Serving 3-6

3-6 months. That's what we've been told would be some of the hardest months as missionaries. They say the first 3 months are typically good, as you're excited about all the changes. Living in a new country, a different home, and among new people is fun! Seeing so many things for the first time overloads your senses. You're spending so much time adapting to a different culture, and all the other changes, to think much about missing the life you left behind.

They say that after 6 months you're settled into a routine. By then you'll have more local friends, as they stopped brushing you off as another person they don't want to get close to because they think you'll be gone in a few weeks. You know a little of the local language, so you don't feel so intimidated to go buy groceries or supplies. You feel more confident and comfortable, and barely notice everyone staring at you as you walk by. The day to day life becomes easier as the shock of the way things are done has subsided a bit. By 6 months you're "getting used" to your new life.

This 3-6 months, though, is one that many missionary families we've met would rather forget. They say that it's during this period that most the newness has worn off. You start to feel overwhelmed because you feel like you have too much to do and not enough time and/or money to do it. You feel like you're failing because you aren't doing enough. You start to come to the reality that you aren't going to reach your ambitious expectations of changing the world. Most of all, you start missing everything that you gave up to start this new life. You miss your family. You miss your friends. You miss the material possessions you sold to help fund your trip. You miss food, drinks, electronics, restaurants, driving, watching TV, going to an English-speaking church, working out at a gym, riding a bike... The list goes on and on.

So, here we are, sitting at 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, and feeling the effects of the 3 month missionary slump. I'm in no way saying I wish we didn't come... I'm still very happy to be here (as we all are). I'm just saying it would be awesome if we could see our family & friends. I'm saying it would be great if there was an Acapulco Mexican Restaurant down the road. I'm saying that I miss many of the things we took for granted while living in the states.

So, I decided to make a list. This list was created by all members of the family, and it highlights some of the things we miss most. We will use this list as a base while praying for strength to overcome our homesickness, and we invite you to do the same!

• Family
• Friends
• Our church
• Talking to family anytime we want
• Driving where we want when we want
• Having family movie night at Rio 10
• Going out for dinner
• Privacy
• Carpet
• Our beds
• Our vehicles
• T.V.
• TLC House Hunters International
• PS3
• Netflix
• Starbucks
• Taco Casa
• Acapulco
• Mamacita's
• Twix
• Cheez-Its
• Unlimited Cellphone Data
• Ice Cream

Please don't take this post the wrong way. We are all doing great, and the good times far outweigh the bad (A "good times" blog post will be forthcoming!) Homesickness has just been popping up here and there lately, so, in a therapeutic way, it just seems like a good time to talk and write about it.

At the end of the day, we know that God has led us this far, and we know that He will carry us through any and all of the hard times that are sure to pop up. We will continue to rely on Him for strength. We will continue to seek Him during the storms. We will continue to praise Him everyday for all that He's done in our lives.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalms 18:2

Thank you all for your prayers! Thank you for you're random comments on here, Facebook, and/or email. You'll never know how much it means to us! Please keep them coming... a well timed prayer and/or comment may come at just the right time during this "3 month missionary slump!"

We have a new website! Please visit www.LandFamilyMissions.com for the latest information, news, prayer requests, and more!