I can relate so well to...Mr. Bean...??

I had a flashback yesterday as Pastor D’s family and I were watching Mr. Bean. It is rather hard to explain so maybe it would be best for you to take a look at the scene before I try to break it down. Check out the first part of this video as Mr. Bean sings at church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZyuSDUh2U  Earlier that day at church, and every Sunday for that matter, I had been carefully standing up when everyone else did and shuffling through my little hymnal in an attempt to find the right songs. Then I proceeded to belted out the songs and choruses I knew, which quickly diminishes to a mumble when we reach the words I didn’t know. And then there were the times I could read the words just fine but had no clue what the tune was, which led to false starts and off tune singing. Never have I been able to relate so well to Mr. Bean. I must say it way hilarious and I can’t wait for church again next Sunday!

You want me to do what?!?

Saturday morning, chatting with Sis on Facebook:

Sis: and what are your plans for the day?

Me: Oh, I don’t really have any, I was thinking about watching a Malagasy movie and there is Bible Study this afternoon.

*phone rings* (ensuing conversations takes place in Gasy)

Me: Hello?

Pastor D: Hey Tara

Me: What’s news? (the Malagasy equivalent to what’s up)

Pastor D: There is just a little bit of news. I have to teach somewhere else this afternoon. Could you teach Bible Study this afternoon?

*thinking* That’s no “little” news! That is huge and scary!!

Me: Um…..in Gasy????

Pastor D: Uh, yeah….. It doesn’t have to be long 20 or 30 minutes is fine.

Me: Uh, sure…..

*returns to convo with sis*

Me: Nevermind, forget the movie. I have six hours to prepare to teach Bible Study!! *panic*

Sis: “When I am weak I am strong…” *quoting something I had written on my blog last time I was teaching in Gasy*

On a side note, I should probably mention that earlier that morning I had asked God to stretch me and told Him I was game for anything He had for me that day. So I kinda asked for this….

Then the question comes up, how exactly do I prepare for this? I hate using notes when I teach… But I began writing what I wanted to say word for word. I also wrote a brief outline on a post-it-note in English. As the time grew closer I decided that I would just use the outline in English, reading the script I had written would be chickening out. If I wrote it by myself surely I could deliver something that at least resembled it. And I could trust God to help accomplish this task and put His words in my mouth instead of my own empty words. So with my post-it-note stuck to the table in front of me, I began, “All right….let’s all just go home…” They laughed and no one took me up on the offer, probably not wanting to miss the humor that comes when I speak for any extended period. Afterwards, I was thrilled that I had survived and the teens claimed they could understand just fine. What an amazing God!

Gratitude: 1. Empty propane tanks and how God always provides someone to carry the new one back to my house.

Gratitude: 2. Riding the taxi be and not having a car to keep up and worry about.

Gratitude: 3. Five adorable, if not mischievous, kittens hanging on me as I cook dinner.

Gratitude: 4. Walking hand in hand down the dirt road to church with two little boys skipping and chattering beside me.

Gratitude: 5. The smile of the man who is always fishing on the bridge.

Gratitude: 6. The laughter of the postal worker when I act out a word I can’t remember to answer his question.

Gratitude: 7. Exchanging small talk while making a purchase from a street vendor.

Gratitude: 8. Huge purple morning glories blooming on a fence.

Gratitude: 9. Mouthed conversation with one of the teens sitting on the other side of the room during a meeting.

Motherhood

This last week I believe I have gained some new insights into motherhood (yes, if you are a mom, when you get to the end you can laugh at my ignorance and tell me how it really is). It all started last month when my cat gave birth to six kittens. All has been fine until this last week when the ankle high fuzzies have begun running around outside their nest. Here are a few of the realizations I have made.

Chores are ten times harder because the tribe runs around chasing the broom and mop and anything else that moves.

Even picky eaters will eat whatever food you give them if there are no other options or treats until it is gone.

I love their nap times when I can get things done without anyone getting under foot and the house is quiet.

Mom sent the cutest toys for them, but their favorite thing to play with is the box the stuff was sent in.

I used to wonder why anyone would let their kids sleep in their beds with them at night….until last night when three little fuzzies curled up to sleep on my bed with me and I couldn’t find it in my heart to send them back to their nest.

It’s really hard to say no or demand any kind of discipline when adoring eyes are staring up at you.

I get excited when one of them uses the litter box. (so far only one does….I am slightly worried about what the five others are using…I should go check the shoes under my bed…)

Cooking is more challenging than I ever imagined as three of them hang on my shirt and pants and more are clamoring around my feet all meowing loudly, joining in the demanding meows of their hungry mother.

Needless to say, I realized today that I am probably raising six (make that seven) brats here and their new  families might not appreciate this. So I decided that some ground rules need to be set. First: You can’t be in the kitchen when I am cooking if you cry and climb/hang on me. Second: I do not give into adoring looks (right…..). Third: Sleep in your own bed (not sure I have the heart to enforce this one) Fourth: You will eat whatever food I give you without complaining before you get treats. Hey, I figure it’s worth a try….if nothing else, if I can just survive the next five weeks, I can give them all away. May I never actually be a mother someday…