Are Missionaries Selfish?

Sometimes I am amazed on the way some people think.

Now I have a glimpse of what the verse means when, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

I have known for some years now that the Lord has changed my heart, but also my way of thinking.  To some, this is great, but to others, it's disturbing.

If you know my husband, he works the government. He is a US Army Soldier.  He works from sun up to sun down and at this duty station -has a desk job which entails active duty and civilians.  Hence, the words: office politics.

So that is a tiny background of his situation, but does that deter him from speaking about Christ? No, not at all. He has missionary prayer cards posted on his cubicle wall. So if you come to visit him there, you'd be intrigued at why so many "postcards."

Just the other day, he had a man ask him, "So, when you retire - do you plan on becoming a missionary?"

First of all, I am not surprised by this question because we have been praying about this for some years now. We have changed our whole family dynamics so that we can prepare (in the event he does get called to be a missionary).

So you say, Who makes that decision??  The decision of becoming a missionary?

Glad you asked, The Lord does.

Now, to the unsaved mind, this is a ludicrous statement.

To a Saved man who studies to shew thyself approved, if it's where the Lord leads him and hence: his family as well.

So, a co-worker overheard the discussion about becoming a missionary. Later the person who overheard asked several more questions and made the statement:  "How can you be so selfish?"

"Selfish?"

"Yeah, if you become a missionary do you leave your family or do they go with you?"

"If I go, yes, they will come also."

"Have you even asked your wife if she wants to go? Your children?"

"We have discussed it- as a family."

End of conversation.


Later he came home and told me of this little chat, and I was actually baffled at the boldness of another person's opinion on our family life. Furthermore, from a person who is neither married nor has any children.

**Just like a child psychologist, who has never bore a child or has any children --- I find their advice irritating.**

I will always remember a sweet lady, a missionary's wife, who was asked:  "Are you ready to become a missionary and why do you want to become a missionary?"   Her answer to the board, "I am not a missionary, but I am following my husband who has been called to do missionary work."

That has always struck me and the most wonderful answer to that question. She follows her husband.

Now, from a position of being a military spouse for the last 15+ years, (and the question/statement coming from a military member) --she has the audacity to say he is being selfish? Wow.

For the last 22 years, ,my husband has been an active duty soldier, he is being selfish?? I mean, as the spouse, I go where he goes...right??  Why?  Because his JOB determines the location of residence.  Yes, I do believe now that the Lord guides that, but none-the-less, we have moved plenty of times over the years -- even to places besides the United States.

So, in a way, military life is a great training session for a missionary - especially missionaries to the Armed Forces.

My husband was saved in a missionary church and so was I.

The pastor that had a church in Belgium, as a matter of fact, was in the military as well. He LEFT a prestigious military career in order to become a pastor and a missionary.  Without his sacrifice, my family probably would never have been saved...

So as far as being selfish, is he?? No. A definite no.  I think she used the wrong "S" word.

Instead of asking how can he be so selfish, the woman should have asked, "How can you sacrifice so much?"  

Easy answer... because God sacrificed HIS SON for us. And that is our model way of life.

So that is my answer and it will be the same as what Ruth has said before, 

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Yes, I will stand by my man. 

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Looking back on 2012 and Homeschooling.

This post is late. I understand that I have not been blogging for at least 2 months now- if not more.  This blog started as a hobby for me, but I did receive a few followers to date. I am truly grateful for that. Thank you for following along in our Homeschool journey.

Before I begin, I just want to say that I am and always will be pro-Homeschooling.  One the of main events that lead us to homeschooling was when both my husband and I became Born-again Christians. We had our children in a government (DoDDs) school(s) and felt we needed to remove them from that environment for various reasons. Another reason is when I researched about homeschooling, I came across this website:  Exodus Mandate.

The last four years we have been homeschooling all our children, but now we are only homeschooling our freshman and have our preschooler home as well, for now.

To let you in our lives a little, we are a military family and my husband is close to retiring from the military within this year.  He has been a military career man, but now it's becoming closer to the time to end this chapter in our lives. With him getting out of the military soon, our household maintenance came into full question: health care, mortgage, auto, tithing, faith promise, groceries, etc.

 I would have to say, that nothing except God's grace is permanent. 

To make the story short...my husband has decided we needed to change our family circumstances.  Now, I am not hear to bash or degrade my husband, but to follow in his decisions for our family.  Yes, he gave me full support while I was homeschooling our boys overseas in Germany, but now that we are in the States and in a different financial situation --things have changed.

I have a degree that I finished while being stationed overseas; hence a student loan.  Yes, not the best decision one could have made, but that was my only option at the time. We now have a mortgage, and various other debts we didn't have living with on-post housing overseas.

I am not making excuses, but laying out the circumstances.

It was a very emotional day when we put two of our children in school.  I cried the entire time I was registering my 1st grader into school and then my 6th grader as well.  I went to the local high school, but I spoke to my husband about what I saw and felt and we decided not to enroll him there.

The plan is to save money and/or use our tax return in order for them to attend a private Christian School in our local area starting next school year or we are looking into transferring our sons to our church private school for the younger two.

Does God approve of our plan?  I am not sure. I just know that as a wife to my husband, I didn't want to go against my husband's wishes for me to get back into the job market and/or the decision of which education route to have for our children.

I know that we strive to still be Christian parents for our children and like the majority the argument is where we place our children for their education, but it's also the manner of discipling our children for the Glory of Jesus Christ that ultimately is what matters. I know in a government school--is the least reliable for this, but we are saving to change this for next year...by putting them (especially the boys in the higher grades) in a private Christian school of our liking.

Oh how I would love to still be homeschooling all my children, and still after 3 months of this dramatic change, I still am broken-hearted ... but my relationship with my husband is better and this is what matters in God's plan of marriage and family.

I think too many wives forget that our relationship with our husband needs to come first, before our children. I can't be the one to make the final decision for our family, because God makes the husband/father accountable for that.  Why do I think I can change that?

Some here reading this post will probably be upset in our decision, maybe even label us hypocritical, but I have always stated that education (for children) is a decision to be made per family, per circumstance, per situation.

Right now, this is our decision and I know that my husband is a praying man, and has spend more than a year on this decision...I was the one not obeying the decision until now.

I will still keep this blog...because I feel no matter the decision of the educational route, as a mother (and father) we are still accountable for the actions we make as parents to our children and I have the luxury of still keeping a blog as a hobby--no matter if anyone still reads it.

Not all post (in the future) will contain just information about homeschooling, but about raising boys for Christ. Yes, with our situation now, this will be more challenging than before, but Christ didn't say our journey as Christian parents was going to be a piece of cake. In fact, our journey as Christian parents will be the road less traveled and hard.

"Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."  Our children know how much we care for their spiritual well-being as much as their school-knowledge; and this is just one or two aspects of what being a parent is about.  I only pray that we are doing right by this decision. Only God knows...

 

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October Baby Movie Review: Life is Beautiful.

October Baby (2011)

Cast: Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, Jasmine Guy, John Schneider, Chris Sligh, & more.

Samuel Goldwyn Films Presents

Directors: Andrew Erwin, John Erwin

Screenplay: Theresa Preston

Synopsis:  A college freshman’s world is abruptly detoured when she learns she was adopted and a survivor of an attempted abortion.  

Running time: 105 mins.   

Rated: PG-13 

Review: 

I probably gather that many have probably already seen this movie, but I was just able to view it recently.  It really pulled some heart strings in my soul.  The movie is about a young female, which seems to be on the verge of a great acting/college career. The first scene she is onstage, first opening night, main character of a play – and we notice that she is physically ill and passes out in front of everyone.  That was her first disappointment.

Her parents and Hannah (Rachel) discover some of the underlining causes from the incident that night…the doctor can’t fully explain all her medical conditions without bringing up all her medical history –starting from birth.

At this moment, Hannah’s parents are forced to tell her the truth (well, most of it) – She was adopted.  Throughout the movie, the main focus is her journey to find her biological mother and what happens when she does.

Does life go on?  Yes, but it will forever changed for Hannah.  Through God’s grace she learns who she is and the powerful act of forgiveness. 

I would definitely recommend this for young adults to mature adults because of the subject matter of abortion, abandonment, short jail time, girl/boy relationships (nothing sexual though), and suggestion of one character drinking.

Side Note: Directors Jon and Andrew Erwin, are mostly known for directing music videos for Casting Crowns and Skillet (Christian artists).  

___________________________________________________________

Personal note:

We strive to achieve goals in our lives, sometimes we succeed, we fail and what most do not understand – some goals/issues of life we never have control of.

I was not a typical college freshman until well in my 20's, married with two children, so I didn't have the normal college experience.  So, I tried to put myself in her position and contemplate the situation.  

As an adopted child, my situation was a little different because I was adopted by my paternal grandparents. I did know the truth as a young age that I was adopted and the situation that forced the procedure.   As a young child, I didn't question it, but as I got older and started to have issues in my life – they question did come up.  Why didn't they want me??

The situation is a little complex than that, you see, when I was almost 3 (or 4) I was severely burned in an old-fashioned clubbed toe bath. If you’d ask me how, the only answer I can give is that I was put in there for a future bath or it was used as a temporary play-pen.  In any case, I had turned on the hot water.

Born some years back, they probably didn't have a regulated max temperature or I was left there for some time, and so I was burned with 3^rd degree burns with over 80% TSBA (total body surface area) being damaged.  Needless-to-say, my life was on the line.

Thank the Lord that I am alive today and I have four lovely miracles – my four sons.

Even though I was neglected, abandoned by my biological parents, hardships had come along with older grandparents (sometimes the lack of parenting/involvement) – I survived and I am still grateful for them. 

It was hard in my younger years, adding to the normal growing (both spiritual and physical) as a young adult, mix into it, low self-esteem because of the scarring, body issues, and bullying in schools – I still survived – by God’s grace no doubt. 

Long story short…fast forward many, many years…I had a friend once pointed out that that is the reason why I strive to be a good mother.  Yes, it kind of shocked me to hear the rationale behind it, but I suppose in a way she is right.  I am not nor never will be the perfect mother, but yes we try to do better for our children as each generation that passes by.

As first time Christians, we are trying to achieve and live by the verse, 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

We feel that right now homeschooling our children is the best way to live out this verse right now.  Although, I know our education decision for our children isn't for everyone, I do, however, feel that teaching our children about Christ, charity, forgiveness are major life lessons that we should all teach our children.

So, October Baby, while watching I didn't think it would strike a personal chord in my own life, but I did like the underlining message that every life is beautiful and forgiveness is key to living.  

No matter what the situation is: if we've been hurt by someone or some situation we should give it to the Lord and forgive that person.  Forgiveness is so much better than keeping bitterness inside for life- trust me, I know.

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Field Trip: Lackland Air Force Base Open Air Museum

Last Friday, we went to Lackland Air Force Base to receive our flu shots/mist for this season and then decided to visit an open air museum of older air crafts. 

Here are a several photos from our leisure family outing...

My boys walking the path

Don't Mess with Air Force

B - 24

F - 82

Lackland Air Force Base

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The Homeschool Mother's Journal: 14 September 2012

In my life this week:

Well, this week had a few NEW firsts for us... we participated in our very first Co-Op/Enrichment Classes, here, in the States.  Loved Co-Op and I am also teaching Geography, Photography and assisting in General Science classes... the boys said they had a blast!  Wednesday nights, my husband and I help out with at our Church for Kids4Truth!  We went on a field trip today- San Antonio Great Day Kens 5. 


In our homeschool this week:

Boys are finishing up their 6th week of homeschooling. This homeschool year started our fourth year in doing so...I guess by now, we just feel natural about being at home and doing what needs to get done, and then just have fun as a family.  Started our first week of Co-Op too!! So much fun. 

Apologia Biology Lab Worksheet
(9th grade)

Helpful tips or advice about homeschooling:

I think having a fellowship with other homeschool ladies, Christian fellowship, and sharing our prayers, doubts, fears, praises --- goes a long way.  We had a Girls Night Out yesterday, and I just love being with them and sharing ideas, projects, and friendships. My advice is that if you are not plugged into a group of other homeschool ladies/friends --- find some. Immediately.  Friendships are a treasure and a luxury we cannot afford to be without.


Places we went and people we saw:

Well, like I said before...we had our first Co-Op meeting and a field trip today at our local news station for a segment called, "Great Day SA" - KENS 5.   It showed us a little about how news rooms work and the people who get it done.  

My youngest and me waiting for the show to start.

Kens 5  Great Day SA

Photo Op after the Show!

Things I am working on:

I will be joining in on Carlie's new site called:  Managing Your Blessings as a team writer, I pray that I will be able to contribute as well as have fun with her new en devour and direction. So be on the look out for more details soon! 

If you'd like to know more about Carlie, you can "meet" her over on, So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?  She is another fellow Christian Military Homeschool Blogger and her blog is on the Top 25 Homeschool Blogs of 2012. So check it out! 


Also, next week I am going to see about going back to Nursing School for RN (registered nurse).  Long story short...I had completed half the courses before we had to move (PCS) to Germany.  Now that we are back in the States, I just might finish...to maybe in the future work part-time.  I don't know, I am just letting the Lord handle that and see where it leads...


I'm reading:

Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis  - I have not read this book until now.  What prompt me to read it is because for Co-Op, my older two boys are reading Mere Christianity for an Apologetic's Class right now.  

I'm cooking:

Tonight we are going to have baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread.

We recently decided to have theme night meals... so it'll look like this:

Mondays- Seafood Night
Tuesdays- Mexican Night
Wednesdays- Pizza Night
Thursdays- Italian Night
Fridays- Home-style Night
Saturdays- BBQ
Sundays-Leftovers 


I'm grateful for:

My family, my friends and the new people I am meeting everyday here in our new hometown.


I'm praying for: 

I am praying for friends and their prayer requests, for church family members during illnesses & surgeries, upcoming weddings, for our homeschool, for my husband and his recent surgery AND for his new beginning of furthering his education...plus many, many more.  The Lord knows all what is in my heart and mind.

Video or photo to share:

OH!! I wish I had videotaped my child today...he was on the air and danced in front of an audience!! No shyness with this HOMESCHOOLER!! LOL!! It was so funny.  I hope I will be able to watch a clip sometime or another. With a house full of boys -- it's like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get or witness (at any given moment).  

OH!! In another post I will talk about our Church Co-Op groups recent project: Busy Bags for our Toddlers/PreK!!  So excited about them and it was so fun to join-in. I might even start making some more for my two younger ones-- for more options. Have you ever joined a Busy Bag Swap?? What was your child's favorite bag?  

Busy Bags: More to Come!

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