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 

9 Years...

date night in Ohio, didn't take any picture last night!

Our official anniversary isn't until December 19, but with the holidays, the unknown arrival of our third little one, and the offer of free babysitting- we decided to celebrate early!  It was the first time in a long time we actually took the time to do dinner AND a movie!  This man is such a gift to me!

Counting the ways ...

• he steadies me.
• he makes me laugh
• he delights in me
• he takes care of the details
• he is a good dad
• he plays the guitar
• he isn't too tall
• he loves Jesus 
• he leads our family well
• he cooks a mean breakfast sandwich
• he has a heart for Africa
• he does most of the driving
• he does laundry
• he gets excited about Christmas lights
• ...and so much more...I am one blessed woman!

Staying Married on the Road

Date Night: thanks, Andrea!

Well, October is over... but this series isn't.  I have a few more topics I want to make sure I cover- even though it's been more than 31 days! When you are on Homeland Ministry Assignment you often need to take a roadtrip and visit families and churches who support you. These are often fun and encouraging- but they can get tiresome. How do you and your spouse stay connected while you're on the road??

Here a few things that help us stay connected on the road!

• When someone offers you a date night- say "yes!" and "thank you!".  We had a great night out while we were at Ohio Christian University- the director of the WGM Student Center offered to keep our boys so we could go out alone.  It was a sweet time of delicious food and happy, uninterrupted conversation!  And tonight, my college roommate is keeping our boys so we can go on date #2 this road trip!
• If you can't find a babysitter- just buy a rare, luxurious treat to share after the kids are in bed with decaf coffee and your favorite movie!
• Talk.  Period.  Things on the road can get stressful.  You may want to clam up and just press through- but it's best for everyone to talk it out!  
• Have an "I need" conversation.  If things are piling up and you're feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, tell your spouse what you need.  They can't read your mind!  And then ask them what they need.  Come up with a plan to make it happen!
• If you aren't sharing a room with your kids- take advantage. Enough said. 
• Just be kind.  Think of things that make your spouse happy and do them.  
• Make sure you kiss each other decently every day.  
• Pray together as a couple.  Even if it's just a quick prayer at bedtime- it's a point of connection with your spouse and your God.  That's always the best combination!

Enjoy this season.  Lean on each other.  And know that you will be back at home-base soon enough!

Beginning of the End

We are starting the process of transition... we leave Uganda in less than two months! And while we are looking forward to being in America, we already can't wait to be back.  God is gracious.

We've not passed this way before, and so I am gathering all the resources I can find it make this transition a smooth one.  This is our first furlough- while I am excited to go home, I understand that this probably feels more like home to our boys than America does.  So we tread lightly.  We seek Jesus often.  We grieve the loss of places and people and foods.  And we look forward to seeing friends and family and supporters in America.  And we make lots of lists!

If you are a missionary hunting for resources on transition, furlough, packing here are some great links for you!

• Ron Kotesky has a ton of helpful e-books on re-entry for you and your kids! 
• Preparing for Furlough by William Ardill, M.D. 
• Thought on "leaving" over at Missionary Moms Companion!

And a free gift from me to you!

{Download here} 

a piece of the puzzle

stay at home mom.  it feels insignificant at times.  does it matter that i am living in Uganda?  missionary- can i even claim the title?  {yes!}  this summer God and i have been in dialogue about my calling here in Uganda.  where do i fit?  what has He shaped me to contribute?  i was certainly busy last year, but i don't just want to be busy; i want to be fruitful.  and so i need to be about what He is about.  i need to do the things only i was created to do.  and i need to not do the things He isn't calling me to do! {perhaps that's even more significant}

and i think we reached some clarity, me and God!  i've been doing a lot of these things already... but the pieces all fit together in my mind and in my heart.  there's a conviction and calling that i was somehow lacking last year as we figured out how to do life in Uganda.  so what is this glorious calling He has laid on my heart??  {drum roll, please....}

He is calling me to create oasis.  making our home an oasis for my husband and children.  making our home an oasis for friends and weary travelers on their way to somewhere.  making team prayer meeting an oasis for our colleagues to come and carry each others burdens and be recharged for another week of ministry.  starting a book club for international women- saturday morning oasis from ministry!  being on retreat committee... maybe that's kinda obvious.  leading a small group of women from the university in a midweek oasis in the Word for these young women.

it's my prayer that even this blog is an oasis- a place of beauty and peace- a welcoming point of entry for friends and champions into our lives and ministry here.  so, yeah, oasis.  pray that it's true.  pray that He gets all the glory. 

so i'm thankful this week that He showed up.  He met me and spoke calling and clarity into my life. 

#6680.  loads of linens and laundry

#6681.  stacks of dishes
#6682.  toys everywhere

#6683.  empty fridge
#6684.  this ministry of hospitality

#6685.  hellos and goodbyes to tons of amazing people!
#6686.  joy in serving from my giftings.
#6687.  peace as You live through me
#6688.  discovering Your calling on my life- my unique contribution to the kingdom- how i fit in this Uganda puzzle.
#6689.  like unwrapping a gift... my gifts... from a good and wise Giver.
#6690.  a clarified vision, an intense focus.
#6691.  new teammates arriving
#6692.  their own unique callings

so what about you?  what is He calling you to?  does it thrill you?  does it terrify you?  does it make your heart sing?  it will probably do all those things at various points.  but at the end of the day there is no place sweeter than the center of His will!  

i would love to pray for you if you're entering a new calling- or jumping into your current calling with renewed joy and energy.  leave a comment and let me know how i can pray for you!

Gifts of this Calling

i love this crazy wonderful life we live.  there are days when i am stay at home mama.  there are days when i am cherished wife.  there are days when i'm the preacher, the preschool music teacher, the Bible study leader, the social media professional or the confidant.  and i enjoy all those hats i wear.  trying to balance them all is a circus act, so i was so encouraged when i found this quote and can echo these words with my life.:

"For years, I tried to juggle all the elements of life.  I knew there was a God call on my life to be in ministry, and yet I also knew it could never be at the expense of my family.  When I tried to juggle all the boxes, I learned the hard way that it is difficult to keep them all from crashing down.  So I no longer have boxes for marriage, ministry and motherhood.  Instead, God has shown me that there is a divine order for my life.

Instead of trying to make sure that everything is balanced (there is no prescribed formula for balance), God showed me that I am to break of the box mentality and instead seek Him for divine order for my life.  Each day differs from the day before,  The dynamics change, but the call on my life doesn't.  Marriage, motherhood, and ministry are all cohesively part of that call.  God anoints us for our entire call." -Darlene Zschech

excerpts of gifts of this crazy wonderful calling:

#5784. Your heart for the world
#5785. his love of painting
#5786.  my little messy man- no guts, no glory
#5787.  sharing this time to be creative

#5788.  lazy, late afternoon sun
#5789.  warmth.
#5790.  beauty.

#5792.  music. loud & soft
#5793.  getting to use my education degree
#5794.  sharing my love of music with 4 year olds

#5800.  a daddy built tent
#5801.  happy boys sleeping in a fort
#5802.  no one woke in the night-that tent is magic!

#5805.  You meeting us as I preached
#5806.  men and women willing to go where You send them!
#5807.  gloriously spent for You.  Sabbath rest.

Our Anniversary (Warning: mushy post!)

Today is a special day: our 4th Anniversary! We celebrated last night at the cheesecake factory, with some lovely dinner... and some amazing dessert! I still have half of my outrageous chocolate cake in the fridge! But enough about the food!

I am just so blessed to be walking side by side with Josh as my husband! He takes such good care of me and our children. He picks up my slack when I've been mothering through the night. He makes me laugh! He keeps our finances on track. He is a great youth pastor. He has a passion for missions. And there is so much more that I love and appreciate about him! As we begin this new season of ministry I am just so grateful we are together! And I am praising Jesus for creating us for each other!