After reading our last update, where Paul shared what an aircraft mechanic’s week is normally like for him, several folks asked if I would be sharing next about my normal week. So here you go:
Monday: Look after kids and try not to go crazy.
Tuesday: Look after kids and try not to go crazy.
Wednesday: Look after kids and…….
Well, you get the picture. 🙂 OK, in all seriousness, I thought I would share some things about my life here as wife and mom. (I’m not looking for sympathy….maybe some laughs and I’m sure many can relate. My purpose for writing is so you know better how to pray for me…really for all of us).
Semi-random tidbits from a SAHMM (Stay-At-Home-Missionary-Mom):
- We live on a center that is about 40 acres big. It really isn’t safe for women to travel off center alone, so I spend weeks (and even months) without getting outside the fence.
- How long does it take you to get to the store? Not including the time it takes me to get two kids out the door, about 1 minute. We have a store here on our center that sells most of what we need. Food containers arrive from the coast or even America several times a year to keep up our supply of apple sauce and creamy peanut butter. Don’t look too closely at the prices or you might think a decimal has been misplaced. And there is no Extreme Couponing here. If you see something that you need, better grab one (or ten) because you might not see it again.
- What about fresh veggies? Living so close to the equator but at almost 5,000 feet above sea level, our valley is in perpetual spring. (We actually have two season: rainy and dry). So we really enjoy having access to so much fresh produce: sweet potatoes, papaya, carrots, lettuce, avocados and even bananas growing in our back yard. And some of this is even delivered to my door by some national friends.
- In just a few years our kids will attend our mission’s school, Numonohi Christian Academy. Until then, they are with me all day. Instead of MOPS or daycare, we have spring weather almost every day! They can play with lots of other kids, jump on a neighbor’s trampoline, explore the playground (a favorite of Joshua’s) or even go on rock hunts! Just don’t forget your hat and sunscreen. We even can go check out some books at our school’s elementary library! And when we need a shopping fix? We can make a trip to Phoebe’s favorite place: the Mission Barrel! (Our version of a free thrift store).
- And what would this list be like without talking about meal prep? Never really a favorite subject for any of us. While we do have access to a few prepared foods, most of our meals are cooked from scratch. (Add in the fact that Paul is on a strict diet and needs most of his foods and snacks made for him). We try to have folks over as much as we can (there are always folks traveling through) so that means more cooking. But I really don’t mind….just every once and a while I would love to go through a drive-thru after church or order some take-out.
- Where’s my favorite place? It’s a toss-up between sleeping in my bed and reading in my favorite chair WITHOUT Dora or Elsa or Sofia or Elmo in the background. (What did you expect me to say? I’m a mom of two toddlers and there’s no coffee shop for 1,000 miles.) :^)
Kodiak #1 is Here!
The Lord has provided three Kodiak airplanes for the field of PNG….and the first one has arrived! Thank you so much for praying as it was flown over here from Kansas, to California, to Hawaii, to Marshal Islands…and finally to PNG!
Now Paul and the team have the tremendous job of doing the final preparations to get it ready for use here in country.
Praise & Prayer Requests
- Praise — For our family! (Pray for wisdom and strength as we raise Phoebe and Joshua).
- Praise — Arrival of the first Kodiak here in PNG.
- Pray — For the NTM Aviation team as we prepare this first Kodiak for it’s life of service here.
- Pray — For wisdom as we look to sell our C-90 and some Cessna’s.
- Pray — Bible teaching amongst the Tangguat people has now moved through the life of Christ and THIS WEEK they will be teaching on Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Please continue to pray for understanding and teachable hearts.
Andrea’s Disclaimer:
I hope my humor didn’t give anyone the impression that I’m unhappy being a mom. It is the best and hardest “job” I’ve ever had. And while at times I long for those days when I held a position in an office here, I know that this ministry I have now is a gift from the Lord….and yes…is passing all too quickly.
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