Monday, November 17, 2008 - Things that make our family unique
Today I read the Heart of the Matter Online meme... it's Monday and it was posted Friday... oh well. :) Here are my thoughts on the following: The Things That Make Our Family Unique. What experiences do I have that I can share with other mothers?
I'll just tell you all about me, although most anyone who reads this blog already knows all of this. As I was writing the following, I realized that I practically don't exist apart from my husband. My identity is wrapped up in who we are together. So, most of what follows is about us. (Is that bad?)
My husband and I both grew up in 'christian homes' and have always attended church - not that we always liked going, naturally.
We both went to private christian school all the way from kindergarten to graduation. My grade school even had uniforms - colors? - brown and gold plaid. wow, were they were lovely.
We both lived in the same house each with our respective families, from birth until marriage (of course we've made up for lost time having moved over 20 times in the past 12 years).
Both of us have always been very involved in sports. I played soccer, basketball, softball, ran track, was a cheerleader, statistician, and was a lifeguard. Micah did all the same minus softball, cheerleading, stats and lifeguarding. heheh.
We were married young, at 19 & 20 - very much committed to a lifetime with each other, very much not knowing all that that meant.
Being married did not come easily to us. We were are not one of those couples that naturally never argue, and always respond lovingly. Ashamedly, I have to admit, it took us years to learn to get along! (I've been responsible for Micah's wish for rooftop living on occasion!)
We had kids pretty much right away and the first two right in a row.
When we'd been married for 3 years we went and lived in Peru for a year. Our boys were 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 when we left.
We experienced living in a VERY different culture and HAVING to learn another language to survive.
Being away from family, and adapting to a different culture together has taught us a LOT as a couple; marriage-wise as well as spiritually and emotionally.
Before children we both wanted to have 4 kids. After the first one was born, and after each subsequent child, my husband has said, 'I think maybe this should be the last one'. We now have 5. hahahahah.
I was a nanny before I had children. I loved it. I actually went to school and graduated with a title for that. Did you even know there was such a thing?
My husband is an licensed electrician. He loves to be busy and to work with his hands, it's in his genes.
As commended missionaries, we both absolutely love being in full-time ministry. It is seriously one of the most challenging assignments we can imagine, and yet one of the most interesting and fulfilling.
We've lived in Peru for 5 years and after years of study, feel that we have a pretty good handle on the culture and language. It really is a beautiful eye-opening thing to know another culture this well. It really helps to see that we are just strangers passing through with our eyes set on the city whose builder and architect is God.
My husband's dream since we first stepped foot in the jungle has been to conquer it - at least make a brave attempt to reach many isolated people with the gospel. During our first year, we actually enjoyed living in the jungle despite the heat and other discomforts and had planned to go back there. The Lord directed otherwise until recently.
I used to be a pretty organized person and was able to keep a handle on most of my responsibilities - that person is long gone, I can't even imagine how that might feel anymore :)
My husband and I are practically polar opposites. Early bird, night owl; spontaneous, planner; extrovert, small circle of friends; fast-paced, steady; male, female :) We're both firstborns and quite driven.
We both would love to write and speak to further the kingdom of God. My husband has written numerous courses in Spanish and published one evangelistic tract. I LOVE to study and teach the Word of God have written some women's Bible studies and hope to be available as the Lord leads and provides opportunity to use my gifting as my children grow.
We have homeschooled for 6 years and very much enjoy the blessing of knowing and educating our children.
I am my Beloved's and He is mine.
