Odds and Ends

Life is finally settling down to a predictable, fairly hum-drum pace. Monday thru Thursday, I wake up at 7:25, take a shower, eat some granola or eggs or fruit while I read my Bible, and meet the staff* downstairs for devotions at 8:30. The kids and I do school from 9 to 12:30, when we eat lunch, and then read a library book together; we're currently on the last chapter of "Pretty Polly," by Dick King-Smith.

After lunch, we do school for another hour or two, and then I send them downstairs to their house, and breathe a big sigh of relief! It doesn't take long for me to score their work and map out the next day's pages, so I'm usually back in my room by 3, where I read, nap, clean, and/or sit in front of my laptop until 5:30, at which time I go downstairs and help with supper.

Meals are interesting. Even though families invite nannies into their life, it still feels like an intrusion at times. We're treated to the normal drama of a normal household--arguements between husbands and wives, frustrated outbursts at the kids, sassy comments from the kids... comfortable in the context of people you've always known and loved, but when you're a nanny, sometimes you curl your toes under the table and become very interested in the artwork on the refrigerator.

But I guess that's all part of the job.

Misc: I sure mentioned meals a lot in that section. It should come as no surprise that I've gained 4 kilos since April 2. (4 kilos sounds much nicer than 8 pounds...)

David and I now share our apartment with another short term missionary, Nathan, from Washington state. He just graduated from university as a civil engineer, but has felt God's call to the Balkans for about two years.

And then there is the possibility of another roommate in July--Mission Nannies has a girl to fill my place once I leave on August 5, an 18-year-old from Texas. But the kids' dad had a talk with me the other night and was very positive and appreciative about everything I've done, in taking initiative while he's been sick, and the way the kids have responded so well to me, basically pleading me to stay long term.

He phoned his wife about this new girl, and she said, I want Lauren! So I told him I would pray about it... but at this point, I don't feel led to stay. I like it here, the family is growing on me the more I get to know them and understand the way they work, but all the while, in the back of my mind is the fact that my visit has an end date. I can definately endure four months, and enjoy those four months, but opening the question of a longer commitment... it's like I'm pacing my strength, mentally and emotionally, to last four months, and the thought of an extension is not a tempting thought, besides all the changes it would mean at home (losing jobs, missing family, etc).

Of course I know I should be open to the possibility if an extension is what God wants for the next step in my life, but I've been here two months, and Albania hasn't rooted itself inextricably in my heart. It's beautiful, and the people are generous and outgoing. But I believe that when you serve long term on the mission field, it should be in a place God has put on your heart, and I really don't feel that for Albania.

Knowing there will be a teacher to fill my place leaves me feeling, at this point anyway, free to continue on. I don't want to look at my time here as an assignment, a task to be gotten through, where I learn what God wants me to learn and get out... and yet, some days are like that.

The verses I've been reading lately have been things like II Thessalonians, "But ye brethren, be not weary in well doing" and "the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

So I ask that you pray for God's direction. I've been praying all week, and feel that something really big would have to happen for me to stay. At this point, I believe God is wanting me to grow in peace and hope, patience and contentment, while I am in Albania, but he isn't necessarily asking me to stay.

Thank you for your prayers!


*The staff consists of Rudina, who is the church secretary, Mirella, who cleans, Alban, who drives the vans and disciples the young adults, Vici, who works in the office, Irachli, who drives the vans and fixes whatever needs fixed... as well as different teachers from the kindergarten upstairs, and the cooks.