The Case of the Jet Lagged Toddler, update

Well, it has now been an entire furlough of experimenting with Toddler Knockout Potions. Except, the experiment didn't end up going very far... I tried essential oils, and he calmed down considerably for bedtime, to a point where we could put him to sleep holding him (which we have not been able to do consistently since he was about 4months old). For a night in an unfamiliar hotel room, I tried a tiny dose (about 1.5mg) of melatonin... Knockout success! It really helped him drift off to sleep with no problems. Although, more recently, after a couple months of using essential oils, he didn't even need the melatonin to go to sleep in a strange place. 

Our last flight from OKC to Boise went so well! He drifted off to a nap on the first flight and sat and watched movies and played Eensy Weensy Spider about 374 times on the second flight. We took his carseat on the plane this time as well, and he seemed to realize that this meant he should just settle in. He has spent a lot of time in his carseat this furlough with traveling to churches, so he has practice at that. It was amazing! 

So we are very optimistic about the flights back to PNG and dealing with jet lag better this time around! We'll see how it goes, but I think with minimal Potion use, our toddler will do much better this time around.

And... I'm a firm essential oil convert! 

But no fair not praying for us. 

Hello. Goodbye.

There are two ways to approach this.

Two equally true realities.

Two truths that stare me in the face every day.

Two rituals that I have been forced to live in with an urgency that many are not forced into. 

And I think that both are equally necessary to living a healthy life of relationships. 

Hello.

Goodbye. 

As a missionary kid, I have lived my life in the space between and within these two words. 

Hello.

Goodbye.

As an adult who has friends that I sort by continent, I face these overwhelming feelings on a daily basis.

Hello.

Goodbye.

I spent a long time fighting these realities. I refused to say hello for fear of having to say goodbye. I refused to embrace places, people, feelings because I did not want to have to let them go. I refused to process goodbyes, preferring to ignore them, trapping myself in the tiny space outside of hello and goodbye. 

Hopefully, I am learning a different way of living. Learning to live in the space between and within the hello and the goodbye. Because these realities are not unique to the experience of a global nomad. Everyone has to face the twin realities of hello and goodbye.

Of birth and death.

Of now and then.

Of yesterday and today and tomorrow.

Of things loved,

Things lost,

Things gained.

Life lived.

Life yet to be lived. 

I believe that the fullest life is lived within these realties. To ignore either one is to refuse to experience life as it really is. 

Hello.

Goodbye.

I have heard two 'inspirational' statements that reflect a life lived in these realities.

How would you live if today were your last day? 

Live like you are going to live forever. 

Allow me to explain. 

If today were my last day, I would tell everyone I love that I love them.

I would worry more about whether my son needs a book read to him than if the dishes need washed.

I would make sure to tell the person I am standing in front of that they are valuable. 

If today were my last day, I would hug my husband and hold my daughter and care more about moments than dollars.

But if I were going to live forever, then I would plant a tree. 

I would make sure my son was learning how to say 'please' and 'thank you.'

I would make jam and fill my pantry for next winter.

I would make my house a home. 

I would start a garden. 

If I live only like today is my last day, then I never invest in tomorrow. I never embrace life where I am, never put down roots, never dig deep and make sure my friendships will last the long run. If I live only in the Goodbye, I will forget to embrace Hello.

If I live only like I will live forever, I will worry constantly about tomorrow. I will pass over today because I am too busy planning for the future. I might forget to tell the person I'm facing how much they are worth, because I have all the time in the world. If I live only in the Hello, I will forget to prepare for the Goodbye.

Life is lived to the fullest only in the space between and within both the Hello and the Goodbye. These equal  realities can govern a life lived lived fully embracing today and fully investing in tomorrow. 

Hello.

Goodbye.

Eternity.

And now.

Two sides of the same coin. 

Two truths. 

The push and pull,

The dance of a full life. 

Furlough Update

Time has seemed to fly by this last month, as we have filled our days and weeks in the States completely full. 

We have traveled to and shared with churches almost every weekend, and what an adventure that has been. You, those who support us, have welcomed us, fed us, housed us, listened to us, and invested in our involvement in God’s mission work in Papua New Guinea. It has been humbling to spend time with so many incredible Christ-followers here in the States who not only are part of the ministry overseas, but also are living out the call to love as we have been loved, right here in America. Please know that you are such a vital part of God's Kingdom. We are priviledged to have witnessed your ministry. Thank you for choosing also to be a part of our involvement in the critical mission work that we have fallen in love with, as God is reaching so many hurting people through the ministry at Kudjip, PNG.

During the week we have been living and working at Golden Bell camp ground. We love camp ministry! It feels very much like the mission station we live on in PNG, with so many friends living and working in close proximity to each other. You have to learn to be a team player for sure! 

We want to report that so far, we have raised almost half of our current need for $11,000, some in single gifts or offerings and some in monthly commitments over the next 8 months. We are praying about what needs to happen next financially to allow us to return to the mission field in 3 weeks. Please be praying with us, and please consider whether God is calling you to further partner with us financially. We are currently hoping to be able to return to Papua New Guinea to continue meeting the important need for a highschool teacher to the missionary kids and maintenance/construction, but this is contingent upon our having the required funds in our support account to be able to do so. 

If we have not been able to get together with you because we have not been in your area, but you would like to talk with us via skype or a phone call, please email and let us know, and we will set up a time! We would love to share with you however we can. 

Thank you for joining with us on this journey of following God's calling. 

Extravagance

I have always loved the word "extravagant." 

Something about it just sounds so... Extravagant. 

It brings to my mind luxuriant bubble baths.

Lush bouquets of red roses.

Exotic perfume.

Rich dark chocolate.

Thanksgiving feasts everyone walks away achingly full from. 

More than what is practical. 

More than what might be deemed necessary. 

More than the basics.

God seems to also love the idea of extravagance, I am finding.

He does not seem to be content to settle with a practical kind of love.

Practicality does not compel the God of Forever to the harshest, most ugly point in all of Time. 

Necessity not compel the Eternal to the cross.

The basics do not include loving the way He loves us. 

God seems to love extravagantly, I am finding. 

And He calls us to love the same way.

He invites us to enter into this overflowing exchange of extravagant love

Of impractical generosity

Of unnecessary kindness

Of life beyond the basics.

And I am finding that this extravagance flows several ways.

Like the extravagant gifts that are handed to our family by our home church, and other churches that have taken us in this summer.

Physical gifts of items that make our life easier.

Monetary gifts that support our life in ministry.

Gifts of time, and attention, allowing us to share our hearts with them.

Or like the impractical gifts we find ourself called to give others.

Gifts of our time and abilities, working and sharing.

Gifts of money or items that we find ourselves called to give.

Gifts of love and attention and conversation and life.

 And as we are called to give of ourselves extravagantly, 

We are in the same way gifted extravagantly.

In love

In life

In experience

And what an amazing existence, I am finding.

To dwell extravagantly.

To dwell with God.

To hold lightly to our possessions 

To our time

To our plans

Because The Eternal may choose at any point to interrupt us with extravagance.

And I, for one, am finding that I want to be ready to live extravagantly. 

The Case of the Jet Lagged Toddler

Well, as some of you have no doubt heard, our flight here was the definition of Horrible.
I will post Morgan's telling of that story at some point soon.
Let's just cite a few stats for now:
June 10, 2014: Leave Kudjip.
30 minute drive.
1 hour flight.
4 hour layover (tired toddler. first tantrum. first dose of Benadryl. Tantrum. Nap. Delayed flight. Toddler wakes up from nap as we finally board flight)
3 hour flight. (no toddler sleep. much toddler screams.)
bus ride to hotel (wrangling screaming children)
hotel (Toddler refuses to sleep in pack n play. finally goes to sleep on mommy.)
6 am get up. 7:20 bus ride. 8 am check in.
10:30 flight.

13 hour flight. 2 toddler naps, 45 minutes each. much toddler screams. much toddler tantrums. terrible, horrible flight from the Hot Place that never, ever, ever was going to ever, ever end.

7:00 am touchdown in LA.
Toddler finally passes out waiting for our flight to Denver, followed by the rest of the family. We almost miss our flight to Denver because we are all sleeping.
3 hour flight. Toddler and baby both sleep the entire flight. Heaven.
layover.
1 hour flight. Toddler is antsy, but containable.
6:30pm get to OKC.
Exhausted parents, but Trip From You Know Where is finally over! Sleep approaches! ... or not.

Enter: the Case of the Jet Lagged Toddler.
Theron took until 4am that first night to finally go to sleep, after going into hysterics many times. He was so very tired, but he didn't feel like it should be night time. We finally got him calmed down in a bath... and then I tried to put a diaper on him. Cue screams. He finally went to sleep on the living room floor watching his favorite movie. At a couple points during this night, which had followed many many hours of awake and emotional trauma, all members of the family were crying. Poor family.

Night 2: to bed at 11pm. Up at 12. Not down again until 3.
Nights 3-5: much the same as night 2, with slightly improving times and shorter Wake Ups.
Night 6: Down at 11:30, stayed down all night (Hallelujah!)

Lula did have some trouble staying asleep at the start of the nights, but improved each night pretty drastically. She just didn't want to go to sleep until 11 or so, even by Night 6.

Well, I have sworn that I will not rest (metaphorically speaking. I need all the literal rest I can get.) until I find some Magic Substance that will Knock Out my toddler for the return flight. Because we can't go through this again.
I hate using "drugs" on my kids unless absolutely necessary -- plus, Theron doesn't seem to respond well to them always. Needless to say, Benadryl on the flight was a dismal failure.
So, I'm starting with essential oils. I'm a little skeptical about them actually working, but a lot of people have told me to try them and hey, they smell really good. So why not? At least my kids will smell good while they are screaming!

So, on Night 7 (last night) I tried the essential oil blend we settled on in Theron's bath and on Lula's basket she sleeps in.
Both children went to bed at 9 and slept like they do at home all night long! (Theron all night, Lula with feeding) Now, I don't know if I have discovered Wonder Oil, or if jet lag is finally passing, but something worked last night. I'll keep trying this essential oil at different times (like the 10 hour drive we undertake later this week) and see if it works then.

If you know any Wonder Knock Out Toddler Substances that are safe and effective... let me know! I'm compiling a list for further testing. Hopefully, in two months, our flights are not such Purgatory Experiences.

Home Assignment!

The time has come which of course you have all been waiting for with bated breath: Home Assignment!

We will be coming back to the States this summer to share with some churches, to attend my (Danielle's) brother's wedding, and to raise support to enable us to return and continue serving in the fall. Our support goal is $11,000, which will pay for our plane tickets as well as housing, food, and transportation on the field. 

Right now our schedule stands as follows:

June 15, 10:30am: The Vine Community Church (49th & Western, OKC, OK)

June 18, evening: Edmond First Church of the Nazarene (3001 S Boulevard, Edmond, OK)

June 20, VBS evening: Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene (840 W. 81st St., Tulsa, OK  74132)

June 22, 10:30 am: Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene (short sharing during Sunday Morning)  

June 29, AM: Hope Springs Community Church of the Nazarene (559 Denver Ave. Loveland, CO)

July 6, AM: Valley Church of the Nazarene (228 Madison Street, Monte Vista, CO)

July 13, AM: Chapel Hill Church of the Nazarene (10 Chapel Hill Dr Brighton, CO)

August 3, 10am: Woodland Park Church of the Nazarene (750 N Hwy 67, Woodland Park, CO)

August 13, 7pm: Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene (950 N 7th E., Mountain Home, Idaho)


We will be updating that schedule as more is added. You can see our updated schedule at any time by clicking the Home Assignment link at the top of our blog.

If you are interested in having us come share with your church, your Sunday school, a group, or just getting together with us for coffee or dinner, email us at asmidgenofmadness@gmail.com 

If you are interested in joining our financial support team, see the Join Us link at the top of our blog. 

We're packing our suitcases! See you soon!

What the Parents Think

After doing interviews of all the highschool students to introduce you to them, I decided to ask their parents an "interview" question. I thought I'd share a couple responses with you, just to give you an idea of why I am here doing what I do!

Question: What does it mean to you and your ministry to have a highschool for the missionary kids here at Kudjip?

Ethan's parents: "We could not do our jobs if it weren’t for the HS.  We feel strongly that sending our kids to a boarding school is not an option for our family.  We are also committed to serving in our areas of ministry which requires full-time work.  In order to do that we need to know that our kids can get the education they need here on our station.  God has been faithful every year for as long as we have been here to provide teachers for our children and they have thrived!"

Allison's parents: "We would be having long conversations with our Father about His direction in our lives.  We have always felt that God has called our family to stay together.  If Kudjip did not have a high school and boarding school was the only option, that would directly affect our mission career. 

"Homeschooling would be an option, but Gail (me) helping as a teacher for the highschool age students would be a large stress!"

Jo and Lydia's parents:
"Having a highschool for the MK's at Kudjip means:
-our chlldren can live at home and still go to school!
-they have a teacher to help organize and supervise their schooling
-we parents can have input and make decisions about curriculum for our students
-they have a teacher who is also a spiritual mentor and a friend in their everyday life. (they see their teacher outside of the classroom).
-the kids can enjoy each other's company during the school day and for after-school activities
-our MK's participate in prayer and evangelism, as well as hospital visitation because they live right where ministry is taking place.
We love having our children as a part of our team at home, at work and at church!"