What to do when your life looks mostly like this:

toddler in my lap. baby bump (due August 1). grilled cheese. watching Backyardigans.

I may have been sent to Uganda, but my everyday probably looks a lot like yours, perhaps with better weather.

We are all called to go into all the world and make disciples. Most days I can do that from my living room, or my laptop. You might do that through your bank account, your prayer closet, or your neighborhood playground.

If you are anything like me, though, it doesn't always happen. I don't gather my kids around the Bible everyday. I don't pray for them like I should. I can rush through a whole day cooking, chasing, resting... without ever glancing in His direction. This is why I needed the word "tend" this year. I need to be intentional. I want to tend my little flock well.

I've discovered there are a few things I can do daily that help me remember that I am a "sent one":

• Stay in the Word, especially the Gospels. Even if it's just one verse to cling to for a whole week- write it somewhere you will see it. And keep clinging!
• Ask Him what He wants you to tend today. I've given up on living a "balanced" life- ebb and flow is much more realistic. And as I ask Him what to tend He gives me His assignment for the day (and it's generally way more do-able than the list I have in my head)- some days it's baking for my people, other days it's reaching out to other missionary women. Sometimes He reminds me to tend to my husband, and occasionally He says "Let Me tend you today". And when I accept His assignment I don't have to feel guilty that I am not being all things to all men every moment! Hallelujah! Such freedom in obedience!
  
• Surround yourself with other women in the same season of life. And encourage each other in your mission! It has been a blessing to join a weekly Bible study targeted at pregnant mamas in a nearby slum. Not only do I get to minister by my very presence at this Bible study, I am in their same season of life. It is good for me to be reminded of the vital ministry we have to our children and future generations!
• Don't compare! You are uniquely sent wherever you are. He didn't send anyone else. Embrace your role and your season and make disciples! {totally preaching to myself as I wish I could be a tad more productive these days}

What season are you in? What does disciple-making look like for you?

Solo Mama Survival Planner {free printable}

We shared this quote HERE years ago- but it is relevant now as Josh is traveling more often for ministry.  Pray with us while he is away- here is why:

"But why was this frustration of sickness allowed?  One cannot always discern the reason for these things, but two are plain to us: (1) We learned that when one member of the party was thrusting out into Satan's territory, it was also necessary to put a prayer guard over those who stayed at home.  We were all praying for John and his party as they pressed into the demon-plagues territory of Goomoo.  Those prayers cleared the party's way (they were much blessed there) so Satan, in furious spite, struck at the unprotected home base.  Both those who go down to battle and those who stay by the stuff need prayer-coverage.  We have never forgotten this lesson." -Isobel Kuhn, In the Arena 

Pray for me and our kids, and Lillian as our men thrust out into Satan's territory.  If you will stand guard over these who stay home- please leave a comment!

One of the precious reasons I stay home :)

And as I stay home I've got plans in place to stay well!  If you're a mama who finds herself home while your husband travels- I pray that this little planner will help you stay well!

Download Solo Mama Survival Planner HERE 

The Beauty of His Invitation

Come away, My beloved, to a retreat on the beach. away from the stresses of daily life. away from all the little people who need you. away from the Kampala traffic. away from online distractions. Come away. It isn't always possible to come away for 3 days by the sea, but Sabbath rest is always possible. {more on Sabbath rest and intimacy soon}

Come together. You were made for community. Allow your fellow travelers to lighten your load. Admit your need. Ask for help. It's often the quickest way to build trust and community.  "Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." -Psalm 34:3

Come unto Me. Not to serve Him, but to enjoy Him. The invitation is to intimacy, which can include working side by side, but doesn't always.  Enjoy Him. Maybe you need to plan a Play-date! "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good..." -Psalm 34:8  

Come often.  Daily quiet time is not enough. He longs for us to walk with Him, to glance in His direction throughout the day. Perhaps He is inviting you to pause three times a day, like Daniel.  "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." -Psalm 34:1

This past week I attended a "once in a career" opportunity for global women- a Thrive Retreat!  It was hosted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania- on the beach of the Indian Ocean.  Thrive Retreat is hosted on most continents every year for global women from North America to come and be renewed and restored at a very small cost.  It was such a blessing!

And now I have the opportunity to live out what He was working into me on retreat- Josh will be away for 10 days (October 25-November 3)! And so I will be leaning into Him intimately, and leaning on others for help- it's definitely not my comfort zone- but I know it will be beautiful.

Linking up today at the Grove!  The prompt this week is: beauty.

What is God's invitation to you this week?  Or do you have any tips for surviving your husband's business trips? I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts!