Family Life

Even though I don’t have my own family as of yet, I think it very important to be prepared as to how I want my family life to look and to know my values. Deanne and Jeff did a great job of relaying the needs of MKs and the challenges of raising kids in the field. I love that OC puts family first and that it is better to ‘cheat’ your job than your family, if you have to. Family is our first responsibility and main one that God has given us, anything else is extra; even on the mission field. It’s so easy for us to justify putting our ministry first, because it is in the name of God. I know many people whom do just that.
I can see how this could be an issue for both males and females. I can also foresee myself struggling with this once I have a family. I imagine that it will be difficult to change my focus and maybe even give up aspects of my ministry in order to raise my children. This is why I believe it is probably better to know this value ahead of time, so that this value is more important than what I am giving up. Besides I will be gaining bushels and bushels, as well.
I found it helpful to learn how difficult it is for MKs to move and to have to go on furlough and travel a lot. We tend to put a lot of pressure on MKs to be perfect and also forget how difficult transition is. I agree that it is important to talk them through the transition, be there for them, not freak out when they come to me and allow them to make mistakes.
As a single, it was important to be reminded that it is easy to bombard a family. As with anything, it is good to have my emotional needs met by more than one person or family and even more important to allow God to meet those needs. It is also important to allow families to have family time. One day I will want singles to respect me in this same manner.