What Tonya's Trip to Haiti Has Taught Me

Tonya has been on a mission trip serving with One Vision International at its orphanage in Haiti. She gets back tonight. Oh my, we will be glad to have her back home with us! Really looking forward to hearing stories of what God has taught and shown her over the past few days. But I've learned some things over the past few days as well:

That keeping two boys busy is work: Since Thursday, we've been to the zoo, to a local gymnastics center, to Parker's baseball game, to some errand running and some shopping. We've played some board games and done some crafts. Have they watched more TV and played more Wii than usual? Yes. Will they be okay long-term? Yes.

That managing by yourself is harder: There's simply no down time. Every meal and every thing (and person) to be cleaned depends on me. In just my limited time with Tonya being in Haiti, I've developed a deepened respect for single parents. For me, I know there's a time when Tonya gets back. Keeping up this pace with a target out there in the not-too-distant future is helpful. Single parents don't have that. I don't know how they do it all. I respect them.

That people will offer to help a Dad out: I've had many offers to help with the boys (with some limited help from my Mom, we've been okay). One couple invited us over to their house for dinner (we accepted). Another couple offered to bring us a meal. Apparently, when I'm out of town, Tonya does not receive offers of help like I have. She must seem more capable of managing everything because she's a Mom. Or maybe it's just that I looked more desperate.

But Here's The Point, the most important thing I learned....

That I have more to offer: I work hard. Work full-time plus. Try to be a good husband and Dad. Coach a couple of my sons' teams. Serve as a counselor and mentor. Try to read as much as possible. Maintain a semi-regular blog. But I've learned this week that I can do more. Not that I'm Superman. And not that I could keep up this pace indefinitely. But I've learned with proper planning, I can accomplish more. Because I've had to this week. And we've gotten everything done that we needed to.

I'm guessing it's the same way for you. You think your schedule is busy, that you're already maxed-out. And truth be told, you are busy. You're involved at home with your spouse and children. With household chores. You already volunteer at church or in the community, or both. Work is busy.

But most of us probably have more to offer.