I’m back.  The conference was wonderful and encouraging, but I came home with a whole slew of wisdom I learned just by getting out of my surroundings for a few days.  There’s something about being in a city of more than 15 million people to give you some anonymity and solitude, which is a great formula for thinking.  But there’s also something great about staying with old friends, laughing a lot with new ones, and generally being around other women that provide a good dose of sanity to get you through the next little bit.  All in all, I feel very refreshed, and I’m so glad I was able to go.

It was a bit strange to fly by myself, but God ironically seated me next to a 2.5 year-old with her mama holding her 4-month-old sister on the other side.  The toddler was actually very well-behaved, but I did get a few kicks in the shin, and several times she leaned right over me to look out the window.  I guess she wanted me to feel at home.

I’ll probably blog my thoughts from the conference in a few days, but to summarize what I learned just from being away, it’s probably best just to type out what I wrote in my journal on the return flight:

• Right now is just a season of our life.  I don’t need to feel like this is where we’ll be living and what we’ll be doing forever.
• Bloom where I’m planted.  (This maxim keeps being reiterated to me from a variety of sources..)
• Take life only one day at a time – that is only the amount of strength God has graced me with.
• When things are difficult, make a list of the things I’m thankful for.  (Good advice from a woman who’s lived here several years)
• Really spend regular time with the Father, and be attuned to the Holy Spirit.  Focus only on what He has for our family.  Don’t feel guilty about not doing anything else.
• My primary role in life right now is still to be a great wife and mother.  Even here.  It’s a great thing to focus on doing that well.
• My secondary role in life right now is to learn the language.  Other roles will come our way down the road, but for now, language is my focus.
• I have relationship needs, and I shouldn’t deny them to the detriment of my health.  I need to make it a priority to have date nights, time with other women, and family time with other families.

That last one is a big one for me.  I felt so filled and encouraged from my time with women that it was a good reminder how much I want need it, and to act as though it’s just a nice little spice of life is just asking for my batteries to completely drain way too quickly.  It’s simply how God made me.  So I’m praying for clarity as we schedule our time, that we will find babysitters, and that God would provide a kindred spirit for me.

How was your weekend?

posted: 07 May 7
under: