Like Riding a Bike....Right?

I've lost my voice.

Not in a medical way, but in a writer's way. I have almost no desire to write anymore.

Really, there is the desire, it is more like the energy has gone out of me. It is so sad. I can't even count how many times I have sat down at the computer, with ideas swimming around in my head, and then I just choose not to write.

Like I said, so sad.

I go weeks and weeks between posts and so much is going on with our little family and I am missing out on the chances to write about them!

So, pardon me over the next couple of posts. Things might get rocky around here, but I am forcing myself to get back into it.

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Like Riding a Bike....Right?

Who Are Your People?

Who are your people?

No, I don't mean your family, friends, and the ones that you call home.

I mean, who are the people that your heart aches for. That you strive to show love to even when it is not easy. Who are the people that you see with open eyes and a compassionate heart?

As believers in Christ we have all been giving a "calling." A purpose in our lives that is bigger that the day to day operations of normal womanhood. We have been asked to share the greatest gift we were ever given.

Matthew 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

It is very clear what we have been asked to do. But what does it mean by "All of the nations?" and where do our family responsibilities come into play?

Recently I have been asked why I "waste," my time on a people that do not care about Christ. When talking about my calling to them, I was told by several people that their calling is to their family. That they are focusing on their children for the forseeable future and that they do not have time, nor see a reason to do otherwise.

My heart broke.

Not because I disagree. Our children are our "first disciples." They are our greatest responsibility to share the love of Christ with. After our relationship with Christ and with our husbands, our children should be our most important priority.

But do we not have room in our heart to love more than that? Does it really take much more energy? And is there time to waste and wait until our children are grown? Will we then say that our grandchildren are our only priority? How big will our effect be?

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

I believe that Scripture shows us how big our heart should be.

To the ends of the earth.
That's alot of people.
That's alot of places.
That's alot of love.

I also believe that the three areas listed, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, give a first hand example of what our circles should look like.

Our Jerusalem is our families. They are our children. Our parents. Our siblings. They are the people we see and interact with all day, every day. They are the ones we live amongst and share His love with by word and by being a living example of what a changed life looks like. This could also include your neighbors and work mates since you interact with them on a daily basis and live life with them.

Our Judea is our like peoples. They are your MOPS group, the youth group that you volunteer with, the house bound ministry you serve. They are the orphans and widows in your community. The college students at a local school. It is whomever you choose to pour your service time in with. It's important. Maybe you don't spend as much time with them as your family but your heart breaks for them and you search out ways to serve and share with them.

Our Samaria is far away. Think, really far. The stretch of Samaria meant it was several days travel and covered a large swath of linguistic and cultural differences. Where is your Samaria? What are the people that God has placed on your heart that is not nearby? I challenge you to think outside of US territory.

I have a heart for the nations. For every people on Earth. But, like many, God has placed a certain people on my heart.

It wasn't in a dream or in a chance encounter (though that happens for many people,) and it wasn't through my home church's international partnership. It was through time and prayer and me asking God to help me love the people I was among.

Maybe your Samaria has been on your heart for years. Maybe you are just looking for one now. If so, I encourage you to look up the Joshua Project and look through stats of the least reached people groups. Choose one that you and your family can pray for daily and that you could one day have contact with people from that country.

As a mom of young kids, I know how hard it is to give of yourself to so many different things. I know how stretching and tiring it is. And I know how easy it is to over commit. One of the easiest ways to keep our people group circles in the forefront of our lives is to pray for each circle over a meal or while you prepare it. I pray for my husband and kids and extended family at breakfast time, for the mom's that I lead in Bible study at lunch time or friends that I live life with, and for our people group at dinner. 

I'll be writing more about ways you can get involved in your different "circles," but if you have specific questions or want information on people groups that can be your "Samaria," please email me at brittneymgalloway@gmail.com
 

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Who Are Your People?

On Miss Clavel and Dust Bunnies

It's been a settling in process here in Abu Dhabi. I have not had to deal with much of the "culture shock," side of things since I've had my go with that already, but just the unpacking, rearranging, hanging things on the wall, finding my balance type of settling in.

Grace has not handled it well.

Sweet girl.

She went the entire six months bouncing around from house to house, church to church in the States and even did well coming to Abu Dhabi for a week, then on to Jordan for a month, then back to Abu Dhabi in a hotel. But the day we moved into our house and she laid her eyes on her things and her bed, it all fell apart.

She has been just a glimmer of herself for the past six weeks.

It's rather heartbreaking. Sleep issues, waking up with nightmares, a complete rejection of Ian (since he is no longer working from home, we assume,) and a different demeanor entirely. It's so hard to see her grieve and handle the change. I stayed home for two weeks straight with her just to give her some semblance of stability and normalcy and that has helped a ton. We've laid down the law about bed time and reestablished lost routine. Slowly, surely, she is coming back to us.

There is still a part of her that is sassier, more disobedient, but I guess that is part of her testing the waters as a new three year old. Giving grace to Grace and extra snuggles has helped as well. Forehead to forehead, nose to nose, with her hot breath on me until she relaxes into sleep. I really do love those few minutes each day.

I've definitely had more and more "Miss Clavel," moments. You know the ones. Where she wakes up from her sleep and "knows something is not right," and takes off running down the hall? Yes, that has been me, several times a night when Grace wakes up screaming and disorientated. Nap time too. I've become a pro at taking our stairs 3 at a time in a maxi dress.

All the boxes are unpacked and everything is put away. Our living room needs more furniture and the house needs more carpets to help contain the sand and dust. For now, I sweep the entire house every day and I still get a dust pan full of dust bunnies.

And Sophia? She is our happy baby. Until you tell her "No." Then she is our screaming mad, inconsolable baby, with a perpetual state of diaper rash.

The summer is upon us, with temperatures touching 100 degrees each afternoon. And yet, I found myself with the doors open yesterday while the girls played outside in the water table because it felt comfortable.

That's where I am right now. That's what life looks like.That's my picture of motherhood, expat life as of today. I'm sure tomorrow could look entirely different. Or, perhaps, exactly the same.

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On Miss Clavel and Dust Bunnies

It's Been a Month

It's been a month since I have last written.

And clearly the break has not boosted my creative title making abilities.

Oh, well. The world keeps spinning and all of you can keep rolling your eyes at the ridiculousness.

It's been a month and alot has happened. I have found myself thinking about how much I need to share, but there has just not been time!

The girls' nap time was up 10 minutes ago, but since they are still sleeping I will try and steal a moment to be still and collect some thoughts.

Let's revisit February and March via a list, shall we?

1.) My birthday happened. It was a bit of a let down. Ian had to work late and I was stuck inside the hotel all day by myself with two stir crazy girls. Then, because nothing had been planned, I chose to go out to eat and Ian was able to meet us just in time. I cried that night that  we didn't have any birthday cake.

Just being honest with you!

Ian redeemed the oversight with an ice cream cake the next day.

2.) Ian's visa came through, which meant we could begin house hunting!

3.) We found a house! And signed a contract! And moved into the house!

4.) Everything fell apart and my dryer caught on fire.

5.) We've been in the house for 2 weeks and every box is unpacked (quite an accomplishment,) most of the curtains have been hung, and some of the pictures/art has been put up.

6.) Then, our house flooded. Yes, I know we live in the desert. But wouldn't you know it, the one storm we get a year happened just days after we finished unpacking and rolling out the new carpets. Lucky for us, our friends were here and they helped us as we ran around stuffing towels everywhere and catching rain in trick or treat buckets.

It's just the way things are here! The houses are not built to deal with rain. Luckily, no damage was really done and everything is drying out. Including the fifty cardboard boxes that were stacked outside awaiting disposal.

7.) I've started looking into preschool for Grace. And subsequently had several panic attacks about not providing the best for her and how she is going to be so behind her peers. Kindergarten is split into two parts here and the first one can be started at 3.5 years old! She is just not ready for full time school and I don't think that it would be the best thing for her. Luckily a friend explained the system to me and I think I have it figured out- Grace could start the second part of Kindergarten when she is 4.5 OR when she is 5.5 without doing the first part. Phew. Now to figure out how to afford a private school education! Public isn't an option here (locals only,) and I just do not feel called to homeschool her.

8.) I'm just a couple of weeks away from starting back to my Arabic language study! I'm excited to see progress and hoping to meet some goals during this term!

Yup, all of that happened in the last month and the girls are still sleeping. Time to sit still and be quiet for a few more minutes!

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It's Been a Month

Five on Friday

Linking up Here for Five on Friday

1.} Valentine's Day- It's obligatory to write a little bit about our day o' love. This one was significantly less romantic than years gone by, mostly because us and our two daughters are living in a hotel room and we don't have a car to go anywhere. So we went to a mall, priced a mixer, had a heart attack, and stayed home the rest of the day! Ian and Grace picked me up some beautiful roses yesterday and the girls and I got Ian some almond stuffed dates (yum!) and cards.

2.} Big Girl Day- Well, it happened. Last night, when we put Grace to bed, we snapped a picture of her and her beloved pacifiers- one in her mouth and one on each pointer finger which she twirls around as she falls asleep. Today, when she woke up, she handed them to me and I hid them away. I could have just thrown them away but I am a little too sentimental right now. We spent the day as she wanted it- Presents in the morning (a 12 piece puzzle which she can finish in less than 2 minutes! a new book, and a thing of Gelli Baff) McDonald's for lunch, cupcakes for dessert, and cereal for dinner. Her nap time was rough, she cried and screamed, got out of bed to play with things in the room, and finally fell asleep. Bed time was semi calmer but she just lay there, like she didn't know how to fall asleep with out them. It was so sad. I'm sure there will be more hard days ahead of us, but this wasn't the worst start to it.

3.}South Beach- We're doing South Beach diet again, or our closest approximation to it. I've said it before and I'll say it again- we love SB for retraining yourself what are normal amounts of carbs/sugars to be consumed. I'm down 10 pounds and feeling alot better and more in control of my eating habits. America, you rocked our world, cuisine wise, but you also made us alot more unhealthy, ha!

4.}Birthday Blues- Do you watch New Girl? If so, there is a recent episode called Birthday that exactly explains how I feel about birthdays. I LOVE them. I think they are so special and that they are magical days. But I have such extremely high expectations for them that I am devastated when my birthday ends up looking nothing like I thought it would. So, I would really much rather be off by myself for the entire day than to be around people with my expectant "Aren't you going to whisk me away by plane to a surprise party at a five star resort?" look plastered all over my face. Please tell me someone else out there understands!

All of that to say: my birthday is on Sunday and Ian has to work. Wah-wah.

So it's me and my girls in our hotel room all day. I'll be the one telling my two year old to sing me happy birthday on repeat.

And also not to wet the bed.

Glamorous.

5.}Date Night- It's happening tomorrow night and I'm more anxious than excited.

Random hired babysitter+hotel room+limited English= one very nervous wreck Momma.

But I know how necessary date nights are and living in the city right now gives us the chance to more easily try out this babysitting service. Plus, I arranged the time so that the babysitter gets the girls during the long afternoon stretch and can keep them up until we get home.

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Five on Friday

My Girls- An Update

 It's been a while since the girls have been the sole topic of a post, nearly five months since Sophia's first birthday and Grace's half birthday!

My girls are: Amazing, Wonderful, Hilarious, Loving, Energetic, Verbal, Intelligent, Helpers, Observant, and Learners.

And to be honest they are also: High strung, slow eaters, impatient, and (one) can have a bit of a temper.

I am so thankful for the daughters God has given us. Living overseas, in a male centric society, I get asked all the time by people "Just girls ma'am?" with a head tilt of sympathy. I bite the side of my lip most days, hug my girls close, and say "Yes! We have two wonderful daughters!" I really hate that they have to hear that all the time, like they aren't enough are good enough.

I am clearly meant to be a "Girl mom," first. A friend of mine, who happens to have two sons, lent us a bunch of toys to use while in the hotel. Part of the collection was a set of train tracks and trains. I set them up for Grace one day during Sophia's morning nap and Grace just stared at me like "What am I suppossed to do with this?"

I just stared back at her, because, frankly, I wasn't sure. Once I made the trains pick up a load of coal and do a loop around the figure eight, I wasn't too clear on what was to happen next.

Ha!

Grace:

 I learn so much about mothering from Grace everyday. It is a trial by error situation right now but I wouldn't trade a moment of it!

Grace is 2 years and 10 months old.

Grace is very full of energy and loves to be socially involved. She's happiest when we are out and about and can interact with her friends.

She is slowly getting over all of her weird food aversions and even ate pasta recently! And the moment we returned to the Middle East she started eating cheese again. Never mind the fact that I still buy Kraft cheddar cheese, just like we did in the States!

She is getting into books and stories alot more. She can retell random Bible stories (Elizabeth and Mary, Joshua, and baby Moses.) 

She is in size 3T clothes and 7 shoes.

She takes one nap from 2-4 but I recently figured out that if I laid her down at 1 or 1:30 she would still sleep until 4! She goes to sleep at 7 and sleeps until 7 am when we wake her up.

Favorite Clothes- She's really into socks right now. I don't really get it.
Favorite Show- All about Yo Gabba Gabba, much to my chagrin. I feel like I am hallucinating when it is on!
Favorite Song- She's gotten into Zaccheus and Skip to my Lou in the last month.
Favorite Food- Chocolate Milk and Babybel cheese
Favorite Person- Momma or her friend Miya
Favorite Toy- A VTech Picnic basket and little metal tea set that she plays with everyday
Favorite Book- The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (classics!)

 She's my painfully slow eater. I have been looking for some sort of "Bite timer app," so that she has a constant countdown and reminder to chew her food, swallow, and take another bite. It drives me crazy! Not with all food, of course, just the stuff that she is not crazy about.

We are getting rid of her pacifiers tomorrow, on Valentines day! I am really excited/dreading it all in one moment. She always has slept with them so it will be a big deal tomorrow, when she lays down for her nap without them! We are dubbing it her "Big Girl Day," and told her it will involve presents, cupcakes, and being all done with her paci's! She is looking forward to it but I doubt she has any concept of what being all done with them actually means!

Sophia:

She is One year and four months old!

She walks, runs, and tries to jump. She has gotten pretty good at climbing on things, which Grace never did.

We just got her off of the bottle on Tuesday, February 11th. I kept it around because I wanted her to have some routine through all of this change but with us being in a hotel for several more weeks I just decided to go for it one morning! She fussed that first morning and then was fine!

Sophia takes a morning nap from 8:30-10:30 and then from 2-4 in the afternoon. She is a pretty light sleeper though so any change of temperature or noise during the last 45 minutes of her nap will mean that she wakes up!

She is my cuddly girl. She throws her head back to laugh and runs at you full speed (eyes closed and looking up at the ceiling while she runs!)

She can sign More, Please, Water, Food, Milk, Baby, Cheese, and Cracker. She says Momma, Dadda, Bottle, Baby, Book, Open, No, Up, Hot, Shoe, Sock, Shirt, and Ball.

She sits very still for book reading and it has actually helped Grace to learn to sit still for stories! Sophia really does love to look at books and points at things she recognizes over and over.

She loves to "dance," and will hold her hands out in front of her fingers together, and sing a song from Nutcracker as she twirls around.

She is in size 18 month clothes and size 5 Wide shoes. She is in size 4 diapers. She has six teeth but two molars are popping through as we speak!

A quirk about Sophia is that she HATES to be messed with. Meaning, if she didn't initiate being touched then she probably won't like it. (as pictured above.) I can never get any pictures of them together because Sophia becomes a little tyrant about being touched. Doctors visits are awful because she just hates being poked and prodded at. You can imagine how much fun bath time or nail clipping is! She doesn't mind getting dressed or diaper changes and she IS super cuddly. Just doesn't like being "messed with."

My girls are such precious little lives and I am thankful to be entrusted with raising them up. Can't wait to see what the next couple of months brings!

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My Girls- An Update

Word of the Year and a New Look

I know, I'm a month late with choosing my word of the year. But, to be fair, we have had a good bit going on, you know, with moving overseas and all.

I should clarify by saying I have chosen wordS of the year. Plural. As in two words of the year.

Bold/Still

They may seem slightly contradictory but I assure you, they are not.

I focused on the word "Still," months ago when I felt the pressure and stress from our approaching move mounting. Again and again I had friends going through trials and I would refer them to the verse in Psalm 46:10 that says:

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted among the earth."

Each time I would feel a peace about our own situation and could rest in that stillness when I remembered that God will be exalted. If our own purpose on earth is to bring glory and to exalt God, then whatever change in the map of life that comes my way is for that purpose.

I knew my word for the year was going to be "Still." This was a trait that I wanted to strive for, to think on, and to help me focus on the sovereignty of God. We have alot of changes coming in our lives this year, especially in these first 2-3 months, and I had a real peace that this was something I needed to focus on.

I was surprised when the word "Bold," came to mind a few days after the New Years. I became greatly convicted about how my lack of boldness in certain areas of my life was leaving me without vision, identity, and purpose. I went to Scripture to see what boldness could be found there and time and again I found people being bold despite opposition and logic saying they should be otherwise.

Boldness with relationships, personal goals, language learning, social situations, and more will help me to reach the goals that I have placed before myself and I know that acting cowardly or hiding behind the veil of shyness or introvertedness will only hinder me. (note: there is a real time and place when those characteristics do affect how you act, but I know when I hide behind them instead of working with them.)

Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."

I am so excited to see how the Lord uses these words to grow and stretch me this year, and to see how His presence is affirmed again and again.

Also, thanks for sticking with me as I update the look of the blog! It's coming along but definitely needs some tweaking!

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Word of the Year and a New Look