Since my last blog, things have changed even more- for the better! While Chris was such a blessing to allow me time to study Khmer and minister, God was busy filling his heart with desires to serve Him more here in Cambodia. I was feeling such a love of ministering and enjoying learning Khmer, but I felt out of touch with my precious girls and out of control of my housework. After a wonderful conversation with Chris just a few days ago (did I mention my husband is, by far, the most wonderful man in the world?), we decided we needed to further change the way we run our family to fit God's calling in our lives.

Caring for the children is my job primarily, although Chris would never in a million year let me fully take over the care of our two little princesses who have his heart so firmly in their grasp. I want this responsibility even though I feel so unqualified. I have tried to give my heart fully to this my second ministry (Chris being my first). The problem is, however, that training them, learning Khmer, and, with the girls, ministering to our neighbors and doing correspondence with our partners, plus running a household in a country where everything takes twice a long and twice as much physical energy --- well, it's impossible! We have decided to look at is essential and create and alternative for what is not essential. My roles are, in order, Christian, Wife, Mother, Missionary, Housewife. We have decided to try to eliminate, as much as possible and healthy, the Housewife role. We have decided to hire someone full time to clean our home, do our laundry, go to the market, and cook once a day (Khmer food!). In order for Chris to have the tie he needs to fulfill his calling, she will also care for the children two hours a day (some of that is nap time!) while I go to school.

It is hard to think about turning over my home so drastically, and the Lord had to convince me in a strong way to do it. The day we prayed for this decision, we also prayed for a helper - a non-Christian - and our prayers were answered that very day. We praise God!

So, now my mornings are spent with the girls, training them and playing with them, visiting our neighbors with them (a treat as they now have so many friends to play with as well as cute puppies to cuddle), and doing a few housework items. My afternoons I go to class, then return for more time visiting the neighbors with the girls. I exercise in the mornings before the girls get up. I am able to have my devo in the living room while the girls play by themselves. The evening is reserved for things like correspondence, meal planning, learning, and my good husband - not to mention REST!

Change, reevaluation are all part of every day. God is teaching me to accept this and even to enjoy it, rising to confront problems through prayer then problem-solving with God's wisdom.