Waking up at 3:00 am, we're ready for bed by dinnertime. We're trying to force ourselves to stay up, but that only lasted until 8:00 last night. Grace is happy to be back home with her books, toys and Skype for talking with grandparents.
In the days and weeks we will continue to process what we've experienced, observed and . As with any growing experience, realizations come in bits and pieces, times of pain and struggle, and "aha" moments.
More than a vision for ministry, I think God has given us a better vision for our family. In light of the demands of an American family living in a foreign culture and raising third culture kids, life in the context of a foreign, non-believing culture, and the sinfulness and selfishness that we must confront within ourselves we've been challenged to consider how we're to relate to one another. We (especially me) have been led into further exploration of what kind of parents and a family God has called us to be. How, as a married couple, do we reflect the relationship of Christ with the Church? What is God's desire for us as parents and how is this different because of our faith? How, as God's chosen basis for society, can the family reflect the best of his creation? What does this mean for our ministry pursuits and the balance between family and ministry?
As a woman who has been blessed to become a mother, but who also craves intellectual pursuits, there is internal tension. I've always stated that within a ministry context, my family must come first, that I will not sacrifice them for any number of others. I'm now being challenged to make my life consistent with my words...
Bekah
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