Where to begin? I have so much going through my mind right now. God is really working on me, and I have decided to share a little bit of that for my article this month. Coming back from furlough was just weird. Things were different when we got back (we were out of the picture for 7 weeks), my mind is occupied with having a third child, and I have really struggled with pinpointing my role here (where my main priorities should lie). In thinking through many of those things, God is transforming me little by little.
Missionary Mom: Coming Home
Well, we did it. We lived through our first furlough. It was wonderful to be back in the states, surrounded by friends and family, experiencing the smells and tastes of holiday cooking that we have missed, seeing snow... I could go on and on. Furlough was a blessing, and we thank all of you that made us feel right at home and welcomed us with open arms. I feel encouraged and renewed.
The Apprentice: Christmas
Christmas is less than two weeks away, and Thanksgiving was just a few weeks ago: the holiday season is here. Over the last few weeks I have been consumed with thoughts of family. I have spent an abnormal amount of time and money buying gifts off Amazon in an attempt to feel part of my family's Christmas this year, and yet all my efforts have failed to close the distance between us.
Missionary Mom: Contenta
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Furlough for the Smith's means that I have the pleasure of having two neighborhood girls come and spend their Saturday mornings with me (normally spent with the Smith family). We usually bake some type of dessert and play Clue. This past Saturday, was particularly busy with the girls coming in the morning, a library event in the afternoon, and Alfredo's graduation in the evening. In addition to all these planned events, I had to find time to bake cupcakes for Sunday morning, because Sunday was Rosa's birthday.
Missionary Mom: The Affection of Christ
The Apprentice: Job vs. Mission
It sometimes amazes me, the things I find I miss that I never even thought about before they became unavailable. As I sit here, writing this article, I am munching on cheddar cheese (courtesy of my recent trip to Lima) and drinking root beer (courtesy of the Hendersons). I must confess cheddar cheese has never tasted better than it does tonight. In life, we make choices about where we will live, how we will live, and the sacrifices we are willing to make in order to have the things we really want.
Missionary Mom: Broken
Jesus came to heal the sick and care for the broken. Everyone needs him because of brokenness. I have been taught this in Sunday School since I was a little girl, and I know in more mature terms that this is the truth I hold onto in my faith today. Jesus makes us whole. He says to come to him and he will give us rest. He is God of the broken.
The Apprentice: Going to School Part II
I have been working with the secondary school in Porvenir for over a month now, and I am learning so much about the Peruvian school system and the expectations of the students. I work with Profesora Mercedes Castilla Mayorga as she teaches her students English.The 5th grade has been learning the past perfect tense, and the 1st grade has been working on colors. The students study English for one hour and twenty minutes every week, something Prof. Castilla would change if she could, since it is difficult to learn a language when you only study it once or twice a week. Next week the students take exams, and the following week they are out for winter break.
Missionary Mom: Momentum
Things are happening around here. It is very exciting to be a witness. You all pray for us back home, and I want you to know that God has answered many of those prayers. Months ago, Larissa wrote an article about our work feeling like a roller coaster. I really liked her analogy. Sometimes it seems like it takes forever to climb the hill. We have definitely been there. But once you peak and start coming down, it goes really fast. Life seems fast right now. A roller coaster ride is full of multiple up’s and down’s, but for now I am feeling the adrenaline rush that comes with the ride down. Many of the things I mention in this article are a repeat of news in other articles. But I wanted to share with you, from this missionary mom’s perspective, what it feels like.