Still Learning!

   I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that we are on deputation to be missionaries in Brazil. We've been on deputation for about a year and eight months. That time has had its ups and downs. We've laughed, we've cried, and we've learned.  I thought I'd share with you a list of ten or so things that deputation has changed about us or taught us.

Here we go!

• I've learned that I'm not a very social person.... or so people think... 😉
  Most people that know me can verify this about me. In fact, I'm pretty sure my in-laws are still wondering what happened to the girl from the top picture. 

• I've learned that there's something about ordering new prayer cards that makes you fertile. Don't believe me, just ask my mom. There are no prayer cards from when my family was on deputation that have all six of us kids. Every time we went to get new ones done, my mom would find out within the month that she was expecting again. Same thing happened with my husband and I. Before we even officially started deputation we got the prayer cards ordered, the banner with our picture, the presentation finished... and then we found out our little boy was on the way. And about a month and a half ago we ordered new prayer cards, then a few weeks later we found out baby #3 is on the way. 

• I've learned that the only way to survive the long trips with sanity still intact is to embrace hearing the leap frog letter factory songs for the 50th time, maybe even sing along. 😜 Hey, she's learning, right? So I should be happy. 

• I've learned that the neighbors in a hotel don't appreciate my kids energy level when we pull into a hotel at 11:00 at night. We may or may not have had a noise complaint called on us. I really try, I do, but if you had been in the car for ten hours, and slept for the last three then you would be ready to party at 11 p.m. too. 

• I've changed in that I used to be the mom that wanted to keep her kids in the service all the time. Well, now I unashamedly say I'm sad when we get to a church and they don't have a nursery. Don't judge me. You moms on deputation who are stuck in a car all day every day and then you still keep them in services... You deserve a medal or something! 

• I've also changed my expectations of what to accomplish when we are home for a week from travelling. It used to be that I wanted to scrub the house from top to bottom, in addition to all the laundry, unpacking, and repacking. I wanted to sort and organize everything that had been waiting for me, maybe even do a little cleaning out in the garage. Now my expectations and plans are a little lower. I have to do the laundry, unpacking, and repacking, but as for cleaning... as long as I leave the house so that I'm not coming back to the after effect of a tornado in my living room, I'm good with it. 

• I've also learned that there are a lot more people out there who understand crazy toddlers than there are those who don't understand. Praise the Lord! 

• I've learned that eating a little food off the floor or putting a pacifier or cup back in your mouth off the floor isn't going to kill your kids. Hmm, maybe that's the reason for the nastiness that has been my kids diapers this last week. Oh well, it builds the immune system, right?!?

• Lastly, yes, lastly (I know, not ten. I did say "or so") I've learned that I don't always have time to sit and think of all ten "or so" things. 😂 And this is the reason you're only getting nine this morning. 

Have a happy Monday and a great week!