Mouths and Missionaries


I’m a big baby when it comes to the dentist. Unfortunately, I have spent a LOT of time in the dentist chair, including yesterday afternoon when my dentist began the work for three crowns.

No models were injured in the making of this post. This isn’t me-I’m a brunette.

                                        
Goodbye European vacation! Crowns cost big bucks.

Hello, dentist drill-over an hours worth.

While I was sitting there waiting for my lips, tongue, cheeks to go sufficiently numb, I started to get that panicky feeling that I couldn’t swallow. It scares me and makes me want to get up and run for the hills.

Since that wasn’t a possibility, I decided to distract myself by using that time to think about and pray for people who are really doing hard things- like our missionary friends.

This sweet couple boarded a plane a month ago headed for 2 1/2 years working in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Alicia is my niece-of-the-heart, and I am so proud of the these two. Saying good-bye to your families, moving to Africa, and learning Swahili?

Now that’s hard.


                                      

Scott served as our youth minister many years ago and greatly impacted our oldest son. Now he works with Casas por Christo, a ministry that builds housing for the poor in Mexico. Since that area is so riddled with violence, they are expanding the mission to Guatemala, which means he is away from his family for weeks at a time.

That is hard.

Friends in rehab. Friends and family with serious, serious illnesses who don’t complain, but always look on the bright side. The list goes on and on.

Praying for these loved ones put the dentist drill in quiet perspective.

I didn’t tell you this to brag about myself, but perhaps you might need reminded, too. If you are facing something today that you would rather not do, think about those who are really doing hard things.

And pray.

Hugs!