Domestic Engineering

I got a kick out of reading this article this morning which I spotted on the Challies blog.  It brings to mind my own situation of being a homemaker... with no kids.  Moving around so much over the past couple of years I am often meeting new people and facing the dreaded, "and what do you do?" question.  In Ireland I was told by the immigration people, whose job it is to ask this question upon entrance into the country, that I was a "lady of leisure." For a while it was fun to say that but now I am looking for a better answer that yields a better result when faced with said question.  I want my answer to reveal in the most serious and gracious way possible that my situation is acceptable by God and my husband and, dare I say, even blessed as well.  Matt and I marvel from time to time how the majority of men (and women) do not value a wife at home anymore.  Not even in households with kids. It seems that all that is valued anymore is a wage. This seems to be sadly true in many Christian homes as well.

When people find out that I do not work they then immediately assume I am home with the children. When they find out we don't have children and I don't work (GASP!) they don't know what to make of me.  Am I lazy?  Do I not have any employable skills? Why on earth would I not work?  Why on earth do I sit home with no kids?  Maybe I am sitting on the couch all day watching soap operas, eating bonbons?  Strangers are thrown off by this domestic situation of mine.  And some people who aren't strangers but friends and family don't know what to make of it either.   Some even look down on it.  And some are even Christians.

I mean what kind of wife must I be?  And what kind of man must my husband be to allow such?  What goes on in this strange household?!   Well let me tell you.  My husband comes home to a clean, inviting home with a relaxing atmosphere where he can unwind from a day of stressful work.  Don't get me wrong, my husband enjoys his work but he does work in a challenging field where his mind must be fully engaged or else people die.  That being said he appreciates coming home- not to chaos or additional work- but to relax and enjoy a homemade meal.  You see I love to care for my husband and my home.  I love to cook, bake, clean, organize, make our home beautiful, and even mow the lawn!  I love to spend money wisely and find the best prices on all that we buy. I am by no means a perfect wife but I try to do whatever I can so that when my husband gets home he can just chill and we can spend time together doing things we enjoy.  Sounds ludicrous doesn't it?!  On top of my immediate household responsibilities I also have time for other things, such as attending Bible studies, reading, ministry, learning new things to benefit my household (gardening, canning, and sewing are on the horizon) and I actually have time for people.  

We are blessed by God in Matt's career. He enjoys what he does and he brings home the bacon.  I do not have to hold a job outside the home but that doesn't mean I don't bring value to our household.  I used to work outside the home in a "real job," a career I could have retired from someday.  But homemaking is what I was cutout for.  Homemaking is my vocation.  I do not miss the workplace at all and I am so thankful that I am able to stay home and care for my family and home.  Thanks  and praise be to God for this wonderful blessing.

Sugar, Salt and Repatriation

While living in Ireland I heard the term repatriation a few times.  Repatriation is the process of returning a person back to one's place of origin or citizenship.  I heard it said that when a person returns to their home country that person may have difficulty with various things.  In fact if you read about repatriation on wikipedia there is a section entitled overcoming repatriation which says:

"Repatriation is often the ‘forgotten’ phase of the expatriation cycle; the emphasis for support is mostly on the actual period abroad. However, many repatriates report experiencing difficulties on return: one is no longer special, practical problems arise, new knowledge gained is no longer useful, etc. These difficulties are highly influenced by a number of factors including self-management, spouse's adjustment, time spent abroad and skill utilisation. What is crucial is that every individual perceives these factors in a different way."

When I heard about repatriation in Ireland I even heard about people reading books on how to enter back into their culture.  I couldn't believe it!   Returning to the U.S. was not going to be a problem for me at all. In fact over this last year I longed for nothing more.  Maybe repatriation difficulties only affect people who do not wish to return to their country of origin or to people who have been away for much longer than I have been away for.

I have now been back here for about six weeks and there are a few things I can tell you.  America is the land of plenty.  We have so much here.  I once heard on a radio show that the middle class level of Europe is equivalent to the poverty level in the U.S. in terms of standard of living.  I cannot speak for all of Europe but my experience of living in Dublin confirms this.  To repeat myself: we have so much here in America.  Whatever you want.  And it is affordable.   

There are just a few small things I have had to adjust to being back in the U.S.  The amount of sugar and salt used in food here is outrageous!  I was prepared for things to be too sweet but I was very surprised by all the salt.   Beyond these trivial matters I cannot complain one bit.  America is the land that I love and I am so thankful to be home.

Plugged In and Losing Touch

Upward Call author Kim was talking about how she likes to go for walks to think and I thought about how I walk all the time but rarely do I go walking, or anywhere for that matter, without my ipod. I often times am listening to sermons or lectures and sometimes music but it would be rare and unintentional for me to go anywhere without my ipod. I think this is a weakness I have. Yeah, I listen to many good things and improve my mind but how much more I would benefit if I spent time reflecting on God, his word, and what he is teaching me. How much more I would benefit if I spent time wrestling in my mind over things I am learning and in prayer.

As I was thinking about this I also thought about how society seems to be plugged in more and more and interacting less and less. Maybe this is just my experience in Dublin (but somehow I doubt it). Living in Europe we have chosen not to have a car so I have learned the art of public transport. I find myself on the bus a few times a week and I always make sure to have my ipod. I always find myself looking around at everyone and am struck by how almost everyone is plugged in to something- usually an ipod or cell phone. Dublin is a city where people are continually on their cell phones, either texting or listening to music. Places other than the bus I notice how people are plugged in to not only cell phones or ipods but also laptops and gameboys. We seem to have turned into a society of people who don't want to interact or communicate. Is this true? Or is it that we just need to be entertained all the time? I would guess it's both.

On the bus I often think of talking to people. I think of how I should be sharing the gospel. I think of how I should be interacting with people just to know what people are like here. So why don't I? Mostly because I don't know what to say, I am somewhat shy, and people look like they do not want to be disturbed. I wonder if it is like this back home or is it just Dublin? Or is this just city life? People here keep to themselves but I assume it was not always this way. Before cell phones, ipods, laptops, game boys, portable DVD players, and texting people probably talked to eachother a lot more. We are losing touch with eachother.

Year in Review

2007 has been a pretty good year filled with blessings from the LORD. The biggest of course being our move to Dublin. Its funny to think of how bad I wanted to move here and what I thought I would learn. Living overseas I thought I would be able to soberly assess American culture as well as my own faith- is my Christianity American Christianity or biblical Christianity? I think Europe in some ways is too similar to the US to see clearly on these topics. In other ways it is so different. The fact of the matter is I am impatient and it is too early to tell. But one thing I do know is that God is so faithful and has been with me every step of the way, providing all that we need.

Another big blessing this year was leaving my job at UAPD. It was bittersweet having been there 8 years, making many friends and experiencing so much in the last three years as a police officer and detective. I had so many good times there and was blessed with wonderful fellow officers, corporals, sergeants, commanders and a fantastic chief. As a patrol officer I loved pulling traffic stops and as a detective- oh where would I even begin with all the neat things I got to do?! 

Working as a police officer or detective is a stressful and demanding job but I think there are few that can compare with it's greatness. It is an especially good job to hold as a Christian because you have so many opportunities to share Christ with the endless amount of people you come in contact with, whether they be fellow officers, criminals, victims, or others. But I am not cut out for a job that owns my life as the job of a detective does and I am quite happy to be home now spending my days working on my theology classes, cooking, and taking care of the home and husband.

Well, tomorrow Matt and I leave for Rome, a place I have longed to see for quite some time. I can only think of one other city in the world I want to see more. I can't believe I will actually be there tomorrow- may it not be too overwhelming! 

A happy and safe New Year to you all with many blessings in Christ Jesus!!!