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 

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We rejoice in how God has carried us and provided for all our needs!  And we are grateful for our champions who give sacrificially to God's work in Uganda!  Thank you!  We fly on July 17 to London and then on to Uganda- arriving late July 18!  Please pray as we travel as a family of five!

Weekend Links: Travel and MKs

Here are some great links on traveling with kids and insights into missionary life on Homeland Ministry Assignment.

My pinterest board: travel with kids

What Missionary Kids Wish Churches Knew.

Tips for Missionaries on the Road (and how to live economically on the road!)

What it's like to be a Missionary Kid

Use What You Have: Great perspective from Scott and Meg Rambo!

Parenting on the Road

I would love to say that this is the norm in our car: two happy boys hanging out in the backseat, everyone getting along, perfectly timed bathroom breaks and no tension or bad attitudes. 

This is not the case. 

No one is perfect.  In fact, road-trips have this way of turning into a pressure cooker of family refining... everyone locked in the car... no place to escape... I must stay present and smooth out the rough places. 

C. has been having a rough weekend.  Nothing ever seems quite enough.  Always something missing,  then his life will be complete.  But that elusive something never satisfies.  Such a poignant picture for me.  "This is the worst day ever", even when we've spent two hours at Crazy Bounce, but come home and his one coloring page isn't perfect.  Glossing over all the good and fixating on the one imperfection.  And this gratitude-breathing mama cringes and reels.  How can I get him to see that his ingratitude is toxic... slowing killing his little soul?  How can I reach his heart, especially when I don't even want to be around him when he's like this?

Josh and I are reading Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson and while I'm quickly moving through to chapter eleven... I already feel the  need to go back to chapter five: Sympathy vs. Strictness.  In that chapter he talks about putting a face of sympathy on our discipline:

"When we put a face of sympathy on our directive discipline, it turns our children toward us and makes them want to follow our lead.  If all your children see is a stern face of demands and rules, or the frowning face of an adversarial parent, they will not be drawn to that face.  If that is the face you saw when you looked to God, would you want to follow?  A face of sympathy opens a child's heart and draws them to follow you." -Clay Clarkson, Heartfelt Discipline.

When I reach out to C. in sympathy, trying to understand what is going on in his heart, instead of just demanding a right attitude, I show him I care, and I gently lead him to see the better way.  I don't always do this perfectly.  He doesn't always welcome my advances.  But I believe as we continue to seek the Lord's wisdom, extend grace and sympathy, and hold out the standard of
God's ways of holy living we will get to the place God intends for us all!

More thoughts soon on Parenting on the Road!

Hitting the Road

We're off on our grand adventure!  First stop: Cory, PA to visit our friends Pastor Ken and Jean Morris and meet their new church, Wrightsville Community Church.

A few tricks to packing for a long trip: 

• Check your itinerary and choose outfits for special events and then add enough outfits for your longest stay.
• Choose outfits that layer, and one item for an extreme day (this fall we're packing one pair of shorts and one winter coat per person). 
• Pack snacks that could double as lunch or dinner (grapes and frozen cheese sticks go in our cooler every time.  We also make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to save money on the road! **We freeze the cheese sticks so they don't get mushy in the cooler). 
• Borrow a THULE roof rack!  Thanks, Mark and Joanne!  
• Buy a few new items your kids haven't seen.  Save them for a desperate moment!  We found some great books on clearance at Big Lots for $2 this trip.  And be sure to load your ipod with audio books and songs you AND your kids love.  

Stay tuned for great ideas and activities for the road! And a few pictures and stories along the way!  What are your packing tips?

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Carried...

happy boys in the car. such a gift!

We returned from our 4 week road-trip on Friday and the weekend was just as crazy.  But we are settling down into a happy routine and back to "real" school! 

I can't begin to describe the difference in this Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA) from our first one!  The first time it felt like we were plugging along all the time, just making it happen in our own strength.  But once we got our prayer team in place things began to roll!  This time we began our HMA with an almost full schedule (til Thanksgiving) before we even arrived in America!  We had churches emailing us to ask for dates, instead of pulling teeth to get into a church!

All the glory goes to Jesus- He is really making a way for us!  And a big thank you goes to our prayer team- you are carrying us and we feel it!   That is the only way to describe how I feel these days: carried.  And I am grateful. 

gifts because you prayed...

7300.  safety on the roads
7301.  health. the whole trip.
7302.  great training and fellowship with teammates at HQ
7303.  open homes of friends

7304.  new friends and toys everywhere we go
7305.  You. everlasting God.
7306.  Your promise of eagles' wings
7307.  the prayers of Your people.

7308.  solid teaching from Your word. every. day.
7309.  Caleb's daughter. Achsah.  teaching me to ASK LARGELY!
7310.  impossible means nothing to You.
7311.  I can trust You.

Solo Mama Weekend- Soli Deo Gloria

We've almost survived our 5 days without Daddy weekend!  The team is traveling home from Kenya today! I usually dread solo mama weeks- but this has been such a sweet weekend!  Glory to God alone!  He has been so near.  So, thank you to those who have been praying! 

counting the gifts.  He is a Good Giver.

• roses before he left
• safety as they traveled
• Cafe Roma- pizza, chai, trampoline, a good book
• Happy kids. Happy mama.
• Bread and Wine.  by Shauna Niequist.  like sitting down on the couch with a kindred spirit and swapping stories. and leaving changed.
• gorgeous night sky
• You smiling over me.
• impromptu play date
• playdough candy shop keeping kids happy for hours
• the smell and feel of the chocolate playdough. luxurious.
• donuts at Bean Cafe.  Happy Saturday!
• lunch date with a dear friend.  
• hidden gem of a restaurant. an oasis in the big city.
• uninterrupted conversation. flowing freely and happily.
• linguini in pesto sauce
• good bread and imported butter.
• Mmmmm... yes that is the name of the dessert.
• lingering in the parking lot because we could
• friendship. true and lasting. worth the pain of saying goodbye.

Heading to Congo...

Ok, not us, but Scott and Meg!  You can follow the journey HERE.  The posts and the twitter feed are in one handy location!

They have been delayed, but are still pressing forward.  Would you join us?  And please pray for us as we "stay with the stuff".   The boys are all excited to be with cousins!  It was a happy reunion yesterday! 

It may be a little quiet here over the weekend, but I will keep posting on the WGM Uganda blog linked above with details of the trip.  Thank you for carrying us in these days.

Shadow Hanging Over Christmas?

We have been walking with Scott and Meg through the valley of the shadow of death the past two weeks.

The battle has raged.  Death hangs overhead.  Darkness crouches at our doorstep.  But we are a people of hope!  He has already won the victory!

He is Emmanuel~ God-With-Us~ even here in the shadows.  His hand was all over that day.  And it declares in Isaiah 9, that He will use garments rolled in blood to fuel the fire of passion for the nations!  Even this death can accomplish His purposes.  We don't have to walk in the gloom and anguish forever- a light has shone in our darkness!

I'm not feeling as merry and bright this Christmas as I usually do.  And maybe there is a shadow hanging over your Christmas this year too.  Here are some ways to push back the darkness and bask in the glow of the Light of the World:

1. Light a candle.  be still and remember He is the light.  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." -Isaiah 9:2
2. Give thanks. for He is always good.  "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.  Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness..." -Psalm 107:14-15
3. Focus on others.  He will meet you there.  "If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.  The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought..." -Isaiah 58:10-11
4. Arise.  allow the Lord to minister to your heart and bring healing, then arise. there is a season for sitting down in mourning and a season for getting up.  "Arise, shine, for your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." -Isaiah 60:1-2
5. Praise Him! for He is always worthy.  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness, and into His marvelous light." -I Peter 2:9

Is there a shadow lurking over your Christmas this year?  
Leave a comment- I would love to pray for you today. 

TIA: Driving Across the City

Cows are not that uncommon here.  Their horns are epic.  I still get amazed when I see them in the city.  Traffic Police are also not that uncommon here.  I still get a little nervous when I see them as I drive. 

The other day I was driving across to hang out with my friend Vanessa (who is very pregnant and does not need the stress of driving to my house).  As I assumed would happen- a traffic officer flagged me down and indicated for me to pull over.  I greet her warmly and offer her my driving license so she can confirm my stats.  The rest of the conversation goes something like this:

Officer: How is that tire??
Me: It is fine, thank you. (smile)
Officer:  I have no lunch today.
Me: Oh, I am very sorry.
Officer:  Where is my lunch?  You have my lunch for me?
Me: (realizing I packed boiled eggs to make salad for Vanessa and I) Yes!  Here you go, a cooked egg.  God bless you.
Officer: (smiles) Thank you, sister. You may go.
Me: Thank you. Good day.

Relief pours over me, as that could always go much worse than it did.  Caleb asks- "Why did you give that lady our food?".  And I reply, "Because we share our blessings."  She could have asked for a million different things- school fees, a bribe, my sunglasses, etc.  But she asked for lunch.  And I had food.  Isn't that just God's way?  If we're paying attention, He can use us to be a blessing. 

Who can you bless today?  What need lies in front of you that you can meet?

Friday Five: Glimpses on the Road

Here are a few photos from the road and links to video from the survey trip!  Hope you enjoy a peak into the action  We couldn't be here without your prayers.  He was surely with us!

Monkey chained to a tree.

Congolese Worship: Click here for video!

Christian Bilingual University of Congo

Zebra grazing near the road! Click here to see what other animal crossed their path!

Bridge in Congo: Click here for video of driving in Congo!