So I've been a parent of four kids, ages seventeen, fourteen, twelve, and ten, for five days now and have seven more days until their parents return back from the states. And it has been amazing!! I have learned so many things while "parenting" these wonderful kids: family time is the greatest in the world, cooking for more than yourself is amazing, and the mundane things in life can still be awesome ways to please God.
Being single is alright with me for right now, because I am single and am confident that when it's time, God will provide me with the desires of my heart. However, being single, I don't cook dinners very often, because often I get tired of the same thing for a week at a time, but also because it costs too much money to cook elaborate meals for just one. I didn't realize until watching the Fish's kids that I miss family dinner time and being in a family. It wasn't just missing my community in CO and TX, but missing the intimate and loving interaction that happens when you set aside time to eat dinner together and talk about life. So I've enjoyed cooking and spending time with this family. More than just enjoying cooking, I've made things that I've never even thought of cooking before, like twice baked potatoes (which are OH MY WORD INCREDIBLE) and barbecue (later this week, I'll let you know how it turns out!!). The cooking part is something I look forward to at the end of the day while dreaming what I will concoct for the kids. They aren't the kind to rave during the meal other than a "that's good" or "I'm enjoying this," but I've heard from their friends how awesome they think my cooking is...best compliment in the world when your kids' friends want to come over for dinner...haha!!
During this time, I'm also realizing that parenting is such an incredible gift even with its most mundane activities like helping with homework and making sure they bathe themselves and get to sleep on time and wake up in enough time to eat breakfast and get dressed. It is also something the Lord has been using to teach me how to worship Him in everything by having an attitude of worship and making it a lifestyle. Not that it's been easy, but I feel so different when I do things with that attitude, like I am more joyous and energetic. I am able to do more when I am fully surrendered. That is my daily goal...to be fully surrendered and a slave to Jesus Christ.
And props to my friends out there who are parents and work - YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I am giving you a standing ovation and a shout out - YEA YEAH!!!
Love you all!! See you soon!!!
Countdown to being in the States - two weeks and five days till I leave for Bangkok, then fly out the next am to DFW, Texas arriving on October 30th at 11:55pm.
Then fly out from Texas to Denver, CO on November 7th at 8:00-ish am for BETH's WEDDING ON NOVEMBER 11th, a month from tomorrow!!
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