Kids in Santiago

with the beautiful snow-capped Andes in the background

posing by a neighbor's gate

at Los Dominicos

look, leaves!

showing off their purchases

Anniversary Getaway

Thanks to the kindness of our dear friends, Pedro and I were blessed with two child-free nights to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary while visiting in Santiago. The first night was spent at the Regal Pacific Hotel on Av. Apoquindo. Besides the lovely room and the heated pool/jacuzzi, a highlight of our stay was dinner at the hotel restaurant (included as part of our overnight package.) Each course was a work of art, visually captivating down to the smallest detail in addition to being absolutely delicious. The restaurant was somewhat overwhelming in its "posh-ness" but the live entertainment of a pianist/singer who delighted in crooning tunes of the big band era brought all the guests together in merriment. Pedro and I challenged each other to share 12 great, random memories of our 12 years of marriage and had a fun time reminiscing over the many wonderful experiences God has allowed us to enjoy!

On our second day, we enjoyed visiting two art museums in downtown Santiago and eating dinner together at Pedro's favorite Peruvian restaurant, followed by coffee at Starbucks. We logged several miles of city walking and have aching legs to prove it, but it was delightful to be out in the winter sunshine and to spend this time alone together as a couple. We are thankful for the years God has given us and hope He has many more in store!

celebrating twelve happy years

our hotel

heated pool/jacuzzi

relaxing in our room

one last picture before checkout

Pedro's Easter Island buddy

a day at the art museums

Chilean photography gallery

Pedro's carved buddy "Daiblo"

relaxing in the park

shadow kissing
(it's an anniversary trip, remember?)

Blog Break

... blog break ...

Official Word

Official word from Haiti tonight: No News.

Tomorrow ... please PRAY!!!

Tomorrow is the day that the director of IBESR is supposed to give our lawyer his signed dossiers. (This is per a letter he provided requesting that she do so and signed by the President of Haiti.)

Please, please, please pray that this happens as it should and that tomorrow our boys' files will finally be approved and signed out of this office so we can proceed with the following steps.

Please pray that once we are released, we will fly through the next steps.

Please pray that our boys' files will not become separated as other families have recently experienced. (Please pray for them, too!)

Please pray that the FACE Act of 2009 would be quickly approved so as to eliminate weeks and potentially months of waiting ahead.

Please, please, please pray that our boys would come home miraculously soon.

Important Legislation - PLEASE SIGN

Please take a moment to read this and sign the petition. Please ask your spouses and friends to do the same.

"The intercountry adoption process is a long, tedious process for American citizens seeking to adopt a foreign born child. Paperwork includes home studies, finger printing and criminal checks. The process can take up to three years to complete.

At the completion of the adoption, the child must be approved for a U.S. immigrant visa in order to enter the U.S. and gain citizenship. The immigrant visa is required despite the fact that the "immigrant" is the child of a U.S. citizen.

The U.S. is one of the few developed countries in the world that requires internationally adopted children of citizens to immigrate in order to join their new families.Most countries recognize internationally adopted children as citizens upon the finalization of their adoption. The Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act (FACE Act) would recognize that internationally adopted children deserve to be treated as children of American citizens and accorded the same citizenship process as children born aboard to American citizens.

Under the FACE Act, Adoptive parents would apply for a U.S. passport and Consular Report of Birth instead of a visa. These documents provide adoptive parents with immediate proof of citizenship for their adopted child and provide immediate proof of U.S. citizenship. "

- McLane Layton Equality for Adopted Children (EACH)

Please follow the link to sign the petition.
http://www.gopetiti on.com/petitions /face-act- of-2009.html

To learn more about Equality for Adopted Children (E.A.C.H),
visit http://www.equality foradoptedchildr en.org/

Thanks!

Two Adoption Prayer Requests

Although I mostly keep our Haitian adoption news separate from this blog, there are times when I feel the need to merge the two in order to ask for your prayers. This is one of those times.

Friends, we are in a desperate spot right now. For reasons unknown to us, our lawyer in Haiti is being stonewalled as he attempts to have his dossiers signed out of the country's social services offices (IBESR.) We entered this office in July of 2008; one year later our files remained unmoved with nothing but broken promises to show for all the time we have lost.

We recently received word that our lawyer even had a meeting at the presidential office, presumably face to face with President Preval. So far there has been no visible result from that meeting.

In the meantime, our sons are growing up beyond our reach and our paperwork is reaching various stages of expiration. Next week, we fly to Santiago solely for the purpose of redoing our fingerprints at the US Embassy because they expire at the end of this month. We also face the need of redoing our homestudy which means finding a US-licensed social worker willing to fly to Chile to do so (which of course we must finance as well.)

Please, would you pray with us for a miraculous release of our boys' files this week?

And then secondly, would you pray for miraculous provision for my sister's adoption this week?

She and her husband are now dossier-ready to begin their adoption from Taiwan, and all that holds them back to initiate this next step is $2000. There will be other costs in the future, but this is their immediate need and they are trusting God to provide. If you would like to know more about their story and adoption needs, you can visit their adoption website at:

http://oursilkroad.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for praying.

One More Story

Chloé Morrison of the Chattanooga Times Free Press ran a story on the Gackenheimer Bible today. Apparently it made the front page! I wasn't able to get a picture of it, but here is the link:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jul/09/Chatsworth-bible-once-was-lost-but-now-is-found/

Photos from Quarantine

Owen and Isabel and I have spent LOTS of time in each other's company this week! I thought I would share some "photos from quarantine" to show you some of the things we have been up to. By far, their favorite experience of the week has been watching one particular scene of the move Ella Enchanted over and over and over again (the part where she sings for the giants) ... they find it completely enthralling. :)

Because I Haven't Forgotten

This weekend marked the third anniversary of my miscarriage in July 2006.

It's not a date that's on the calendar nor one that I would typically bring up in conversation, even with my husband.

But I will share it here, in writing, because this blog is our family record of both good times and sad.

Mainly I will share it ... because I haven't forgotten.

And if I could, I would want our baby to know.

(in memory of Eden - loved on Earth, held in Heaven)

... And Shared Again!

Believe it or not, the story of the lost Gackenheimer Bible made it into a Chilean newspaper today! I've posted a small picture of it, but to see it full-size you can visit the link below (credit to Orietta Santa Maria of Las Ultimas Noticias):

http://www.lun.com/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=07-07-2009%200:00:00&BodyID=0&PaginaId=5

Yesterday started with a puzzling phone call from one of the men at our Iquique church. Somehow a news reporter had contacted him via Facebook in an effort to locate me. Neither of us could make any sense out of it!

Later in the day, I received an e-mail from the American reporter who published the story yesterday as well as an e-mail from Rev. Gackenheimer's granddaughter. Apparently the reporter had contacted both of them, and had also called J.W. Henson, in an effort to track me down. She was definitely persistent!

When she did reach me by phone at home, she explained that she regularly checks international news stories for references to Chile. She happened to run across yesterday's article in the Dalton Daily Citizen and thought it would be a great story to run here in Chile as well. She requested permission to ask me some questions and use a couple of pictures from the blog, which I accepted (of course, afterward I ran paranoid scenarios through my head and worried about what the article might say!)

It's a well-written and accurate article, though, so we're glad and also surprised at how our little adventure became somewhat famous. May God get the glory for protecting His Word!

P.S. My husband jokingly said his only disappointment was that he didn't get even a mention or photo credit (he took the picture of the kids and me) in the article. I assured him that no matter what, I know that this story wouldn't have taken place without him. I was ready to walk right out of that store before he pointed out the books to me! He's a good sport. :)

The Story is Shared

I received this scanned newspaper article from the Gackenheimer family today (click on the pictures to see them in larger size.) The story of the lost Bible is shared in detail, and this little blog even made the article! To read past entries on the Bible, you can do a search for "Gackenheimer" in the upper left-hand corner of the blog. I'm just thankful I was able to play a small part in an unusual adventure that turned out to be such a blessing for others. :)

Also, here is a link to the article online (credit to Misty Watson/ The Dalton Daily Citizen):
http://www.daltondailycitizen.com/local/local_story_186220400.html

A Visit to the Clinica

After a loooong and very uncomfortable night, we packed up our sick family and headed to the clinica this morning around 9 a.m. I was hoping that by going "early" (by Iquique standards) on a Sunday morning, we would beat the rush. And indeed it started out that way, because I had barely signed the kids in before they were called to the back! (Later ... much later ... when we finally left, the waiting room was full and they were announcing over the loudspeaker a 2-hour wait for pediatric patients.)

Long story short, Owen, Isabel and I saw the doctor. (Pedro insisted that he felt better and didn't need to be seen.) The pediatrician scolded me for waiting so long to bring Owen in, since he has a history of asthma. He ordered bloodwork and a chest x-ray for Owen just in case, but they looked fine. In the end, he prescribed the retroviral drugs for both kids because of a "suspicion" of the H1N1 - he said diagnosed cases actually have to be hospitalized but since they are on the tail end they can just be treated this way.

The doctor who attended me also ordered bloodwork and a chest x-ray because of my bout with walking pneumonia in May. My final diagnosis was the flu and bronchitis, so I received a box of the retroviral drugs as well as prescriptions for about five other medications.

All in all, we spent 4 hours and about $500 at the clinica today. I think that must be a record for the most expensive "anniversary date" ever!

A Dozen Happy Years

Taking the Next Step

8:00 p.m. Update ... We decided to stay home. Pedro thought it would only make the kids worse to wait for 5 hours at night in the company of other sick people. A call to one of the pediatricians we've seen in Iquique also yielded the suggestion that we wait until tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day!

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I think we're going to have to hit the clinica ... Our friend who has been with this with her son said to expect a 5-hour wait but to take one of the kids and that they should give us medicine for the whole family if we explain that we all have the same thing. We'll see what happens.

Prayer Requests Update

Saturday morning update ... Just took Isabel's temperature again and it is almost 104. Gave her some ibuprofen and sent her to rest again. Owen is crying about a painful ear. Gave him some ibuprofen and drops for the ear. Pedro is still not feeling well and ready for a nap by 10 a.m. I have started a cough that feels like it is settling into my lungs. Eva is the only fully healthy one of the bunch and she is bored out of her mind!

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8 p.m. Update ... Isabel is running a temp of 103 tonight.

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Today we kept the whole family home, just in case. Owen is doing much better - no high fever, and lots of energy. I called to check on his friend, and he is doing much better as well. Ironically, the friend's dad answered because he is home sick - and so is Pedro! Pedro is running a high fever, chills, nausea, the whole nine yards. Please pray that he will get well and that the women of this family will be exempt! :) Thank you so much.

Prayer Requests

We'd like to ask you to pray for Owen. Two days ago he and a school friend spent the afternoon playing together, and yesterday they both became ill with high fevers. The pre-school then called to inform us that two students in the friend's class had been diagnosed with the H1N1 flu virus, so there is a good possibility that both boys were exposed and this may be the result. We've been advised to treat him at home with lots of rest and fluids, which is what we are doing. Please pray that he will recover quickly and that the rest of the family will stay healthy, as we have a busy week ahead - which leads us to our second prayer request. Starting Monday, we will be hosting a group of 10 seminary students from Santiago who will be leading an evangelistic campaign to support our new church plant in Alto Hospicio. Pedro has been in charge of coordinating this effort and is still finalizing details of housing, meals, etc. for the students with the help of our Iquique church members. Please pray for all the details to come together and most importantly, for the Gospel to reach the hearts of many men, women and children in Hospicio.

Not This Time

Earlier this week, I was approached by Owen's pre-school teacher with instructions for purchasing his outfit for an upcoming celebration at the school. Having known in advance that this particular event was on its way, Pedro and I had already decided that Owen would not be involved. Though I felt a little awkward trying to explain why to his teacher, I simply said that we were glad to have him participate in other programs but were not comfortable with his participation in programs of a "religious" nature. She seemed somewhat surprised but said that we need to "respect each other's opinions" and accepted my answer.

Why all the fuss about a pre-school program? This particular holiday is one which we have heard of for quite some time but have yet to experience. It is referred to as "La Tirana" and is one of the most famous and celebrated events of the year here in the north. While the main festivities actually take place in a small village in the interior of the desert, throughout Iquique the schools and various groups perform programs of their own - each of which requires specific costumes, masks and religious dances in adoration of the Virgen del Carmen (the patron saint of fishermen and sailors.)

The legend of La Tirana goes something like this:

This religious celebration is based on a legend from 1535 when the Spanish conquistador conqueror Diego de Almagro departed from Cuzco to subdue Chile. The legend says that this group had two prisoners -- Huillac Huma, the last priest of the Inca Empire, and his beautiful daughter Ñusta Huillac who were among thousands of Inca natives who were prisoners of the invaders.

Ñusta was taken into the Atacama Desert where she later ran away from the Spaniards. Ñusta hid in the forest of Tamarugos, now known as "Pampa del Tamarugal".

For the next four years she defended her people and is said to have slaughtered hundreds of Spaniards. She became known as the "Tamarugal Tyrant".

One day Ñusta's men brought to her a prisoner of Portuguese descent named Vasco de Almeyda. Ñusta fell in love with this man, and for love she converted to Catholicism, a decision that her people did not forgive. Ñusta and Vasco tried to escape but they were killed on a field.

One hundred years later a monk, "Antonio", found in that same field where Ñusta had fallen to her death, a Virgin del Carmen image carved on a rock and a wooden cross. He built a sanctuary in that very place where now thousands of believers and tourists gather every year to celebrate La Tirana, a religious based carnival.

(from the Chilean Canadian Community Association of Calgary)

And one Chilean newspaper describes the festival this way:

Each July 16th, a small village located in one of the driest northern parts of our country zone disguises itself with color and religious fervor.

Heathen dances are combined with the devotion and, including, with the fanatism of thousands of devotees that arrive to the Titania’s village, located at 19 kmtrs, to adore the Virgen del Carmen of la Tirana of Tarapaca.

The festivity enhances a true rebirth of a village, that is almost completely uninhabited during the most part of the year. During a week (the festivities began near the 12 of July and end the 18th of the same month), diabladas, Chinese dances, huainos and morenadas overflow the streets of the city and the colorful disguises contrasts with the desert scenery.

The tragic legend of a couple of lovers composed by a Spaniard and a beautiful young Inca lady, known as La Tirana del Tamarugal, gave birth to this colorful festivity. A priest found a cross amid the plains, where the couple was buried, and, in this same place, built a temple that today hosts the image of the Virgen and that is visited by millions of pilgrims each year, coming from different zones of the territory, including from abroad.

During the festivities, different dancing groups show the visitors their choreographies, which come from the post Hispanic tradition and which object is to adore the Virgen. The dancers finally enter the temple accompanied by the sound of drums and trumpets.

While we love the colors and culture of many Chilean holidays, we cannot reconcile the elements of this holiday with what God has commanded in Scripture. In Exodus 20, the first two of the 10 Commandments tell us to worship God, and God alone:

20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.

20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God ..."

Though we won't participate, it will be interesting to watch the festivities someday. It won't be this year, though. In researching this entry I learned that the H1N1 fllu virus has led to the cancellation of the festival.

Somehow I can't feel too sorry.

Forever Family Fundraiser

We are not the only ones in our family currently in the throes of adoption paperwork. (I really wanted to write "in the throes of adoption woes" because it's so rhyme-y but thought that might sound too negative - even if it's sometimes true, ha!)

My oldest sister Terri and her husband Dave, proud parents to four handsome boys, are working towards bringing home a little girl from Taiwan. She will be named Sophia, and we are all very anxious to meet her!

I say "working" because when you are in the fundraising phase of an adoption, that is very much what it is. Work. And sometimes, it gets discouraging.

That said, I pose the question ... Would you consider helping them to bring Sophia home?

Terri has created a beautiful cookbook (pictured above) which sells for $15 plus $5 S/H. This cookbook, entitled Forever Family, contains 350 favorite family recipes from family and friends around the world. Many of the recipes relate to the ethnic heritage of the person who submitted them, and where appropriate, that heritage has been noted below the recipe title. The cookbook has several "extras" such as a hard cover, a contributor's index, and an 8-page section of helpful cooking and entertaining hints. The book is very attractive and well-done and makes for a great gift - for yourself or someone else!

For instructions on how to order and pay for the cookbook, please visit the link below. Sophia's auntie thanks you in advance for playing a special part in bringing Sophia home! :)

http://oursilkroad.blogspot.com/2009/04/cookbooks-are-here.html

Delight

Few delights can equal
the mere presence
of one whom we trust utterly.

~George MacDonald

Houses & Hobbies

I have a new obsession hobby.

Several nights a week, I find myself logging on to realtor.com and looking for houses in Michigan.

I know it’s silly. I know we have no money. I know we won’t even be back in Michigan for at least two more years. But I can’t help myself! I have a dream that somehow we could purchase a house now that they are so (relatively) inexpensive and then forever have a place to call home when we go back to the States on furloughs.

I have to remind myself that “sufficient for each day is the trouble thereof” because honestly, I am already worrying about this. Affordable homes to rent in Iquique are so hard to come by that we face the possibility of having to find a housesitter and continue to pay rent while we are on furlough in order to hang onto the house we have now. If that were the case, I don’t see how we could also pay rent in the States. But, one day at a time!

It’s fun, though. If I could have my pick right now, these are some of the houses I would consider:

This one in Lapeer is spacious with four bedrooms and has an updated kitchen and central air.

This one in Columbiaville has gorgeous wood floors, a spacious kitchen with a breakfast nook, and a fenced-in yard.

We've always loved old farmhouses. They were built for families with lots of kids (although you wouldn't know it by the number of bathrooms!) This one is huge and has a full acre of land.

Pedro and I have lived in Lapeer, North Branch and Marlette and have to admit that we're partial to Marlette (no offense to our wonderful friends elsewhere!) Pedro likes this house because even though it's not the fanciest on the inside, it has huge rooms, 10 acres of land, a pole barn and a pond (the latter two are pictured here.)

And finally, even though this house is smaller I think it is just the cutest thing ever. I love the warm wood in the kitchen and the steps leading up to a room above. It definitely has character!

So now that you know my latest hobby ... what's yours??