When we are in the states, we travel a lot! Its part of keeping up our ministries. We travel to speak and share with churches and schools and groups of people that partner with us financially and prayerfully what has been happening in our lives and in our ministries. Last week was a complete whirlwind! We made two trips back and forth to Upstate South Carolina in a 4 day time frame. I was exhausted and the kids were exhausted. In addition to the physical fatigue, we learned something else on those trips- Sam gets carsick.
On Sunday morning, we left Moncks Corner at 5 a.m. in order to make it to a 9 a.m. service at the Chinese Christian Church in Greenville. We were about 5 minutes from the church when Sam starts yelling, "Window down. Window down." This has been a source of contention in our car rides more than once. Sam likes to ride with the windows down and the rest of the family prefers the air conditioning. However, something about the squeals of the other two kids made me realize this was different. I grabbed a grocery bag that was at my feet in the passenger seat and passed back to him. Immediately, he was sick....really, really sick. Then, Owen jumped up screaming, "There's a hole in the bag!"
Rene pulled over at the gas station and the rest of the family bailed. It was just me and poor Samuel. He was covered in vomit and so was the car. God gave me such grace in that moment and mommy instincts kicked in. I began the process of cleaning him up and getting him clean clothes to change into and then started on the car clean-up. Sam kept saying, "I'm sorry, Mommy." I assured him that he had NOTHING to be sorry about. He got sick and it wasn't his fault. When it was all over, he hugged me and said, "Thank you, Mommy!" I was a mess!
It was a small moment, but it was so special. It was a moment where he needed me and I had the privilege of being a "Mommy" to him in a moment when most little kids want their mommy's help. Since that little moment, I have noticed Sam a lot more eager to crawl in my lap and give me hugs. Ever so slowly, WE are bonding! (Even if that does come with a sour smell and sticky yuckiness)
