helping women connect with their world
This month, John McVay let us know about his new book. He edited Ask a Missionary:Time-Tested Answers From Those Who’ve Been There. Over 100 missionaries share their insightful wisdom and practical advice on everything from making the decision to go, to stepping into a new life once on the field and everything in between.
Peter’s Wife is cited in the Resource section of the book. We want to thank John for including us in his book. For more information see: Ask a Missionary
What do you treasure? As one movie character put it, “What would you take with you if you had only one minute to pick it up before you were forced out?” The choices the characters made revealed their true values and motivations. In this issue of Peters Wife, Judi shares what she has learned about her treasures.
Moving My Treasures
Moving! Putting things in boxes. It is a balancing act. You can’t pack in one day and move the next. It has to be a process. A unique process. One that, even after five moves in five years, I have not perfected. You know what I am talking about, right? You try to figure out what things your family needs until that last second before you actually move your stuff. What are the things you need even while and after you move?
This month Beverly Richardson shares what transformation has meant in her life. She has served overseas, both short and long term. Beverly earned her PhD. so she can effectively help cross cultural workers. She currently lives and works in Asia.
Today I was thumbing through old journals, some that go back as far as 16 years. I think it does one good to go back and see just how far we’ve come, or how we’ve gotten stuck in the same place for years. For me, it is confirmation of the transformation that God has brought in my life over the years.
Some time ago I read a book called, The Brain that Changes Itself. It introduced me to the idea that our brains are able to change and adapt. Much of that change occurs because of chemicals that act on the brain. Recently I read an article that talked about the chemicals in the brain that make bonding with our baby, not only possible, but pleasurable. We turn from rather self-centered individuals into people who would sacrifice everything for a wrinkled, red, almost alien-looking bundle. So I’ve been doing more research. In this article, I want to share some of the major lesson I’ve learned.
The key to bonding with our baby is a mysterious process that causes us to enjoy one another. Moms and dads fall in love with their own baby and each baby falls in love with its own mom and dad. As long as we don’t interfere with the process, it will happen flawlessly and rather magically. An intricate dance begins even before birth, through the birth process, to feeding, cuddling, and playing with the baby. Touch and smell, sight and hearing all play a role, but the biggest role is played by some powerful chemicals rearranging our brains.
I have been so sheltered. I grew up in a middle-class family with all we needed and much of what we wanted. I’ve served, most of my adult life, the same type of people. I am seldom confronted by poverty, and even when that happens, it is by a few blind or lame begging on busy city sidewalks. I’ve often wondered how people like me can really help the profoundly poor of many third world or developing countries. For some of my PW sisters, dealing with poverty is an everyday issue; it may even be the very fabric of your service. I commend you!
In this issue of Peter’s Wife, I am sharing a newsletter from Tammy, one of our PW family of readers. She shares her experiences in helping one poor boy. As you read it, remember to ask God to help you see people as he sees them. Ask Him to make you alert to the individual, not just involved in the big projects. And maybe all of us can ask the Father to show us one life we can touch with his love, whoever it is, wherever it is. [Read more…]
