President Obama spoke at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Anthropology Museum) in Mexico City yesterday.  As teachers, my husband and brother-in-law both served as chaperones on a student trip to the event.  The night before the speech my husband spoke to me about some of the excitement building among the American teachers going to the event.  He spoke of their desire to hear Obama speak in person and feel the energy in the room.

A quick time out before I go any further…

This blog post will not be politically charged in any way.  I have no intention, at this time, of using this blog to espouse any sort of political agenda, or even discuss my personal opinions on politics.  So go ahead and put down your pitch forks or rally signs.

In fact, here is the most politically charged statement I plan to make: I believe that Christians are called to pray for and respect the government leaders who are in power in the belief that 1) they are among our neighbors and our words and actions towards them should reflect this and 2) God is control of all things.  Consider:

“’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Matthew 22:36-40, NIV

“For unto is a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (emphasis added)

Isaiah 9:6, NIV

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get back to why I started writing this post.

My husband’s description of the desire to feel the energy in the room; to feel as though you are a part of something bigger, got me thinking.  What if we truly longed for and felt that same energy in relation to hearing the voice of God?

What if walking into church on a Sunday morning you felt people fired up to make and see change happen in the world?

What if when you prayed at dinner or with your kids before bed you did not come with simply a list of requests or things you are thankful for, but an expectation to hear the voice of God and a desire to be a part of his movement?  What if you could live out this desire and pass it on to your children?

What if when you sat down to read your Bible you were not just completing a step in the “good Christian life” or seeking out an opportunity to personally grow, but actually seeking out the words of the greatest leader in history, with a desire to be a part of his agenda?

I am not saying that these things never happen within the church and among Christians, and I realize that going to hear the president of the United States of American speak can be a novel and exciting event.  But I know that in the day to day I tend to lose sight of the novel and exciting things that God is doing  and can do in my life and around the world.  It makes me wonder…

What if my life, as a Christian, was more energized and less cloistered?

Tucker as a puppy

For several months now we have been considering finding a new home for our dog, Tucker.   Although, we love him dearly and brought him all the way down to Mexico with us he had a difficult time adjusting to having two kids in the house.  There were no longer enough laps for our little lap-loving fur-ball, and although he adjusted well to having a baby in the house, having a two year old in the house is a whole different story.  Eli and Tucker had a love/hate relationship and fought like naughty siblings.  Tucker would chase Eli around  if there was any food in sight and make his best effort to steal it (often successfully) and Eli in turn would chase and taunt Tucker at whim.  Although Tucker was basically our first child, and a precious companion to the family for six years, we finally decided that it was in everyone’s best interest to try to find him a new home sans toddlers and with plenty of lap space.

Our little hiking companion

In addition, Tucker is probably one of the world’s most allergy ridden dogs.  We got our first taste of this when he was less than a year old and was stung by a bee in our front yard.  Within seconds he had gone into anaphylactic shock - keeled over, throwing up, almost completely rigid, pupils dilated and tongue white.  I sobbed as we rushed him off to the vet, sure that my first “baby” was about to die.  At the vet they hooked him up to an IV and put him on an oxygen mask.  If you have never seen a dog this way, it is a both sad and somewhat humorous sight.  (I pray I never have to see either of my kids this way – there will be no humor in that situation.)  Tucker stayed at the vet over night and the next day we were provided with a prescription for an EpiPen that we were supposed to keep on hand at all times for the dog.  That was only our first taste of Tucker’s allergies…

Later he would develop stomach issues, rashes, and ear infections that eventually led to allergy testing and allergy shots that we had to give him regularly at home.  He’s allergic to poultry, cotton, most types of grass and trees, soy, brewer’s yeast (found in practically all dog food), and sage just to name a few.  With a strict diet, change of bedding, lots of bathing, and the shots we kept his allergies fairly under control in the states.  Then we moved to Mexico, found a dog food and shampoo that worked for him, and he became miraculously healthier.  No more shots and practically no health issues at all.  Before we had our second son we had already determined that Tucker was better off in Mexico and should stay here whenever we move back to the states.

All of this is to say that Tucker has a new home.

Another teacher at Dave’s school has taken him in and seemingly fallen in love with him.  Students at school often come and tell Dave about all of the pictures she has shown them of him. 

Three weeks later Eli still prays for Tucker when he goes to bed and asks about him periodically.  Tucker was certainly part of the family, but this new situation is the best for all of us.  Perhaps it seems silly to write such a long post about a dog, but he was a part of our lives for six years and I though he deserved proper goodbye.  After all, he’s already had two previous posts on the blog: 

Dog Marriages

Ode to Dad and Dog

Goodbye, Tucker.  Thanks for being part of the family and helping to prepare us for parenthood.

A year and a half ago we moved our family to Mexico City knowing that we would be here for two years...minimum.  We wanted to provide Dave with a unique teaching experience, experience the world of international education, learn Spanish, and hopefully boost his resume in preparation for a future in educational leadership.  I moved here ready for a two year commitment, but still a bit impatient for the next step after that.  It turns out that the next step is another two year commitment to Mexico City.  Dave just found out that he has received a promotion at the school...a really wonderful promotion!  It will once again reinforce all of our original goals for moving to Mexico.  I am so proud of my husband and all that he has accomplished so far in his career!  He is a dedicated worker who truly cares about education and he is doing a wonderful job providing for our family and being a amazingly supportive husband and father.

Now comes the but....

But I still have to wrap my mind around living in Mexico for 2 more years.

2 more years of living far away from grandparents, great-grandparents, and other family and friends.

2 more years of conversations with these people over Skype and e-mail rather than in person.

2 more years of learning to love and embrace a culture that is different from the one I grew up in in the U.S..

2 more years to improve my Spanish.

2 more years to find my place in Mexico.

I recently read a blog entry at Chatting At the Sky.  I don't personally know the woman who write this blog, but she sometimes has a way of saying just what I need to hear.  In this particular blog post she spoke of beginnings, middles, and endings.  Right now I am in the middle of my Mexico experience and still learning to fully embrace it.  She states that in the middle you need to "be faithful where you are, and remember the sacred gift of ordinary days."  This is exactly what I need to do right now.  I'm learning to be faithful in my current stage of life and to remember the gift of ordinary days...days like today when I get to celebrate my husband's accomplishments, read books with my 2 year old, and enjoy the sweet snuggles of my six month old.  After all, as my grandmother reminded me over Skype a few days ago, these days will only last so long.  Life keeps moving forward.

It's time to embrace this day, this stage - all that right now has to offer.