Hello Friends,
The flexible and less-intensive schooling situation for my niece and nephew has allowed me to take on some additional things. Last month, I began working in administration again for YL in Ecuador which has been exciting to return to some more ministry related work. The tricky part is always creating boundaries in how I use my time and how to separate work from family. Ivan and I have been very intentional about when we are allowed to talk about "work" things so that it does infiltrate our personal time. I also took on a student, for some private English tutoring in the evenings which has been fun for me (and means Ivan takes over the bedtime routine duty with the kids, so it's almost like a vacation! Haha!).
We've also started getting together more regularly with two other families with young children for some homeschool activities. It's especially refreshing for me as the two other mothers are also North American and we've been able to exchange ideas and books. It's always a gift to talk in English with others and see our kids playing happily together.
Our small group from church has also begun to meet in person again. It is so nice to sit face-to-face once again with our friends. We are grateful for one of the local YL leaders who lives down the street who is able to babysit for us. While we used to take Benji with us to the meetings, it's a bit much now that he's a wild 4-year old and two other kids in tow as well. (My new side jobs help provide the funds for a weekly babysitter which is a blessing).
I continue to seek wisdom and grace in parenting. We have finally finished our unit on the fruit of the Spirit and so now the kids, very kindly and very pointedly, remind me when I need to put into practice a particular one (like patience, peace and self-control). It's that nice? ;)
Benji's new phrase is "No importa!" (It doesn't matter). So when he doesn't want to eat all his food at meal time... "But Mommy, no importa!" When he does not obey... "No importa." I wonder how often God is trying to refine me and teach me something and like Benji, I respond in a very passive way "No, importa." Unlike me though, He does respond to my dismissiveness with exacerbation and impatience.
I pray that I can discern between the things that really do matter.
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| Self-control! |
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| Ice cream break! |
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| Fall art project with our homeschool friends |
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| Just gorgeous! |
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| Park adventure |
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