Moved

Hello... remember me? Yeah, we've been kinda busy around here. I am almost completely over my Hepatitis, and we moved on Thursday. Everything went great. The movers were amazing! You haven't seen anything until you have seen a young man carry a refrigerator on his back up 7 flights of stairs without so much as touching a wall. It was amazing!

I almost have all my boxes unpacked. We are loving our new place. Noah is especially happy to finally have his own space. His door has a key, and he keeps threatening to lock the girls (and us) out! We have hardly seen him. He is too busy playing in peace!!

Justin jumped through all the right hoops, and our internet was just connected, so I wanted to hop on here and let everyone know that we are alive and well- happy in our new home.

Please pray for new friendships for us!

I See the Light

I am on the upswing, Praise the Lord!!! Each day I have more energy. The only lagging symptom is itching. It is enough to drive someone crazy! But, that too is getting better. It is nice to have the distraction of moving to keep us busy. We hope to be in our new flat by the end of the week.

Friday was the last day of school country wide. They have a special ceremony, and then hand out the report cards. There is never a lack of pomp and circumstance in this country- they love ceremonies!! Callie had a great year in kindergarten. She learned so much and made some great friends. She also really fell in love with singing and dancing. Her class had a special teacher come in weekly to teach music and dance, and they did several performances. Now, that is one of the most common things that she plays. She is constantly working on a special show for Mom or Dad! She received "very good" in all things on her report card. She keeps us laughing, and is such a blessing to us.

Noah finished up second grade very strong. He got the equivalent of straight A's. He was in a special club in which he learned traditional folk dance, music, and games. He really enjoyed it. He makes friends really easily, and loves to play soccer and roughhouse! He is all boy!! We can barely get him to come inside for dinner now that it stays light outside a bit longer. He is a very good boy and deals well with being different. He is not afraid to go against the flow and is quite a leader. While it makes parenting a little tricky, we are so thankful that the Lord wired Noah this way. He is amazing!!!

Lucy is turning into a little chatter-box. I love to hear the things she says- it shows us so much more of her personality. She has a great sense of humor and makes hysterical faces. Her hair is still white-blonde. She gets a lot of attention because of her blonde hair and blue eyes. She loves to play it up and ignore people if they try to dote on her but flirt with them if they ignore her. I am quite sure we have a ham in the making! I think she is a bit spoiled by her brother and sister who would do anything for her. She is so lovely!

Diagnosed

I have Hepatitis. You can read more about it here.

Good News and Bad News

Well there is good news and bad news....

Let's start with the bad so we can end on a good note!

We have been and continue to be sick! Two weeks ago my allergies were really giving me a rough time. Then, last Sunday my shoulders, neck, and head started hurting really bad for no reason. I figured that I had strained a muscle or something and just took it easy. Throughout last week the pain and allergy symptoms would sometimes be intense and sometimes be fine. Callie came home from school on Friday complaining that she did not feel well. She slept until the next morning and seemed to feel better. That Saturday we had a birthday party to go to. So the girls and I headed over even though none of us felt great. Well, Lucy barfed all over my neighbor'theres kitchen, herself, and me!! She has been barfing on and off since then. We thought that she was through it all- she hadn't thrown up in 36 hours. But last night she did it again. In addition my pain continues, as well as an occasional fever, and extreme fatigue! Yesterday, Noah and Callie each had a weird red spotted rash.

So... all that to say, it is like the plague has washed through here! Please pray for Justin- for health, strength, and patience while he is carrying much of the burden. I am going to the doctor tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom and a correct diagnosis, as well as the ability to communicate and accurately explain what I am experiencing! Please pray that Lucy will stop throwing up for good. Please pray for complete health for our family.


Now... the good news!

We found a flat!! We are so excited, and will probably move as soon as school gets out (another week and a half- YIKES!!). It is exactly what we were hoping for, and more! Praise Him!

My brother and his precious fiance have decided to plan their wedding for next summer so that we will all be able to be there! Can you believe their unselfishness and kindness? We are so amazed and blessed by them. Praise Him!

Finally, Lucy is potty trained! To be honest, I have been dreading potty training for some time because I could not use my standard method of letting them run around in the backyard naked for a few days until they get it. But, I must say Lucy was a cinch! Only the very first day was hard, after that she caught on quickly- even when we are out and about! Praise Him!

Dinner Conversation

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!

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!!!

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!

As I was walking down the stairs behind a woman in a full black burka, I may or may not have stepped on the back of it and almost yanked the whole thing off her body!! I'm just saying... it might have happened.

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!!

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!

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!

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!

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 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!

This is what you get when you ask your son to hang up his clothes...



THANKS!!! Next time I will do it myself!