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
I don’t like these words! They sound so immature. Comparison has almost become one of those acceptable sins (thank you Jerry Bridges for this phrase) among Christian women. Jealousy is a bit harder to own. But isn’t jealousy a twin to comparison? And both grow in the womb of desire. Being a young mom in campus ministry there are numerous opportunities to compare on many … Continue reading Comparison and Jealousy
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 Nav staff woman becoming a mom, I wrestled with this question: I invest in other people’s kids on campus—what does it look like to invest in my own kids, even when they are young? A friend led me to Deuteronomy 6:4-7: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with … Continue reading Investing Spiritually into Littles
As we were packing up to move to Nashville in 2009 to start a Nav ministry at Vanderbilt University, a friend counseled me to be prepared that moves can be hard. At the time I thought, we are going to be just fine. We did undergrad in Nashville, two of my bridesmaids are there, we’re familiar with it… this is going to be a FUN … Continue reading Clinging to God through a Difficult Move
The first time we moved from one campus to another as a family our kids were 2 months and 2 years old. I don’t remember much from that year but I do remember preparing for that move and all the ways God provided. 1. Pray Big! For several months I prayed for God to sell our house before our second baby arrived. I learned from my … Continue reading 3 Tips on Moving with Kids
Christmas morning Dave and I were going for a walk, and I shared: I feel like we have turned a corner with our youngest being three. No more diapers, no more stroller– I just carry a purse around now. For the first time in 9 years, I am getting a full night of sleep every night. I feel like I’ve finally figured out a great … Continue reading Trusting God with the Unexpected
I loved coming home on furlough. And, I hated coming home on furlough. I loved being home and seeing friends. And, I hated seeing the stuff my friends had accumulated! It seemed that every friend I reunited with on furlough wanted to take me on a tour of their home. I loved to see what they owned. Their homes were so beautiful. But, something tugged … Continue reading The Stuff Gap: Contemplating Comparison
Somewhere in the mid-seventies, Bill and I attended our first staff conference. It was a big deal. We lived in Illinois, the conference at Glen Eyrie. I assume we drove (I can’t imagine having money for plane tickets back then). I was young and a new mom. I remember where she and I were standing in the Castle. I remember the conversation as if it … Continue reading Ready or Not, Staff Conference is Coming
