it's RAINING, it's POURING...

For these I am thankful (#8)....

The rain.

Rainy days are two-fold.  If you can be home, it can be nice and relaxing.  When it rains here, everything shuts down (school, church, stores).  God gives us rainy days and forces us to rest.  Usually rainy days means no electricity and water which simplifies our lives even more.  Our favorite rainy day activities are playing Catan, reading books and playing countless hands of UNO.

But, if you happen to be traveling on a rainy day....you will be in for an muddy, slidding, getting stuck adventure.

I am thankful for adventures (#9). 

You never quite know what to expect day to day living here (rain or no rain).  To be honest, there is comfort in that.  

PIANO PRACTICE

For these I am thankful (#7)...

music.

I enjoy listening to my children as they learn to play various instruments.  Joshua is learning the piano, Ryan is learning the piano and guitar and Ginny is learning the harp.  They are diligent about practicing which means there is always someone making a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Julia LOVES music.  When she hears a beat, she drops whatever she’s doing in order to clap and dance. 

Ginny has written several songs on the harp for her little sister.

MOBILE CLINICNS in JATAITY

For these I am thankful (#6)....

New ministry opportunities.

November 17, 2011we made our 7^th mobile clinic trip to Jataity, a town about 15 minutes away. 

I am thankful for the lady that allows us to park the clinic in her yard each Thursday. 

I am thankful for the believers from here that have gone with us to give their testimonies to the patients who are waiting.

I am thankful that we're able to take our neighbor with us.  She is from that area and a natural bridge between communities since she is related to everyone there.

I am thankful for the times Jeff has finished early so we can go visiting.  Pray that these new contacts will lead to bible studies.

SIESTA

For these I am thankful (#5)....

quiet moments.

I am not a nap person, but I do however, treasure times of silence.  Times when I can plan the homeschool week, plan the meals for the following days, write letters, blog, read, and spend time with the Lord.

EMERGENCY TRIP

For these I am thankful (#4)...

A reliable car.

This is something I probably took for granted before we had a lemon of a car our first 4 year term.  After breaking down almost every time we drove anywhere, it is so nice to have a reliable car this term.  We praise God for His provisions each time we arrive at our destination.

November 14^th Jeff (with Ryan and Tyler) made an emergency trip into Acuncion.  While  at ultrasound clinic in Jataity last week, Jeff accidentally plugged his ultrasound into the 110 power outlet instead of the 220.  It popped and smoked and turned off.  Jeff was rather embarrassed having to tell all the patients to go home.  He decided to try to turn on the machine one more time.  To our surprise, it worked!  He was able to see all the patients.  We thought it was a miracle...and it was....it was a short lasting miracle.  As Jeff was seeing patients on Monday, it started acting up.  He immediately drove to Asuncion to have it looked at in hopes of having it back before our intern arrives Sunday.

VEGGIE SOUP

For these I am thankful (#3).....

My garden

November 14^th the kids helped me plant the garden.  Between the kids “helping”, my lack of a green thumb, the chickens that fly over and the pigs that squeeze under, each season is an absolute guessing game as to what will come up and what will get eaten by animals.  However, I have high hopes for this season of fruits and veggies!  I really do enjoy making a veggie soup completely out of things we have grown Plus, it is Ginny's favorite dinner).

the KIDS are GROWING UP!

For these I am thankful (#2).....

Healthy children

I do not want for a minute to take for granted that God has given us 6 healthy children.  Children who reach milestones when they should, children who have great immune systems (I think it is from all the dirt they ate as a child), children who have big appetites, children who laugh and cry and have sweet hearts.  My only complaint is that they are growing up way too fast!

This week of November 11, 2011....

Micah learned to ride without training wheels.  He taught himself.

We finished our first week of our new homeschooling year.  Ryan is in 7^th, Ginny and Joshua are in 3^rd, and Tyler is just starting in 1^st.

Julia really took off with her walking and it is now her preferred method for getting around.

Now that she is really moving, we cannot contain her inside.  She LOVES to be outside and she has discovered mud.  I cannot keep this girl clean.

 

This week Julia said “terere”.  She is addicted to it.

a THEME of THANKFULNESS

I really like the idea of celebrating November with a theme of thankfulness.  So, here’s to 30 days of thanksgiving!

These are the handicrafts of Ginny (and her friend).

The rest of the posts won’t be in any order, but I could not start my month of thankfulness without starting with God.

 

For these I am thankful (#1)....

My heavenly Father

I am thankful for a God who lavishes.  He delights in giving before I even ask or before I even am in need.  His love for me is so rich and perfect and uncomprehend able.  Jeff, Ryan and I are reading through the Bible this year and I am reading through with the rest of the kids.  Man, it has been incredible being reminded of all his has done for us starting at the very beginning!.   What an awesome God we serve!

DAY of the DEAD

On November 1^st, our neighbors went the local cemetery to cut the grass and pick up trash.   The following day (Day of the Dead) they went to light candles to and pray for the dead.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!

SAYING GOOD-BYE

October 25^th we had to say good-bye to family.  It was a great month that flew by way too fast!

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO REMOVE A PIQUE?

Poor dad had so many piques while he was here….partly because he spent so much time outside fixing things.  I didn’t know we had so many things broken at our house, but Dad has managed to keep himself busy doing odds and ends jobs.  Let’s see…he has fixed all the bikes numerous times, planted the garden, fixed and replaced lights, made a better clothe line system, fixed 3 floor fans, varnished 6 chairs, added screen door locks, and took a part the washing machine.

BROOM MAKING 101

What an incredible cultural experience I had today.  Liz, Ginny and I learned how to make brooms. 

Acela and Alba took us deep into their field.  Ginny got a little ride when the weeds got tall.  

 

 

They showed us the type of weeds we needed to pick – dry ones with lots of branches.

Next, we chopped down the broom handles.  We tried our hand at whittling it with a machete, but as you can see from the picture, Alba just laughed at our attempt!

Alba attached the weeds we collected to the handles we whittled with a rag.

And viola!  A broom!

We walked for 2 hours!

And then we picked mandioca.

As the sun was setting, we went back to their house, sipped terere and hung out with their family.  What fun memories!