Lost Innocence?

Katrina is turning 10 in April. The one good thing of being a missionary overseas is my children aren't exposed to media or many negative influences. (I didn't say any negative influences...)

She enjoys jump roping, playing hide and go seek, Simon Says, and even Ring a Round a Rosie. She does not own a cell phone, iPad, hand held video game, or iPod. She still plays with Barbies with her younger sister. She still likes Disney Princesses.

I am worried about how our furlough will change her. She will be going to 5th grade in a public school. I have to admit, I am worried that she will be teased for her innocence. I don't want her giving up games she loves because how others view her or tease her. I don't want her growing up too quickly. Because, you are only a kid once.

Am I totally freaking out over nothing? Or is there reason to worry?

My Many Roles

As a homeschooling missionary mom, I fill many roles in my children's lives.
TEACHER- I sometimes feel like this role is defining my relationship with my children. After all, I spend so much time during the day as their teacher. Katrina even calls me "Mrs. DeLaughter"or "Teacher"during school, I guess it is her way to distinguish between me being her mom and her teacher. When she was younger, she used to cry, "You can't be my mom AND my teacher!" I would calmy reply, "Yes, I can. And, yes, I am." I think that we are getting better at figuring out our roles in this homeschooling journey.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER- Since we attend church at Moshono Christian Church which is entirely in Swahili, and there is no Children's church or Sunday School, we have Sunday school at home before we leave for church. I know that all parents are the spiritual teachers of their children. Not everyone teaches their children their Sunday school lesson every week. Sometimes I print out coloring pages and teach a Bible lesson, sometimes I teach about nature and God's creation and make a lesson out of that. I actually feel the children get most of their Spiritual eduation during the week. Before school, we practive memory verses, read a Bible story and do a devotional.

GIRL SCOUT LEADER- Katrina and Heather are "PEGS" Girl Scouts, which is Postal Express Girl Scouts. In other words, long distance Girl Scouts. I'm not an offical Girl Scout Leader, but I am helping them each reach their goals and earn their badges. We do Girl Scouts on Saturday. Each girl does it seperately, as I feel they need this time to have seperate interests and activities.

SWIMMING TEACHER- While on furlough last time, we put the girls into swimming lessons which they loved. We haven't been able to do that here, so I have become their swimming teacher. When we go to a pool, I find myself giving diving instructions to Katrina or helping Heather swim underwater.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MOTHER- At times it can be confusing and perplexing how this role is different from any of the others. I'm still me, and I'm spending time with my kids all day, helping or teaching them. So, why at the end of the day do they say, "Spend time with me, mommy?" Haven't we just spent all day together?! Yes, and no. "Teacher" Mom has been explaining how to subtract fractions or a phonics rule. But, there is more to being a mom than that. The kids need me to be just a mom to them sometimes. I try my best every day to spend time with each child by themselves. Even if it means turning on Elmo for Jonathan and letting one of the girls play a computer game for awhile. Because after all, who wants to just see their mom in school?

Video of Jonathan

This was so cute, I just had to post it.

Welcome 2012

Christmas season has come and gone, more like fly by... and now it's already the New Year. In one way, I am glad that the holiday season is over so we can get back to life as usual. But, I do enjoy the Christmas season, especially with kids.

We are starting school again tomorrow. We've been on break since Dec. 16th, so I'm ready to get back into a regular schedule again. The kids enjoyed their school break, but its time to get cracking again!

Wishing everyone a happy and blessed 2012!

Christmas season is here!

The Christmas season is here again! In Africa, it can be harder to get into the Christmas mood. There is no snow or cold weather, and family is thousands of miles away. So, it takes a little extra effort to get into the holiday spirit.
We start by putting up the Christmas tree in early December and playing Christmas music every day.
We also have an Advent Activity Calendar. Everyday we open a flap which reveals what Christmas activity we are going to do that day: bake cookies, do a craft, string popcorn for the tree, etc. It takes a little bit more effort, but before long I start to feel "Christmasy".
How do you get in the Christmas spirit?

Fall Fun

It's been awhile since I've written on here, so I'll try to do better! We are currently, "between homes". We moved out of our house in Nairobi on Oct. 15th. We have been blessed to be able to stay with a friend in Boma N'gombe outside of Arusha for a few weeks, and we plan to move into our new house Nov. 4th.

It's always difficult keeping the children's schedules running smoothly during a trasition time, and keeping them active and not driving eachother (and me) crazy. So, today, we made Fall Leaf Cookies. I made the dough, then split it into three sections and dyed each one a different color before letting the kids roll them out and cut out the cookies. It gave them something to do for an afternoon!

I've been trying to do something creative every afternoon. One day we looked up different flags from around the world, and the kids picked some to draw. Then, they made paper dolls of children from that country holding their flag. That was fun.

We only have missed 2 days of school so far in this move, since we moved mostly over the weekend. I have found that things go much smoother for me if they kids have something to keep themselves focused for a majority of the day and aren't left with too much free time!

Finding Contentment

Today, the kids and I had a picnic in the driveway. It was Katrina's idea. She is always coming up with interesting things to do.

Lately, God has been showing me that my attitude about living in Nairobi has been horrible. Really rotten. Yes, I miss Arusha, our ministry and our friends there. More than I can say. But, I need to learn what Paul learned, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippinas 4:12 In any and every situation. Which means instead of thinking, "Why can't we be in Arusha?" I need to thank God for putting me in Nairobi for this time period and learn to be content while we are here.

I have been convicted that I was portraying a negative attitude to my children about living here when I overheard them repeating negative remarks about Nairobi. Children are wonderful mirrors to the soul sometimes!

So, in that light, I am going to start to think about the positive things about living here. Of course there are things I like and things I don't like. I choose to focus on the postive, not the negative, and hopefully learn to be content. Because I think the secret to contentment isn't about having everything you want, or getting your way. It's about thanking God for what he HAS given you and for your blessings.

Things I like about Nairobi

1. There is a wonderful library here run by the Baptist Mission.

We don't really have a library to speak of in Arusha. And I LOVE libraries.

2. There is an ice-skating rink here.

And whoever heard of ice-skating in Africa? How great is that?

3. We live near the airport, which makes picking up guests easy.

4. Carnivore resturant has the best playground I've seen here, and the kids love to go there. The food isn't bad either.

5. Getting to know everyone in our small group at church.

6. Getting to work with and spend time with Larry and Judy Neimeyer, who wrote the discipleship material we use in Arusha.

7. We have a lovely house in a nice neighborhood.

8. There is a shop within walking distance.

9. There is a resturant within walking distance.

10. We have consistant power. (They have 12 hour power cuts in Tanzania right now.)