You are formally invited to my nearly once a yearly pity party

Are you excited?

Sigh. Maybe it's winter blahs. Maybe it's Spring fever. Maybe it's just plain old down in the dumps. Whatever it is, it's no fun.

1. I have no friends (other than my wonderful husband, but he's gone all the time). I try to reach out, but my schedule never meshes with anyone else. I had my Mom, but her email time has been restricted. I have my goat, but I can't understand her.

2. I'm at home almost all the time, with my 5 kids. Don't get me wrong, I love them to death, but I can only talk just so much about which super hero is cooler and why. I would go to more meetings, but our family fills up the van, and the van is needed to carry the believers to the meetings. It's a sacrifice for the work.

3. I'm having some health problems and am unsure of how to get it taken care of here, though I'm going to try. It's pressing on the mind.

4. Then there is all the other everyday missionary struggles---language, finances, balancing home and ministry, etc, etc, etc.

I don't know for sure what I'm trying to accomplish by this post. Maybe just to vent. I don't know. Maybe just a few "Hang in there, sister Spinach, you'll be ok" or "I'll be praying for you"s.

You know, when Elijah had his pity party, the Lord supplied the cake. Maybe He will do the same for me.

 

Are you sure, Ed? I make super good comfort foods (complete with lots of chocolate!)

Rippon, I prefer not to name the country, but I am in Eastern Europe. Thanks for the prayers!

 

Thank you.

You know, I heard a preacher say one time, "It's okay to get weary IN the way, but just don't get weary OF the way." I'll just have to rest in Him.

 

This was truly funny!

Sigh. The goat. Up until last month she was my prodigal goat. Now that she has returned (and pregnant, I am told), she and I are on good terms (as in, I'm not threatening to BBQ her). The thing is, she's overdue and it's driving me nuts. I don't know why I'm so anxious about this goat, but I am. The truth is, I'm crazy about my animals and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly with her. She just needs to hurry up, already! LOL!

 

You're super sweet, Ann. Thank you. You may see me on YM one of these times.

 

This is good advice. Thanks.

I'm fortunate to have a husband who is very tuned in to me and the kids. He is there for us as much as he can be, and still minster. I appreciate his sacrifices as well. As a matter of fact, he decided that we would all go with him to his meetings today. It's a rare treat and I know the kids and I will enjoy it!

We belong to a group of missionaries, but we've all spread out in the last couple of years, so we don't see each other often. I'm excited, though, because I just found out that April 1 will begin English camp meeting. I can't wait to hear singing and preaching in my own language again! We will stay at one of our children's homes for 5 days. The kids look forward to being with the other kids, too.

As far as the medical things go, I am seeking out a Dr, with the help of our translator (she helps with all legal documents and such). Hopefully I'll have some answers soon. I suspect hypothyroidism.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, well-wishes, and jokes. Thanks for letting me vent/cry here. I really do appreciate it!

 

Hilarious!

Actually, because of her persistence in coming home after curfew, I sent her to a home for wayward goats until she could behave herself.

In real terms, it goes something like this---I began sending her out with the shepherd last fall, and she would refuse to come home with me in the evening. I had to chase her through the village 2 nights in a row (with the nationals finding me comical to boot), and finally had enough. With the house renovations, moving out for a while, dh's schedule, and raising the kids (human kids), I knew I couldn't handle this stubborn goat all winter. Instead I asked a national Pastor's wife to keep her for the winter for me. She was well cared for and when I was ready to take her back, I did.

 

We've been invited to partake in roast kid for an independence day celebration in March. I'll have to wait and see what I think of the meat. I'm sure it will be tender---unlike my tough old goat.