Parenting an MK Is A Hard, Yet Rewarding Job

Today I had a parent meeting with Micah’s teacher and it really got me thinking. Moving overseas has required many sacrifices personally, but also for our family. My boys have given up the familiar, friends and so much more. Don’t get me wrong, they have adjusted better than we could ever have hoped for and for this we are truly thankful. However after this meeting, I began to think, “Would they be having difficulty in school if they were not having do adjust to all the challenges and changes that living cross-culturally brings?” Of course they would! The challenges would be different of course, but no matter where they are, life and school will bring challenges. (But it is still hard to see them go through them.)

My kids have had to figure out a lot on their own because we, as parents, did not understand things well ourselves. When you can’t even help your 8 year old with homework, it is very humbling. It is a hard for them to ever feel “normal” because they will always look and speak different. And at times I know they feel as if they are missing out on “normal” things in the States.

On the flip side, in just one short year, I have seen both our boys learn a new language, maneuver public transportation, make new friends (who don’t speak English), excel in soccer and become much more self-confident. I know that living over-seas will make them both better, well-rounded individuals with a much broader view of the world. They are learning to survive and thrive in the unfamiliar, thus gaining invaluable skills for life. Most importantly, they are seeing what it means to follow and be obedient to the Lord.

So, yes, our boys are facing challenges just as they would in the States, but they have the added experiences and benefits of a 2nd culture. We know why we are here and we trust that He will protect, guide, direct, and use our boys all for His glory.

What's Cookin?

This week we tried a new breakfast recipe that was super simple and the kids loved it.  YUMMY!

GERMAN PANCAKE

6 eggs

1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter
Syrup or fruit of choice
Powdered sugar

Heat oven to 400. Place butter in a 9x13 pan and melt in the oven. Mix all other ingredients and pour into the dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes. Cut and serve with syrup or fruit and  powdered sugar.

J. Crew in Portugal

A friend of mine discovered that J. Crew did a photo shoot in Portugal for their new catalog.  I was so excited to check out the pictures, but then discovered they had  a whole section on their website about Portugal and the photo-shoot. It is so well done and the pictures are great.  The picture on the front was taken in the Baixa (downtown) and we love to walk and shop down this street.  Click here and enjoy!http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/PassportToPortugal.jsp

A Wonderful Man & a GREAT PaPa

I just returned from a week in the States.  My 90yr old grandfather was in the last stages of lung cancer and I returned to visit with him.  I was able to spend a few days with him before he passed.  I was so blessed to have this time with him, but even more blessed to here all the stories about him from friends and family.  He was a quite man and always smiling.  I was talking with a cousin who said, "We should have recorded his laugh."  He had a very distinguishable, contagous laugh.  We loved to see him get tickled becuase once he started laughing, he could hardly stop.

He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in our hearts and wonderful memories.

Thought For The Day

While reading a book by Rachel Hauck I ran across this thought and it was so profound.

"God wants me to stop and face Him, not dialog with my back to Him as I go about my day with half-hearted faith."