I know that being married on the mission field has its own issues. I really did not know we were dealing with any cross cultural stuff until our missionary friends back from Mexico gave us a book and woo, I thought we were fine until I read about so many things we were experiencing.
We had been dealing with them fine but never acknowledging them (relying on our own strength, not asking God). Now we want to ask God to help us deal with ALL things in our life thru him and remembering we are not SUPER people, asking him to bring to light EVERYTHING that we deal with and asking him for his guidance in acknowledging and dealing with it.
As well as the family dynamics of being home and everyone thinking we are "Crazy" we constantly have to ask God are we doing "it your way"?
Donnie and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary this year and one of our goals is to make this the best year of our marriage EVER.... I realize that to set goals you must have a plan (that involves God, not just us) and it takes work and making a constant effort.
So here are some resources I wanted to share with you about marriage.
http://www.marriagemissions.com/
In particular here is an article about marriage in another culture. I relate to this one alot since we work together, do ministry together 24/7 I sometimes feel more like Donnie's personal secretary or boss than a wife. I really have to work to get out of that mode. This has some good ways to work on those things.
For those not living cross cultural I think this may still apply and if not you will know ways to help encourage and pray for us.
http://www.marriagemissions.com/keeping-romance-alive-in-a-different-culture/
Here is a blog that is specially designed for women on the mission field in a cross cultural situation!! But I think it is great for all of us as it deals with our sometimes unrealistic expectations of ministry, how hard it can be, how we can get hurt, burned out, but yet when we deal with it how Great our God is who leads us thru it all.(LIFE)
http://peterswife.org/
Here is a quote from an article that you all will be able to relate to:
“I don’t like swimming in the ocean: there are living things lurking beneath the surface; the waves are unpredictable and splash my face; it’s cold and deep; there are undertows and pulls that frighten; it’s salty and sandy and alive. I do not like swimming in the ocean. I much prefer a swimming pool, a heated pool at that. The temperature is controlled. You can enter at your pleasure, either the deep end or the shallow end. You can go in as far as you like and then climb back out. Blow up a floating device and float on the top if you choose! The bottom is level and smooth. There are no surprises. Nothing lives in a swimming pool.
“And that’s the kind of God I would prefer as well: one that is controlled and moderate; a God I can measure and understand. I can enter His depths but only as far as I am comfortable. However that’s not the kind of God we have. Our God is an ocean of a God. He is alive and dangerous. There are forces at work below His surface. He alone controls the depths, the sprays, the splashes of His personhood. He woos us to the bottom where the water may appear murky and mysterious. Our God is wild and untamable. He is expansive and unpredictable. When we say he is holy, we mean he is strange and we do well to take our shoes off. The ground is holy and the water is deep.”
Be Blessed enjoy the ADVENTURE... I would not have it any other way!
""You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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I can relate very well to enjoing the swimming pool over the ocean. However, the visual I had while reading this was of the Great Barrier Reef. How incredibly beautiful! Something that we would never experience if we weren't willing to go into the water unless we just sat back and viewed it through someone elses life. I personally am tired of viewing things through someone elses lenses and want to experience what God has in-store for me.
ReplyDeleteThat was good stuff to share. I had a dream about 10 years ago. It was dark and I was walking on the beach with the water splashing my feet and God calling me to walk out in the depth of the ocean. I remember saying, but I'm too scared to do that Lord. There are sharks and creepy things out there. He said, "come my child, everywhere you are I am."....I'll never forget that dream and your letter brought back His words. He is everywhere we are, even when it is dark and things dangerous are all around us. So be in peace where ever He takes you, He will be there.....Love you guys and be happy and have a healthy marriage the way God meant for it to be.
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