Everyday Life as a Mother and Missionary in Training

Helping Mommy sew

Life here can be crazy and challenging. Living conditions aren't intense as we have appliances and A/C (very grateful for that as the temperature has already been getting close to 100 here in South Texas). But I try to do some things the way I think I will have to do them on the mission field. I try not to use the clothes dryer (as hot as it has been, by the time I finish hanging up a load some of the clothes will already be dry!). I try to cook with what is cheap and readily available around here, and to make most things from scratch. I love making Mexican food especially tortillas!

Jem loves playing outside!

Using cloth diapers was another way I was trying to save money and prepare for the mission field but as busy as this next month will be we are going to use disposable for a while. Depending on where we live long term these things will be harder (like if I have to wash clothes by hand I could see myself saying "ok family you get to use one change of clothes per week!") Jemimah's clothes would be quite filthy by the end of the week! She loves to be outside and watching her is quite a job alone. Now that she can crawl she gets into everything; the garbage, the toilet paper roll, the dirty laundry basket. Nap times are pretty much the only times I can get anything else done. She can be the sweetest cuddliest little girl but she also has a temper! She throws her food on the floor to let me know she is done eating. We are working on teaching her sign language for "all done" and she's catching on pretty fast. Even if I feed her she can make a mess because she spits her food in her hand and rubs it in her hair! Even with all the trouble she causes she's such a blessing. I couldn't imagine life without her. She really helps with building relationships cross culturally. Who doesn't love a baby, especially one as cute as Jemimah?

Cooling off in the water

Besides all the normal work around here I've been able to go on half the trips into northern Mexico. It's great to have Jemimah along because everyone wants to talk about her and I get to practice my spanish.
I've also been able to go to some classes. During a week of systematic theology class I watched 2 more kids in the morning and their mother watched Jem in the afternoon. So we both went to half of the class, which was really good. There have been some classes in the evenings for the mothers on inductive Bible study and Bible storying, as well as days for learning some practical skills. It is refreshing to have a change from everyday life once in a while. My sister, Rachel, came down to stay with us the rest of the school year. She is watching Jemimah this week so that I can attend a class on linguistics. Next week we have a Safety, Security and Survival class that I am very excited for.

Life is busy and crazy. Being a mother is a wonderful and tiring job. Jemimah is the best gift God has given me, especially as I serve in missions. I love going on the Mexico trips and the classes I've been able to attend. God is faithfully preparing me for the mission field!