Thoughts from Adrianne's Mother

Adrianne asked me almost 1 month ago to write as a guest on her blog and I agreed but then "life" got in the way (chaperoning a youth missions trip, a mini vacation with my sister, getting two other children ready to leave for college, canning, garden/house work etc).  So now that I'm finally getting down to writing this blog, I hardly know what to write!

I guess I'll start by introducing myself:  My name is Elaine.  My husband Floyd and I have four children the oldest of which is Adrianne. Anthony, our son is next.  He lives at home with us and works full time.  Next is Justine, who is currently enrolled in the Physical Therapy program at Duquesene University.  And last, but not least, is our youngest, Courtney, who just graduated high school and will be attending Immaculata University this fall to study nursing. 

It is definitely hitting me this fall that my children are full grown and that I am no longer a young mother.  I am definitely facing middle aged square in the face!  I am still determined to try to enjoy every day that I am given on this earth (though some days, its really hard to find the joy and others are just plain wonderful).

Anyway, I thought I would share in this post some frequently asked questions that parents with children in foreign missions get asked on a regular basis and our answers to them. 

How is it or how does it feel to have a son/daughter so far away from home?
Well, this depends on what day you ask me.  Some days it really stinks.  Like when she is facing some kind of crisis, health or otherwise and you feel like hopping on the next plane over there to "fix" it.  Other days, you feel so proud of the difference that they are making where they are serving.  You see tangible progress with their work and are encouraged that God is moving.  The wonderful age that we live in technology wise helps us stay in contact with her fairly frequently.  Almost as much as when she went off to college in Indiana!  We can share in her ups and downs.  So much better than 20 years ago when you got a letter once a month if you were lucky and a phone call only in an extreme emergency.  We hear from our daughter at least once every two weeks.  Usually more often than that.  And of course the obvious point is that WE MISS HER but we know that she is right where God wants her for now and believe me, there is a certain peace that comes with that knowledge.

Do you worry about her safety?
I am not by nature a "worrier" which sounds strange for any mother.  I was never one to lay awake at night and fret about my kids.  It doesn't mean that I love them any less. I guess my "natural" bent is not to worry (but I can find plenty of other ways to sin as do we all).  I could tell stories that would curl your hair as a mother.  Usually though, we hear about her "situations" after the fact, after everything turns out "ok".  In reality though, are our kids any safer in the U.S?  I read the newspaper and bad stuff happens stateside too.

Will you go visit her?
Yes. Yes. Yes.  We hope to!  We would love to see firsthand how God is working in that little village in West Africa and maybe even get our hands dirty with the work over there. We had plans to go this past spring, but plane ticket prices jumped out of reach so we put the idea on the back burner for now.  We WILL try to get over there within the next two years.

All in all, it has been a great experience having a daughter do the Lords work overseas.  Our (Floyd and my) goal has always been to raise our kids to be independent, aware of the world around them and to serve the Lord wherever he leads.  It is gratifying as a parent to see your kids grow up strong in their faith and serving the Lord and, along the way, we do a little growing ourselves!

Well, I guess I'll close for now.  I hope you have enjoyed my ramblings!
Blessings!
Elaine Huber