Tag Archives: children

What’s on my mind. What’s on your mind?

Posted on
15

I’ve missed out on a bit of sleep lately. Not because of worry, or fear, or anything. It just happens sometimes.

And this week was one of those times.

And, when everything else is quiet and my mind has nothing but space to fill, I start thinking about kids. Kids who are old enough to know that the adults caring for them are not their parents and might not care for them forever. Kids who wonder who they’re supposed to call mom & dad. Who have feelings and favorite colors.

Or I think about those who will be born into a world they can’t understand. And who won’t be able to process their first few months of life. Who’s hearts are beating quickly and quietly, and might soon face a breaking.  Who have fingernails and faces.

Then I think about buckets of Favorite Color paint. And skinned knees. And endless bowls of Kraft Mac&Cheese, and tiny shoe laces, and hugs that say “I am yours and you are mine, no matter what the other kids say.”

And then I try to stop thinking. I try to open my eyes and return to reality and remind myself that there will be months of ups and downs and frustrations and questions before …

before the unexpected happens. And the expected happens. And it all happens.

That’s what’s on my mind.

What’s on your mind this week?

We’d make great parents, damnit.

Posted on
19

The phone rang in the middle of my smoothie-making evening: ”Mandy? We’ve been meaning to ask y’all something. Do you have a second?”

“um… yeah… But, this is making me nervous.” (How else am I supposed to respond to a question like that?!)

“Well, we’re going through our Will, and… there’s no pressure… but we were wondering if you and Drew would be willing to take the kids if something were to happen to us?”

Suddenly, all smoothie-making stops, and I stand expressionless at the kitchen sink.

Because I know the significance of her words.

I remember that long-ago surge of crazy-making maternal instinct; I know that it can take over a woman and make her manic to protect her child. I have distinctly and clearly thought: “I’d give my life for the sake of this life inside me.” And, here she was, thinking of the “what ifs.”

I know how important this question was.

And, she’s not the first to ask us this question.

The irony leaves me nearly breathless. The irony of knowing that others would trust Drew and me, as inexperienced as we are, to raise their children if something were to happen. But, God hasn’t given us that entrustment yet…

In that moment–when I hang up the phone, my heart wide and bare and questioning–I imagine myself shaking my fist at God and screaming “See?!!? We’d make great parents, damnit!!”

But I don’t.

Instead, I sit down and type out this blog post. And I wait for the day when we will be the ones saying to trusted friends: “If something were to happen to us...”

@ngie’s bolivia

Posted on
12

Only recently has my perspective of missionaries changed.  I once saw them as super-humans of the faith – modern-day maniacs for Jesus – extreme – willing to do crazy things – hippies – wanderers – free spirits. Then, I had the privilege of getting to know a few missionaries here at seminary, as well as through the blogworld. Last week, I asked one of our missionary net-friends, @ngie, to share a little about what she DOes and how we can help by DOing something as well:

What we DO…
Nestled in the heart of South America is the poorest nation on its continent: Bolivia. Reaching across cultural and language barriers we at Christ Nation Ministries touch the lives of orphans in the House of Dreams, build families by pastoring a church and through our international office provide tools and resources to strengthen leaders. If you want to see what we offer Spanish speakers: www.ministeriocristonacion.com.

Let’s DO dinner…
Friends organized a dinner for Bolivia in their home. They invited about twenty people and served them an authentic Bolivian dish. They talked about the work here in Bolivia. They encouraged their guests to write a check and leave it in a special box by the door. These friends went all out DOing something for Bolivia.

DOing ideas for you…
Live for Bolivia. In a prominent place hang a world map. Tack up the pictures or just the names of the missionaries you know next to the country they are in. You can start with Bolivia (wink)! Keeping these images and names before your face will keep them in your heart.
Give to Bolivia. Sure, you can give finances on line, but what else can you give online? You can give encouragement. Thoughtful, meaningful emails, online chats and comments go such a long way. I save all the sweet stuff people say to me to go back and read when I need a boost.
Believe for Bolivia. When you get all wrapped up in what is going on here in Bolivia through seeing the photos, reading the stories and interacting on the internet you will be able to believe that there is hope for this nation.

Thank you, ahead of time, for making the effort to DO something for Bolivia.