on my own

Well..not entirely. Stan left just after lunch today for a two night trip out to different village areas in our province. This is going to be something that happens several times each month. With a move by one of our team members, 'G', and the start of a new semester with Stan having classes on just Monday and Tuesday, the doors have opened up for Stan and G to be out several times during each month. The plan for now is that about 3 weeks of each month they will leave on Wednesday and return by Friday evening. This timing is mostly so I won't have to go more than a few hours on my own with the boys. Monday through Friday we have a local woman that comes to help me do things around our home. With the time and energy even the simplest task requires if I didn't have help I would spend all my time just trying to keep up with household chores. There would be no time for language study. No time for meeting local friends. And no time to spend with my children. So, as I was saying, I'm not totally on my own but, as you mothers out there know, when Daddy is gone, things just aren't the same. Even last night with just knowing that Stan was leaving today we had a horrible time with Kirby and Bennett at bed time. Kirby didn't want to go to sleep and then once I finally got him to go to bed, Bennett got up screaming. One wanted the night light on and one wanted it off. They would call for me and when I went in, they asked for daddy and vise versa. I have no idea what is in store for tonight. We have made it past nap time--Bennett didn't take one cause he fell asleep playing this morning while Kirby was at school, umm yeah screaming half the night would (and did) make me tired too--and I have a friend helping me with dinner tonight. I'm doing my best to be all smiles and exhibit grace to my children.

So now each week I have to start out with a game plan. I'm thinking organization, patience and lots of prayer is how we will get through the adjustment to this new schedule. As long as there is work to do we want to be doing it and right now that just happens to require Stan to be out frequently. In some ways I'm jealous that he gets to have all the 'fun' while I'm here with the boys but God continues to remind me that HE has called me to be the mother to these precious boys and a help meet for Stan. So this is how the task at hand is fleshed out by me. Staying home, loving my children and keeping things under control so that when my husband comes home we can enjoy time as a family.

Tonight I'm praying for us all to get a good nights sleep so we can wake up refreshed in the morning. I'm praying tomorrow will allow me time to play with my boys in between loads of laundry and a quick trip to the market. And Friday I'm praying we can get an extra special welcome home ready for Stan. Saturday will bring the blessing of us all being together and maybe even a quick date for Stan and I. If you think of us please pray for Stan and G's safety and for us here at home to make it through smoothly.