Whispers in the Calm

I want to post something here not to brag or seek approval, but to save it as a reminder of this moment in my life.  And as a memory to share with my children.  I was recently asked to blog about what it's like to be a Mom on the mission field.  There are so many things I could share about this, but some general thoughts about it are recorded below.  They were featured on an online blog, which is run by some dear friends on mine in Vienna, Austria, as well as other friends from around the world.  I've never felt like a gifted writer, but when my friend asked me to share my thoughts in hopes of encouraging or helping other moms in ministry I couldn't deny the nudge I felt God was giving me to do my part and share myself and my experiences with others.  It's hard to deny God what you feel like He wants.  I also felt like it was my duty to help contribute to the community of women who are a part of this blog and dedicated to helping each other in life.  So, hopefully I was able to encourage someone out there.  After writing this I was asked if I would consider contributing something once a quarter and after much thought and prayer, and what seemed to be a clear encouragement from God to say yes, I have decided to give it a try.  If you have any interest in reading articles from other women as well feel free to visit the blog:  http://www.inthecalm.org/

Becoming A Mom While Living Abroad

By Sarah Beall February 3, 2014 Uncategorized 

 

Wow. What a topic: Having children in a foreign country. I don’t know where to begin or how to keep this brief. When I think about my children, about having them here in the Czech Republic, and about raising them in this foreign-to-me (not to them since it’s their home) land, I have so many scattered thoughts racing through my mind. It has not been easy, but then it’s not easy having and raising your children anywhere, is it? For me, motherhood integrated with this missionary life has been full of questions, doubts, worries and an ever-increasing faith in and reliance on our Great, Awesome God.
I was especially scared with my first as everything was so completely new to me. I would say that my first true, in-depth experiences with “culture shock” were when I became pregnant and had my first baby here. And I had already lived in Olomouc for three years. One reason was that the language here, which is already difficult, has its own “child language” within itself that I had to learn with the birth of Jakub. Words I never needed before were suddenly so necessary and so unknown. Words I already knew well did not hold the same meaning simply because he was a baby! And so many things got lost in translation, or simply didn’t hold true, like the huge shock at literally the very last minute at the hospital that my husband could not go with me for the C-section. No one is allowed to go with you unless they have special connections to the medical staff. Talk about SHOCK. Talk about stress!  I was so nervous and scared, but what could I do?  I just went on back to the operating room with the nurses and we had a baby. A very big, very breech, gorgeous, healthy boy.
It’s a good thing God doesn’t get tired of us talking to Him because I’m pretty sure I talked his ear off with all of my concerns, and questions, and prayers over that precious little boy that I was sure I was going to mess up in some major way. If my Mom were living nearby she would have calmed me during that roller coaster of a first year, and told me to take a chill pill! But, that’s another difficult thing about having our children here — we’ve left behind the comfort and care of our moms and dads, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and church family. God provides, though. If we’re looking for it, He provides. My husband and I learned to rely on each other a lot — and we learned even more about one another. And I found help, and friendship, and genuine care from some of the people around me. And now I’m stronger for it. And precious bonds were formed. And I have an even bigger “family” because of it, because I’ve had my babies in this foreign place.
You know what truth still rocks my world and I am continually learning how to accept, nurture, and grow with it? This foreign place is truly home for my children. In a way that it can never be mine. They were born here. They have only ever lived here. These people are their people and this language is becoming their language in a much more authentic way than it will ever be “my” language. My oldest is already attending a local pre-school here and his grasp of the language and culture is wonderful and ever-growing. He sometimes teaches me vocabulary words. How crazy is that! And I’m thankful that by nature, and nurture, I’m not prone to be jealous or competitive with him about that. I’m amazed by him. I’m amazed by the beautiful, smart, adventurous creature that he is. I am blessed to be his Mom and I thank God for all that He’s taught me about Himself through my son and my daughter. If it weren’t for having these precious kids in this foreign place I wouldn’t have learned some of the things I have, personally, about God and who He is, and how much I can and need to rely on Him. For everything.

I have the opportunity every day to learn something about myself, my kids, and my God. That’s true for any of us in any place we happen to live. If that happens to be a foreign place and if you ever happen to feel overwhelmed or scared while raising your kids there (or experience one of a million other emotions or thoughts — kids can really get our minds and hearts stirred up, can’t they?) I encourage you to know you are not alone. If you can allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help, then surely God will provide help in some form or another. I’ve found help from my husband, late-night Skype calls to parents, teammates, newfound friends met in random places, online articles, tons of reading on parenthood, Beth Moore studies and encouragement from friends all over the world. Motherhood, in my opinion, is one of the toughest life-experiences we can endure. It’s awesome, too. It really is a gift from above and one that I don’t take for granted.
We never know how long we’ll be on this Earth, or our children for that matter, so trying to enjoy each day with them is important. I’m thankful that for now I find myself in this foreign place with them because we’re learning so much about each other, about life and people, and about God. Praise be to Him for that.