Friday, May 01, 2009

My Husband

I have been wanting to write a new post about my husband for quite some time. I've started and stopped more than once, trying to put together just the right words to express what is on my heart.

My husband is a very special guy. It think most anyone who knows him would agree; in fact, I don't think I know of anyone who doesn't like Pedro. (And if the phrase, "Vote for Pedro!" is flashing through your mind right now, believe me, you're not the first or only one!)

It's not because Pedro's super outgoing or flashy, although he is quite friendly and funny. It's simply because he is a genuinely nice person who cares about other people.

Since coming to Chile, our entire family has faced many transitions, changes and challenges. Yet our children have had the comfort of relying on Mom and Dad to make those as smooth as possible, and I personally had the blessing of having previously spent most of my growing up years in this country. So arguably, Pedro is the only family member who truly had to deal with the full force of culture shock, transition stress, whatever one might call it.

And he has done an amazing job.

I am so proud of my husband for the way he has held our family together, by God's grace, through major moves and life changes. I am proud of him as a father, when I watch him tease and tickle our children and when I listen to him express sadness at saying goodbye to our girls on a Monday morning back to school. I am grateful for him as a husband, when he expresses his love in the way he does best - through acts of service and showing me grace despite my many shortcomings.

I am proud of him as a son, when I sense the deep love and respect his own parents have for him. And as a brother, brother-in-law, son-in-law, co-worker, friend, I am blessed to witness the special relationships he has with others and to see how others depend on him for counsel, encouragement and laughter.

But most recently, I am so very proud of him as one who is learning and trying and doing to the best of his ability what God has called him to do here in Iquique. When I hear him reading his Bible aloud in Spanish, practicing his pronunciation; when I watch him studying his notes and when he asks my input on the best way to translate something in order to communicate it well; when I listen to his increasingly fluent interactions with neighbors and friends and people from church ... I think of the humility and tenacity and commitment that all of this entails, and I love my husband for seeing it through!


3 comments:

Unknown said...

I never knew him in college. But I love that he is so wonderful to you and the kids! And I am SO thankful that you have him and he has you : ). He is a blessing indeed!

Terri Fisher said...

We love you, Pedro, and just sense the awesome way in which God has prepared you for your work there in Chile. Thanks for all you do!

Anonymous said...

Steph, we are grateful to God for you, who loves our son and supports him with these encouraging words. I loved these comments of yours. Truly, you have to gift to edify. Thanks for putting your good thoughts on paper to share with all of us, especially our dear Pedro. We love you, Steph. Mom