NOT SUPERWOMAN

Even walking in the rain is great with this guy!

“I need to tell you something, but I don’t want to hurt you.”  Our January date night had been full of reminiscing and dreaming up until Dave spoke those fateful words. “How do you feel about things at home?” he asked.    

Honestly, I knew life had been chaotic. I was in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) two mornings a week, in Entre Nosotras at school every other week, involved in the school board, and had led music six recent Sundays. With all the December social festivities, there hadn’t been much time for family. “I feel like things at home are slipping,” Dave gently continued.  

It was true. I couldn’t remember the last time I had reviewed spelling words with Aaron or practiced at the keyboard with Luke. And I felt awful about it. In BSF, we had just read that when marching out of Sinai, the Israelites organized their camp with God’s presence in the center of them. I had been convicted at that time that my “doing” for God was edging out my “being” in God’s presence—and being with my family. I knew I needed God at the center of my life again and that to get there, I would need to say “no”. I love to help others (read also: I’m a total people pleaser) so it’s tough for me to say no to activities and even harder to end prior commitments. Yet I know I need to trust God to provide for needs I cannot meet, and to lead me to the needs that he is actually calling me to meet—like serving my family. That hard conversation on our anniversary was a gift—to remind me that I am not Superwoman, but a child of God, who needs to keep listening, learning, and centering on Jesus. I’ve been reordering my priorities and phasing out some activities and I appreciate your prayers that I can hear and obey God’s direction for the future!

SAAVEDRA KIDDOS

Levi, Evangeline, Aaron (birthday boy) and Luke

Our children are enjoying school at the Alliance Academy International, though with the typical dramas of childhood, too. We are so grateful that they are learning in an environment jam-packed with Christian teachers.  Add in their grandparents living nearby, and they have so many wonderful role models in their lives. Our kids do periodically struggle with feeling lonely because of being from a different cultural and language background than nearly all their peers. Please keep their tender hearts in your prayers, that they would be brave and persistent in connecting across barriers to their classmates. Thanks!

Hiking outside the city

Carnaval (the Tuesday before Lent) is
celebrated here with water and foam fights

Crazy Carnaval hair