Immeasurably More

JANUARY GUESTS

2012-01-28T03:18:00.000-08:00

The end of December, a missionary family (friends of ours) cameto visit and brought his parents along who were visiting Paraguay. They had been missionaries in Kenya for manymany many years. It was a short, butsweet time together.

January 6-10 two of Ginny’s best friends were able to stay withus. Ryan graciously gave up his room sothe girls could have some privacy. Before they arrived, Ginny set to work cleaning the room, making thebeds, and moving in her two most prized possessions (her barn with its animalsand her hamster cage). Over the next 4days, the girls were a bundle of giggles! They giggled while we did some crafts, they giggled through meals, thegiggled as we watched Anne of Green Gables, and they giggled well past bedtime. One of the girls said to me before she left,“I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this much!” How wonderful it is to have suchgood friends!

January 10-11 we had our second annual visit from Josh and LetiBerry. We met the Berry’s several yearsago at a mutual missionary friend’s wedding. They are living in the US right now and came to Paraguay to visit Leti’sparents for the second Christmas in a row. We feel very blessed that they would once again make the longout-of-the-way trek to see us.

We have had anintern with us through January. Daneillewas not our “normal” intern. She hasbeen in Paraguay since July. She spenttwo months in Asuncion learning Spanish and then 4 months teaching English inanother town. Since end of November shehas been spending time with the missionaries in the rural part ofParaguay. We were thankful that she cameout our way for January. She helped meteach English classes, shadowed Jeff a bit in clinic (even though she isn’tmedical), conducted interviews with several of our Paraguayan friends (schoolrequirements), spent a day helping on a friend’s farm (milking cows, deliveringcalves, picking peanuts), and played volleyball each night with her hostfamily. She has left just today to pickher parents up from the airport. Hopefully they will all be able to make it out this way before they allfly back to Canada Feb 10^th.Daneille, Ginny and I milked cows with friends at 5AM. They go to their farm every morning at that time to milk their 7 cows. They get about 30-40 liters each morning.

January 10-14 Ryan spent 5 days with 4 of his closest friendsin Villarrica. He had a wonderful time playing guitar, the wii, playing board games andcomputer games, swimming and playing soccer. We suremissed him around here though!

FISH DINNER

2012-01-24T03:34:00.000-08:00

PROUD NEW LOOK

2012-01-22T03:12:00.000-08:00

Tyler is very proud of losing his first upper tooth!

JANUARY PRAYER REQUESTS

2012-01-21T03:38:00.000-08:00

As I look to our January schedule, I am a bit overwhelmed at allthat is already on it! Will you joinus in prayer for some exciting January events?

Jan 2 -25^th we will have an intern. She will shadow Jeff in the clinic eachmorning, have classes with us a couple afternoons a week, go visiting with mein the afternoons and help me teach English class. Please pray that she will bond with herParaguayan host family and soak in all that God has in store for her.

We have a new intern web-site. Check out and passon to anyone interested.

Jan 2^nd begins English class. Last year I taught English to 25 students duringtheir summer vacation (January/February). I had a number of them ask me to continue the class this year. So, 2 days a week I will be teaching anadvanced course under our quincho.

Jan 3^rd begins a second English course that I amoffering in Jataity (the community that we have been ministering inweekly). We have felt so welcomed inthis new community, that when I was asked to teach English I could hardly sayno. So twice a week I will drive outthere.

Please pray as I get to know these students; that doors will beopened to speak into their lives spiritually. These classes are great ways to get to know people and deepen alreadyexisting relationships.

Jan 10-14 is the SIM youth camp. Although Jeff and I will not be attending, we have been promoting it inour town. Our prayer is that a number ofyouth from San Francisco will be able to attend and have their life changed.

Jan 14 – our monthly kids’ club. Pray thatmore and more parents will allow their children to come and hear the Word ofGod.

Jan 19-21 is the very first Timothy Training. Jeff has been working hard to put thisworkshop together. The hope is to equiplay leaders to spread the Word of God throughout Paraguay using memorized Biblestories. Praythat the men attending will have a great burden for their community and willlearn how to better teach the Word of God.

We’ll probablythrow a couple youth events into the month as usual – maybe show a movie orhave a game night.

We are continuingto provide medical care weekly in a nearby community. We have been so encouraged these past 2months at the people God has put us in contact with and the relationships weare building there. One family has askedus to start a Bible study in his home. Continueto pray that hearts will be open to our message.

In January, I hope to invite girlsover to my house to discuss purity (a HUGE need here). It makes me nervous thinking about sharing onthis topic. Please pray that theirhearts will be soft and ready to hear from me.

Jeff is working ona 40 week Bible story Bible study set. Somestories he has written and others he has guided the believers in writing. Prayfor time in the week to finish and for the believers to enjoy learning how tocraft a story.

We both feel theneed to regularly visit people whether for a pastoral visit, encouragement, orto those who have expressed an interest in what we’re doing. We love to visit, but it often gets put onthe bottom of the list. Pray that we can be purposeful and in ourvisiting.

Through all this,we continue to homeschool. It isespecially hard for me to balance homeschooling, plus ministry responsibilities. Praythat we will be diligent with the tasks God has set before us.

JULIA and JELLY

2012-01-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

These pictures ofJulia and her first baby doll (named Jelly) were too cute not to post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S!

2012-01-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful New Year’s Day which started off by attendingchurch, then lunch outside with Paraguayan friends.

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY, RYAN!

2012-01-14T12:56:00.000-08:00

Ryan alwayscelebrates the New Year with a new year (I have always thought he had a verycool birth date). This year he turned12! We spent the 31^st with 2families (team mates) who live 1 ½ away, so once again I found myselftransporting a cake over bumpy dirt roads. Ryan had requested a Jupiter plus (some of) its moons cake (sinceJupiter makes a revolution around the sun every 12 years).

We had a great day fullof relaxation, fellowship and food. Itwas about 9:30 when we got home and about 10:30 when we set off our fireworks.

CHRISTMAS DAY

2012-01-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

We started Christmas Day at church which seems veryappropriate. I wish Christmas was alwayson a Sunday.

What an honor we felt it was to be invited by a family in Jataity(where we have been going weekly for mobile clinics) for Christmas lunch. They cooked fried duck, pork and chicken forus along with rice salad, cabbage salad and, of course, mandioca. I brought a Texas Sheet Cake fordessert.

It was a nice time of fellowship as the kids played soccer andtag. Jeff siesta-ed in the hammock. We played volleyball just before heading backhome.

Once home again, the kids opened stockings.

The kids played with their new things and swam untilbedtime. They were tuckered out!

CHRISTMAS EVE

2012-01-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

This past week we have had temps soaring above 100. The heat on the 23^rd was almostunbearable (it is practically the same temperature inside our house as outside)and it left us with little energy to clean, cook, and wrap gifts. But Christmas Eve morning we woke up to rain! Oh how we rejoiced in those cooler temperatures.

Following a pancake breakfast, we finished our advent story andread the Christmas story.

We watched The Nativity.

We made Christmas cookies and dog treats (to give our animals asgifts).

I surprised the kids and made Kraft Mac and Cheese forlunch. I actually found it (for thefirst time) in Asuncion. Kaft Mac andCheese is one of my kids’ American comfort foods. They were thrilled.

We open gifts. In aninstant the living room was littered with a hamstercage and connecting tubes, light sabers, Nerf guns, a press-pot, DVDs,Wii games, art sets, books, a new dress, a science kit, LEGOS, games, watches, andstuffed animals.

One highlight for me was watching Julia with her first baby doll. She loved it and immediately cuddled and“talked” to her. Then she sat down and “read” her one of her new books.

The kids played for hours.

They went swimming in our new plastic pool.

I asked the kids if they wanted turkey for Christmas Eve dinnerand they looked at me like I was an alien. They don’t associate turkey and Christmas. Just as well, I probably couldn’t have foundone anyway. They did, however, ask for fish and that I did find inAsuncion.

Then we set off fireworks. By “we” I mean Jeff and Ryan. Each year as I see Ryan and Jeff side by side discussing what to blowup, I am again reminded that my husband hasn’t really ever grown up and perhapsin a decade Ryan’s wife will think the same thing about him.

When everything was blasted and blown up and our roof was stillin tacked (one year they caught our thatched roof on fire), we watched Miracletill midnight.

At midnight we listened to the fireworks and rang in ChristmasDay.

QUOTES

2012-01-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

Mom: What did William Booth start?
J: Starvation Army. (Salvation Army)

Mom: What was the most important invention in the history of the World?
G: The microwave. (The printing press….we don’t even have a microwave)

Me during Language Arts:Give me two words that describe a house.

Joshua: Huge and Mungous

Micah: I can’t plug it out. (Hecouldn’t unplug the drain.)

Tyler: Dad’s patient had a see-saw accident. (He had a chain sawaccident.)

The kids are memorizing the books of the bible. Tyler's favorite book is "Hagga-rias", Ginny's is "Golassians", and Joshua's is "Ethesians".

Ginny and her chicken cake pop. Cute.

Crafts with friends.

Ginny making Mars' Olympus Mons.

IN-SERVICE

2012-01-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

December 14-17

We serve with an awesomeSIM team that loves getting together. InDecember, we met in Asuncion for a 3 day long (we’re talking 8am to 7pm)workshop on how to more effectively teach in a primarily oral culture. The speaker (who came from the states)encouraged us/challenged us to use more stories to effectively communicate thegospel. It definitely gave us all foodfor thought. I am thankful to serve on ateam that is very committed to doing whatever it takes to see Paraguayansserving God with their whole heart.

Here’s our SIM team with all the babies through 2^ndgraders (there were another 20 kids not pictured).

On the 17^th we had our annual committee meeting dayand in the evening, our Christmas party.

The NERDS (Never Ending Radical DudeS) played a song (Ryan is ina red shirt playing the guitar).

The girls sang a song they wrote. Julia was so cute. She saw the girls up there and she got off mylap and joined them.

This was Ginny’sfirst time playing in public. She playedTres de Mayo and a lullaby she wrote for Julia.

Oh, I made my firstpot of coffee this week.

We ended up stayingin Asuncion several more days than expected due to meetings. When we finally left the city we packed all 8of us plus a guest into the car with a pool, big fireworks, a dog ,a hamster, aharp, a guitar, 6 weeks of groceries, our luggage and 25 mattresses on top. Half way home Ginny announced that herhamster was running loose!

MERRY 10th BIRTDHAY, GINNY!

2011-12-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

December 13, 2011

Today Ginny said good-bye to single digits! We celebrated with a Christmas theme.

Well, let meback up ‘cause there was a lot of prep work involved. First, there were the (almost) 150 Christmascookies we baked and decorated.

He's eaten too much icing!

Then we made the cakes. A HUGE thanks to Jessika, our intern whohelped with the Christmas and birthday decorations and brought us candy canes!

This is the actual cake.

This is the “overflow” cake.

Next, we made and assembled thetreat bags. We included pumpkin breadand the 2 types of cookies we made (sugar and gingerbread). I typed the recipes out on cute Christmasrecipe cards.

And put together a banner.

It worked out really nicely thatour SIM annual conference began the day after Ginny’s birthday, so most of ourteam mates were in the city for her party.

We decorated with lights,ribbons, tinsel and Christmas ornaments.

We grilled yule logs (hot dogs)and ate red and green jello and red and green apples off of Christmasplates. We drink red and green punch.

It was very festive and very fun.

These are the recipes we included in the gift bags. Click on them to make them bigger.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A little bit LIKE CHRISTMAS

2011-12-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#30)

The Christmas season

It is hot here.

Very hot.

Where we live there are no crowded shoppingmalls, lighted houses, or stockings hung or decorated Christmas trees.

No one is checking off a gift list and runningto the mall for last minute items.

Christmas carols are not heard over PA systems.

It’s a Wonderful Life isn’t showing down here.

Newspapers, magazines and catalogs aren’tbursting with “must have” ads.

Does it feel like Christmas?

Yes and no.

To us adults, we have spent 3/4^th ofour life knowing only a North American hustle and bustle Christmas season. It is hard to switch gears.

But to our kids, this is what they are familiarwith. When it starts getting really hotand the watermelons start showing, the kids get in the Christmas spirit.

And with all those distractions of lights andparties and new dresses and bigger and better in North America, our childrenare very content with a low-key season and I am so thankful.

In our house, we do put up a tree (no free oneshere), hang up our stockings and decorate the house.....somewhat. We bake cookies and breads to give away (andeat ourselves). We will have a specialChristmas Eve dinner, light fireworks and watch a new family movie tillmid-night (as tradition). We werethrilled to be asked by some new Paraguayan friends to spend Christmas Day withthem.

It's always fun pulling out the ornaments.

Christmas lights are the same no matter where you live!

When Julia saw herself in the Christmas ball, she began to clap and dance.

WATER!

2011-12-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#29)....

WATER

December looks a bit different in Paraguay thanin North America. Instead of snow, wehave heat – like 100 degrees of it. Theweather isn’t too conducive to hot chocolate and sitting in front of afireplace. Instead, we eat watermelonand sit under the shade of the mango trees sipping even more terere. Instead of jackets and boots, our childrenare running around shirtless and shoeless and in search of water in which toswim.

Because we are living in a land-locked country, we haveto look for creative alternatives to keeping cool.

Our dog LOVES water.

WATER GAME with our SIM TEAM

The kids waiting to throwwet sponges at the adults. They wereruthless!

Attack!

That's where my boys get it from!

Staying cool with watermelon.

Car washin'

Even Julia joined in.

Then she got tired and sat in the car washing water.

2011-12-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#27)...

MY CAMERA

As you have probably figured by now, I love mycamera and I love looking through the lens of a camera. I love being able to chronicle our dailyactivities in pictures.

For these I am thankful (#28).....

SUPPORTING MISSIONARIES

I am so thankful that God has allowed us tobless other missionaries all over the world. It truly is more blessed to give than receive.

2011-12-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#26)...

MY FAMILY

We spend a lot of time together as a family andyou know what? We LOVE it.

2011-12-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#23)...

HOMESCHOOLIING

I have not always been a fan ofhomeschooling. In fact there was a timewhen I considered myself such a failure at it. I couldn’t wait to put them in a school while on furlough. And I resented God a bit for “forcing” into ahomeschooling situation.

Wow.

So the fact that that I can honestly say that Iam so very thankful to be homeschooling my children is a HUGE testament to Godand his faithful patience with me.

I love spending time with my children. I love our flexibility. I love learning with them. I love bringing up everyday examples toillustrate their lessons. I love beingable to teach to their individual learning styles. I love that they can go at their ownpace. I love that I get to read tothem. I love that we can all do historyand science together. I love that Jeffcan teach Ryan math. I love that Ginnyand Joshua do math on the computer. Ilove being able to teach Godly character traits alongside their lessons. I love hearing my children memorize scriptureas part of class. I love having a dailybible class.

For these I am thankful (#24)

GOODBOOKS

In mydown time, I really enjoy reading good books whether it is Christian fiction, abiography, a classic children’s book or a homeschool how-to book. My children are also becoming avid readersand I am so thankful that they can lose themselves in a story. Ryan and Joshua love mysteries and historicalfiction and Ginny loves animal stories. As a family, we always have a family book we’re reading through. In November we read through a book of martyrsand now (in December) we’re reading an advent story. Some of our very favorite family books aremissionary biographies. The Cross andthe Switchblade is next on our family reading list.

For these I am thankful (#25)....

MINSTERING as a FAMILY

One thing that I love about life on the missionfield is that we can minster as a family. Our children come with us to mobile clinics, they sit with us at church,they go visiting with us and they spend time praying for the salvation of thosewe minister to. I am so thankful that wehave “jobs” that we can easily have them tag along. We have seen their faith grow as we praytogether for lives to be saved, people to be healed, friends to come back tochurch and for our own finances. Missionsis so real for them and I am so thankful.

WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT FRIENDS?

2011-12-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#22)...

FRIENDSHIPS

There was a time in my life,before moving to the mission field, when I believed I would shrivel up and diewithout interaction with friends. I havesince been through many times of just plain loneliness and I have survived...Ihave been sustained by Jesus. He shouldbe all I need, after all (oh the great many lessons I have learned on thefield!). Non-the-less, I am extremelythankful for friendships: old and new, near and far, English speaking orsomething else.

I am also thankful for thefriendships my children have.

2011-12-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#21)...

FINANCES

I amthankful for finances that come in monthly. It has been many many many many month since we first started receivingsupport. For those many many many manymonths our faith has been boasted. Eachmonth we are in awe of how God provides for us. It is humbling to know that many are sacrificing so we can be serving inParaguay. What a tangible reminder thatGod wants us here for such a time as this.

OUR TOWN

2011-12-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#20).....

the Paraguayans in this little town we call home.

They’vewelcomed us into their community and have made us feel loved and accepted.

Paraguayansare an incredible example of generosity (Jeff says that you cannot out givethese people), creativity (have you see the post on my broom makingexperience?), and hard-workingness (3AM cow milking, anyone?).

OurParaguayan friends have invited us to share their daily lives with them – theirjoys and their sufferings. Best of all,they have allowed us to share with them our passion for Jesus Christ.

JEFF'S NEWEST TOY

2011-12-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

For theseI am thankful (#19).....

an EKG machine

and allthe other wonderful equipment we’re able to provide for the people of ruralParaguay. Jeff has the only EKG,ultrasound, and basic lab work within an hour’s drive.

I havebeen reminded again these past couple weeks that medical care here just isn’tthe same as in North America.

Our dearfriend’s child has been in the hospital 5 hours away for close to 2 weeks. The doctors think he has a tumor in hisintestines, but because the doctors areall on strike, no one has come in to interpret the CAT scan findings. Please be praying for him and his family.

Jeffattended to a 3 year old with cerebral edema from diabetic ketoacidosis. He ended up going unconscious at our housewhile the grandma was out trying to find a ride to the hospital an hour away. Our town ambulance has been broken for quitea while now. They were able to get aride in a police truck. We were veryworried for him, but he came back home after a few days full of energy. The family has no idea what tests were run ontheir child while in the hospital and what any of the results were. They were sent home with no information,medication, or anything helpful.

The doctorin our town did not renew his contract, so as of this week, Jeff is again theonly physician for 3,000 people. Thedoctor in the neighboring town (where we have been going weekly) also did notrenew his contract. Several thousanddepend on that health post. We’repraying that the government puts other doctors in their stead, but there is noguarantee.

A 17 yearold in her 8^th month of pregnancy came in with really swollen anklesand high blood pressure. Because of signsof pre-eclampsia, Jeff sent her to Caazapa (an hour away). A week later we were playing volleyballoutside and heard buzzing sound that. Everyone immediately stopped the game and raninto the street. Word trickled down tous that the young gal had died. While theyoung girl was in Cazaapa, she had received no treatment. Finally they sent her to Asuncion where theytook the baby by c-section. Thefollowing day she went into shock and died. What we were hearing was the sound of wailing. Mourning had begun 2 blocks away. .

Thefollowing day I found myself crying at the burial and hugging the mother tight. The baby, praise God, is strong and healthyand will be raised by her grandmother.

WHICH ONE is NOT LIKE the REST?

2011-12-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

Forthese things I am thankful (#18)....

Littlethings that make me smile.

And there are lots of things that make me smile 'round here.

NOVEMBER VISITORS

2011-12-14T03:49:00.000-08:00

Forthese I am thankful (#17)...

visitors

Wereally do enjoy having people stay with us whether it is missionaries fromParaguay coming for a weekend or interns or families from North America comingfor a month or more. It is encouragingto have people take an interest in what we are doing. So if you have anyinkling....COME VISIT US...you never know what kind of adventures you will havein our neck of the woods!

Thefirst weekend in November, our team mates came for a visit. The kids had a blast setting off firecrackerstogether.

Danielle (a short termer)holding a chicken for the first time!

The 2^nd weekend in November, the Salinas’ (missionaryfamily from Paraguay) came to visit us. They pruned my trees, worked in my garden, and brought us DrPepper. It was pouring down rain onSunday when they left. It took them FIVEhours to drive what takes us 45 minutes to drive on a good day! They got stuckSEVEN times – once they were close enough for Jeff to help them out, once theywere pulled by a passing tractor and the other times Gayna and her 13 year oldson pushed them out!

Ginny and their daughter working on Christmas crafts.

The 3^rd weekend in November, we picked up a medicalintern from Canada who will be with us for a month. She will be shadowing Jeff in the mornings,having classes, doing house calls or visiting with us in the afternoon, andlearning how to clip chicken wings in her spare time (photo below).

Itdoesn’t get more Paraguayan than this – attending a patient in a hammock whiledrinking terere

The 4^th weekend in November a team mate came outto visit us. She has been serving inParaguay for many years, but had never visited us. We all had a great time.

CHEETOS!

2011-12-13T03:34:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#16)....

Comfortfood!

There are a few food items (snickers, marshmellows, poptarts, peanutbutter cups, Dr Pepper, Rootbeer, doritos, salsa, A-1 sauce, cinnamon toastcrunch cereal, candy canes, twizzlers....just to name a few) we miss from Texasand we are very thankful when we have visitors that carry them over for us fromtime to time.

These Cheetos I found in Brazil when I was recently there for a women’sconference. Yum!

HOW MANY HANDS CAN FIT ON A COMPUTER?

2011-12-11T02:43:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#15).....

computer and internet.

I amblown away by technology of today and I am so thankful for our computer andinternet (as slow as ours is). It allowsme to skype with family and e-mail friends. It helps me not feel so far away! I have enjoyed blogging and being able to sharing our lives withyou. We also use the internet a lot forhomeschooling and writing bible study curriculum.

Here we are skyping with Grandma and Grandpa on one of ourrecent trips into Asuncion.

LAUNDRY

2011-12-09T04:09:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#14)....

Modern conveniences.

I am very thankful that I have awashing machine and other modern conveniences like a refrigerator, a stove,electricity, computer and printer, and running water.

DINNER ANYONE?

2011-12-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

For these I amthankful (#13)....

Being able to cook,clean, fold, wash, fix, change and stay at home to take care of my family.

I have neverregretted getting a nursing degree and I have never regretted not using it. Ilove being a mom and wife and I consider it a HUGE blessing to be able toprovide a loving home for them.

Various meat options in Yuty (about 1 1/2 hours from us).

SHARING GOD’S WORD and SEEING PATIENTS (my husband at work)

2011-12-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

For these I amthankful (#12)....

Ease-dropping on myhusband

Each morning before Jeff sees patients he shares a bible story with thewaiting crowd. I love to ease-drop. I can’t help it. I absolutely LOVE hearing my husband teachGod’s word (especially in Guarani). Usually I am finishing my quiet time when he begins his story on justthe other side of the window. I am amazed at his boldness in teaching storiesthat contradict their beliefs and flies in the face of this culture. It never ceases to amaze me how confident heseems to be in this language; moving swiftly between Spanish and Guarani. God has given him revelations and insightsabout the texts and the ability to craft a story.

THE BEST WAY TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE….

2011-12-04T03:46:00.000-08:00

…Use your hands

For these I am thankful (#11)....

Friends who are patient enoughwith me to “read between the lines” and help me learn Guarani.

Speaking of language.....

Yesterday I went to visit a friend of mine. We spent a loooong time talking about goats.

How Ginny wants one to milk. Their eyes got real wide like they had neverheard of that concept. Oh yes, I assuredthem that it is actually healthier for you than cow milk.

How you can then make cheese from the milk. I told them all about how people in the MiddleEast do this ALL the time. They usegoats more than cows. Their eyes got wider still.

How I've never had goat's meat, but to try it. Their eyes got ever wider and they looked rather discussed.

Aparently all my information on goats was wrong because they kept answering no to all my questions. No, they don't eat everything in sight. No, they don't like to climb on things.

Since I was getting nowhere, I asked them to tell me about goats. Well, they said. they cut the grass, work in the field and we ride them.

Ride them?

Then it dawned on me. Ihad been using the word for horse the entire time!

Once my friend realized what I had done, she could not stoplaughing. Every now and then she couldcatch her breath enough to interject, “Horse cheese! Ginny milking a horse!”

THANKSGIVING DAY

2011-12-02T03:37:00.000-08:00

For these I am thankful (#10)

Our SIM family

It’s tough to be away from your home countryand away from family around the holidays. That is why I am especially thankful that we serve with such wonderfulteam mates. We spent thanksgivingtogether making it as American as possible. We ate cranberry sauce flown in from Canada, homegrown pumpkins forpumpkin pie, pecans from Texas for the pecan pie and 2 turkeys killed by teammates.

Julia eating her first pumpkin pie. Yum!

Thanksgiving here should always include water. Man, this season is hot!

Preparing for the firecrackers.

First snow of the year (AKA a blown up toilet paper roll).

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

2011-11-30T04:03:00.000-08:00

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

The rain.

Rainy days are two-fold. If you can be home, it can be nice andrelaxing. When itrains here, everything shuts down (school, church, stores). God gives us rainy days and forces us torest. Usually rainy days means noelectricity and water which simplifies our lives even more. Our favorite rainy day activities are playingCatan, reading books and playing countless hands of UNO.

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

I am thankful foradventures (#9).

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

PIANO PRACTICE

2011-11-29T04:35:00.000-08:00

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 clapand dance.

Ginny has written several songs onthe harp for her little sister.

MOBILE CLINICNS in JATAITY

2011-11-28T04:35:00.000-08:00

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

New ministry opportunities.

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

I amthankful for the lady that allows us to park the clinic in her yard eachThursday.

I am thankful for the believersfrom here that have gone with us to give their testimonies to the patients whoare 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 Jeffhas finished early so we can go visiting. Pray thatthese new contacts will lead to bible studies.

SIESTA

2011-11-26T03:34:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T04:23:00.000-08:00

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

A reliable car.

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

November14^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 ofthe 220. It popped and smoked and turnedoff. Jeff was rather embarrassed havingto tell all the patients to go home. Hedecided 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 itwas....it was a short lasting miracle. As Jeffwas seeing patients on Monday, it started acting up. He immediatelydrove to Asuncion to have it looked at in hopes of having it back before ourintern arrives Sunday.

VEGGIE SOUP

2011-11-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

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

Mygarden

November14^th the kidshelped me plant the garden. Between thekids “helping”, my lack of a green thumb, the chickens that fly over and thepigs that squeeze under, each season is an absolute guessing game as to whatwill come up and what will get eaten by animals. However, I have high hopesfor this season of fruits and veggies! I really do enjoy making a veggie soup completely out of things we havegrown Plus, it is Ginny's favorite dinner).

the KIDS are GROWING UP!

2011-11-21T03:20:00.000-08:00

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

Healthy children

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

This week of November11, 2011....

Micahlearned to ride without training wheels. He taught himself.

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

Juliareally took off with her walking and it is now her preferred method for gettingaround.

Nowthat she is really moving, we cannot contain her inside. She LOVES to be outside and she hasdiscovered mud. I cannot keep this girlclean.

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

a THEME of THANKFULNESS

2011-11-19T03:32:00.000-08:00

I really like the idea of celebratingNovember 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 wholavishes. He delights in giving before Ieven 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 theBible this year and I am reading through with the rest of the kids. Man, it has been incredible being reminded ofall his has done for us starting at the very beginning!. Whatan awesome God we serve!

DAY of the DEAD

2011-11-18T04:20:00.000-08:00

OnNovember 1^st, our neighbors went the localcemetery to cut the grass and pick up trash. The following day (Day of the Dead) they went to light candles to andpray for the dead.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!

2011-11-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

SAYING GOOD-BYE

2011-11-13T04:35:00.000-08:00

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

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO REMOVE A PIQUE?

2011-11-10T03:33:00.000-08:00

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

BROOM MAKING 101

2011-11-07T03:23:00.000-08:00

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

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 oneswith lots of branches.

Next, we chopped down thebroom handles. We tried our hand atwhittling it with a machete, but as you can see from the picture, Alba justlaughed at our attempt!

Alba attached the weeds we collected to the handles we whittledwith a rag.

And viola! A broom!

We walked for 2 hours!

And then we picked mandioca.

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

WOTH RETREAT

2011-11-03T04:24:00.000-07:00

October 20-24, 2011

When I got backfrom the Women of the Harvest (WOTH) retreat in Foz, Brazil, everyone’s firstquestion was, “How was it?” Wow! What a loaded question! I don’t even know how to express the incredibleness(see, I told you there were no words) of those 4 days.

Yes, it wasrelaxing to get a massage and receive a pedicure. I loved my makeup make-over, my haircut, andcolor analysis. Of course, it was funreceiving coveted “American” gifts like chocolate chips, maple extract, booksand CDs. And how fantastic it was justto get away, be in a nice hotel and not cook or clean dishes. But all that doesn’t begin to touch thesurface of the blessings God sent my way.

There were 46 participantsand about 25 volunteer staff. Do you seethat ration?! These women POURED into usby listening, leading small group discussions, sharing from their deep wealthof life experiences, and praying. PRAYING! Have you ever beenprayed over before you receive a professional haircut (or a “prayer-cut” as thehairdresser says)? Has a woman evergiven you a foot massage and listened so intently to your story that her prayerover you touched upon every single one of your fears and concerns? Have you ever intended to just slip passsomeone in the hall and ended up with laughter, tears, prayers and enoughaffirmation and encouragement to last a lifetime?

These women are prayerwarriors. They prayed for me BY NAMEbefore the retreat even began. Theyprayed for me BY NAME during the retreat. And they will pray for me BY NAME long after the days in Brazil areover. How humbling, how encouraging, howlife-changing.

These are the women I was privileged to spend time with.

This is my discussion group. I know it sound cliché, but it really does feel like I have known theseladies a lot longer than a few days. Our speaker, a former missionary herself,shared from God’s word about our identity in Christ.

Getting one of those awesome prayer pedicures by a lady who saidone of her greatest pleasures was to wash my feet. MY FEET!

Yes, that is turquois nail polish that I picked. Why not, hu?

In every aspect of the retreat, WOTH strived for excellence.Their goal is to encourage women as they serve cross-culturally.

Here I am with a shorterhaircut and make-up (I think the last time I donned make-up was for mywedding). And, through Shirley’s“clothes shopping ministry” (have you ever heard of such a thing?) I was givena new beautiful shirt.

And, I got to share all this with Liz (my step-mom). Through incredible “coincidences” (wink,wink) we were able to go together (she ministers in Bosnia).

VACATION!!!

2011-10-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

October 10-14, 2011

Day #1 memories:

Beginning our vacation by celebrating Tyler’s 7^thbirthday with team mates

Touring a Jesuit ruin San Cosme y Damian

Visiting a small planetarium and learning the Guarani names fordifferent constellations Looking at the moon through their telescope

Sleeping 8 in a tiny 3 bed hotel room

Day #2 – My children have inherited my love for the beach andtalk about wanting to go all the time. Since we live in a land-locked country, that request is tough. So when we saw pictures of an island with sanddunes, we knew had to check it out. Theouting did not disappoint. We all lovedthe relaxing hour long boat ride to sand dunes. Julia was mesmerized by the lulling of the waves.

The island was wonderful! The kids ran up, played in and slid/summersaulted/rolled/fell down the hugedunes. They splashed in the water,explored the beach, played tennis and catch, and built sand castles.

This was Julia’s first time in sand and she loved it. Apparently it tasted pretty good by thefistfull.

I took 200 pictures of my beautiful children.

After we pried ourselves off the dunes, we heading into town andset up camp. New flashlights, stomprockets, yummy grilled pork, s’mores and then off to bed.

Setting up the tent

Beautiful sunset

Julia LOVED her first marshmellow

At 2AM Jeff and I awoke to strong winds, loud thunder, andbright lightening. A huge storm wasrolling in and we did not want to be caught in a tent in it (nor have to packup a wet tent in the morning). Jeff madean executive call to pack up camp. Our kidswere such good sports lending a sleepy hand. We got it all picked up and thrown inside the care just beforetorrential rains poured. Luckily, myfamily had rented a room for the night, so we all crashed with them.

Day #3 memories:

Rain

Hotel with trampoline, pool table, ping-pong and foosball table

Peacocks, iguana, alligator, dogs, horses, sheep

Cat in the Hat movie

Day #4 memories:

Horseback riding

Shopping for hammocks and aopo’i

Hotel Independencia

New swimming pool

Skip-Bo

HAPPY 7th BRTHDAY TYLER!

2011-10-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2011

Tyler’s transformerbirthday fell on the first day of our vacation with my family which worked outreally nice because he was able to celebrate in Yuty with two other missionaryfamilies.

NOVEBER NEWSLETTER

2011-10-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

click for our latest newsletter

KIDS' CLUB, YOUTH GROUP and CABURE

2011-10-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

October8, 2011

After a major storm, God allowed the sun to shine so the 2 Saturday eventsI was looking forward to wouldn't be cancelled - our 2nd kids' club and youthgroup.

We had a great kids’ club with new faces. Praise God for the two women who are heading this up and for David whois willing to lead the kids with music.

After kids’ club, myfriend, Nilsa came over to make cabure dough. When the youth came over later that evening, we wrapped the dough onbroom sticks and cooked them over hot coals.

Liz shared with theyouth about running the Christian race.

Then we shared s’morefixin’s that my family brought from the US. Since we cannot get any of the ingredients in country, it was the youths’first. They loved them.

Cabure

10 eggs

3/4K cornmeal

1K starch

Milk

lard

Mix together and form into large balls

SOPA PARAGUAYA

2011-10-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Afriend of mine gifted me some homemade cheese so my family could try sopaParaguaya (a very typical dish here). SopaParaguaya reminds me a bit of corn bread, but it is denser and with sautéed onions.

Likemost typical dishes in Paraguay, it calls for cornmeal. Cornmeal is in abundance because almosteveryone grows and grinds their own corn. Since I don’t have a field, I always have to ask different friends if Icould help them pick, shuck or grind corn in exchange for a kilo or two.

Thistime, we were given corn kernels. Afterit was boiled and dried, Liz and I went to a friend’s house to grind and sift it. It took so much arm and shoulder strength thatI was very thankful my friend and her kids were all willing to take turns.

SopaParaguay

4eggs

2Kcornmeal

3Tbsstarch

4onions

Saltto taste

1½ C lard

milk

Cookonion with lard and salt

Mixcornmeal, starch, onion mixture and enough milk until soft

Pourin a 9x13 dish, bake at 350 for 45 minutes

MANDIO PASTEL

2011-10-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

October 4, 2011 is the patron saint of our town’s day. My neighbor came over and taught me to make pastel mandio – a typical food for holidays. We made dough out of 1/2 kilo ground mandioca, 4 eggs, 1/4C oil, and ½ kilo flour. Next, we took small portions of the dough and shaped it into a 3 inch disk. In the center we put a mixture of ground meat, sautéed green onions and parsley. We closed the dough around the meat mixture (like an egg roll) and fried it. Yum.

OnOctober 1st, Paraguayans eat a special meal for lunch called "Jopara"to ward off "Mr. October," a legendary personification of poverty.October is the hardest month for the families of subsistence farmers, as it'sthe only month all year that their fields don't produce something for them toeat. Pray for God to provide for the many Paraguayans who live hand-to-mouth,especially during this difficult month.

SOCCER WOES

2011-10-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday,September 10, 1011

YesterdayRyan’s coach said to be at the field at 8:00 to practice because 9:00 willstart the game. At 9:00 Ryan cameback. Coach said they were playing at 1:00. At 11:00 2 of his team mates came by thehouse and said they were playing right then. Ryan got on his bike and we followed shortly after in the car. Ryan got there for the 2^ndhalf. There was speculation that perhapsthere’s be a second game, but in the end Ryan’s coach said no. We left. Ryan left a bit later and when he got home, he said that the coach saidthat there was a 2^nd game in 30 minutes. Ryan quickly ate and headed back to the fieldonly to return 20 minutes later saying, “No game.” Man, this cross-communication stuff is tough!

FRIEND or FOE?

2011-10-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

LAUNDRY DAY

2011-10-12T05:25:00.000-07:00

AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE

2011-10-10T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is our new puppy Comet (Micah calls her sonic). She is a 6 week old Golden Retriever. The kids have done a great job caring for her and cleaning up after her. She’s been a pretty good little puppy and hasn’t chewed anything of consequence yet.

MICAH'S 5th BIRTHDAY!

2011-10-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

September 29, 2011Micah celebrated turning 5 with a dinosaur birthday. Thanks to both sets of grandparents (who provided themed cups, plates, a table cloth and napkins, gift bags, and gifts) the party was great. Over an empanada dinner, we told dinosaur jokes and took a dinosaur quiz. Next we ate a dinosaur cake (Which, if I am allowed to brag, turned out pretty cute) and dinosaur cookies. After Micah opened his gifts, the kids participated in a relay race by wearing dinosaur feet and balancing a dinosaur egg on a spoon. Next the kids made dinosaur fossils (man, how many times has “dinosaur” been written in this post?). It was especially fun because it was the first birthday of Micah’s that the grandparents were able to be here for.

Blowing out the candles

Dinosaur cookies

Walk like a dinosaur while carrying a dinosaur egg

Walking like a dinosaur

FIRST STEPS

2011-10-06T04:17:00.000-07:00

September 28, 2011Julia took her first steps today….she just needed the right motivation (our little girl LOVES terere).

OMA and OPA ARRIVE

2011-10-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

September 22 my family arrived! They met Julia for the first time.

We spent one night in Asuncion and then headed home. Here’s a summary of our trip:1 overloaded vehicle2 x 10 chickens3 rodents4 weeks’ worth of groceries (that’s a lot of food!)5 kids in the back seat6 teen kilo watermelon7 hours of travel8 big bags (plus lots of little bags, computer bags and backpacks)9 stops along the way10 of us, plus a puppy headed to San Francisco….let the fun begin!Let me explain the animals….since it had recently been a rough week with Joshua and Ginny’s pets dying, they decided to spend their money to replace them. Duma, the guinea pig, and Chipmunk and Squeeky, the hamsters were added to the traveling circus. We’d been thinking that we’d buy another dog and thought that while we were in Asuncion waiting for my family, we’d take a look at the selection. Well, who could just look at puppies? We feel in love with this golden retriever and brought her home. Her name is Comet (a dirtball with a tail).The chickens? Well, they’re just practical. P.S Julia rode forward facing for the first time. She loved it and so did the puppy.

NEW BEGININGS in JATAITY

2011-10-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

The Floyds have been our team mates. They moved to San Francisco 10 years ago and began what is now an exciting, growing, and maturing church. Now God has called them to move to another town and begin another church plant. These past few months as they have visited other places, we have been a sounding board as well as praying with them for God’s direction. They finally narrowed the places down to Jaguaete Cora and Jataity and we began even more fervently praying for their decision. Things in Jataity weren;t very encouraging – there was no man of peace, no housing options, people weren’t friendly, and the town, they felt, was spiritually dead. Everything was, however, falling into fell into place for them to move to Jaguaete Cora, which is where they will be headed in a couple months. Jeff and I realized that sometime while praying over these towns, God had given us a burden for Jataity. Now, we are constantly hearing about Jataity. Jeff treats more and more patients from there, we’re realizing just how many of our friends have family living there, Ryan’s soccer team only plays Jataity’s team, and we are getting to know the doctor of that town because I am teaching him English. While Jeff and I were talking one day with him after English class, he mentioned that there was such a medical need in his town and he wasn’t able to handle it all. Isn’t it funny how God works? We never really know how he will stir our hearts. Our job is to be ready when he speaks and to be obedient to his calling. We aren’t planning on a move any time soon, but we have set “working ourselves out of a job” as a goal. As the church leaders continue to mature and rely less and less on us, we should not do for them what they are capable of doing themselves.What we have decided to do is commit one afternoon a week to Jataity where Jeff will give ultrasounds. The whole family will go in hopes people will be interested in beginning bible studies in their homes. Please pray for us as we venture beyond our town.

THIS and THAT of THIS WEEK

2011-09-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

September 17, 2011Julia stopped nursing this week. Makes me kind of sad.She is not walking…perhaps she is waiting to take her first steps for my family who come in this week.She has, however, learned to skateboard. It is the cutest thing. She gets a knee and arm on the board, the other arm and knee stay on the ground to help her push.

We worked really hard to finish our home schooling year this week. Now we can fully enjoy Oma and Opa’s visit next week.

When we got stuck in the mud coming into Asuncion Sunday, I think Jeff was a bit excited about using the winch for the first time. His excitement was soon dashed when he realized the hitch lock was so corroded that the winch could not be used!

I asked Ginny, “So is Tangled (the movie) a girl movie or do boys like it too?” She said, “Boys can like it too, after all, everyone has hair.”Paul (our colleague) just had a hip replacement. We’d explained the whole surgical process and mechanics of a hip (ball and socket) to the kids. One night Ginny prayed, “God, thank you that Paul has new balls.” I was laughing too hard to pray when my turn came.Micah declared today that his boots were too tight and we would be wearing flip-flops now. These boots have been glued on Micah for 1 ½ years (seriously, it was all he wore). I said, Micah, how will people recognize you?” He answered, “I still have my bathing suit.” This is true. He is going on 1 year of LOVING his bathing suit. He’s already worn 1 out, but thankfully we had a duplicate.

SUNDAY ENCUENTRO SUNDAY

2011-09-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 12, 2011I lOVE our once a month encuentro Sundays. We had several new families attend, the stories the believers shred were fantastic, the comments were right on, the fellowship was sweet and the food hit the spot. I always walk away so encouraged.

FIRST KIDS CLUB!

2011-09-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September10, 2011

We had 35 kidsparticipate in our very first kids’ club today. Rosi and Pauli did a fabulous job of organizing and leading the group.

David, who Jeff hasbeen teaching the piano, led us in a few songs.

Next, the kids divided
into 2 groups. One group
watched a DVD on the
Abraham’s life while the
other group colored.
After 30 minutes, they
switched.

Then Rosi and Pauliretold the story, practiced the memory verse with kids, and then gave a gospelmessage. We had all agreed in ourplanning meeting that the most important part of kids’ club was for the kids tohear how they can be saved. The ladiesdid a great job.

No Paraguayan gathering wouldbe complete without a game of soccer. Actually the boys played soccer while Jeff taught the girlsbaseball. They had a blast.

As I was looking through these pictures, I realized that I am a bit partial to brown eyed, brown haired little girls (in no short supply here!).

After Kids' club Jeff asked Micah what his favorite part of the club was - the movie, coloring, the singing. He responded, "The girls!" No doubt that Micah will one day be a heart breaker, he has taken to chasing after the teen girls who adore Micah and chase him right back!

A SAD DAY

2011-09-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

September 2,2011

I hate hatehate to see my children hurting! Today was a sad day in our house – Joshua’sguinea pig (Chewy) and Ginny’s hamster (Spot) died. We’re not sure of what. We had a funeral today just beforelunch. Ginny’s other hamster escaped acouple days ago and hasn’t been seen or heard of since (we fear theworse). Ginny cried several times andJoshua kept his face hard and kept saying, “Don’t talk about it. Don’t say his name anymore.”

We stll have 3 of Chewy's babies. Joshua is having a hard time wanting to sell them now.

Unfortunatelywe did find the missing hamster about a week later curled up behind the freezer. Let’s just say it was gross.

TRIP to YUTY

2011-09-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday(September 3) afternoon 5 adults and 16 kids (I had only invited) packed intomy car in order to observe a kid’s club done by fellow SIM missionaries 1 ½hours. We spent the same amount of timein the car getting to Yuty as we spent actually in Yuty. It was a great time. On the way home, it was exciting to hear theladies from San Francisco discussing ways to do a kid’s club in our town. Next week, it was decided, we will have thefirst one.

My leastfavorite part from the trip was cleaning up the throw-up – one kid threw up onthe way to Yuty and a different one threw up on the way home.

MAKING the MOST of EVERY OPPORTUNITY

2011-09-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

By Jeff McKissick

September 16, 2011

I recently learned that a dear patient of mine passed away at45 years of age. Ursulina started comingregularly to my clinic about 4 years ago. She used to come on horseback but a broken leg which healed badly andleft her limping mandated someone now bring her by motorcycle. I had recently diagnosed her as having amolar pregnancy, which in a nutshell is a chromosomal disaster resulting inclusters of fluid filled sacs instead of a normal baby. It can rarely spread like cancer to nearby ordistant sites. Her uterus rapidlyenlarged causing pain and bleeding. Onher very first visit during her pregnancy, it was far too early to tell byultrasound that anything was awry. Onlyher pregnancy test was positive. She wasnone too happy with the news and she said her husband wished her to have anabortion. They could not afford to feedan eleventh child. I counseled her tonot proceed with an abortion and I seized the opportunity to share the gospelwith her and pray with her. Then I gaveher a tract full of Scriptures- God’s promises to us who believe in his Son andhow we can know him as Lord and Savior. There is also a short example prayer at the end which one can use as anexample to receive Christ as Lord.

This practice of sharing my faith with patients, according tomy secular humanist medical training at a state medical school, is unethicaland frowned upon. It has been deemedinappropriate, in the North American climate of political correctness,religious pluralism and tolerance (except of course for the growing intoleranceof biblical Christianity), to “force” one’s beliefs on another. I don’t force anyone to do anything. I present the Bible’s perspective, and onthat issue there is no shortage of misinformation and distortion from the culture,so that they can make an informed choice. I call it “the persuasive winning of souls” andI do it as frequently as I can (2 Cor5:11 - Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men); ( Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.). One part of that persuasion is telling Biblestories each workday to the waiting patients. It was after one of these storying and teaching times at one of herfollow-up visits that Ursulina and I gotto talking in depth about her eternal destiny and she told me she had recently acceptedChrist an trusted him.

…) She eventually had a procedure done to evacuate the molarpregnancy before it grew larger. As themonths went by, her symptoms returned, and her obstetrician was notappropriately following her pregnancy hormone levels to detect a recurrence ofthe molar pregnancy. I performed anotherultrasound and found the uterus still very enlarged and a mass adjacent to herovary on one side. I referred her to theobstetrician again for further evaluation. She was eventually transferred to the national hospital and ahysterectomy and tumor removal which wasperformed successfully. She receivedmany units of blood and then suddenly passed away several days after theoperation.

Valerie Inchley said once, “Perhaps we should not ask whetherit is ethically right to witness during a consultation, but whether it is spiritually wrong for the committedChristian not to do so when prompted by the Lord?” I have no regrets from having shared the goodnews of my Lord with Ursulina during working hours (Rom1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for thesalvation of everyone who believes). Inever ran in to her outside of my clinic hours. Had I waited for a more opportune or “appropriate” time, I would havenever had the chance to speak the name of Jesus to her at all. As a physician I realize that 100% of mypatients, and even the doctor himself, will eventually die. I can bring temporary relief and comfort, butI can’t stop death. I believe God canwork through me to delay it sometimes, but I cannot stop it. Only He can. In John 11:25 Jesus said to Martha, "I am theresurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though hedies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” I feel honored that God gave me the privilegeof bringing Ursulina closer to himself. May we all be looking for more opportunities as the days pass and theLord’s return draws ever nearer. Col 4:3says, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so thatwe may proclaim the mystery of Christ… Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

A “MOUSE” in the HOUSE

2011-09-15T04:34:00.000-07:00

August 31, 2011

Yesterday I dropped a piece of paper in my kitchen and it flew under the oven. Later that day, Jeff helped me lift the oven and I retrieved the paper. However, my paper now had a corner missing. The jagged markings were unmistakably made by a mouse. We recently suspected mice (without hard evidence, but were afraid to put down poison because Ginny’s hamsters love to escape and we hated the thought of them meeting and early demise. This time, however, the timing was great because we had plans to go out of town. Before we left, we threw poison under the stove and locked the hamsters in the bathroom so if they escaped, at least, they’d be confined and not in danger of eating the pink pellets of death.

While we were gone, I wondered if we’d come home to the stench of dead animal. Our team mates had this problem. Mice had completely taken over their house while on vacation, leaving their droppings everywhere and then dying in hard to find (but easy to smell) places. I did not want that.

Sunday when we entered our house again, I was grateful that there was no smell. But Monday morning as I was making breakfast with Julia on my hip, I smelled something foul. As the kids woke up and trickled into the kitchen one by one, I asked, “Do you smell that?” One thought it smelled of rotten eggs. One speculated that the toilet was backing up. And one even proposed that it was Micah’s feet. I, however, was certain that the smell could only be that of a mouse.

Now we had some detective work to do in order to find exactly where the body was decaying. The kids followed me as we sniffed by the kitchen door – strong smell. We sniffed by the refrigerator – strong smell. We sniffed in the kid’s room – strong smell. We sniffed in the living room – strong smell. The strong smell was everywhere.

During this time, Julia (still on my hip) became increasingly fussy. I paid little attention because I was on a mission to find the source of the smell. It was only when Ginny came close to me that she found the source (she was actually at sniffer-level with the source). “Mom,” she said. “Julia has a nasty diaper.” I immediately took her to the changing table. When I was done, I no longer smelled the “mouse”.

Here’s our “stinker” (Julia at almost 13 months)
6 teeth
16lbs
Loves being outside
Loves music
Clap and “dances” to music
Perks up when she hears a cell phone (or any other alarm) and puts her hand to her ear and says something like “o” (hello)
Nursing 2 times a day