Friday: a tough day.

Hello all!

Yesterday morning went way to fast. Incredbily too fast. Instead of getting my fill of alone tiem, I became more aware of how little alone time I get! It just made me want more, unfortunately.

About 11:30 I went to meet my mom at the high school. My sister attends this school, and my mom works here prat time. We were here for 1 ½ hours or so while my mom showed me around and finished up some of her work. Afterward, we went to this local ice cream store and chatted for a while. Well, “chatting” means that she talks and I listen. :) But God is teaching me through this experience and giving me grace in this area.

We didn’t get home til almost 3:00pm, and then we left again at 4:00pm to take a 1 ½ hour bus ride. We went with a group of people in their church to a ministry that that started in another part the city. I was not prepared for this night. That might be an understatement. We left at 4:00 and got back at 11:00pm. While we were there, there were just tons of kids going nuts. It was kind of like youth group, except for all ages. There were kids from babies up to high school. There were just a million of them! I “helped” with ages 4-6. Okay, let’s be honest, I didn’t do much. I’m hardly an intimidating figure for these kids. I mostly tried to keep my sanity.  

Overall, the day was very very  tiring. Kids in this type of setting are definitely not my strong suite. I’m a deep conversation person, not a gatekeeper of screaming kids. It was a challenge, but I know that it meant a ton to my mom and sister that I went. In fact, they told me when we got home that they were so thankful that I went with them. They said that I’m the first missionary who came with them to this ministry. I know they are proud of this ministry and wanted me to see what it was like. Honestly, I think it’s a good thing for the kids…it’s just not something I’m gifted in. My Tica mom and sister, on the other hand, thrive in this type of setting and totally love it.

This morning I got up at 8 (this family isn’t near as much into sleeping in!) and had breakfast with my mom and brother. After showering and getting ready, I went with my mom to run errands. We went to the farmers market in this town, and then we went to buy fabric for this camp that they are having. They have a camp of 350 people for their church, and my mom and sister are 2 of the people in charge. So we had to go buy fabric for different little scarves and things that they were going to use. This took most of the morning, and I’ve been chatting with my mom since I got back.

This afternoon my mom and sister went to a meeting that they have. This meeting is for the coordinators of the camp (which is next weekend). They left at 1:00pm, and they won’t be back until 7:00pm tonight. Praise the Lord that I can have some time to skype with my family (for the first time in a really long time) and be alone. My brother is here now, but he’s leaving soon, and my dad will be home later. Even so, they are far less chatty than my mom and sister :)

I pray that God sustains me, as yesterday was the most difficult day of the week for me. It’s hard to explain in a blog, but it was emotionally draining for various reasons. By the end of the day, I was totally wiped out. I pray that God gives me time alone and that he would be sufficient for me. Father, teach me what it means to be totally satisfied in you.