Team Real attended
two youth events for the church in Tiraspol,
Transnestrea. The theme was
Parents, planned
to coordinate with the adult group sessions. The Parenting Seminar was
headed by a woman from Texas…We
are in a “pretend” country in Eastern Europe and there
is a woman from Texas teaching!
In case you doubt it…It Is a Small
World.
On Friday night we went to a “coffee, tea and dessert”
event. We trailed in wearing clean t-shirts and
Capri pants…into a dark sanctuary with round tables adorned with white table
cloths, candles, cup and saucer at each place setting. It was really quite a swanky affair. Turns out,
this Friday night event is meant to promote a safe environment for people to
step into the faith, an open forum for questions and discussion.
At the youth event on Saturday, the kids were getting their
own “parenting” lessons; we all know parenting is a two way street and its
important for youth to have respect and honor for their mom and dad. Susan, the lady from Texas
and only native English speaker not with WR, was teaching the adults=no translator; thus I had relatively little idea what was going on. Since I was given this time to day dream, I
used it to full advantage; with Team REAL being an 8 person group, there is
little quiet or alone time and (it seems) endless to complain, stress or worry
about. Not wanting to give those
negative thoughts or silly stresses any more attention I decided to focusing on
the one thing I understood about the youth service: Parents.
Mom and Me arriving in Mykonos, Greece
It is month 4 and I have had the chance to skype my mom
twice and chat with my father once.
There are things I get excited about and want to share with them. On a regular
day in the States, my mom and I speak no
less than once a day. She may call
to tell me how much she saved at Publix with all her strategic coupon-ing. I may call just to tell her how much I lifted
at the gym. Little things we know the
other will praise us for, or serious questions we want to discuss. Though not physically close, mom in B’ham and
me in San Antonio, we were only a
phone call apart. My dad is not the kind
to talk on the phone unless its critical.
I miss being able to call and surprise
him; it always seemed to brighten his day to hear my voice.
We have email when internet is available and working.
It is difficult to see, hear or think something that excites me and want
to share it with someone who will be excited with me, or at least, be happy
that I got to be excited-and not be able to do so. I miss just being able to pick up the phone…
They are my parents; they are two totally different and abundantly loving individuals. Not married, they have been supportive, kind
and giving. Research suggest that
children of divorced parents suffer from emotional issues, identity struggles,
guilt, etc; but I wouldn’t have felt such love if they had maintained a
dysfunctional/unhappy marriage. My mom
and dad have done so much for me: prioritizing my dreams and happiness,
listening to my passionate diatribes, encouraging me through my struggles, and
letting me know they are proud of the woman I’ve become.
Dad and Me along our Haleakala Sunrise Bike Ride
“Muscle Man” Dad
Even now, as I’ve left the well paying-good benefits of the
military, put school on pause, quit the part-time job I love, and sold my
house, they support me. Dad didn’t
particularly agree with everything but never withheld his love for my
dreams. Mom instigated my
participation on World Race Missions.
She listened as I talked through my decision process, answered questions and
hugged me as I broke down in tears about financial worries.
They love me; I love
them. Love is such an overused term so
it comes down to the face that I:
-am fond of -have affection for -adore -care for -worry about -delight in -fancy
my parents…as they are: independent, supportive, a bit
crazy, smart, and MINE! J
