I have been thinking about this post for a long time. It was funny to see that through all my reflecting, the answer was sitting there in a simple conversation I had the night after we returned from our travel to the Dominican Republic. Here is my answer to what it was like to take our sons, ages 6 and 8, on a mission trip to a foreign country...
I was talking with a friend who wanted to how the boys did on our trip. We were really just two moms sharing about our kids...a very natural thing for moms. Honestly, they were Americans. They complained about the heat. They turned up their noses at food they did not recognize. They cried when they were overtired or embarrassed. They were spoiled and rotten. Now to be really honest...we all were. The adults on the trip were also hot, tired, did not always like the food, and were sometimes embarrassed by a lack of skills. However, we are adults. We are trained to keep those things inside so we do not look self-absorbed. But honestly, the ugly truth is still there. In our flesh, we want things our way. As we watched the boys struggle, our first inclination was to press them to rise to the occasion. We tried conversations, persuasion, even a little nudge to the back of the arm with a look of disapproval. Ultimately, this did nothing. All our earthly parenting skills did nothing. We did what we should have done from the start...we begged God to capture their hearts. We asked Him to equip them for the work and show them how to serve His people. We prayed for our own patience and that our pride (to see our children succeed at missions) would not get in the way of His work in them. We prayed...and we waited.
There were still hot children. They were still tired and uncomfortable in a country that was not their own. But a unique thing began to happen. Fewer tears. Participation in the group devotionals...stating the "highs and lows" of their days. More "highs" than "lows". Serving. Seeking more ways to serve. Beauty. Our children began to look more like Jesus. We watched them be His hands and feet. We saw their will broken...not by human persuasion, but by the love of their God...a God who loves them more than we can imagine. We witnessed our boys rising to the occasion. Not because we begged them, but because God intervened.
God showed us His grace. He showed us as parents that He is the ultimate parent. He has their best interest at heart. He will supply their needs. He will give them the tools to do what He asks. He will. WE...we need to be submitted to Him in prayer.
God showed our children He is faithful. He carried them until they could walk on their own. He gave them joy in spite of strange conditions. He showed them how to accomplish things in His strength and not their own. He showed my boys they could trust Him.
If you are thinking of taking your children to another country on a mission, and you are thinking they will be spoiled and selfish...don't worry...they WILL! But the thing to remember is we serve a God who is bigger than this...and He will teach your entire family in ways you will always remember. You will witness the actual breaking of your/their will and the molding of His. You will wake up and find your entire family...changed...by the grace of God!
So cast aside your fears and GO! God is bigger than all you will face.
Moving on to ballet. I learned my lesson on the video and just tried to sneak in a picture here and there!! She is doing first position here.
Megan almost looks like a baby doll in this picture! I love it.
Which reminded me tons of this one...
AHHHH. They are so little in this picture! That is Will (just weeks before he turned 2) and Abigail (at almost 3 months old)!!
If you have any other ways to promote this whole sewing idea....let me know. It is new to me and I find I am nervous to even put this post out there...it makes it a little too real!! Exciting times!
