Patience is a Virtue

"Patience must be one of the hallmarks of the Christian home, as each member of the family shows patience in dealing with others.  Husbands and wives must be patient with each other, even as parents must be patient with children.  In the household of faith, patience, often the rarest of virtues, becomes a test of authenticity and a necessity for the right ordering of the home, the church and Christian fellowship."  Read More by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Today was a good day of practicing (and recognizing our need for more) patience.  Don't get me wrong, it was a good day, but there were moments that stretched our abilities to be patient.  We took the children out to the Pizza House again to break up the monotony of our time together.  The car ride is always one of the most entertaining part.  I wish I had a picture to post but it is quite difficult to snap one when you are amongst the six people huddled up in the back seat!  Due to a Saturday crowd, the time between ordering food and actually receiving it was almost too long to bear for four children under age 10.  However, we pulled out a few odds and ends for their entertainment.  All in all they were pretty good.  

Right as the food arrived I had to take the girls on their regular toilet adventure... they love experiencing a new bathroom!  Tony and I shared a pizza while the kids ordered baked potatoes... too funny.  We had a couple moments of "patience testing" with regards to authority.  As I mentioned previously, it is difficult to exercise much control in this context where everyone else speaks the language but you.  Just so you can relate a little better, imagine this....

You are with five others who speak a totally different language.  You go to a restaurant where everyone speaks a totally different, mostly indiscernible language.  You need to eat.  You are responsible for everyone there.  Your translator goes ahead and orders for everyone.  The waitress leaves and then your translator tells you what the four, who you are responsible for, ordered.  You resign yourself to the fact that eating healthier will come later when you're the one who orders.  You watch and wait while everyone else around the table is in a conversation you can't understand.  You try, as in a game of charades, to figure out what has or is being said.  One child says something to antagonize another.  That child then becomes on the verge of a break down.  By God's grace, you are spared a melt down... ha ha.  After all have eaten and gone to the restroom a couple times, one child blatantly disobeys your instruction to not give another something.  You want to discipline them with verbal instruction explaining what is acceptable and what is not, but you remember you don't speak their language.  Meanwhile, you attempt to have your translator explain hoping there is some sort of understanding of why their behavior was wrong... 

"Be patient"... "Wait"...  Despite some "patience testing" we did enjoy a couple hours of laughter and family fellowship.  These things take time.  We are privileged to walk this adoption journey.  God continues to teach us new things.  We are reminded everyday of our desperate need for God's grace.  The One who call us is faithful!  Praise Him!     

Waiting at the orphanage for our children...

Waiting for our food...

Playing while waiting...

A little bit whiny while waiting (ha ha)...

Wondering how long we would have to wait...

When we returned to our flat, Tony and I had a "date night".  Tony took a break from his nonstop sermon prep and writing projects to cuddle with me on the couch for the movie "Fireproof".  Then Tony ironed our socks and underwear as a result of the moving movie... yes, we have to iron everything.  We look forward to washers and dryers when we get home!