Taking the road less traveled may not be as easy, but one thing is for sure: at every twist and turn in the path, there are things to see that, odds are, no one else has. Working in the mission field is a little bit like taking the road less traveled. Each day is surely an adventure, and you don't always know what to expect. However, there are some surefire signs that you have been spending your time in the field:

1. Your days are extraordinarily long.

You are no stranger to 15-hour work days. In fact, they are basically your norm. You don't mind, though because they are always filled with something new.

2. You often sweat on the job.

No, you definitely don't spend your days in a cozy office. Your kind of work often leaves you with the salty sheen of a job well done, though.

3. No two days are the same.

You work at different places, with many different people, and your time on the job is far from routine. Some days you may be working construction by yourself all day, others, you are swimming with children for hours.

4. Coffee is your best friend.

See items 1 and 2. Your afternoon coffee run isn't a way to catch up with coworkers, it is a survival tactic.

5. You nap every chance you get.

Falling with the lack of sleep theme. You have become too expert in short car naps, pre-dinner slumbers, and foregoing a shower in order to catch an extra couple of minutes in bed.

6. Your friends may think you are crazy.

You spend your days in places that make many people afraid or uncomfortable. When you tell your friends where you work, they think you are crazy.

7. Your job description is incredibly complicated.

"So what is it that you do?" is a question that often stumps you. You find yourself saying "Well, it's kind of hard to explain..." and launching into a five-minute speech about the ministry you work for.

8. Your job allows you to grow more than just professionally.

Sure, you are learning professional and technical skills. More than that, though, you are growing spiritually, and emotionally. Your job benefits all of you, not just part.

9. You have the most rewarding job you could possibly imagine.

The days may be long and hard, but you can't imagine doing anything else.

10. You truly love the people you get to work with.

You encounter people from every walk of life, and get to build relationships with them as part of your job. Definitely a job perk.

11. You love what you do.

You wouldn't have it any other way.