Fellowship Fridays - Deputation Part I

Deputation Tips Part 1

Traveling Tips

Some enjoy it, some endure it.  Some love it, some hate it, but most missionaries do it!  It's called deputation.  Deputation is a time of visiting churches in order to present your call and burden while making churches aware of the need for the Gospel to your particular mission field.

All those hours in the car and spending so many nights in unfamiliar places can be hard when you add small children to the mix.  Most missionaries on deputation are young families with small children.  I love to see the young families, with bright eyes and fresh faces eager and excited to get to their mission fields!  However, deputation may be challenging for the young mother who juggles her wifely and motherly duties with all the other responsibilities and challenges that deputation brings.  

Here are a few things that helped me on my deputation journey with two small children.  For you missionary wives that have "been there, done that" please feel free to add any comments of your own with advice or tips that have helped you.  For you missionary wives that are on deputation right now and have anything to add, please do!  You are experiencing this ministry right now and may have many things to share.

This week we'll discuss the "Traveling" aspect of Deputation.  Next week we'll discuss the "Staying" aspect of Deputation.

In no particular order… Traveling Tips!  

Clorox Wipes - I took these everywhere!  Sometimes you may need them to tidy up a place you are staying, especially motel rooms.  I would always wipe down everything I thought my babies would touch.  Also, they are quick, easy and portable for cleaning up after yourselves in a prophet's chamber or someone's house.  Our rule of thumb was to leave the place as nice or better than when we arrived.  

Baby Wipes - We always kept a container of these in the car as well as one in my diaper bag.  They are handy for quick hand and face washes, quick clean ups, etc…

Paper Towels - We always kept a roll of these in our car and they were always handy.  

Color Wonder - I'm not sure if they still have this in America, but this stuff was amazing!  It was always a great treat for my kids to color with markers.  Color Wonder was great because they could color with this and there was no concern of them getting the marker anywhere but the paper.  Great when you are guests in someone's home!  

Good Music - Our oldest kids were very young during our deputation years, but they still loved music! Sometimes all they needed during a fussy, tired time was some music to sooth them and send them right to sleep!

"Special" Toys - When space permitted we would keep a small container of some favorite toys in the car.  The only time they played with these was in the car, and when we were guests in someone's home.

Clothes - You really don't need as many as you think you do!  It's hard to decide which cute little outfit, or adorable dress you want to pack, but the truth of the matter is, your kids can wear the same things every Sunday and the only ones who will know that are you and them!  After several months on deputation I realized that I only needed a certain number of outfits for Mission's Conferences, etc… Certainly take into account the age of your baby and know that sometimes a change of clothes in mid-service is necessary, but also realize that laundry facilities are almost always available.

Packing System - I found what worked best for me was to have the suitcases organized, i.e. one for the parents, one for the kids, (obviously this will be different for different family sizes) a toiletry bag and garment bag.  

"Home" - We traveled with our Pack-n-Play when space permitted.  It was nice for our baby to sleep in her own bed every night.  Each child also had their own special blanket (and still do several years later...same blanket!) that they kept in the car with them and slept with at night.  It was a functional piece of "home" that they could bring with them and also served a valuable purpose (Since my husband liked to keep the temperature of the car at sub-arctic temperatures! :-))

Ice Chest - We were thrilled towards the end of our deputation when we were lent a mini-van and moved out of our Dodge Neon.  The van was roomy enough to fit a cooler, the pack-n-play and all of our luggage… with room to spare!  We kept the cooler filled with bottled water, juice, milk and sometimes sandwich fixings.  It was always nice to stop off somewhere for a picnic and for the kids to run off some energy.

Snacks - Sometimes a cranky toddler is just a hungry toddler.  We always kept a variety of good snacks for the children in the car.  These came in handy on long trips when the exits seem to get father and farther apart… and there are no food places in sight.  

Bags - The hard truth is that sometimes kids (or adults!) get car sick!  Before we started any trip we would have several plastic bags double bagged together and in an easily accessible place in the car.  They hardly took up any space, but when someone got sick it was just a simple matter of tying shut the top bag and disposing of it at the first rest stop we came across.  No messy bucket to clean or rinse out and you can use the aforementioned baby wipes and/or Clorox Wipes if everything didn't quite make it into the bag.  A trash bag is handy too… a place to keep all the trash in one spot until you stop for gas and can throw it away and then start another one from your stash.

Family - Deputation is probably the only time (until furlough) where you will spend countless hours sitting with your husband and children.  Use this time to bond with your children by playing silly road games, singing songs, learning Bible verses, even language study!  Strengthen your relationship with your husband, enjoy this time of togetherness before you enter the completely new and wonderful, but somewhat scary and very different life on the mission field!

31 Days Of Praying For Our Husband

I would like to challenge myself, and the other wives out there to take the thirty-one days of October to pray specifically for our husbands. With each prayer there is an accompanying verse to meditate on and use in our prayer time.  

1. That he would draw close to God. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ~ James 4:8

2. That he would grow in wisdom. 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. ~ Proverbs 4:7

3. That he would stand strong against the pull of this world and the spiritual warfare behind it.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ~ Ephesians 6:10-12

4. That he would be a strong spiritual leader.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ~ Ephesians 6:4

5. That his faith would increase. 

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: ~ Luke 17:6

6. That he would trust God when providing for his family.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

7. That he would be free from stress. 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7

8. For good health. 

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. ~ Proverbs 16:24

9. That he would be a Godly example at home and at work.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12

10. That he would seek God with a pure and humble heart. 

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

11. That he would have compassion for the world around him. 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. ~ Colossians 3:12-14

12. That he would fulfill the responsibilities given to him such as being a husband, a father and an employee.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. ~ Luke 12:48b

13. That he would be content with little or with much. 

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:7-8

14. That he would run to God in times of trouble. 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ~ Psalm 91:1-2

15. That his prayer life would be strengthened.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18


16. That he would understand and embrace his role as a husband. 

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ~ Ephesians 5:25

17. That he will be obedient to the will of God. 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ~ James 1:22-24

18. That he would practice servant leadership as Christ demonstrated to His disciples.

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ~ John 13:4-5

19. That he would have much patience. 

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ~ Ephesians 4:1-3

20. That he will learn to bridle his tongue.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. ~ Ephesians 4:29

21. That serving God would be his first priority in life.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ~ Colossians 3:1

22. That God will continually transform you into the wife your husband needs. 

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. ~ Titus 2:4-5

23. That he would have a heart of gratitude. 

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ~ Psalm 34:1

24. That he will be self-controlled in every area of his life.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Peter 1:5-8

25. That he would be a man of strong character.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ~ Galatians 5:22

26. That he will hunger and thirst for the word of God.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? ~ Psalm 42:1-2

27. That his faith would be sincere and genuine. 

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: ~ 1 Timothy 1:5

28. That God would put a hedge of protection around your marriage. 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ~ Psalm 91:1-2

29. That he will fellowship with other believers and that God would bring strong men of faith into his life.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25

30. That he will guide and nurture the growth of his children. 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6

31. That he will testify of his faith to others. 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ~ Mark 16:15

Breakfast Time: Muffins

One of my memories growing up was waking to the smell of cinnamon muffins in the oven.
Those were extra-special days!
These muffins are quick to throw together, and you can personalize them any way you like.
Don't like cinnamon? Add fruit! Don't have any fruit? Throw in some nuts!
What ever you add, they will be tasty!

Basic Muffins


1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 well-beaten egg
3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. oil

Sift dry ingredients into large bowl; make well in center.
Combine egg, milk, and oil in small bowl.
Pour wet ingredients into 'well' in dry ingredients.
Stir quickly, but just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Batter will be lumpy!
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes.
Check with toothpick - a clean toothpick means they are done!

Butter while still hot.....and enjoy as soon as they've cooled enough not to burn your tongue!

*Add-Ins: Any extras should be stirred in just before you put batter into muffin tin.
                 Cinnamon, to taste {our favorite}
                 Dried fruit - raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cherries
                 Chopped fruit - apples, bananas
                 Chopped nuts - peanuts, walnuts, pecans
                 Chocolate chips

Missionary Monday - Around Your Town

 

This week's theme - Around Your Town

Take some photos and show us around your town!

 

This photo was taken a few miles from where we live here in Australia.

It reminded me so much of fall,

although those are yellow flowers and not yellow leaves!

 

 

 

Next week's theme - Your Choice

 

 

Sunday Scripture ~ Psalm 37:4

 

Have a blessed Sunday!

Breakfast Time: Baked Maple Oatmeal

Looking for something yummy for breakfast?
This is one of my new go-to favorites!
 It is delicious and quite simple to throw together...what could be better than that?

 Baked Maple Oatmeal
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter
3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (do not substitute quick, instant, or steel-cut oats)
1/2 c. raw, maple, granulated, or brown sugar
 2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg or cinnamon
1 c. whole milk
2 lg. eggs
 2 Tbsp. maple or Golden syrup
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, unwrap butter and place in 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch baking pan. Place the pan on the center rack of oven and let the butter melt as oven heats. (As soon as the butter is melted remove pan from oven or butter may scorch.)
Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl, pour over the dry ingredients and mix together with a sturdy spoon until everything is evenly combined and wet.
Scrape into the pan with melted butter and stir until most of the butter is incorporated, but there are little pockets of melted butter still visible at the corners.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
Serve hot with extra butter, whole milk, cream, or maple syrup!

Thank you, Rebecca!

Missionary Monday

 

 

This week's theme - Cooking

What is it like cooking on your field?  Do you make everything from scratch?

Do you have a wide variety at your grocery store?  Take some photos and link up!

Here are my two kids anxiously awaiting to try some home made soft pretzels!

 

 

Next week's theme - Around your town

Take us on a tour around your town!

 

 

If you don't have a blog post regarding this theme, feel free to link up anyway!

 

 



Fellowship Fridays

Back to School!

It's that time of year again!  School Bells are ringing around the world!

In Greenland the children start day-care as babies and transition to school at the age of six.  High School is optional and there are only a few towns in Greenland that offer high school and board the students who wish to attend.  A normal school day begins at 8 am and is usually finished by noon.  School starts in early August and ends in mid June, with a two week break at Christmas and one week breaks in the fall and spring.

We try to pattern our school as closely to the times of school here as we can.  I baby-sit an 8 year old boy every afternoon after school, so we try to be finished by the time he arrives except for the things that he can participate in.  This year I am homeschooling four as well as keeping my toddler entertained.  I am not a strict scheduler, but I do try to stick to a schedule, while being flexible to our circumstances such as unexpected company, etc...

What does school look like in your house?  Are you homeschooling or do your children attend school?What is school like in the country you are serving?  For those of you who have been homeschooling for years, please feel free to offer any advice or tips you have on homeschooling on the field!

New every morning

He had been set apart to serve the Lord before he was born. Just as his ministry was beginning, God warned this 20-something novice preacher that his work would be 2/3 negative (uprooting, smashing, destroying, overturning) and only 1/3 positive (building up, planting). Prepare yourself, God said, because it’s going to be hard. Kings, priests, and ordinary folks will be furious with you every day for the rest of your life. They’ll fight you. They’ll hate you. But I’ll take care of you, and I’ll put my words in your mouth. Just be my spokesman.

And that’s what he was. He said everything God told him to say--preceded by, “Thus says the Lord!” And sure enough, it was a tough life. His family rejected him; his hometown friends despised him. He endured unjust trials, painful floggings, and near-starvation. He was locked into chains and stocks and threatened with death by murderous mobs. He dictated long messages from God to one loyal friend, who read the scrolls to the people, who reported them to the king, who sliced each scroll into fuel for his fire. Dungeons were his regular lodgings, but even they were luxurious compared to the muddy cistern where he was once lowered to live in suffocating filth.

Enough to cause some discouragement, don’t you think? And he did get depressed. He longed to run off to a desolate shack in the wilderness, far away from the mocking shame of his daily life. But the word of the Lord burned in his bones and he couldn’t abandon his call. He stayed put and pressed on—for 50 years.

I think it would have been hard to be Jeremiah’s wife. When a couple’s ministry is opposed, the wife faces a double-whammy: the sting of personal rejection plus the ache of seeing someone she loves suffer. During those 5 decades, Jeremiah’s wife wouldn’t have had many pain-free days. Maybe not even a single one.

So when God advised him not to get married, He was, as always, wise. But if Jeremiah had had a wife, and I could talk to her, here’s what I’d say: look past your pain to God’s purposes. Just look at what He is doing through your husband! He is God’s chosen mouthpiece to speak truth (even when he’s afraid) to people who need to hear it. And look at what God is doing in your husband! Those tears you see (when he’s discouraged) are less self-pity than compassion. They’re the overflow of a heart of love for people. A tough exterior with a tender core: that’s a weeping prophet. That’s a man God uses.

And it’s a man He comes close to. That long-ago preacher, so bold before other humans, was humble before his Lord. The hard circumstances of his ministry squeezed sweet, sad poetry from his soul, yet right in the middle of his most profound lamentations, in confident faith he suddenly sang, “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

If he could sing those words at that time, in that place, then when you’re asked to taste a bit of suffering you can sing them, too--even if you’re not Jeremiah the prophet, but Mrs. Jeremiah instead.

*** If you would like to receive Claudia's Monday Morning Club emails, feel free to contact her at cbarba@ipresson.com. You can also find past articles at www.ipresson.com.

Taquitos, or Something Yummy to Make with Those Tortillas

Since we started with Mexican food a few weeks ago, we might as well finish it off right!
Today I have two well-loved recipes for you. Both of them use those yummy tortillas you've got.
One is sweet and one is savory, and both are delicious!

First up, the savory....

Taquitos

1 Tbsp. oil, plus more for brushing on taquitos
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
1 c. salsa, plus more for dipping (need a salsa recipe?)
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
10 flour tortillas
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the beef and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to break it up while it cooks, until it is no longer red, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa, the chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
Top each tortilla with a few spoonfuls of meat mixture and sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef. Roll up the tortillas and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet with the seam sides down. (If they are having trouble staying rolled, use a toothpick to hold them together.) Brush the taquitos lightly with oil, then bake them until the tortillas are lightly browned, about 8-12 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream and/or salsa.

And now for the sweet......

Cinnamon Crisps

4 Tbsp. butter
6 flour tortillas
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Melt the butter in a large baking sheet in the oven, about 2 minutes. Place the tortillas in the baking pan (they may overlap a bit), turning each once to coat both sides with butter.
Stir together the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle the mixtures evenly over the tortillas. Bake the tortillas until golden and puffed in spots, about 7 minutes. Serve them warm.

And definitely eat them with vanilla ice cream!!! (Just a helpful suggestion!)

Missionary Monday ~ Pets

 

 

I hope you enjoyed "A Day in the Life of..." last week.  I hope to make that a monthly feature, but I need your help!  Please write about a typical day in your life and email it to us at baptistmissionarywomen @ hotmail.com (no spaces).

 

 

The purpose for Missionary Monday is to allow you to link up your blog so that others can stop by and read about your life on the field.  I chose a weekly theme, but if you don't have a post to go with that theme, feel free to link up your blog.  If you have a weekly theme idea, please leave a comment.

Also, I'd love for you to share one of our buttons (there on the right) on your blog so others know where to find us.  Thanks!

 

 

This week's theme:  Pets

 

 

Next week's theme: Cooking

 

 

 

 

 



Sunday Scriptures ~ Deuteronomy 32:4

Fellowship Fridays

For Today's Fellowship Friday please share one of your favorite things about your mission Field.

For me in Greenland I love the slow-paced life!  I love how people feel comfortable stopping by for coffee anytime of day, and how when we go visiting there is always coffee and tea offered at every house.  During our recent trip to the States it was easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness and the fast-paced life.  It was so nice to come home and settle into our quiet, slow paced life in the Arctic!

Please share one of your favorite things about your mission field!

Walking in love...

This morning when I checked Facebook I found this post by a friend who lives in my hometown of Greeneville, Tennessee. I really spoke to my heart so I thought I'd share it with you ladies.

Today at the Hardees drive-thru, an elderly gentleman in a pickup truck in front of me bumped the truck in front of him. He got out of his vehicle and immediately my heart went out to him. He was so disappointed in himself, and kept apologizing to the lady who got out of the truck he hit. She was so kind to him, and trying to console him. He was not to be consoled. He seemed embarrassed and ashamed. She pulled to the window, got her food and left the lot. When he pulled to the window, the employee told him his breakfast was paid for, by the lady who just pulled out, along with a message. She said to tell him to have a blessed day, and that life is too short to worry about the little things. 

This is a good reminder that we are to walk in love. What if this lady had been angry and said unkind words to this elderly man? What if she drove away speedily in frustration only to arrive at work and tell all the people she worked with about it? Would that have left anyone, including herself, encouraged and ready to start the day? But instead, she acted in love. She treated this man with the same love and respect she would want her grandfather treated. And not only did she totally bless this man, she blessed the employee of Hardees, she blessed my friend, she blessed me, and I hope she blessed you!

Tortillas

On with the Mexican food!
Today I'm sharing the best tortilla recipe I've found {and I've tried a few!}
Now just a note: making tortillas is kind of like making flaky pie crusts, it takes practice!
It takes a bit of work to learn how to roll them thin enough. So if they don't look just like the ones you remember, just keep practicing!

Flour Tortillas

Mix together:
     2 c. flour
    1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    1 tsp. salt
    2 tsp. oil
Slowly add:
     3/4  c. warm milk
Stir and knead to form a firm, soft dough.
Let rest for 20 minutes, covered.
Divide into 10 pieces, cover 10 minutes.
Roll each ball into tortilla, using extra flour as needed.
Cook in dry skillet on high heat, 30 seconds per side.

Enjoy !

Missionary Monday ~ A Day in the Life of a Missionary Wife

 

 

 

Meet Jennifer and her family.

 

A Day in the Life of a Missionary in Argentina...

I get up around 8 and get dressed, unless a child wakes me up earlier. Change a couple of diapers (3 children, ages 4, 2, and 1, all still in diapers...the 4 yr old is slightly autistic), pass out fresh bottles, make my tea and have quiet time and devotions. :) :) :) My favorite part of the day!

The babysitter is supposed to be here at 9, so if it's not raining and the bus isn't too late, my husband and I leave the house around 9:15 to drop him off at the cafe at Walmart where he will have coffee either alone or with the other pastors from our church and use the free wifi to work. I go from there to language school in the center of La Plata, a city of about 1 million people. Most of the streets are one-way and the cars are stick shift, parking is either parallel or paid, so I'm still getting used to driving here. My sister says my tom-boyish ways have prepared me for this, since one of my favorite things growing up was racing go-carts! 

     

I am currently going to language school 2 hours per day, two days a week. I am on the home stretch of the curriculum! I do, however, think that the closer I get to finishing my classes, the more I realize how much more there is to learn! I love my teachers, you could not find more friendly, caring and qualified language teachers anywhere. 

     

When I get out of class, it is a race to see if I can get to the stores I need to go to before they close for 'the break'. In Argentina, there is a break in the middle of the day when all the 'negocios' or stores and businesses close for lunch from about 12:30 until 4:30 or 5PM. On any given day I may need to go to the lavadero (laundry), panaderia/confiteria (bakery), verduleria (fresh fruits and vegetables), carneceria (the best beef), pollejeria (fresh chicken), and either a supermercado or Walmart for all the other things on my shopping list. 

     

We are undoubtedly blessed with a lot of conveniences because we live in a larger city and yes, we have a Walmart, but don't be too jealous. You can not trust their meat most of the time and their fruits and vegetables look like they are from the bottom of the barrel. There have been many times I preferred a smaller supermercado to do my shopping! However, I will admit to enjoying the occasional Hershey's product that they import every once in a while. ;)

     

I pick up my husband from the cafe, either before or after my shopping depending on if there is parking where I need to go or if he has to drop me off and circle the block a few times. We go home to relieve the babysitter around 1 or 2PM. Our youngest son is asleep when we get home. I make lunch, we eat, I try to clean up and put the two year old down for her nap. Then the juggling really begins! My son, Joel, is in many ways your typical four year old and does not have the ability to be quiet for the other's nap time. With his slight autism rating and sensory perception disorder, he has a really hard time getting all his energy out. It is a fine line to walk, trying to keep him occupied and quiet during nap times! He loves to be outside when the weather permits, but needs pretty constant supervision, which means I get in my exercise. ;) I run outside to make sure he is ok, run inside and put away some clean clothes, run back outside to check on him, back inside to finish clearing off the drying rack, outside to make sure he is not breaking or eating anything, inside to hang the clean, wet clothes on the newly cleared drying rack, outside to make sure he is not throwing anything in the pool, then inside to start a new load of clothes. This continues with washing some dishes, prepping supper, and since we just moved again, unpacking. When his little sister Amelia wakes up, she joins the outside mischief. Rather than running from the front fence to the back fence yelling at the top of her lungs, trying to eat the cone-like things that have fallen off the trees, or throwing handfuls of dirt in the pool like her big brother, she normally occupies herself with a stick and a good patch of dirt. Then it's inside for baths and signing time (learning ASL is helping Joel begin communicate with words and signs, the others love it too), supper, and family time. Bedtimes vary from 9:30 for baby Logan to somewhere between 11 to midnight for Amelia to anywhere from midnight to 3 AM for Joel. His autism and sensory perception disorder keep him from being able to sleep much most nights. My husband stays up with him sometimes, but he usually wants mama. ♥ I keep the other children up later than I normally would so we can keep a decent sleep schedule and all wake up around the same time.

      

On church days, we are arrive at least an hour before service for my husband to attend to his responsibilities. We are on our first term here in Argentina, so the church we are working in is one that was started by another missionary and recently handed over to a national pastor that the missionary trained. Because he was fluent in Spanish when we arrived, my husband is already involved in teaching the seminary, preaching on the radio, teaching the teen class, preaching in a weekly rotation to the church itself, leading the choir, and heading up the music ministry besides being involved in all the church activities. I was quite a bit behind him in my language skills, as is pretty common for missionary couples, so thus far I have been able to participate in many activities but only serve by helping in the nursery, providing special music and teaching the 2 to 5 year olds class. Teaching the nursery class is a recent development, and is always an exciting time. You just never know what is going to happen with that age range! :) 

     

We would appreciate your prayers while we are finishing up our first term and planning our first furlough beginning in February of 2013. Thank you, Jen Bauer for this opportunity and this blog. Being in touch with so many other ladies who are living this missionary life has already been such an encouragement to me. Thank you as well to all the ladies who share your wisdom and experiences on the blog and Facebook page! God bless and keep you all!

  

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Thanks, Jennifer!  Would you like to share a day in your life?  Please email us at baptistmissionarywomen@hotmail.com or send me a message on facebook.

 

There is no theme this week to link up, just link up your blog! 

Sunday Scripture ~ Psalm 121:1

 

Have a blessed Sunday.