We have officially reached the one year anniversary of our pre-field ministry. We began with our sending church's missions conference on Sept. 28th, 2008, when Dawson was exactly five months old. The year has gone by rather quickly, I must admit. I guess that's a good thing!
Traveling hasn't been nearly as daunting or challenging as I expected it to be. Don't get me wrong - it is not always rainbows and starbursts - but focusing on the positives of traveling has made it a little easier. Experience has helped with that as well. Now that we're into a routine (though anything can, and sometimes does, happen) the nervousness is not as present as it was at first. We've had a few technological mishaps, but Jason deals with them so well that no one seems exceptionally bothered by it. I'm thankful for a husband who knows about computers, projectors, microphones, wires, etc.!
The boys have grown with the traveling process. Dawson has grown the most physically as he is now practically a running toddler who loves life and wants to live it to the fullest. And not in a high chair or car seat as he is often imprisoned every weekend. Peyton has grown the most emotionally. He went from standing right next to us clinging to our hands, to now able to go into a S.S. class confident he will see us again. He is also better able to play and make friends without this ever constant fear of being left behind inadvertantly. Gavin has grown the most mentally. He's never had a problem with traveling. He entertains himself in the back seat, makes friends easily, and goes with the flow (though sometimes with questions!). He has grown in his understanding of what is going on, what we are doing, and where we are going. This is still in its infant stages, but the development is there.
And I've grown too. I would like to think I'm more confident, less worried about what everyone thinks (though I still struggle with this when my children aren't "picture perfect"), more flexible, more focused on the here and now rather than the future what-ifs, and more appreciative of the blessings and encouragement we receive along the way. I still have a lot of learning to do....hopefully not too many more years worth!
So, happy anniversary to us! Hoping that by next year's anniversary we'll be close to choosing a firm departure date!
1 comment:
It's strange to think that it's already been a year... and at the same time, hard to believe it's *only* been a year! I'm sure you feel that more so than any of us do, as we're simply reading about your travels and experiences as opposed to actually living through them.
I'm sure one day you'll really appreciate having written about your whole journey... and won't it be great to more easily remember some great tips for others preparing to go to the mission field?! :)
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