By Tina Larson I have wasted an awful lot of ministry opportunities paralyzed by my insecurities. “God, You can’t use me… because I’m not relevant anymore to college students or young staff… because my world is taking care of little ones and running our home… because I don’t have time to listen to what is trending now, so I can’t relate to them… or because … Continue reading Insecurities
Perhaps the need for training our kids to obey is pronounced in our family because we have 5 kids currently within 8 years of each other. When a funding appointment becomes a family affair, or we want to host staff or students in our home during a meal, so much stress can be avoided with well-trained kids. I want to share some thoughts that have … Continue reading 4 Tips on Training Children: An investment in your Ministry
Preparing meals, washing dishes, cleaning house, doing laundry, homeschooling our kids, and opening our home to host college students — these are not the most glamorous jobs in the world! They are the behind-the-scenes, have-to-be-done, serving jobs that don’t get noticed and aren’t always that much fun. But as a missionary mom, these activities have required my devotion for most of the past 17 years … Continue reading Serving like Jesus
At this time of year you may be asking yourself, How did I get here? and Why am I doing this?’ I remember feeling that way most every August as I steeled myself for the endless days and nights of fall launch. Even though we aren’t currently in the throws of campus life I’m still preparing for a 2 week stint of single parenting as … Continue reading Spiritual Generations: Inspiration from the First Mommy Missionary
Have you ever felt a twinge of jealousy when your husband comes home from a campus event and shares an encouraging note from a student thanking him for his help? Have you ever been at an event where students publicly rave about your husband and you are not noticed? Sometimes we can compare ourselves with our husband and come up feeling “short” on the fruitfulness … Continue reading Changing Diapers while He’s Changing Lives?
As a recovering pleaser, performer and perfectionist, I deeply long for those caught in such bondage to be set free. Our deep desire for love and acceptance can so easily lure us into the trap of trying to “earn” love with our spiritual leaders and with God Himself. The hidden and deceitful message is that I must “do” to maintain the love I so desire. … Continue reading Setting Others Free From Performance
Unexpected. That word describes pretty much everything about our move to Kansas City last year. Nothing went quite like I imagined it would. In our almost 18 years of marriage, we have always been involved with a small group at our local church. We have found that having friends who aren’t students and aren’t Navigator staff is vital for us to maintain a healthy marriage … Continue reading Unexpected Hard in the Move
Moving is so very stressful no matter how old our children and no matter when we choose to move or where we move—across town or around the world! Moving has always proven to test our marriage because Tom and I handle change so very differently. One thing we both agree on, as we have experienced 22 moves in our 38 years on staff, is that … Continue reading Moving is a Matter for Faith
This week we will hear from two Mommy Missionaries about their experiences at STP last summer. First up is Caryn! Ben and I love STPs! We love the change of scenery, living close to staff and students, all the fun activities, and the personal growth we experience. Each summer we have attended our season of life has looked different from the previous summer. (Not dating…dating…married … Continue reading Navigating STPS…As a Mom
If you are a student in our ministry today you will hear the words “pornography” and “masturbation” used in a message. Likely you will hear multiple students testimonies regarding their walk to sexual freedom and you will definitely be invited more than once to join a group to help you find freedom from sexual sin and brokenness. Although I would say my collegiate Navs experience … Continue reading Our Journey through Pornography and How to Help Someone through this Struggle
