I love to go on vacation. But I guess everyone does, at least to some extent. Taking even a few days holiday away from reading our ever-full inbox and to disengage from pressing issues and problem-solving helps keep me sane…and on the field. I remember years ago happily planning and writing in our calendar our next vacation as soon as the last one was finished. It may have been months off, but it was something fun to look forward to. And it was something to help keep me going in the rut and routine of daily life and ministry that can sometimes bog me down.
I’ve realized there are 2 times of the year that I am eager to get away. One time is after Christmas and around New Year’s. In church planting, December was a busy time of outreach; all building toward a special Christmas service either on the 23rd or 24th of December, after which I would dutifully collapse.
Another time I feel like I need to get away is in August. In the past we would always take our extended holiday during the kid’s summer break. Maybe it is just engrained in me even as empty nesters. I think another thing is that in August I am ready for a break from the Tokyo heat and even just a tad cooler air, blowing on me from the mountains or sea is just what my tired heart and head need to re-inflate.
Yesterday we were able to sneak away for a 4-day weekend, taking advantage of “Mountain Day” that we would technically have off anyway. We set our automatic replies and happily left emails and obligations behind; navigating the Tokyo traffic and heading to the green rolling hills northwest of us. 30 minutes into our drive, we knew it would take longer than planned with the holiday traffic. We started adding up the pricey tolls and gas costs, even contemplating canceling. But this morning, after a refreshing sunlit walk in the woods, I knew we needed this time. My dad used to say that to really rest you need a change of place, a change of people and a change of pace. So true.
Even though we are not overseeing this Nagano OMF holiday house anymore (see post here of past adventures) it seems that wherever we are we end up doing something to help clean, declutter or spruce up the place. This time my sweet husband is cutting back encroaching bamboo that threatens to overtake the mini grassy parking spot and the windy, bumpy road up to the house. Bless him!
I’ve already been thinking we need to get our reservations in for one of these comfy, restful spots to get away for few days at the end of December. Now to decide which one.....Truly, any one would do!
Somehow after just a few days away I know we will be rested enough to tackle the congested drive back and face our commitments, colleagues and computers again. Even the heat won’t be so bad after this restful, cool time away.
