The Mom Life

I've been quiet lately about Cruz, because if I were honest, we've hit a rough season lately. Preteen mamas, do you hear me?? He is the primary reason I'm teaching at the school I am...I didn't see any way that I could spend my day with him homeschooling. We were like two opposing magnets...such different goals and desires. What concerned (and frustrated) me the most was how had become so self centered. First day of school...great depiction of his attitude at the time.  But the first week of February, he started attending Carachipampa, a Christian school that was established as a school to support the education of missionary families. The Bible is integrated in every area possible, with godly teachers and staff. Cruz has been well loved and prayed for this past month. And he has made me so incredibly proud. He's making good grades, trying to do his very best, and asking very little help from me with homework. And last week his class did a presen...

What is it like shopping here?   Well, yesterday I made a list of things I needed for the next 5 days.   I had a list of meats, list of market foods, and a list of grocery store foods.   First I went to the corner where our butcher has a shop and got 2 kilos of ground beef and 2 kilos of chicken breasts.   (She ground the meat while I waited, flies swarming around the piles of steak in front of me.)   I always get nervous when I have a large meat order, because usually while she’s in the back grinding, and old lady will come up beside me and impatiently yell, “Venda me!” (Sell to me!)   Fortunately today, although an old lady was waiting after me, it didn’t get to that point.   And my order was relatively small for us.  (Most people just stop by for the meat they need that day.)  We love our butcher, Lucy!  Then I walked next door to the bread store and got 5 b’s of bread (10 rolls, kind of like hamburger buns).  She ...

Today I went to a birthday brunch with some expat friends, mostly missionary wives.  I laughed until my face hurt from spreading in such a wide grin.  We played the "lap game" where we had to move seats (even if its occupied) when the statement applied to ourselves (ex. I made my bed today...that would not be me, ha!).  Anyways, as we sat around a table, the 10 of us shared stories of our wild experiences the past few years as missionaries, as well as frustrations and encouragement that come with parenting.  As the women shared their wisdom, I realized what a gift it is to know these women who serve behind the scenes as incredible missionary wives.   One friend shared how she often gets asked, "So what is a typical day like for you there?"  We sometimes think, "Well, its not all that different than your day in the US." We do laundry, although the majority of us hang dry our clothes.   We cook, although usually its all fresh foods, requiring a lot of pr...

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 rocked my world a few weeks ago when I heard a pastor reading it.  It says,  If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the  Lord  your God is giving you,  you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,     but  you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.     Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your  eye look grudgingly [ a ]  on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he  cry to the  Lord  against you, and  you be guilty of sin.   You shall give to him freely, and  your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because  for this the  Lord  your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.   For ...

1 Chronicles 16: 23-25, "Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise." A few things I'm praising God for today... 1. The Meat for Missions fundraiser my parents did this past weekend in Mobile. Fundraisers like this are SO helpful to cover the things throughout the year that don't fit our normal budget! Let us know if you'd like to plan and execute a fundraiser for missions in Bolivia. A Newks Night, Yard Sale, 5K, etc. are just a few ideas. 2. A new church location! (I know we've posted about this already on our ministry page, but its very exciting!) We are renting a space that is welcoming, safe, and all ours! We will have the youth room open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for kids to play games, hang out, and bring friends to ask questions, hear the gospel, and connect with our church...

(I just found this draft I wrote back in January and decided to post it late) We are nearing the end of our first furlough/home assignment.  Its been a wonderful 2 months in the states.  Here are a few highlights from this trip. 1. The holidays-We got to spend Thanksgiving with my family in Mobile.  This was great, a much needed time to catch up with people we don't talk to nearly enough. We made great Christmas memories as well.  We had get-togethers with the grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles and the kids got a bunch of high-quality American toys, yea! As long as they all fit in our luggage and get through security in the airport.... 2. Church visits-We've been able to visit our supporting churches, IBC of Hattiesburg, The Korean Church of Hattiesburg, Grand Cane in Louisiana, and Luke 4:18 in Mobile.  These four bodies of believers continue to be such a blessing and encouragement to us.  We've connected with people in ways only the Holy Spirit...