Living here in this land of loud everything, no lines, and plans that change in an instant hasn't been easy for me to adjust to. For the first 2.5 years, I only thought of all the negatives of living here. Even when kind people would tell me all the positives, in my head, the negatives ruled.
A major negative: alllllll the things my kids are missing out on. I would make a list, but that would take a long time.
This year, God is slowly changing my heart. I see that the positives outweigh the negatives. Concerning my boys, that's still up for debate. There's just so much I'd rather them see and do in the comforts of America. May God continue to show me how he's molding them into little men after His heart and being here is exactly part of that plan.
I often shed tears over how few friends they have. Since our lives and the lives of those around us are so transient, they barely have time to make a friend. And when they do, we're tearing them apart a year later.
But lately I've been rejoicing in the fact that they have each other. They'll always (Lord-willing!) be together while we're here. They'll become great buds because, well, let's face the facts...no one else will be a constant in their lives. This makes my heart swell with joy and prayer, that they truly will learn to lean on each other through the ups and so-far-downs of living here.
Sniff! I feel your mama pain... And yes, so grateful for the togetherness that siblings share. Love the picture of your adorable boys.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's awesome people that make picture books to ensure the kids don't forget each other. :)
DeleteThere is a picture I took last spring of my nieces in Tiananmen square -- kind of like your photo. My sister poked me the kind of poke that said:
ReplyDeleteTAKE A PICTURE RIGHT NOW
and
OH MY WORD. THEY ARE BEING NICE TO EACH OTHER
and
THIS IS A MIRACLE.
that kind of sums up together, doesn't i t:)
haha, so true! So thankful for phone cameras so I can actually capture those rare moments!
DeleteI can so relate. I have two boys too (6 & 4), and they are each other's best friends, no doubt. They're slowly making friends on our street (we've been in this house 2 years), but the language barrier continues to be an issue and I haven't figured out what the solution is yet - local school? (very stressful) Home tutor? (hard to find a reliable local person who's also got knack with small kids)… Feeling your pain! And yet, trusting God has a purpose for them as well in what He's called us to… My eldest son was singing Jeremiah 29:11 around the house today :)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn @ www.afamilyofsojourners.blogspot.com
Yes, Carolyn! I so wish they could be better friends with the locals, but sadly they're in school 10 hours a day. Major benefit of staying through the summer for us!
DeleteI love to hear of your softening toward being overseas. I didn't have kids while I was overseas, but I do relate to the negatives outweighing the positives in your mind. So much of it was blessed and yet some really tough stuff remains. I am excited for what you (and your kiddos) are learning through this process!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emily! I'm so thankful to have women around me who have "been there, done that" who will listen to my frustrations and complaints without judging. And then they gently tell me it gets better, even when I don't have an ounce of faith it will. Even more glad I can get this through VA instead of waiting for our once-a-year conference!
DeleteWhat a sweet photo! I am glad that God is working on you in this area. I am always so appreciative when God shows me his perspective. It's like, nothing changed, but everything is different. I'm glad Josiah and Malachi have one another too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shara! Miss you and pray for you and your fam often. You know I'm all ears if you ever need to chat. :)
Delete