Map via U.S. Department of State
When I was in Guyana, South America, I was very impressed with the missionary's wife. She was the kind of woman I'll never forget. It wasn't her beauty or quick wit that made her unforgettable. It was her character. She is the caliber of woman I aspire to be. Integrity, grace, kindness, perseverance, strong work ethic, competent, and self-controlled. The whole package.
Here's when I saw it.
One humid morning I saw Kris walking in her cinder-block-walled-off backyard. Flanked on either side of her were two huge guard dogs. These canines came up to her hips when on all fours. The missionary family actually kept the dogs in a kennel on the shaded section of the property during the day so that none of the house guests would be harmed by the dogs. They were working dogs. Because of that, we were sternly instructed to stay in our bunk house after dark. The dogs were then released from the kennel to guard the property.
All that to say, these dogs could (and were trained to be) viscous or even deadly. I heeded the warning and didn't go near them!
But to see Kris, this kind and gentle, yet strong and honorable woman walking quietly and confidently as these two dogs obediently followed alongside her that morning to be fed, was amazing. It's a sight I've remembered more than a decade since I saw it.
When I think of this quiet confidence in the midst of situations (or dogs) that seem terrifying, I wonder if we, as SAHMs, can handle the tough days with the same kind of integrity Kris showed. Heck, she was even in a foreign country and showing immense personal strength. It's women like Kris that inspire me to continue improving myself, and to encourage other SAHMs to join me.
Here's when I saw it.
One humid morning I saw Kris walking in her cinder-block-walled-off backyard. Flanked on either side of her were two huge guard dogs. These canines came up to her hips when on all fours. The missionary family actually kept the dogs in a kennel on the shaded section of the property during the day so that none of the house guests would be harmed by the dogs. They were working dogs. Because of that, we were sternly instructed to stay in our bunk house after dark. The dogs were then released from the kennel to guard the property.
All that to say, these dogs could (and were trained to be) viscous or even deadly. I heeded the warning and didn't go near them!
But to see Kris, this kind and gentle, yet strong and honorable woman walking quietly and confidently as these two dogs obediently followed alongside her that morning to be fed, was amazing. It's a sight I've remembered more than a decade since I saw it.
When I think of this quiet confidence in the midst of situations (or dogs) that seem terrifying, I wonder if we, as SAHMs, can handle the tough days with the same kind of integrity Kris showed. Heck, she was even in a foreign country and showing immense personal strength. It's women like Kris that inspire me to continue improving myself, and to encourage other SAHMs to join me.
