Callie: Mom, does it hurt when they put that cord on babies?
Me: What?
Callie: You know... that cord they put on babies' tummies. Lucy had one.
Noah: Yeah... they plug it in so the babies will open up their eyes.
Me: Well, then... I'm gonna find the nurse that plugged you stinkers in and slap her around a bit. She overcharged your batteries!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Stop Reading...
... if you don't like whining! Personally, I hate whining. When my kids whine my head practically explodes. But I just have to whine because to be perfectly honest, I feel right sorry for myself these days!
We are desperately searching for a flat in a new un-reached area of the city. We have been walking the streets, praying, searching for a flat. Still nothing. NOTHING! Not one! Our landlord called yesterday and already has a renter for our current place. So, now we are worried about how soon we will have to be out! Oh... what to do.
My brother just got engaged. Our entire family is so happy for him. His sweet Melissa is wonderful!!! They want to get married in November, and there is no way we can afford the tickets to get back. We are scheduled for furlough the following summer (after three long years!!!) so to come and go twice is just not possible. Every time I think about it I cry.
When God called us here, we came. We sold or gave away everything we owned to come to this city and serve the poor. Can I tell you that it has been hard... really hard. But we honestly do feel privileged to serve the Lord in this way! We trust His plans for our family. But, in times like these, it feels like too much. When my whole family can't be together on this most special day; when my kids say they miss their cousins; when things that would have been easy and a joy are overwhelming and too difficult... it just feels like too much.
I am lonely, and I miss my family! I cannot believe that my brother is going to get married without all of us there. How can this even happen? This was not one of the costs that I counted when I told God that I was willing to come here.
Get the balloons and streamers... the pity party is in full swing!!!
We are desperately searching for a flat in a new un-reached area of the city. We have been walking the streets, praying, searching for a flat. Still nothing. NOTHING! Not one! Our landlord called yesterday and already has a renter for our current place. So, now we are worried about how soon we will have to be out! Oh... what to do.
My brother just got engaged. Our entire family is so happy for him. His sweet Melissa is wonderful!!! They want to get married in November, and there is no way we can afford the tickets to get back. We are scheduled for furlough the following summer (after three long years!!!) so to come and go twice is just not possible. Every time I think about it I cry.
When God called us here, we came. We sold or gave away everything we owned to come to this city and serve the poor. Can I tell you that it has been hard... really hard. But we honestly do feel privileged to serve the Lord in this way! We trust His plans for our family. But, in times like these, it feels like too much. When my whole family can't be together on this most special day; when my kids say they miss their cousins; when things that would have been easy and a joy are overwhelming and too difficult... it just feels like too much.
I am lonely, and I miss my family! I cannot believe that my brother is going to get married without all of us there. How can this even happen? This was not one of the costs that I counted when I told God that I was willing to come here.
Get the balloons and streamers... the pity party is in full swing!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mr. Sweaty
Hello, old friend, welcome back. I guess I have been getting a little too proud... what with the dry armpits and the ability to wear makeup and use a blow-dryer and all. I guess it was time to be humbled! Mr. Sweaty does it every time!!! I sure did miss that not so fresh feeling of sweat running down my legs, anyway!! Mercy, by August I just may combust!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Mother's Day Unlike Any Other
Here's a teaser of what my Mother's Day included:
You will love the story... when I get around to it!!
You will love the story... when I get around to it!!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Stare
We are hoping to move soon. As we have been walking and searching the area we would like to be in I feel so overwhelmed. I had forgotten what a big deal it is to move- to find a new vegetable seller, butcher, bread store, bus stop, etc... But, even harder than that is the staring. People in our current area have gotten used to us, so we only get the occasional stare (still daily) and whispering. But in a new area where we are the first foreigners... it will begin again. The constant staring, whispering, pointing... sometimes I feel like and alien. UGH... I don't want to be the new girl again!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Easter Pics
I am finally getting caught up on uploading pictures. Here are a few pictures from our wonderful Easter Day that I talked about here
Wow! The great outdoors! We had forgotten what green looks like!
Singing and praying around the campfire.
Noah was happy to have other boys to hang out with! He desperately wants to be one of the big boys!
Callie eating with the girls.
Callie playing ball with Daddy.
Lucy loved the jump rope. Except that she used it as a leash to drag the other kids around. SHe thought they were at her back and call!
More attempts at jump rope!
Callie learning how to play with the Skip-It. She tried...
...and she tried...
...and she tried!
Noah and Daddy playing ultimate frisbee. I even joined in after awhile! It was so fun!
Wow! The great outdoors! We had forgotten what green looks like!
Singing and praying around the campfire.
Noah was happy to have other boys to hang out with! He desperately wants to be one of the big boys!
Callie eating with the girls.
Callie playing ball with Daddy.
Lucy loved the jump rope. Except that she used it as a leash to drag the other kids around. SHe thought they were at her back and call!
More attempts at jump rope!
Callie learning how to play with the Skip-It. She tried...
...and she tried...
...and she tried!
Noah and Daddy playing ultimate frisbee. I even joined in after awhile! It was so fun!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sleeping Babies
Gamma gave Callie the softest jacket for her birthday. She loves it... can you tell?
Not to be outdone... Noah is too cool for sleep!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Moving On
We are moving...we just have no idea where to! UGH!! We will not be far from where we are now- same huge city, same side of the water, same continent. Since our ministry focus is the urban poor we want to move closer to those areas. It has been so tricky because we send our kids to regular public school - a rare choice among those in our boat. So, the lower we move, the more we are potentially distancing ourselves from quality education.
We have been dragging our feet a little because of this big dilemma. My wonderful husband has done tons of research via the internet (ain't it grand!!) and found two quality schools in very close proximity to our focus area! This is great news. So, today some sweet friends offered to help us scope out the area. The husband drove Justin and I around in their car while the wife watched the kids.
We were so disappointed not to find a single thing to rent! We loved the area, the schools, the buildings... but there was not one single flat like we were hoping to find. We have too many kids for this city! Everyone usually has one maybe two kids if they really want a big family. So the only flat size they make is a 2 or 3 bedroom. The parents have a bedroom, the kids have a bedroom, and the third bedroom is the sitting/TV room. The living room/ dining room is usually kept pristine and ready for guests at all times. Meaning that few people use that room on a daily basis. Most of my friends even keep the door shut. This makes Justin crazy since it is usually the biggest room in the house, and to only use it occasionally is crazy.
The kids have all been in the same room for almost 2 years now, and I think that Noah is about to blow a gasket. He loves to play with little men (army, Lego, Star Wars, sports figurines, you name it). He sets up intricate battles and games. No sooner has he prepared to play (quite a process) than one of his sisters comes storming through making his life miserable! He has been a good sport, and we have tried to be creative in giving him space to play. But it really does come down to needing an extra room. I don't want a big place or even a fancy place, just a few more walls really!
These days they usually make the top flat two floors. The top one being small with weird angles because it is the roof floor (attic). But for us, that would be perfect. We found quite a few of these, but they are all for sale, not rent! UGH! So sad! Back to square one!
We have been dragging our feet a little because of this big dilemma. My wonderful husband has done tons of research via the internet (ain't it grand!!) and found two quality schools in very close proximity to our focus area! This is great news. So, today some sweet friends offered to help us scope out the area. The husband drove Justin and I around in their car while the wife watched the kids.
We were so disappointed not to find a single thing to rent! We loved the area, the schools, the buildings... but there was not one single flat like we were hoping to find. We have too many kids for this city! Everyone usually has one maybe two kids if they really want a big family. So the only flat size they make is a 2 or 3 bedroom. The parents have a bedroom, the kids have a bedroom, and the third bedroom is the sitting/TV room. The living room/ dining room is usually kept pristine and ready for guests at all times. Meaning that few people use that room on a daily basis. Most of my friends even keep the door shut. This makes Justin crazy since it is usually the biggest room in the house, and to only use it occasionally is crazy.
The kids have all been in the same room for almost 2 years now, and I think that Noah is about to blow a gasket. He loves to play with little men (army, Lego, Star Wars, sports figurines, you name it). He sets up intricate battles and games. No sooner has he prepared to play (quite a process) than one of his sisters comes storming through making his life miserable! He has been a good sport, and we have tried to be creative in giving him space to play. But it really does come down to needing an extra room. I don't want a big place or even a fancy place, just a few more walls really!
These days they usually make the top flat two floors. The top one being small with weird angles because it is the roof floor (attic). But for us, that would be perfect. We found quite a few of these, but they are all for sale, not rent! UGH! So sad! Back to square one!
Friday, May 1, 2009
We Shall See...
My downstairs neighbor just invited me to her daughter's engagement celebration! I am so excited! I have no idea what to expect or what we will do. They are pretty conservative Muslims so it may be a religious ceremony where they bless the couple.
In these types of ceremonies they put the men and women on opposite sides of the room with a big curtain down the middle. They read from the Koran and people get up and speak blessings upon the couple. Everyone gives them money. As you pin the money on the bride or groom (depending on what side of the room you are on) they call out to the crowd the amount you have given. Talk about a shame based culture!!!!
But... this family has 3 daughters, and they love to dance. So maybe this will be more of a party with dancing and cake. We will see!
All I know is that I will be boarding the bus (that they rented) at 2:30 on Sunday. I don't know where we are going, who will be there, or what the heck we will be doing. Quite possibly I will be the only non-family member on the bus, but oh well. They invited our entire family, but Noah and Callie have swimming on Sunday afternoons. I am sure they are relieved to get a pass on this one!
I'll let you know what happens. You better believe that I will have my camera!
In these types of ceremonies they put the men and women on opposite sides of the room with a big curtain down the middle. They read from the Koran and people get up and speak blessings upon the couple. Everyone gives them money. As you pin the money on the bride or groom (depending on what side of the room you are on) they call out to the crowd the amount you have given. Talk about a shame based culture!!!!
But... this family has 3 daughters, and they love to dance. So maybe this will be more of a party with dancing and cake. We will see!
All I know is that I will be boarding the bus (that they rented) at 2:30 on Sunday. I don't know where we are going, who will be there, or what the heck we will be doing. Quite possibly I will be the only non-family member on the bus, but oh well. They invited our entire family, but Noah and Callie have swimming on Sunday afternoons. I am sure they are relieved to get a pass on this one!
I'll let you know what happens. You better believe that I will have my camera!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
