the Y on my Sabbath. 

One things that I learned about triathlons is that the prep for the race is actually a crucial part of the whole process. I don't mean the training (although that is important). I mean literally how you set up your station for the race. 

A triathlon consists of a swim, bike, and run leg. In between each of those legs is the Transition Area. Every athlete has a station where they put their gear. After the swim, you run to the Transition Area to take off your cap and goggles and grab your bike. After the bike leg, you go back to the same spot to drop off your bike, put on your running shoes, and finish the race. What I learned is that the transitions really matter. If you set up your transitions well, you barely lose any time and carry momentum into the next stage of the race. If your transition isn't set up well, you lose valuable time and you're very flustered going forward, which can affect how you race. 

These past few months have definitely been a season of transition on a number of different levels. Here are a few highlights:

- Transitioning from Sabbatical to "work mode"

- Transitioning from Regional MPD Coordinator to Area Ministry Director

- Transitioning to having a kid in middle school

- Transitioning from a Monday Sabbath to a Friday Sabbath because the MCC and UNO groups both meet on Mondays

- Transitioning from being a coach to a supervisor

- Transitioning out of our church to a new church (you can ask me about why if you'd like but I won't rehash everything here)

If I'm honest, it's been a lot. To continue to triathlon analogy, it feels a little like I'm trying to go from the swim to the bike but I'm not sure where my shoes are and my helmet isn't quitting quite right. Precious seconds are ticking away while I try to get myself ready to go. To take it one step further, since all these things are happening right now, it's like I'm trying to ride my bike while also tying my shoes and adjusting my helmet straps. We're moving, but I'm not comfortable and it's a little unnerving. 

Right now, I have a few options on to deal with these transitions: 

- I try to put everything on pause while I get myself situated. That is obviously out of the question, given that ministry continues to move forward

- I run the race without getting myself situated because time is ticking. I can't really do this either, since I know that following that path will lead to a crash, one way or another. 

- I try to get myself situated while peddling like crazy. This is the option that I've opted for. It's not ideal, but it's what needs to happen. 

I'm fairly confident that things will eventually work themselves out one way or another. I took this job knowing it was going to be a new thing. I don't doubt that this was the right decision at the time and I believe that it's still the right decision. God is with me and we've already seen some really cool things happen in Nebraska. It's here in this transition season that I have no choice but to trust in Jesus to get me through it. I'm sure he will. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam