garcias2chile

Have Wheels, Will Travel

2012-01-30T23:57:00.000-03:00

our kids are excited about their new "ride!"

We are thankful for the provision of this 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, which we purchased through a unique ministry called CMTS (Christian Missionary Technical Services.) We knew little about CMTS prior to traveling to pick up the vehicle, except that they had been recommended to us by a trusted missionary friend. We were frankly surprised to reach the CMTS offices in Bernville, Pennsylvania and find a vast spread of buildings, vehicles and machinery in the midst of rolling green fields and hills! There we encountered a small but dedicated international staff of people working together for the benefit of missionaries and ministries worldwide.

CMTS was founded by Andrew and Nancy Merrick after a brief term of missionary service in South America. On the field they observed first-hand the struggles of missionaries to maintain worn-out equipment and buildings, often demanding time which could otherwise have been invested in people's lives. The Merricks felt led to create an organization which would provide useful resources and skilled people to meet those technical needs.

Their ministry is varied, including purchasing vehicles at auction to service and later rent or sell to missionaries on furlough; locating and shipping furniture, medical and shop equipment to ministries worldwide; organizing service missions trips into Mexico and Belize; and providing a clothing bank for those in need of it.

What an encouragement to realize once again that God uses each of us according to the gifts and abilities He has given us, as long as we are willing and obedient to His call.

Morning Snuggles with Mom-Mom

2012-01-29T17:52:00.005-03:00

Alec with Mom-Mom in her quiet time chair

We Are Still Martians

2012-01-28T00:26:00.006-03:00

At some point during the whirlwind week of saying our goodbyes in Iquique, Pedro and I came to a realization. It didn't matter how many different ways we tried to explain to our kind and generous Chilean friends from school and soccer - most of whom have yet to know Christ or set foot inside our church - what the reason was for our year in the States.

We explained about visiting churches and sharing the ministry. Thinking it might make more sense, we even pointed out that doing so allows for financial transparency since our income comes from these churches in the United States. No matter what we said, the end result was always the same: patient smiles and blank looks.

Pedro finally said to me, "We might as well say this: We are Martians who came to visit your planet. Now we are going home to ours, but we will be back!"

We laughed because as silly as it sounds, that's exactly how we felt people perceived us in Chile. No sooner had we returned to the States, however, then I found myself having another "Martian" moment!

My mom and I had taken Eva and Isabel shopping at Kohl's. This was the first time they could remember shopping in the States, and for that matter we don't do a lot of clothes shopping in Chile (like many missionaries, we try to stock up on stateside sales and hope the clothes will last through a four-year term!) We were ready to check out and the tall, exuberant saleslady told the girls to go ahead and put the clothes on the counter. The girls were frankly overwhelmed and simply stood and stared in confusion. Trying to be helpful, I explained: "Oh, this is their first time shopping in the States in five years. We just returned from living in Chile!"

The raised eyebrows and uncomfortable silence told me everything I needed to know. Basically, I had just informed another person that we were from Mars.

I returned home and told my husband, "Well, I think you should know ... even in the States, we are still Martians!" Such is the missionary life. :)

The Language of Love

2012-01-25T09:55:00.007-03:00

Through the years I have saved a few letters that are very special to me. One is the letter my dad wrote and gave to me the day I boarded an airplane to leave Chile and head for college in the United States. I unearth and read this letter at least once a year, and it still has the power to make me feel I am wrapped snugly in my daddy's arms of love and concern for his little girl.

Two other letters I've saved are from my grandmother, Margaret Christian. These are especially precious to me because they were written in the brief window of time between our departure for Chile and my grandfather's unexpected death just eleven months later. Grandpop Christian was the love of my pre-school life and I like to think I was his special girl, too. Grandmom's letters remind me that I was.

Words are my love language, but especially the written word. I realize now that I come by that honestly, because in my family it was always easier to show our love through gifts or acts of kindness, even to express it in written form rather than verbally. I was reminded of this again at the hospital just a few days ago. Sadly, my grandmother suffered a fall on Saturday night which resulted in a broken pelvis. My parents and I accompanied her to the hospital and sat with her through the many changes of nurses and doctors and trips for x-rays and a cat scan. We were there for Grandmom, but at a loss for words. Perhaps that is why I treasure these letters so much.

Thankfully, however, over the years I have learned to recognize and appreciate other "love languages" as well. When words fail, often other "languages" speak in abundance!

Grandmom now lives with my parents at their home in Delaware, and seeing "Meemie" again after nearly five years was another reason for much excitement when we arrived to the States last week. When Pedro hugged her and said it was good to see her, Grandmom replied, "I never thought I would still be around to see this!" She is 91 years old. Her mother-in-law apartment adjoins my parents' family room, and the kids love to wander in and sit on her carpet while she rests or watches television throughout the day. Despite failing eyesight and growing weakness, Grandmom welcomed us home with some of her special dishes: homemade vegetable soup one night, and delicious broccoli casserole another. She rarely cooks these days so we know this was an act of love just for us.

As a matter of fact, it is through her actions rather than words that Grandmom has primarily always shown her love. When she welcomed our family of five home on furlough the year I was ten years old, and squeezed us into her little home without complaint; when she took me shopping in the 4th grade to the "chubby kids" store in downtown Wilmington despite the extra expense (though at the time I wanted to die of embarrassment rather than recognize the affection behind it); and all through the college years when she opened her home to each of her grandkids and their friends, teaching us how to drive and manage money and deal with the separation from our parents who were still in faraway Chile.

It was an act of love when she bought me one of my first Precious Moments figurines, a little girl shedding a tear while on the telephone which was entitled "Tell It to Jesus." I knew then it was her way of saying she understood the sadness of being far away from my parents during college, while reminding me in her practical way that talking to God was much more affordable (and effective!) than the expensive international calls I longed to make each week.

Now years later, she awaited us with another act of love: her credit card, to purchase good-quality sleeping bags for each of our kids in preparation for furlough. She was concerned that her great-grandchildren be comfortable and snug during their many travels! We were touched and blessed by this gesture on their behalf.

I am so thankful for the love of family. My parents, too, have gone out of their way to express love to us in word and deed since our arrival. Mom-Mom had the Christmas decorations ready and waiting to shower her grandkids with gifts and celebrations. She had the turkey purchased and prepared to please her son-in-law. She even had catalogs and coupons clipped and ready for all our shopping needs! Pop-Pop has been our chauffeur to get driver's licenses renewed; purchase a vehicle; and drop off important paperwork to the country courthouse for the little boys' re-adoption. He has also been peppered with questions which he answers patiently and soundly. Certainly our boisterous tribe has interrupted an otherwise orderly and quiet existence, but we have felt nothing but love.

This morning I read through the book of 1 John in the Bible. I was struck by how many times the author reminds us to love one another, and thus to reflect the love of God Himself. I am humbled, and I am blessed ... because I am loved.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
-1 Jn 4:11-12

Owen's Wish Came True

2012-01-23T00:53:00.008-03:00

Owen in front of Pop-Pop's snowy red car

It was all Owen could talk about when it came to our trip to the USA. Nothing else really mattered to him. He just wanted to see SNOW! It was disappointing for him to arrive to Philadelphia and find a beautiful day of sunshine with nary a snowflake in sight.

Ian and Alec see their very first snowfall

But all of that changed on Saturday. He broke into our bedroom early in the morning to excitedly announce in a noisy "whisper" (so as not to wake his brothers sleeping on the bedroom floor) that, "Mom! Dad! There's SNOW outside!"

Isabel ankle-high in a snow drift

To add to his excitement, later that morning my cousin Jason appeared with his wife and three of his children to introduce our kids to the joys of sledding. Between the neighbor's hill and Pop-Pop's yard there is an excellent route for an adrenaline high, and the kids repeatedly took turns racing downwards amidst many squeals and laughter.

Eva taking a breather

According to Mom-Mom, who was the official photographer of the sledding event, at one point Ian and Alec were placed on a sled by my cousin's teenage son and the two of them flew at breakneck speed directly at the fence! They crashed but instead of being frightened just laughed in excitement and continued their merry adventures.

Owen's smile says it all

The party might never have broken up if it wasn't for the unexpected sensation of freezing cold and frostbite that soaked through the kids' rather inadequate winter clothing and left at least two participants in tears of discomfort. Nothing a warm bath and some dry clothes couldn't solve, but nonetheless they did learn a greater respect for the tempting white stuff outdoors.

Ian and Alec grinning widely after their "crash"

There is nothing quite like seeing all these thrilling firsts through the eyes of a child. Our children are making some new and unforgettable memories. I am thankful God granted Owen's wish and allowed the kids this fun opportunity!

Meeting "New" Cousins

2012-01-21T00:49:00.003-03:00

my sister Terri with daughter Sophia

It was with a great deal of excitement that we welcomed some "new" cousins to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house on Thursday morning. Our kids were thrilled to put faces to names and run wild with my sister Terri's youngest three kids: Benjamin, age 6; Nathaniel, age 4; and Sophia, age 4. Both Nathaniel and Sophia arrived on the scene after our departure to Chile - the former by birth, and the latter by adoption from Taiwan - so it was our very first time meeting these two family members!

Isabel getting to know cousin Sophia

Isabel was especially delighted to meet Sophia. Ever since Terri and Dave accepted their new daughter's referral months before she finally came home from Taiwan, Isabel has felt a special connection with her little cousin who also is challenged by a CP (cerebral palsy) diagnosis. It was sweet to observe as Isabel took the time and effort to draw Sophia out, even chasing her across the living room floor on her knees and to an eruption of giggles from Sophia.

what does Sophia think about Uncle Pedro??

Over the course of the visit, Sophia eventually warmed up to her new aunt and uncle as well. When I began perusing a catalog of the jewelry her mommy sells, Sophia quickly squirmed into my lap and insisted on turning the pages herself! Later she gave Uncle Pedro a serious lookover and after deciding he was alright, she snuggled up against him and used his comfy belly for a pillow. :)

Pop-Pop tries to referee a trio of toddler boys

Meanwhile the little boys were busy getting to know one another as well! And what better way than by attempting to wrestle your "new" cousin to the ground?? Pop-Pop has stated that with grandsons in the house he has no need for physical therapy anymore - wrestling with them takes care of all the exercise he requires!

At one point Uncle Pedro stepped in to rescue the house from ruin, and took seven of the kids for a walk to a nearby park. The result was some peace and quiet for us, and a longer-than-expected trek for them when he followed six-year old Benjamin's instructions to "another park" which they never found! In addition, the Garcia kids returned home in a near panic over sensations they had never before felt in their fingers and faces. This Delaware winter has been quite a surprise for them. :)

pinning down five rambunctious boys for a photo is quite a feat

I am so thankful that Terri took the time to drive two hours each way just to hug us and give us the chance to get to know her sweet kiddos. Thanks, Sis! Family is a precious gift, one to cherish with every opportunity we are given.

Reunited

2012-01-18T23:53:00.004-03:00

our children with their grandparents and great-grandmother, Jan 18 '12

By the grace of God, we arrived safely and soundly to the Philadelphia airport around 9:15 AM this morning. Despite a delay leaving Santiago; the slowness of disembarking our family of 7 people with 13 carry-ons from the very last row of the airplane; having to hurry through the enormous Atlanta airport, through various security points (including the famous full body scan for Pedro); and arriving at the gate for our flight after all other passengers were settled on board and with only minutes to spare before departure ... God still allowed us to make it on and make it home to Delaware and my parents' home as scheduled.

The first leg of the journey, from Santiago to Atlanta, took about 9 1/2 hours in flight and for most of those hours Ian and Alec slept comfortably and soundly. I can't say the same for the rest of us, and Owen was especially miserable after having said his sad goodbyes to cousin/best bud Micah. The Atlanta to Philadelphia flight was only 1 1/2 hours which seemed like a piece of cake in comparison! All five of the kids "earned" wings on this flight.

Two suitcases were temporarily lost in the confusion of our rapid scramble to board our connecting flight, but they reappeared at our doorstep later the same evening. Pop-Pop Christian and a friend from his church were waiting to deliver us and our luggage safely home to Delaware, where Mom-Mom waited with open arms and a lighted Christmas tree surrounded by bountiful gifts. First things first, hungry tummies were satisfied and curiosities awakened by bagels, the first our kids could ever remember eating!

Some other cute impressions of the day were the girls' amazement at automated sinks with automated soap dispenser and automated paper towel dispensers; and their surprise that "everyone is speaking English!" here in the United States. Owen made some adorable statements, in particular when he told Pop-Pop that he didn't remember his house, he only remembered "the smell of Pop-Pop" and nothing more; also, when I pointed out that the houses did not have fences like in Chile, he innocently assumed "well, the wind must have blown them all away!"

We did indeed have a "second Christmas" complete with gifts and new stockings, but most enjoyable of all was being with family we have not seen in many years, including my grandmother whose 91st birthday was also today.

Thankful to God for His mercies and undeserved grace on this day!

Compassion

2012-01-14T21:16:00.005-03:00

our tender-hearted Eva

It had been a busy morning of leaving the house early with three young children in tow; and taking three separate and crowded Metro trains to reach the office of Extranjeria in downtown Santiago. Through God's favor we had accomplished the task we needed to complete, which was reporting the little boys' overstay on their visas and receiving a written warning that will allow them to depart the country with us on Tuesday night.

We had been on our feet for a long while and once more descended the steps into the depths of the Metro station at Plaza de Armas. As we reached the bottom, we passed a bearded and barefoot man who rocked from side to side and cried out in a loud voice, "Tengo hambre! Tengo hambre!" ("I'm hungry! I'm hungry!")

My first instinct was to look away, assuming he was drunk and begging like sadly so many are in this vast city. We had promised the kids a drink and stopped for juice and a muffin in a shop within sight and sound of the bearded man. Meanwhile I noticed that Eva kept looking over her shoulder at the stranger and seemed very troubled by his condition.

I asked her what she was thinking and when she shared how worried she was for him, I suggested that she take a minute to pray for him. She did, bowing her head quietly for several minutes. When she looked up, her eyes were overflowing with tears. They slipped down her cheeks and suddenly I was moved by her emotion. I asked if she wanted us to buy the man a sandwich, which she gladly accepted and asked if I would go with her to deliver.

We walked side by side to the man and she reached out a sandwich and a bottle of water. He took them both gratefully, and we walked away. I was so touched by my daughter's heart and convicted of my own.

Sometimes it takes looking through the eyes and heart of a child for us to truly see compassion.

Two Years Ago Today

2012-01-12T17:29:00.006-03:00

the broken entrance to our sons' orphanage

children and caregivers sleeping outdoors after the Jan 12, 2010 earthquake

Tonight I read a Bible story to Ian and Alec before putting them to bed. The story reminded the reader that "you are very special to God." After we finished reading, I told the little boys that I had another story to share with them. This story shows us how special they are to God! Then in childish terms they could understand, I told them about the experience they lived in Haiti's earthquake two years ago today. I told them about the caregivers who took care of them and kept them safe and fed. I told them how God brought them to us, and us to them. I reminded them that they are very special to God! - and they are very special to us.

It has been two years since we experienced great anguish followed by great joy. But for others it has been two years with losses still being grieved. Let us not forget Haiti.

Love These Cousins

2012-01-11T21:24:00.001-03:00

Goodbyes

2012-01-10T20:51:00.010-03:00

Probably one of the hardest and most emotionally exhausting parts of saying goodbye prior to furlough, especially for our children, was the sheer number of times they had to do it. First there were the school-related goodbyes. On the last day of school, and at year-end class Christmas parties, friends and schoolmates shared how much they would miss Eva, Isabel and Owen.

Eva and her classmates

Isabel took it the hardest initially. Her class had a pretty pillow prepared for her and also for another classmate who was moving away. On it was a photo of all the students as well as the words "We will miss you!" After hugging everyone goodbye, and finally her much-loved teacher, Isabel and I walked slowly back to the car as tears flooded her eyes and she cried and cried. My heart ached along with hers.

Isabel with her friends

Owen's class (with little brothers added!)

The second round of goodbyes was a little harder for everyone. These took place during our final week in Iquique during long and sometimes stressful days of packing. We were really touched, however, by the invitations as they came from unexpected sources: the parents of Eva's 4th-grade classmates; the parents of Owen's soccer team; and our next-door neighbors with whom we've been building relationship over the past three years.

the "despedida" with Eva's classmates and parents

In true Iquique fashion these "despedidas" (goodbye parties) were held late at night. One didn't start until after 10 p.m. and two ended after 1 o'clock in the morning! Even so we enjoyed the time to share with these families God has brought into our life and prayed for the opportunity to share our faith with them one last time. God answered through their questions! At one event, a father asked very pointed and curious questions about our church and ministry and future plans. We spent a long time talking about God's work and we continue to pray that He will send someone to water the seeds that were planted that night.

the "despedida" with Owen's soccer buddies and parents

Of course the final and most difficult goodbyes were with our colleagues and church family. On the 8th of January we spent our last Sunday this year with those God has given us the privilege to walk and worship beside here in Iquique. We realized some time ago that we still wanted to dedicate Ian and Alec to the Lord (something we did when our older kids were babies but had put on hold during the little boys' transition into our family.) It seemed fitting to do so with our brothers and sisters in Christ who had welcomed them home with us and witnessed their growth these past two years.

our precious children are on loan to us from God

Eva's teacher joined us at church for the first time on a Sunday morning, in order to witness Ian and Alec's dedication. It was very special to have her with us! After praying for our role as parents to our youngest little boys, Pastor Hugo asked the whole family to come up front for a time of prayer as we prepared for departure. I think this picture reflects a little of what the kids were feeling in that moment. Sadness, insecurity, some confusion. We trust and have shared with our children that God is going to use this year in an extraordinary way in their lives. They believe it because they believe us, but it is hard to see beyond what they know.

praying for our family and furlough

Later that afternoon I had a quiet moment with Owen. As a typical boy, he's not usually one to spill his feelings but when I brought up our flight to Santiago the next day he said: "I think I might cry." That simple, quiet admission brought tears to my eyes.

Thankfully, God has allowed us a special time of transition in our final week before flying to the States. We arrived yesterday to the welcoming arms of "the cousins" in Santiago and look forward to making some sweet memories with family before one last goodbye. This one will be brief because midway through next year, my sister and brother-in-law will be on furlough with their family as well! We will have the wonderful opportunity for some family moments with ALL of our family in 2012, and for that we are truly grateful.

Radio Silence

2012-01-06T10:05:00.003-03:00

three little goofballs

In telecommunications, radio silence is "a status in which all fixed or mobile radio stations in an area are asked to stop transmitting for safety or security reasons."

In the Garcias2Chile blogland, radio silence is "a status in which silence represents the opposite of itself, namely, chaos."

Well, maybe chaos is slightly too strong a word. But busy - really, really, really busy - that would work!

Most likely the blog will remain silent for a time as we are T-79 hours and counting until departure from Iquique.

Our days are spent sweating through final house preparation details and racing around town to pay bills, get vaccinations, locate important documents, secure notarized permissions, and coordinate with the realtor who is still seeking a renter. Our nights this week are dedicated to a number of last-minute invitations from friends and acquaintances who wanted to say goodbye and with whom we hope for a final opportunity to share Christ once again.

See you on the other side of "silence!" :)

Toddler Theology, Part Two

2012-01-02T11:21:00.001-03:00

This morning at church we sang a song with a refrain that says, "Por siempre Dios es fuerte, por siempre Dios es fiel, por siempre esta conmigo, por siempre y siempre, por siempre." The words are meaningful, praising God's strength, His faithfulness, His companionship.

As we finished singing, three-year old Alec turned around and asked, "Mommy, what "por siempre" means?" As I explained that "por siempre" means "forever," I thought it was so sweet that he was paying such close attention to the words. Then tonight as I found myself singing the refrain while putting the boys to bed, he inquired, "What means 'fuerte?'"

It's fascinating and beautiful to watch little minds at work. Little ears are listening to what is said and sung and taught around them. It's humbling and sometimes a little frightening, too!

Later as we finished our bedtime story (which included the aforementioned discussion of whether animals are good or bad) I remarked that in Heaven - or rather, the New Earth - all the animals will be very nice and people and animals will be at peace with each other. "I want go to Heaven," Alec declared. I assured him that I did, too, and that we can all go if we tell Jesus about the bad things we have done and ask Him to forgive us.

For context, it's important that I mention how Ian and Alec really seem to dislike the word "bad." The truth is we don't use that word most of the time (more often something like "naughty" instead.) But even if we are simply correcting one brother, the other will often try to intervene and interject, "Ian/Alec not a bad boy! He a good boy!"

In fact, this happened just prior to bedtime when I scolded Ian for an act of disobedience and Alec jumped in to defend his brother. At the time it seemed like another "great opportunity" to impart theological truth so I actually responded, "Well, Ian is a bad boy. And Mommy is often a bad girl. We are all bad many times. That's why Jesus died on the cross, for all the bad things we have done!"

I'm not really sure if that truth sunk in or not. But apparently the part about Heaven did! Because when it was Alec's turn to pray, he said thank you for many things but he especially said something along the lines of, "Thank you, I go be in Heaven. Amen."

Melt. My. Heart.

Little ears are listening ... am I watching what I'm saying??

Toddler Theology, Part One

2012-01-01T23:40:00.002-03:00

"Mommy, I can be handsome?"

I had just finished what I felt was an incredibly compelling re-telling of the Biblical story of David, from his humble beginnings as overlooked youngest son and brave shepherd boy, to his anointing as king of Israel. Ian and Alec had listened intently and interjected many of their own firmly-held beliefs such as, "No, the lion not bad! He a good boy!" (when I related how David killed the lion with his slingshot to protect the sheep.)

Now I had finally reached the culmination of the story, the part where Samuel examines each of David's older brothers and is duly impressed by how handsome or how strong they are, only to be told that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7.) With great fervor I reminded the boys that David was special because He loved God, because he obeyed God, because he wrote songs to God and talked to God. So God chose David because His heart was right!

It was then, as the story ended and silence fell and I felt somewhat proud of myself for taking the time to give this great lesson to my toddlers, that Alec looked down at his bare belly and asked: "Mommy, I can be handsome?"

When he asked that and looked at himself I immediately remembered an incident that happened a few days ago. I was drawing "portraits" of the boys for their amusement, and I drew Alec with shorts and a bare belly and a little circle for his belly button (he has a small umbilical hernia which looks like a larger-than-usual "outie.") When Alec saw the picture, he immediately said, "Mom-my! Please put a shirt on!" I mentioned it to Pedro and we chuckled, but then he remarked that he's noticed Alec has been very observant of other people's "innies" these days.

And then there was tonight. Apparently I got my dates wrong. I thought it was theology night, but it would seem I was scheduled for the self-esteem session instead!

The answer is, yes, my darling son, you can be handsome. And you certainly are to me.

(But obedient would be quite lovely, too!)

2012: The Great Adventure

2012-01-01T14:37:00.004-03:00

New Year's Day - January 1, 2012

I started out 2012 by driving my family crazy before church with a plea for the perfect picture. While perfection was not realized (we only got two shots, and one of those with a head cut off!) we did manage to all look at the camera simultaneously and the result is what you see above.

I wanted this picture to symbolize the new beginning we face as a family.

The year 2012 is, in my mind at least, the year of "The Great Adventure." Moving from one continent to another with five children ages 10 and under is nothing short of that, for sure! Add visiting 20+ churches in as many weeks at the outset of the year as well as homeschooling for the very first time, and I don't think I exaggerate when I say we've got a lot of "excitement" in store. :)

My prayer for 2012 is that this "Great Adventure" will deepen our faith and strengthen our family in ways we cannot even anticipate.

I pray that the enforced proximity of furlough travel will bond our family together rather than tear us apart ... that hearing Daddy and Mommy repeat stories of God's work over and over again will build confidence rather than boredom ... that hours spent in homeschooling will reveal my children's hearts, their strengths and needs, in new ways to us.

I also pray that God will work in my own heart, to renew my faith and my fervor; to grow in me a greater love for my Savior; and to be strengthened and matured to minister more effectively to my family and to others.

I'm ready to saddle my horse!

Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure

We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams

Yeah... oh saddle up your horses... come on get ready to ride

(-from The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman)

Reading Update: 2011 Book List

2011-12-31T12:29:00.004-03:00

In an effort to continue a practice I began last year, I am posting a list of books read in the year 2011. Unfortunately, I was only able to post a full "book report" on about half of these although most if not all deserved one!

1. Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

2. Women First, Family Always by Kathryn Samsone

3. The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias

4. Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

5. Toddler Adoption by Mary Hopkins-Best

6. Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers

7. Twenty Things ... by Sherrie Eldridge

8. The Wild-Bird Child by Derick Bingham

9. Here Burns My Candle & Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs
These two novels are set against the backdrop of 18th-century Scotland, yet serve as a "modern" retelling of the Biblical story of Ruth. Truthfully, it wasn't until the second book that I realized this but I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. I especially appreciated the exploration of the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. Surely there was a great deal of depth and growth in the Biblical women's relationship that we never really consider, and it was intriguing to do so through these well-written Christian novels and fictional characters.
10. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
I was skeptical going into this book, the story of an almost 4-year old boy's memories of Heaven following life-threatening illness and surgery. Yet I found it very thought-provoking and well worth the time to read and consider. I appreciated the humble way it was written and presented by the boy's father who is the pastor of a small Wesleyan church.
11. Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Coincidentally I have also been reading this comprehensive volume based on years of study by the author, which seeks to provide a thoroughly Biblical answer to questions about Heaven. I've not yet finished it but it has certainly opened my eyes and my heart to a picture of eternity with Christ that is far greater and more beautiful that I had previously imagined.
12. A Praying Life by Donald Miller
This book which I am still in the process of reading, has touched my heart deeply as it reminds me that prayer is ultimately about my relationship with the One to whom I pray. It is sensitively written and gently woos the reader towards a changed understanding of what prayer truly should be.

Reflecting on Christmas Morning 2011

2011-12-26T11:24:00.000-03:00

It wasn't the Christmas I would have dreamed.

Instead it was the Christmas where the best of intentions collided with the reality of our countdown to departure, causing the days of December to hurtle forward like an out-of-control tumbleweed across a vast and open plain.

It was the Christmas of a tree without tinsel or lights. There were "Jesse tree" ornaments but no nightly stories were told. There were no carols on the darkened beach on Christmas Eve. There were no stockings on Christmas morning.

Instead, there were half-packed boxes and a busy momma with much too much craziness going on. There was hot, sticky weather and patience that quickly frayed around the edges. There was a broken-down van that after two months of labor was returned still broken on Christmas Eve. There were siblings at odd with siblings and a mommy whose frustration over the van situation spilled over in her voice so that a little three year old piped up, "Mommy, why you fighting with Daddy?" Finally there was a self-enforced timeout that led to the shedding of pent-up tears.

Yet somehow, in the midst of it all, there was still grace.

There was grace when on Christmas Eve we gathered around and the Christmas story was read. There was grace when I gazed at all five of my children side by side and realized it was only our second Christmas all together. When carols were sung on faded couches and favorite memories were shared along with hopes for the coming year ... When Daddy took five frantic kids to the beach Christmas Eve morning and when he played card games with them on Christmas Day... And when childish excitement seemed undimmed despite the seeming simplicity of this year, there was grace.

My heart was full when our daughter took time to write a sweet note just to say "I love you" ...

And when her baby brother grabbed on to join the hugging with the biggest of smiles on his face ...

When even the simple things brought cheers and gladness from little boys ...

And when new suitcases envisioned the promise of near-future plans.

Especially when I sat quietly and observed as five siblings played sweetly for long moments together, sharing with and helping one another in comfortable camaraderie, I realized I had been given a gift I did not deserve this Christmas.

First of all, the gift of family ... one that I love and that loves me, even when I am least loveable.

And most of all, the gift of faith ... one I remembered as I sat with my daughters in a softly-lit room and watched the story of the Baby's birth, in awe once again at God's incredible plan set into motion and celebrated each Christmas.

Thank you, Lord, for grace ... thank you, Lord, for Christmas.

Merry Christmas 2011 from the 'Fab Five'

2011-12-25T23:59:00.000-03:00

all smiles on Christmas morning

Eva, age 10

Isabel, age 9

Owen, age 6

Ian, age 4

Alec, age 3

The Thyng Family :: Love

2011-12-25T09:43:00.002-03:00

A young missionary mom whose beloved son went to Heaven a few years ago, reflects this morning on God's gift of His Son to us. It is a post well worth taking the time to read this Christmas.

Love

The Nativity Story

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000-03:00

For the second year, we watched this movie with our girls on Christmas Eve. I love that this film tries very hard to focus on the historic reality of a story that - while beautiful and awesome in its prophetic fulfillment and eternal implications - must have also been frightening and gritty for its main characters at the time. I especially appreciate the way it causes the viewer to consider the tender new relationship between Mary and Joseph and the way their difficult journey must have bonded them in a special way. Most of all, I am reminded of the incredible, counter-cultural way God chose to bring His Son into this world. Truly He is the Author of the greatest Story of all.

The "Carros" Have Come to Town

2011-12-20T18:37:00.000-03:00

I doubt there are many places more festive than Iquique come the month of December. No sooner does the calendar page turn to this final month of the year, than colorful floats and caravans of cars begin to appear on the city streets. As I mentioned in a post written our first year in Iquique, these "carros alegoricos" are a long-standing and well-loved tradition.

a "carro alegorico" visited our home this year

According to Wikipedia, the tradition began in the 1960's when a pair of Post Office employees took the company van around to the homes of Post Office workers and delivered Christmas gifts to their children. One of the men dressed up as Santa Claus and in the simple, unadorned van deliveries were made on Christmas Eve.

Alec grinning with the guy in the big white beard

Eventually the fisheries joined the tradition. For a period of around twenty years the fishing industry was "king" in the city of Iquique. It was even called "The Era of the Smell of Dollars," and in an attempt to out-do one another the fishing companies decorated their carros bigger and better every year. Live bands would play Christmas music and it was an exciting time.

Isabel with "Santa" and his warm-weather reindeer

And so the tradition has continued until the present day. Only now instead of two men in a truck, dozens of volunteers pile into cars and traverse the cities of Iquique and Alto Hospicio bearing gifts. Today the biggest participants are the mining companies which funnel incredible amounts of money into this coastal town. The excitement among the children of Iquique is palpable as their ears seem attuned to the sounds of approaching "Pascueros" as the caravans are often called. ("Pascuero" is the name often used for Santa Claus, who is a fixture on each one.)

Owen receiving his gift

For their part, our kids have enjoyed this tradition secondhand as they run to the gate to catch candy and giggle along with their neighborhood friends when the carros pass by. But this year the opportunity was offered to have a caravan come to our house with volunteers from the Diviertete program of the Teleton. We decided it would be fun to allow our kids this unexpected surprise, so we purchased gifts and delivered them to the volunteers prior to their visit. Only Eva was in on the secret, and the others were definitely startled to see the cars stop at our house and familiar faces appearing at our door!

Eva smiling happily for her picture

We're not ones to let Santa Claus take the credit, so we let our kids know that the gifts were really from Mommy and Daddy (through God's generous provision!) But we made sure they also understood and appreciated the kindness of their friends from the Teleton who organized this special surprise just for them. It was a treat that I'm sure they will remember even when we next celebrate Christmas in the land of the winter wonderland. :)

To Eva, Isabel and Owen

2011-12-19T10:10:00.004-03:00

Owen, Isabel, Eva and "Cheese" - December 2012

Dear Eva, Isabel and Owen:

I hope you know how proud we are of you. I know we say it every year when school is finally over, but we really do mean it! We admire your courage as you navigate a school system in a different country and language. We value the relationships you have built and more importantly, the testimony you have given for Jesus. We respect how easy you make it all seem most of the time. And yet we appreciate that at other times, it may not be easy at all - but still you step out each day with a smile.

This year you have continued to learn and grow and bring home your crazy stories that make us laugh and shake our heads (and occasionally wince just a little bit!) You have opened doors for conversations and relationships with parents and teachers in ways you don't even realize, but which God is using for His glory. You are not just the "kids of missionaries" but you are "Kid Missionaries" and that is the greatest adventure of all!

We love you so very, very much and look forward to all that God has in store for our family next year on furlough. It will be a brand-new adventure, and we would not want to share it with anyone but YOU.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy
December 19, 2011

Worth the Effort

2011-12-16T21:57:00.000-03:00

Owen smiling proudly on the awards platform

It's becoming a Garcia tradition. Every year for the past three years (see 2009 & 2010), one or more of our children have been honored at the year-end school program with an award for excellent effort.

This year was extra-special.

Not because of the award itself (in fact, Owen lamented that he received "only" a diploma and not a gift like the girls did in previous years.) And certainly not because of the program (which was left stranded due to a power outage.)

But because this year was also extra-tough.

yes, that's his sister's sweater but no, he didn't seem to mind :)

Not long into the school year we met with Owen's first-grade teacher privately. She had been summoning each family one by one, so we didn't think too much of it. But we left that meeting startled and appalled by her ultimatum that our darling son needed to get his act together, or else see the psychologist for his unruly behavior. Say whaaaat??? He had only just turned six years old after the beginning of school (per the Chilean educational calendar) and we knew he had lots of energy but there had never been a behavioral problem with him at school before.

I'm pretty sure my exact words in response to her suggestion about the psychologist- spoken privately to my husband after the meeting - was "Over. My. Dead. Body!" Only when I discovered that almost every other family in the class had been told the same thing about their child did I breathe a little easier, but still it really hurt my mommy-heart to have my little boy categorized in that manner mere weeks into his elementary school career.

who could resist that smile?

As it turned out, after mid-year break Owen's class returned to school to find that their teacher was leaving. No explanation was given other than "personal reasons." The student teacher who first semester did his practicum with the class was left in charge of the day to day operations, with a lead teacher overseeing Owen's class and another class simultaneously. While the kids and parents loved the student teacher, he wasn't given full authority and he did have a challenging class (about 2/3 very energetic boys!) There were other incidences throughout the semester and on more than one occasion we were on the brink of pulling Owen out and commencing home school.

Unfortunately, our son wasn't the only student who suffered through all the changes and difficulties of the year. While we were largely unaware of other dramas taking place, recently we learned that one family actually withdrew their son due to an ongoing problem with another classmate. Apparently when the mother of the one child spoke to the father of the other regarding his son's hitting tendencies, the latter went to the police and filed a harassment complaint against her. Crazy!

Owen was eagerly reading his diploma from the moment it touched his hands

At the end of every school year, we are so proud of our kids. We know it isn't easy being the only foreigners in the mix. We also know it isn't easy being (almost) the only Christians in the bunch.

And this year, we know for certain that it wasn't easy being a first-grader in Owen's class. But he did it. Owen was even voted "best classmate" this year by his peers! We thank God for bringing him through the year, and for rewarding him with this special honor.

We love you, Owen Santiago Garcia!

Didn't I Say It's a Crazy Life?

2011-12-13T11:25:00.009-03:00

Bullet point for posterity's sake - events of Monday, December 12, 2011:

6:30 AM and the first day of the last week of school
Start the day with a chat about how it's not acceptable find Mommy's things in someone's school bag without permission
Nudge the first three out the door with Daddy
Drink Pedro's good coffee while trying to read Ephesians 1
Get distracted by thoughts of my to-do list
Pray for focus and read the chapter again
Get distracted again
Pray again ... read again ... and repeat
Pedro welcomes neighbor for their discipleship time
Feed and clothe the two little boys
Pedro heads to the mechanic who promised to have our van ready TODAY after two months
Pedro comes home from the mechanic who says "come back Wednesday"
E-mails ... to the translator handling our boys' Haitian paperwork, to the organization searching for a furlough vehicle for us, to the Delaware adoption board seeking help with re-adoption questions, to the court clerk apologizing that our agency sent our questions again after he'd explained he was not allowed to assist with them
Tentatively start Nov/Dec prayer letter ... get as far as the greeting
Shop online for car seats to get into the hands of my parents for their airport run in ONE MORE MONTH (surreal)
Call my dad in Delaware to share details of the purchase, our flights, and other
Pedro leaves to take colleague out for breakfast
Phone rings - the school is calling to say Isabel has injured herself in a fall
I call Pedro who goes to school with colleague and brings Isabel home
Pedro takes colleague home then return to hand off car so I can take Isabel to the ER
First ER doesn't have traumatologist on hand, go to second ER
Coordinate via phone to have teacher bring Eva and Owen home from school
Excellent care at second ER, x-rays, etc. - instructions for ice and rest for black eye and swollen cheekbone
Receive call from Pedro that Isabel has 3:30 PM appointment at the Teleton (down the street)
Hang out for an hour with Teleton volunteers and eat grocery store food for lunch
Complete appointment, head home, rest briefly, back out to pharmacy and grocery store
Return, throw chicken sticks in the oven for kids
Parenting moment, sit down with Daddy and child over a troubling issue, tears
Manage to serve dinner among more tears and high emotions, girls say they will miss their friends
Daddy handles bedtime routine while I return call from sweet lady in Delaware who is willing to answer my international re-adoption questions (hooray!)
It's 9:20 PM, go pick up babysitter
Wonder who had the great idea of going out on "Iquique time," then remember there was no other time and we are officially on furlough "countdown" (eek!)
Eat dinner out with friends/neighbors/"discipl-ees" we won't see again after next week
Home and fall exhausted into bed at 12:30 AM

Thank You, Lord, for getting us through another day ...

Reading Update: The Wild-Bird Child

2011-12-12T08:35:00.000-03:00

The Wild-Bird Child: A Life of Amy Carmichael
by Derick Bingham

One of my mom's real-life heroes is Amy Carmichael. Books have been written by and about this great missionary woman, and my mom has collected many of them. Recently she let me borrow a 2003 biography written by a pastor in Amy Carmichael's home county in Ireland and based upon Amy's original letters. It was a fascinating read, one which reflects not only Amy's passion to reach others for Christ but also the courageous lengths to which she would go to defend even "the least of these."

What I knew from missionaries stories I had heard as a girl was that Amy Carmichael prayed for blue eyes, but God gave her brown. This was in order that she might also one day stain her skin with coffee and pass as a native in her mission field of India, where she rescued unwanted babies from death.

What I didn't know from those simplified stories was that in truth Amy was rescuing little girls from a horrific religious custom of the day in which children were "married to gods" and enslaved to a life of prostitution behind temple walls. I didn't know the depth of her courage and willingness to face the fiercest opposition and dangers for the cause of Christ and on behalf of those who were unable to protect themselves. I also didn't know that her service for God began long before her ministry in India when as a young woman in her own country she reached out to the "Shawlies," impoverished women who worked for the huge linen mills of that time and were looked down upon by society.

Amy Carmichael was one woman who touched the lives of hundreds of thousands in both word and deed. She was a gifted and prolific poet and writer. Her heart was for the children God had brought into her care, and for the lost without Christ. She once arranged a meeting with the most famous outlaw in South India in order to share the gospel with him! Some called her a "dictator," yet she was self-effacing and humble, and well loved by those who knew her best.

Amy Carmichael was known for a deep dependence on faith and prayer, and a high standard for godliness. Her life story stirred me to greater conviction and caused me to examine my own walk. The poem below is one which I want to remember and take to heart.

What is Discipline?
by Amy Carmichael

When I refuse the easy thing for love of my dear Lord,
And when I choose the hardest thing for love of my dear Lord,
And do not make a fuss or speak a grumbling word:
That is discipline.

When everything seems going wrong and yet I will not grouse,
When it is hot, and I am tired, and yet I will not grouse,
But sing a song and do my work, and yet I will not grouse,
But sing a song and do my work in school and in the house:
That is discipline.

When Satan whispers 'Scamp your work,' -
To say to him, "I won't."
When Satan whispers 'Slack a bit,' - to say to him, "I won't."
To rule myself and not to wait for others' "Do" and "Don't":
That is discipline.

When I look up and triumph over every selfish thing,
The things that no one knows about - the cowardly, selfish thing;
And when with heart and will I live to please my glorious King:
That is discipline.

To trample on that curious thing inside me that says 'I';
To think of others always - never, never of that 'I';
To learn to live all to my Saviour's word, 'Deny':
That is discipline.

In her final years of life Amy was confined to bed but still ministered through the written word. During this time she wrote books and in addition she kept a box, to be opened after her death, in which were hundreds of letters written to individuals in her life. She took the time to encourage each person in the Lord and share what they meant to her. Hers is truly a testimony of faithfulness to the end!

Reading Update: Twenty Things

2011-12-10T08:12:00.000-03:00

Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
by Sherrie Eldridge

It was required reading several years ago while pursuing one of our adoptions. I picked it up, skimmed it, put it down. And then repeated this scenario numerous times over the years. This book isn't an "easy" read; it isn't for the most part enjoyable. Yet having finally completed it from cover to cover I can say with certainty that any parent who has experienced the blessing of adoption needs to accept the responsibility of reading what Sherrie has to say.

While not every scenario will apply to every child and family, I am positive that one or two (or more) will someday appear, even if only for a season. It has been almost eleven years since we received our first beautiful child through adoption and five kids later, I can attest that adoption issues and conversations ebb and flow through our family life. Occasionally there is a peak where our children really need to talk some things out. This book helps us as parents to be sensitive to those times, be aware of the signals, and better prepared to know what to say.

Just as an example, we have personally found number seven of the "Twenty Things" to be very important. It simply states, "I want you to take the initiative in opening conversations about my birth family." Just prior to this, number six is, "Just because I don't talk about my birth family doesn't mean that I don't think about them." As I've mentioned in prior posts, adoption conversations happen when we least expect them! But there are other times when we can take the lead and help our children feel free to verbalize what they are feeling inside.

The one thing I would add is that while I believe as wise and caring parents we need to educate ourselves about these possible needs, as Christian parents we need to remind our kids that any special need - be it related to adoption or otherwise - does not define them. My prayer has always been that my children will not find their identity in their adoption stories, nor in their MK experience, nor being part of a transracial family (though all of these will influence who they become) but that they will find their true identity as children of God through salvation in Jesus Christ.

Happy 4th Birthday to Ian

2011-12-09T08:00:00.001-03:00

the birthday boy: Ian, turning 4

Growing up in Chile, Ian will always have the distinct privilege of having a holiday on the eve of his birthday! We took advantage of this on Thursday as we invited two families to join us for a meal and celebration of his special day. Both families are new friends and fellow ex-pats here in Iquique.

Ian and Simon have birthdays two days apart

Jenny-Lyn and her husband Peter hail from Canada and came to Iquique for his work at an area mine. They have two little boys at home, Matthew (age 5) and Simon (who turned 4 on Wednesday.) The Hunters, Aaron and Francis, very recently arrived to Iquique and are burdened for church planting. They have a sweet little 2 1/2 year old son, Ezra.

eight little kids and one big "kid" around the birthday cake

Birthdays for my Haitian sons always strike a special chord with me because of the special delight they find in them. Birthday celebrations were a bright spot in their lives while in Haiti, and they brought that enjoyment home with them! I love seeing their eyes sparkle and witnessing their anticipation - and in today's case, Alec's support for Ian despite his initial disappointment that it wasn't his birthday, too. (He rallied and made sure to inform all of our guest that today was "Ian's birthday!" and even handled present time like a little champ.)

excited onlookers at gift-opening time

Maybe the highlight of the day for Ian was learning that being four years old means pre-school in the fall! He is getting so big and tall, and today he acted every inch of his new age. He welcomed his guests graciously and ate two heaping plates of food and for the most part didn't fight over toys and waited patiently for present time. He even generously allowed his siblings to handle his new gifts and play with them!

Ian had lots of eager help for unwrapping gifts

Ian's 3rd birthday was his first at home - I wrote about it here. And we did do a joint celebration for the boys' first birthday in Haiti - that post is here. The poem below is one I wrote in December 2008 as Ian's first birthday approached. I am so thankful that God has given us some special birthdays together since then, and I pray He gives us a lifetime more!

We love you, Ian David Garcia!

back row: Francis, Aaron, Pedro, Jenny-Lyn
middle row: birthday boy Ian with brother Alec
front row: Isabel, Matthew, Eva, Owen, Ezra, Simon

First Birthday: Ian

A special day is on its way:

The day you came to be.

When you were born on a Haitian morn

In that land across the sea.

What I would do to be with you

On this very special day!

While miles apart, you’re in my heart

And so I want to say:

Ian, my son, my precious one –

Your life was meant to be.

God knit your frame and knew your name,

He holds your destiny.

May this day be filled with blessing; still,

I wish I could do more

To show you there how much we care,

And the hope we have in store.

But for today I can only say

Happy Birthday, cherished son.

We send our love through the Father above

Until, finally! – this wait is done.

- shg 12.06.08

Just What the Doctor Ordered

2011-12-08T08:15:00.001-03:00

sunset over the Pacific at Playa Cavancha

Last month, we took a break from the craziness to spend an evening at the beach at Playa Cavancha. We were far from alone, as summer tourist season seems to have sprung upon us without warning and the surfers were wrapping up their time on the waves. Even so we managed to squeeze into a spot on the sand and the little boys wasted no time getting their toes wet in the water. They've come a long way since last year where they fled the waves in fear. Now they embrace them with gusto! :)

dancing at the edge of the waves

hugging the wet sand

Mommy's least favorite part of the beach experience is all the SAND. But what can you do? That's when I'm thankful over half of our family is male with short hair. Eventually Daddy took the boys to the showers where they were able to see the surfer dudes up close and personal as they all rinsed down together. Just part of the adventure, I guess!

Ian's sandy grin

Alec's sandy everything!

community showers for the beach crowd

After some rinsing off, Daddy escorted two shivering little boys back to our blanket. I double-wrapped Ian and Alec in towels since their older siblings were not yet ready to call it quits! They were pretty content to watch their sisters in the waves and their big brother Owen playing soccer with Daddy.

rinsed off (and getting sandy feet again!)

snug as two bugs in a rug (or towel)

Owen loves, loves, loves soccer these days. He begs to play with Daddy or with friends just about every day, even though throughout the year he already had practice on Wednesday and Fridays and games on Saturdays! (Soccer season has now sadly ended.)

doing the soccer pose

I filmed some short videos of their father-son soccer game and liked this one (below) because it proves both father and son have some fancy footwork! Also, Owen's celebratory routine makes me smile. I thank God for this healthy, happy little boy.

The girls seemed oblivious to the fading sunshine and the cold water as they continued splashing in the waves! It really was a beautiful night, and I caught a few seconds on video of these two lovely mermaids enjoying the Pacific Ocean together:

I look at these pictures and can hardly believe how our daughters have grown up in front of our very eyes these past three years in Iquique (4 1/2 years in Chile.) I love having daughters and I love having sons, both for very different reasons. I love my daughters because there is a special connection when we have "girl time" and they spill out their stories of friendship woes and ask me about the way their bodies are changing and share their dreams for the future.

On this particular night, it was just sweet to watch Eva and Isabel enjoying each other's company. They are such different personalities and on some days as they say, "water and oil don't mix!" But this evening they were on the same page and I loved being there to see it.

Eva, wet and salty but happy

Isabel, tired but still smiling

Eventually it was time to wrap things up for the night and we traipsed our tired tribe back to the warmth of our little blue car. Immediately hunger pangs broke out so we decided to visit the sandwich shop of a couple from church. It was our first experience with their delicious sandwiches and completos and they treated us like royalty! What a perfect ending to a wonderful night. We will miss the luxury of impromptu beach outings when we say goodbye to Iquique for awhile ... but know there are many more family memories to be made and enjoyed.

just the girls: Isabel, Eva & Mommy

It's a Crazy Life

2011-12-06T21:05:00.006-03:00

I am writing this simply to record a day in our crazy life. There is no deeper purpose and mainly I am writing for myself. Because someday I will look back and smile and say, oh yeah, I remember that! and recall that by God's grace we made it through.

Alarm at 6:30 a.m. ... hit the snooze once, twice. We are spending our nights on the semi-comfortable futon which Pedro hauled from the first floor to the third a few days ago. It's just a tad small after being accustomed to a queen-size bed, and the denim has a way of absorbing and then radiating back our bodies' heat. But with windows opened and the fan blowing, we manage to sleep soundly anyway.

Shower, check book bags, put out snacks ... kids out the door with Pedro at ten minutes before 8:00 a.m. Drink coffee, pray briefly, hubby comes home and I leave.

At 8:30 a.m I join three other ladies for prayer at church. We pray specifically for our families, the temptations our church teens are facing, the church building project we are asking from the Lord. Just within our small group we carry burdens of wayward children, upcoming moves, serious health scares. Praying together we cast our cares upon the Lord, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7.)

We share tea and fresh bread with avocado until 10:20 a.m. The ladies are concerned about our van, which has been at the mechanic's for nearly two months without a successful repair. They ask me every week, and this time I suggest going together to meet with the owner who continually puts off my patient husband. Two of us go and he sputters one excuse after another as I stare at the belt looped in half and the screws lined up on my windshield and frustration at the ineptitude and dishonesty wells up in me.

Parting ways, I head home after a cell phone update to my husband which includes an insistence to find a tow truck and new repair shop! He calls around, nothing is for sure available, a mechanic friend agrees to go back to the shop with him in the evening. Pedro kindly succumbs to the little boys' pleading and takes them with him downtown to pay bills after I arrive home.

In the brief moments of quiet my mom calls. She listens to my harried accounts and frustrations, and shares news from home. Someone has died, someone else seriously ill, my dear pastor dad always faithfully there with each need. We talk furlough and Christmas and count the days until we arrive with the grandkids on her doorstep. Soon!

It 1:00 p.m., we end our conversation which has reminded me to look up the guidelines for re-adoption in the state of Delaware as we will need to begin this process literally upon arrival in January. I find a phone number, call the courthouse in Wilmington (yay for Vonage) and soon an e-mail is sent to me. Put the attachment on a pendrive, head upstairs to the currently internet-less computer and begin typing the required documents. Realize I need birth certificates, adoption decrees, wonder what this French word means?? Pedro comes home and searches it on the laptop downstairs. Add to the list, we must have these documents translated to English before we submit them to the courthouse. Remember the scanner is currently unavailable since we moved the office from the first floor to the third. Add that to the list, too.

And at 2:00 it's time to pick up the kids from school, Pedro needs to pick up some computer cables from a friend at the Zofri and I need to get a couple of Christmas gifts I had scouted out earlier. We pile into the hot car with the little boys (the car with a/c is the one in the shop) and collect kids 1, 2 and 3 at school. Head down the Costanera and get stopped in the blistering sun while the carabinero waves through traffic being re-routed from the opposite direction. Stop at Jean Paul and Leticia's sandwich shop to drop off church invitation and she insists on making hotdogs and churrasco at lightning speed for our hungry family to eat in the car. Yummy!

At the Zofri, Pedro gets his cable and also two free one-hour game cards for Happyland. We call it an early birthday celebration for Ian and the kids go crazy for sixty minutes. Alec attracts a stalker mom who keeps trying to call him over and gives him a smooch on the lips when my back is turned. I intervene and make clear that lip kisses are for family only and point out that she is, after all, a stranger and she would certainly not want me to touch and kiss her kids without permission no matter how cute they may seem! Grr. After play time runs out, all tickets go to buying a "present" for Ian which results in two cheap plastic pirate men and two cheap plastic basketball guys, but he's happy. We splurge on frozen yogurt with blended fruit, two big tubs for the seven of us to share.

It's around 5:00 p.m., the kids and Pedro head one way and I go another to pick up the Christmas gifts. Finally we reunite at the car and head home. Everyone is hot and tired and thirsty and we forgot Martha was coming and she forgot her key and has been waiting outside in the sun for over an hour. In the chaotic spilling out of the car and into the kitchen and everyone wants this and everyone wants that, our friend arrives to go with Pedro to the car shop. The little boys are whining and fighting, a neighbor stops by at the gate, Owen and Eva bicker over table space, and I just have to take a minute to stumble through boxes and bags to my third-floor hideout for some calming breaths.

Dinner, let's make it quick, got some pasta, veggies, mix it all together and call it good. Feed the kids, send the girls to showers, Daddy does bedtime and Mommy tries to organize paper chaos on the dining room table. The packing shuffle has both girls sharing a bed which ends in either uncontrollable laughing or endless fighting every night, and tonight it is the latter. There's scolding, tears and consequences, it's 8:30 p.m. and time for Pedro's pastoral meeting. Then it's 9:30 p.m. and the phone keeps ringing and I don't want to answer but then it's my cell and must be important. Another mom from school calling to ask if I've reviewed the 4th grade math test and how did my daughter do and several of the parents are going in to talk to the teacher because the test covered content we weren't required to study and she's giving the test over to some students and others not, and that isn't fair. Sigh. Can this school year just be over already?

Now it's 10:10 p.m. and I've written about Alec's kissing incident on Facebook and received the comforting computerized comments of friends and almost finished this post. Pedro is still not home and probably won't be until midnight because that's just how things roll in Iquique. So I think I'll hunker down with "Heaven is for Real," the book I've been loaned and began skeptically but now am really enjoying.

Because frankly, on crazy days like this one ... I am more thankful than ever that Heaven is for real and that this old world is not my home. I'm just a-passing through, but I want to leave with many others in tow. Which means an attitude check after today, a round of hugs and kisses on my family's necks in the morning, and starting over with thanksgiving for God's grace and His Word and His faithfulness even when I am falling apart. Amen!

10:26 edit, Pedro just called and he is coming home! Will wonders never cease. And he is bringing home the bacon, I mean, the Spanish sandwich from his favorite late-night joint. Hooray for ending the day with my hubby. :)

Diviértete Teleton

2011-12-04T23:37:00.000-03:00

Isabel with one of her "tias" from the Diviertete program

Not all of Isabel's experiences with the Teleton have revolved around therapy. In fact, I think that is one of the characteristics which sets the organization apart. Their interest in the patients goes beyond the physical and encompasses the children's emotional well-being also.

Early this year, Isabel was invited to join a small group of patients who would meet three Saturdays a month for the sole purpose of having fun. Hence the name, "Diviertete!" The young adult volunteers who accompanied the children were all college students studying various majors, including education, psychology and nursing. At no cost to the patients or their families (the Teleton does not charge for services, including therapies) this group of children was able to go kayaking, visit area museums, picnic on the beach, take tennis lessons, ride a fire truck, and roar around the block on motorcycles, among many other outings.

The pictures below were taken by the volunteers and shared with parents via a private Facebook group. I finally figured out how to join and was so happy to see my daughter's smiling face and get a better idea of all the enjoyable moments she had experienced this year! I especially love the group photos which are a beautiful reminder that no matter the shape, size, or physical limitations we are all precious and important in God's sight.

For the record, the televised Teleton surpassed its goal last night. With 21,735,065,277.00 pesos raised - which translates to over 42 million US dollars - the organization will continue to care for special children across the nation and open new centers in the coming months. What a wonderful reason to celebrate!

at Aventuras Amazonas, a walk-through mini-aquarium

boat ride through Iquique's harbor (Isabel last row, left)

kids' movie and popcorn fun

at the Air Force tennis courts

reptile exhibit at the Zofri mall

at the mall for "Dia del Nino"

snack time at the Zofri food court

flying kites on the beach

kayaking at Playa Cavancha

taking turns riding with the "motocicleros"

Isabel looking brave on the back of a bike

volunteers and children of the Diviertete program

The Time Has Arrived

2011-12-03T00:15:00.007-03:00

Every year since 1978 (with the exception of election years) the first week of December holds an event that transfixes Chileans throughout the entire country and around the world. Through a 27-hour live transmission, funding is raised to support the rehabilitation centers of the Fundacion Teleton. These centers provide excellent care to children with developmental disabilities in ten Chilean cities, with four additional centers currently under construction.

Iquique center of the Teleton

As I have mentioned in many posts, the Iquique center of the Teleton has been a great blessing to our family during the past 2 1/2 years as our daughter Isabel has been a patient there. Although currently Isabel attends only for pool therapy, she has in the past received occupational therapy, speech therapy, hippotherapy, and physical therapy.

Most recently, Isabel was invited to participate in a special opportunity to play violin with the newly-formed Teleton orchestra in Iquique. She has stayed very busy the past couple of weeks leading to this weekend's campaign, as her orchestra played in the main plaza downtown as well as in a historic museum. Saturday they will play once again at the closing festivities for the campaign held at our branch of the Teleton.

But she hasn't stopped there. When I suggested that perhaps her class could raise funds to contribute to this year's campaign, she jumped at the chance to promote this and happily took in our homemade jar to be filled by her classmates. She even promised them her mom's homemade American brownies once it was filled! Sure enough, the cash began to pour in and the kids even took the initiative to carry their jar out to parents at the close of the school day to request donations. :)

Isabel's teacher, Profesora Tania, was receptive to the idea of taking the kids to the Teleton center for a field trip so they could better understand what this was all about. As she is the head teacher for both Isabel's class and Owen's, I had the chance to be a parent chaperone for two of my kids last week. There was a moment of panic when we arrived at the door and realization hit that both the teacher and I thought the other had confirmed the date of our visit, but neither of us had! Thankfully because Isabel is well known and loved, we were allowed to slip in nonetheless and it was a great visit.

Owen's class (1st grade)

I can't say enough about how warm and welcoming the therapists are with their patients. One in particular, Tia Loreto, has worked with Isabel since she arrived in April 2009. She has been to our home and even came to witness Isabel's baptism earlier this year. She has a heart of gold for her patients and makes each one feel special.

Isabel's class (3rd grade)

The topic of the Teleton has been a delicate and often emotional one for Isabel this year. Each Tuesday she leaves school half an hour early for pool therapy, and this often translates into comments and questions from her peers. I was reminded even during our visit to the center that politically correct terminology hasn't quite arrived in Chile just yet, as I heard terms such as "different" and "discapacitated" rather than "special" or "special needs." Perhaps as a result of this Isabel has struggled with mixed emotions about being a patient there. She loves the therapists, appreciates their kindness, and even talks of becoming a therapist herself ... but she is often sad and uncomfortable with being considered different from her peers.

She was so excited about this field trip but when we arrived back at school and it was just the two of us talking with her teacher, she dissolved into tears. My heart fell and I was sure she had been hurt rather than helped by the experience. It wasn't until after school that she explained to me, "I felt so happy that they (her classmates) got to see it ... I don't know why I cried!"

I love our precious, special and unique girl.

¿Por qué Chile?

2011-12-02T11:21:00.000-03:00

Recently I was fascinated by this blog written over the past year by an Australian family with two young daughters who came to Chile for a year of adventure ... they purposely arrived with no previous arrangements made and spoke almost no Spanish, but managed to find housing, work, schooling, and friends during their time in Valparaiso. Someday when you have time to relax and read, I recommend it! The stories are entertaining and the photographs are gorgeous!

¿Por qué Chile?

The "Fab Five" Say Hi

2011-11-27T17:00:00.001-03:00

Sunday morning, 11/27/11

Thankful

2011-11-26T13:14:00.001-03:00

-written on Thanksgiving Night-

Today is Thanksgiving. For us it has been a full day, though not in the traditional sense of a Thanksgiving holiday. (That could be because in Chile, Thanksgiving isn't a holiday!)

Our three older kids went off to school this morning as usual. The little boys made us laugh with their high chair antics surrounding hard-boiled eggs at breakfast. (Alec took off the shell then proceeded to cry out in character on behalf of his egg, "Where did my clothes go?!") Shortly before noon, we picked up the older kids early at school and headed to the eye doctor where five of us received an eye exam. By the time we were done it was lunch time, so we headed to our favorite pizza/pasta eatery for Thanksgiving "dinner."

As we sat around the tables - after they were rearranged for the second time by the waitress to accomodate our large family and keep us out of the way of other patrons - we discussed the things for which we are grateful. It was sweet that both girls immediately brought up our family. "I'm thankful that I have a good mom and dad, and brothers," Isabel said. (I reminded her to add her sister in there too!) Eva was also thankful for her family, and Owen was grateful for his new soccer shoes and the goal he made with them (a story for another day.) Ian and Alec weren't quite clear what we meant when we asked them what they were thankful for, so they both hesitantly mumbled a prayer instead!

I looked around the table and my heart was full of thanksgiving just to be together as a family. Certainly there were poignant moments throughout our day when we were reminded of other family members far away with whom we wished we could celebrate as well. Yet even in the impatient moments of the day (yes, there were those - specifically when Mommy took five over-tired children to the park for "fun!") and in the definitely non-traditional moments of the day, it was still a sweet blessing to look around at each face and give thanks for my husband and the five precious children God has given us together.

God also did something unexpected this Thanksgiving: one of those times when you realize only He could have orchestrated it, and it is His special gift to us. As we sat around our restaurant table at lunchtime, we happened to notice a couple with a young child at a table nearby. They were speaking English and presently the husband came over to greet us. Almost unbelievably it turned out that not only were we meeting fellow Americans away from home on Thanksgiving, but also fellow believers! We joined our tables and enjoyed a very precious meal of fellowship and new friendship together.

So while this Thanksgiving may have been different in every way, it was one that will be remembered with, well, thanksgiving. Thank You, Lord, for this special day!

National Adoption Month: Interview #2

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-03:00

I thought it would be neat to hear from personal friends who are in the midst of their own adoption journey(s) during this National Adoption Month. I first shared the picture below on our Haiti adoption blog in December 2008. The family represented is very dear to us! During our first 1 1/2 years in Chile, we worked with Pastor Cristian and his wife Betsy at their church in San Bernardo.

Their testimony and faith journey individually and as a couple is in a word - AMAZING. From having miracle twin daughters after being told children were a near impossibility; to God saving Betsy's life following a transplant surgery; to leaving behind financial security and years of investment in the secular workplace to plant a small church and serve God in full-time ministry. Now they are embarking on another journey of faith, one which is a human impossibility but believing that "with GOD all things are possible!" This is Betsy's story.

the Ormeño family: Chilean family pursuing adoption from Haiti

When I met the Garcias, they had three beautiful adopted children and were in the adoption process for their two Haitian sons. I had never been that close to a family with adopted children. Seeing happy and growing children and hearing how they arrived in their parents’ arms was always thrilling. Little by little I became interested in learning more about their future children in Haiti. Every time I was with them I wanted to know details. Every day something beautiful began to awake in my heart, the desire to adopt. I thought of the tremendous blessing this family had, but most of all about how beautiful it was to see these children enjoying a family that loved them. I thought of how God adopts us into His family through Jesus Christ and about the responsibility we have as Christians to care for those who are weak.

I have to confess it was Stephanie who unconsciously motivated me to decide to adopt. I thought that I wanted to have that blessing and after two pregnancy losses I decided, the path is adoption. Today I feel that this child has been born in my heart and also in the hearts of my two teenaged daughters and my husband.

We are dreaming about his arrival, we believe it is God’s will. Thanks to Stephanie’s experience we decided to contact a Chilean foundation which processes adoptions of Haitian children to Chile.

We wish for his homecoming, without doubt this child will bring much joy to our home and on the other hand God will allow my husband and I the possibility of making a new disciple of him. We dream of his coming and pray that God will continue to open doors as He has until now.
Sometimes I think that perhaps the experience of our family might challenge others, just as the Garcia family did for us.

National Adoption Month: Interview #1

2011-11-22T09:00:00.001-03:00

I thought it would be neat to hear from personal friends who are in the midst of their own adoption journey(s) during this National Adoption Month. I sent a list of questions to Brooke Wilkinson, who kindly responded and shared her family's story. Our paths crossed years ago in Michigan when our children attended pre-school together! During the early months of fundraising for Ian and Alec's adoption, Brooke's family purchased our Haiti to Home t-shirts and also sold our poetry books to help with the initial costs of the boys' adoption. I first posted about their family (along with the picture below) on our Haiti adoption blog in June 2008.

the Wilkinson family: pursuing domestic infant adoption (African American)

1) Tell me a little about your family.

Ryan and I have been married for 10 years. We have two sons, Steven who is 14 and Reagan who is 9. Our daughter, Ava is 6. I had Steven when I was 15, without getting into a whole side story LOL, Ryan adopted Steven when he was 6, we were hoping it would have been right after we got married, but with many bumps along the way it wasn't until then. I was raised with three younger brothers, and Ryan has one sister. Ryan's idea of having a family was two kids, mine was five, so we settled in the middle at three.

2) When did you first think about adoption?

Once Ava was one, we started talking about adoption. I always remember as a young girl playing with my babies, who were all different shades of color. To me, this was what my family would someday look like, without knowing at the time how that would be possible! Initially, I did all the research and would relay the findings onto Ryan, hoping he would be on board. Two things about Ryan and I, I am much more impulsive and figure no matter what the situation, self created or not, everything will be fine...Ryan on the other hand is very practical and reasons out how to get from point a to z in thought out steps. This is a good balance for the most part, but something that takes time to work through LOL.

So from that moment of researching, I became addicted to reading and learning and finding any scenario of adoption that I could, from all aspects of the equation.

3) What were some of your fears or concerns (if any?)

Finally, about this time last year, I approached Ryan about the possibility of seriously adopting and he being the engineer that he is could not reason out the financial difficulty an adoption would present. I really couldn't argue with that and in my mind I knew I could not let this come between us, his reasons were justified and so I decided even though I felt crushed, that I would no longer feed this desire. I decided to stop reading and involving myself with the world of adoption. Although during the whole 4 years of investigating, I would pray Lord, if this desire is not from you please take it from my heart. I cannot tell you that it ever lessened, because when Ryan was officially putting a stop to the whole idea, I was crushed, my heart hurt and I felt so confused about what the Lord was doing.

4) How did God answer those in your life?

Fast forward a couple of months to New Years Eve 2010, almost 2011! We were youth sponsors for our church at the time. We always have a New Years Eve lock-in. During that service, the youth pastor presented a challenge to the students and leaders. We were handed a post card type of paper, on one half it said a personal goal you are challenging God with and the other side said a goal for the youth group. I remember hearing him say "make it something you know only God can do, a mountain that will not move unless you rely on him." Halfheartedly, I wrote down that we would add to our family through adoption THIS YEAR. We put all of these into a locked mailbox and this year, 2012, would be opening it to see exactly where God moved. Ryan had no idea what I wrote down. Since the talk we had in the fall, adoption was no longer a conversation.

5) What finally led you to begin the adoption process?

We start each year with a fast. As we did the fast, I made the adoption a daily prayer, that Ryan's heart would be moved and he would be the one to present adoption for our family, if it was from God. It was the last week into the fast, it is the Daniel fast, so we do it for 21 days. During a Sunday night service our pastor talked about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. How his obedience, even though marching around the city to bring the walls down sounded crazy, his obedience was rewarded as the walls fell down. So at the end of the service each family sat together. Ryan, Steven and myself each prayed. Reagan and Ava were in their classrooms. As Ryan prayed he said "I believe the adventure God has for our family is adoption." This sounds terrible, but I was filled with excitement, like the realization that God "really" does exist became apparent in that moment. I controlled my reaction and remember smiling and thanking the Lord silently. Ryan said during the morning service his heart was prompted by the message that adoption is what He was calling us to, Sunday nights message was the confirmation. So about two weeks later we finally had a serious talk about adoption and I told Ryan at that time what I had wrote down and what my prayer had been during the fast!

6) Where in the adoption journey do you find yourself now?

We started out in the Ethiopia program, thinking international was the way we would go. I was uncertain how I felt about domestic adoption, I knew I had Steven when I was 15, and if I would not have had the supportive family that I did, I may have chosen adoption. But 14 years later, as my circumstances have changed, I more than likely would be filled with regret about that choice...In my own mind I thought the greater need was for the orphans and so international was the direction we headed. But in April of this year, there were many changes taking place with the adoption process in Ethiopia. It was now going to be a much longer and uncertain process than originally planned. Our caseworker called us and said, "we know you are open to race and gender, are you open to a newborn and domestic adoption?" We talked at lengths about this and for a reason I cannot explain we felt like this was God, I felt like, where there is a need we are to fill it, it is not for me to say what need is greater, because depending on the perspective the answer will vary...so we started the domestic process of an African American infant. We are just now awaiting the final approval of the home study and we should be officially waiting to be matched within the next couple of weeks.

7) Do you have a specific prayer request we can remember?

Our fear is still the finances, we have peace about God's hand in all of this and we know that whoever is supposed to be our child is who we will bring home. We are anxious to be waiting, but I keep reminding myself it is all in God's timing, just as this whole thing has been. We are specifically praying for the birth mother, whoever she may be and for our child. We are praying God's provision over the finances and we believe that that too will work out how it is supposed to. Our children are all so excited and even though there is space between each of them, the ages they are at will be great in being a real part and a real help in growing together as siblings and as a family. We have always believed that a family is not made by genetics, but by love, the same way we are part of God's family and so we embrace our differences now and we will continue too as our family grows.

National Adoption Month: Foster to Adopt

2011-11-20T19:21:00.003-03:00

adoption finalization day

Friday, November 18 was a monumental day for some very special friends of ours. After nearly two years of navigating the foster-to-adopt journey with their daughter MacKenzie, she finally became theirs in the eyes of the law - making true in fact what had long been true in their hearts!

Adoption through the US foster care system, like all adoptions, requires patience and persistence. But ultimately a new and beautiful family is formed in a very special way. It was through fostering to adopt that my first nephews joined our family ten years ago, so on a personal level it is near and dear to my heart. The need is so great! According to nationaladoptionday.org, the following figures about US foster care are true:

• There are an estimated 408,425 children in foster care in the United States, and more than 107,000 of them are waiting to be adopted.
• Through no fault of their own, these children enter foster care as a result of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment.
• The average child waits for an adoptive family for more than three years.
• 11 percent spend 5 years or more waiting for a family (43,083 children).
• The average age of children waiting for an adoptive family is 8.
• Nearly 28,000 children reach the age of 18 without ever finding a forever family.

This same website provides excellent information, including links to photo galleries of waiting children nationwide and fact sheets dispelling common myths and stereotypes. That information can be found at the link below. Maybe by sharing their stories one more child can find his or her forever home!

http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/about/adoption-information

National Adoption Month: Special Needs

2011-11-15T09:00:00.001-03:00

Very special children have need of very special families. Sometimes these special children are born into their families and welcomed with open arms. But sometimes, these special children find themselves without families - and that is when God begins writing a chapter of unconditional love such as the one depicted in the video below.

Another beautiful story is that of baby Jayne from China. Born with severe physical needs, she was not expected to live long after birth. Because of her special needs she was not considered an "adoptable" child but God had other plans! Jayne's story can be viewed at the link below:

Cry of the Orphan 2011 - Jim, Yolanda and Baby Jayne

National Adoption Month: Christela's Story

2011-11-13T09:00:00.001-03:00

I hope I will be forgiven if I write about Haitian adoptions more than others during this National Adoption Month. It is our most recent reality, and still brings many emotions to the surface. Even so, there are days on end when I somehow forget the journey - the tears and the fears and the miracles - and that is another reason I write. Because as Psalm 111:4 says, "He has made his wondrous works to be remembered." We must never forget!

The story of Christela's birth is a heartbreaking one. I remember reading of this newborn baby's miraculous rescue from a pit latrine soon after it took place. This short video bears witness to that event. But glory be to God that her story does not end there! Today Christela has a family who loves her - a mom and a dad and a brother (also adopted from Haiti.)

I ran across her family's blog recently and was so blessed by the love and joy and commitment that characterizes their life together. There are so many encouraging posts, but three in particular that I would like to share here. They are the story of Christela's birth; and two conversations Christela and her mom have had about her story.

Part 3 - Christéla Belle Stuart

God looks like seven.

God have presents for me!

Is there any doubt God was present with this tiny baby girl? Is there any doubt that He cares for the orphan? I am reminded of the words in Psalm 40:2-3 "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song of praise in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him."

What a God we serve. He is power; He is wisdom; He is love. He is present in our heartaches and provider of our joys, for "every good and perfect gift comes from above ..." (James 1:17) How can we not praise Him? All glory to His great and mighty name!

National Adoption Month: Missionary Story

2011-11-11T11:19:00.004-03:00

This video shares the story of a missionary couple who followed God's call to missions even when it seemed that in so doing they were closing the door to their hearts' desire of becoming parents. I do not know the family personally and their identities are kept confidential in the video (presumably for security reasons in their part of the world.)

Nevertheless their story resonated with me because I remember well the discouragement I experienced in 2007 when it seemed that our departure to Chile was also a departure from the possibility of ever adopting again. Looking back through old posts I found a wordless photo of the crib we were dismantling after a year of hoping and waiting for it to be filled, as well as a poem written with tears at that time. While we were excited to finally realize the dream of serving God in missions, a piece of my heart was broken to think my dream of another child might be over.

Of course, God had our story already written and eventually it would include not one more child, but two ... and not from the United States or even from Chile, but from faraway Haiti. I did not know that then, and neither did this missionary couple know what chapters God had written for their story when they stepped out in obedience to His call. Yet God is so faithful ... and watching this reminded me all over again.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

LL Video: Adoption Story from Last Letter on Vimeo.

National Adoption Month: The Ivey Story

2011-11-09T16:27:00.002-03:00

In the past I have tried to make National Adoption Month a highlight on our blog, sharing some personal stories and helpful links during the month of November. While I can't promise to write many posts on the subject this month (thanks to packing, packing and more packing!) I can and will try to include some short videos of families who have brought their children home.

This first video is especially moving to me because it recalls the entire wave of emotions that we were riding in January 2010 following the Haiti earthquake as we helplessly waited and watched God miraculously bring our children home. The Ivey family also welcomed home a son, their second Haitian child, and this beautiful interview with Jamie shares that experience from her point of view.

I had the opportunity to briefly meet Jamie during my final visit to Haiti in October 2009. I also read her blog regularly and have appreciated her candor as she describes life after her son's homecoming, with all its joys and struggles. She has a wonderful perspective about how adoption has allowed her to see God's love towards us in a brand-new way. I hope you'll watch the video and share your thoughts!

The Ivey Story - Jamie Ivey from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.

Family Trip to Arica

2011-11-07T00:30:00.000-03:00

beautiful sunset in Arica

With back-to-back holidays on Monday and Tuesday of last week, our family decided to venture north to Arica with our friend, Francisca. It was her first visit to the northernmost city in Chile and only the second visit for our older three kids. Our original intent was to briefly cross the border to renew the younger boys' visas but unfortunately a last-minute change of plans and an uninvited stomach bug kept us from doing so (which means there will be at least one more Arica trip in our future prior to leaving in January!)

stopping for a snack at "Shrimp Valley"

Another unexpected wrench in the works was our larger vehicle still being in the mechanic's shop. Our last out-of-town visit, a trip planned to Pisagua while my parents were visiting last month, was cut short by the Kia minivan overheating just half an hour into our journey. We'd hoped to have it back in time for the Arica trip since it seats nine passengers comfortably and has air conditioning. Alas, it was not to be and so we somehow squeezed eight passengers into our seven-passenger Toyota station wagon instead!

trying out the new dvd player

Did I mention that the station wagon does not have air conditioning? And that the trip to Arica is a four- to five-hour journey through the desert?? Needless to say, the windows stayed down for the entire drive - much to the chagrin of our children who were anticipating the use of a new-to-us set of personal dvd players. The noise from the wind made it nearly impossible to hear, and despite their pleas and complaints of being "cold" Mommy and Daddy were not about to budge and close the windows on that long, hot and dusty drive!

kids + pool = pure pleasure

It was no easy task to find lodging for eight people on a holiday weekend, but the kids were absolutely delighted with the four-bedroom apartment we rented right on Playa Chinchorro. It was very spacious and overlooked both the ocean and the swimming pool. We had to talk the crew down from plunging right into the pool upon arrival on Sunday evening because with the setting of the sun the temperature had really dropped. But first thing Monday morning they were ready to dive in!

a pink polka dot mermaid

We have the pool to thank for many hours of family fun. The water was icy cold but enjoyable after the first breathless immersion. The cheesy grins say it all!

Mommy with two little ducklings

After the pool, the next priority on our kids' minds was a chance to drive the two-person bicycle carriages they had seen on the sidewalk behind our apartment building (the tall rust and yellow pictured below.)

looking back to make sure Mom is following

Eva, Isabel and Francisca took turns maneuvering precariously down the sidewalk, attempting to avoid pedestrians and minor flooding along the way. I teased them that I'll be very wary of their acquiring driver's licenses after this! :)

three grinning girls - Eva, Isabel, Francisca

This long stretch of beach called Playa Chinchorro is really pretty impressive, as it offers everything from playground equipment to workout equipment. While the boys were happy with a soccer ball on the beach, our girls decided to try a little exercise. In true female fashion, there were some ruffled feathers at one point but soon the three girls were grinning once again!

it's workout time

Our family getaway was over too quickly, but school and duty called us home. Along the long stretch of highway we stopped for fresh-squeezed fruit juices from a roadside vendor. Pineapple juice and mango juice revived us for the final miles of our journey. We arrived back in Iquique warm and weary, but thankful for the opportunity to make some new memories as a family and with our friend!

the Fab Five + Francisca

"Two" Cute

2011-11-06T00:31:00.001-03:00

Please Vote for Heartline Ministries

2011-11-02T18:11:00.003-03:00

Their maternity center is dedicated to providing "education, dignity and honor and support to the mothers and babies who come through our doors." In a country where the lives of children and their mothers are often senselessly lost through lack of proper medical care and sincere concern, Heartline is making a difference ... one baby, one mother at a time.

Please vote for Heartline today, tomorrow and Friday and please SPREAD THE WORD to increase the possibility of their winning a $50,000 grant which would enable many more lives to be reached with the love of Christ and the message of the Gospel.

All it takes is two seconds and two clicks:

http://givingoflife.com/browse/heartline_ministries/

And only God knows the eternal results!

PDI Means Private Eye

2011-11-02T11:00:00.001-03:00

our three future detectives: Eva, Isabel, Owen

I've had these pictures ready to post for almost a week now. The problem is that I haven't had time to write the story to accompany them. As things stand, and as we've entered the two-month countdown to departure for furlough, I'm thinking blog posts are going to continue to get fewer and farther between!

Thus, a bullet-point post is apparently in order to get this thing done:

The Teleton kids were invited to a presentation at the Policia de Investigaciones de Chile (the detective branch of the police in Chile)
Eva, Isabel, Owen and I were invited to come along
First the ballistics expert spoke about bullets and weapons
Then the fingerprinting expert did a demonstration with a volunteer
Finally the sketch artist showed how she visually depicts a crime scene
The kids enjoyed ice cream and soda, courtesy of the PDI
Owen loved the ballistics, especially viewing bullets under the microscope
There was an explanation of the ERTI, Chile's version of SWAT
The canine team did a demonstration of drug sniffing in the trunk of a car
It turns out one of the detectives has a child at the kids' school
Overall it was a really fun event and we were glad to have been invited

Parade for the Transit Brigade

2011-10-27T21:59:00.001-03:00

Eva with the "inspector" and a friendly carabinero

Last weekend, Eva and her fellow "brigadistas" participated in a special parade for the "Dia del Brigadista" or "Dia del Patrullero Escolar." Our small group of a dozen or so uniformed students marched proudly along with brigadistas from other area schools.

a colorful crowd of uniforms and onlookers

Interestingly, the transit brigade is sponsored by the carabineros, or Chilean police. The liaison between the carabineros and the school is Don Luis, one of the two school "inspectors" (kind of the like the school policeman) and from what I've heard, a former military man himself. He is a strict but kind, and does a fine job of organizing and leading his little band of helpers.

standing at attention with fellow brigadistas

Because I wasn't fully aware of the connection between the carabineros and the brigada, I was pleasantly surprised at the presence of the carabinero band in their dress whites and also the armed carabineros who stood at attention and smartly went through their paces upon command. It was really quite impressive!

the carabinero band

It was recently explained to me that the carabineros, though they are policemen and women, are actually considered another branch of the military. Of course this makes sense given Chile's history and it also explained the formality of their presentation that day. At one point I was startled when in unison the carabineros froze in a semi-kneeling position and looked down at their belts, until I saw that they were actually sheathing their sharp knives. It all seemed so militaristic, but now I understand why.

carabineros in uniform

Eva just soaked in the excitement of the morning and took her marching responsibilities seriously. She really does love being a brigadista. I asked her why and she replied, "Because we are a group in the school that is SPECIAL."

Eva waiting patiently with her peers

On days when the school has emergency drills, Eva and her fellow brigadistas have an important role to play as they assist in leading the younger children to safety. In fact Don Luis shared with us that while the backpacks our kids were carrying for the parade were stuffed with newspapers, they should rightly have emergency supplies such as a flashlight, first aid kit, and crackers for crying children. Hopefully that can be acquired sometime in the future.

proudly wearing their special packs

I love Eva's smile in the picture below. She is growing up so quickly and though in many ways she still clings to her little-girl dreams and ideas, in other ways she is maturing and at times like these I catch a glimpse of the young lady she will soon become. I don't want the time to go by too quickly. Instead I want to cherish these moments and experiences and hope she, too, will hold onto sweet memories of these fleeting childhood days.

my beautiful brigadista

Reading Update: Her Daughter's Dream

2011-10-23T20:47:00.004-03:00

Her Daughter's Dream
by Francine Rivers

When I write my reading updates and tally the books read for the year, I typically only keep track of non-fiction. Were I to include fiction novels my count would probably double or triple. Reading fiction (mostly Christian fiction, especially historical or suspense novels) is like a "vacation in an armchair" for me. I literally disappear into the pages and shadow the characters on the twists and turns of their journeys. Often stories continue to play in my head long after I've closed the cover.

Even so it's not often that a fictional account causes me to take pause and look closely at my own heart because - after all - it's just a story. However, that was not the case with Francine Rivers' new book Her Daughter's Dream, the sequel to her New York Times bestseller Her Mother's Hope.

This saga of three generations of women spoke to me for several reasons, but most of all because of the heartbreak caused by words left unspoken between mothers and daughters. The main character of Rivers' first book in the series was Marta, who fled Switzerland on the eve of World War I to find a new life in America. Her tenacity born of a difficult childhood reminded me of my own grandmother and great-grandmother - and her struggle to speak the love she felt in her heart did, too.

By the second book one generation's mistakes had spilled over to the next as poor patterns of parenting were passed down. The push to move past problems rather than resolve them set the stage for bitterness and broken relationships. Only through the grace of God and one daughter's determination to set right the wrongs of her own choices and those who had gone before her, was hope able to bloom again.

After laying this book down I found myself evaluating my own relationships. How much do I share of what is on my heart? Are there words I have spoken that have wounded my daughters or conversely, words left unspoken that have done just the same? I was challenged to care about what I say, and say how much I care.

Another Handsome Haircut

2011-10-20T18:54:00.004-03:00

As promised, a picture of Owen with his new 'do! We had some time open up this afternoon, so Daddy and Isabel and Owen headed down to the barbershop together. I later asked Owen what he thought of the experience and he said it was "Crazy awesome!" So there you have it. :)

Handsome Haircuts

2011-10-20T13:15:00.000-03:00

Aren't these the handsomest little heads you've ever seen? For the first time since becoming parents to first one - then three - adorable black sons, we finally had the chance to place these little noggins into the hands of a professional who truly knew how to cut their hair!

Ian loves the cheesy smile

That's not to say we haven't had some loving and talented hands on their heads before. Until recently, a sweet hairdresser from our church would come over to the house and do seven heads (the boys and the girls and the parents) all in one evening! And of course, my favorite barber on a personal level is, and always will be, this one. :)

Alec is stylin'

But whether in small-town Michigan, or on the Texas border with Mexico, and finally here in Chile, our "rainbow" family has been in such a minority that we've just never found someone with genuine expertise in cutting black hair. Until today - when we walked into the one and only Colombian barbershop in Iquique.

Can you say "goofy?"

Despite initial misgivings, Ian climbed in the chair like a champ and his barber carefully shaved him down on the lowest setting. He then used a razor blade to do the clean edging across his forehead and around his ears. When he was done, Ian looked like a little man! I couldn't stop smiling because this was exactly what we had been hoping for. The last time we took the boys to a shop, the hairdresser didn't seem to have any idea what I meant when I asked her to do this. Even worse, she used three different clippers on Alec and pulled his hair each time.

Alec being silly for the camera

Which is certainly why Alec's haircut didn't go quite as smoothly as Ian's. Oh, the weeping! Oh, the wailing! His barber seemed a little more shy and a bit unsure how to proceed with his heartbroken client. He was very nice, though, and eventually offered a candy which (as we all know) was the perfect breakthrough for our boy. Alec still insisted on sitting on Daddy's lap but after that did great at holding still and getting a nice close cut.

Couple 'o handsome guys!

We'll be taking big brother Owen in on Friday for his haircut. Somehow I think he'll be as excited to meet the barbers as he will be for his new 'do. They are both black Colombian men. As Owen sometimes comments, they certainly do "look like me!" They are also very gracious, and good at what they do. I'll make sure and post more pictures of the newest "handsome haircut" when I get a chance.

Our 2nd Church Ladies' Retreat

2011-10-17T12:50:00.000-03:00

Last year, I wrote an enthusiastic post about the first-ever ladies' retreat hosted by our church here in Iquique. I mentioned that despite our somewhat humble accommodations (the meetings were held in a converted garage) it was such a blessing to witness the appreciation and enjoyment of our ladies even in the simple things. And it was - but I am thrilled to share that this year God provided even a sweeter setting for our special time together!

Hotel Playa Blanca

Early this year, our colleague Alejandro Armijo officiated at the marriage ceremony of a young couple whose wedding was held at a small hotel on the outskirts of Iquique. With only ten bedrooms and barely visible from the highway, it is unlikely we would have ever found the hotel on our own. Since that initial visit, however, it has provided an ideal location for not one, nor two, but three retreats for us this year! (First the ABWE men; followed by our church men; and now, our church ladies.)

the beach below our hotel

Here the ocean breezes offer a quiet balm to the frenzied spirit and the crashing waves provide a pleasant lullaby by which to fall asleep. A lovely meeting room with warm wooden beams and plenty of sunlight is the perfect place to gather to talk, to eat, to play and most importantly, to study God's Word together.

my beautiful mom teaching the ladies

For me personally, this year's retreat was extra-special because our guest speaker was none other than my beautiful mom, Gail Christian. Having lived and served in Chile for sixteen years, she understands the culture well and God has allowed her gentle spirit and careful Bible teaching to touch the lives of many women. She continues to minister alongside my dad in the United States, and we are so very thankful for their missions-minded church which not only faithfully supports us personally but also allows them the opportunity to return to Chile to do ministry and visit us here.

Mom and Martha

Another blessing for me personally was having our friend Martha join us for the retreat. She has been a part of our family life since we arrived in Iquique nearly three years ago, as she helps us on a part-time basis around our home. She is also a regular babysitter of our children and loves them dearly. It was a privilege to offer her this retreat as a gift and see her refreshed and renewed by such a beautiful place of rest and the friendship and fellowship offered to her by our ladies.

everyone gathered together

And truly, each of our ladies seemed to breathe deeply of the peaceful air and visibly relax during this year's retreat. It was such a blessing to observe this and to recognize it as a gift from God to each of them. Women everywhere wear so many different hats and fulfill so many different responsibilities, and Chilean women are no exception. At the retreat, however, our ladies were able to put aside their burdens for 29 hours and simply fill their hearts and minds with God's love for them and His purpose for each of their lives.

sweet times of sharing and fellowship

Our theme verses this year were Romans 12:1,2 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." We were encouraged to examine our personal walks with God and our willingness to surrender each area of our lives to Him.

two great cooks kept us all well fed

One of our goals for the retreat is to keep it as affordable as possible, understanding that cost is a limiting factor for many. Thanks to two of our ladies - Maria Santander and our missionary colleague Robyn Armijo - we were able to do so by providing home-cooked meals at the retreat. The food was delicious, and no one went hungry! Their service was a blessing to all of us.

relay races on the beach

I love that ladies in Chile know how to have fun! Our colleague Kim Spink lined up volunteers to provide games throughout the retreat, and on one such occasion we headed to the beach for some adventurous relays and even a game of "volleyball" using water balloons and beach towels. Amidst much laughter and warmed by a beautiful day of sunshine, two teams battled it out for bragging rights and made some more wonderful memories.

celebrating a victory

Gifts and crafts were two of the areas in which I was involved for this retreat. The former always reminds me how much fun giving can be, as the little gifts we provided (gel pens and notebooks and chocolates and coffee mugs, to name a few) brought many smiles and made each attendee feel special and appreciated. Several ladies even brought their own gifts to share with others as well!

preparing for craft time

With fear and trepidation, I attempted a craft which was new to me and thankfully God answered prayer and everything turned out wonderfully. Everyone started out with the same raw materials (cement and stones and paints) to create a handmade candle holder, but the end results were all quite different and unique. We have a talented group of ladies!

step one: filling cups with fresh cement

In much the same way as their crafts turned out differently, I am convinced that each woman heard God speak to her uniquely. Our final session involved breaking into small groups and discussing some intimate heart-probing questions. Later several ladies shared what God had taught them during our time together. We had all ages represented among us, and one of the older women who had struggled for a lifetime with image issues related to a foot injury as a child, told us she now realized God had made her beautiful just the way she is. Another woman, a visitor invited by her young-adult daughter, confessed that she knew God was drawing her to Himself and that she was "very close" to choosing Him. Please pray for Cecilia, that today would be the day of her salvation!

beautiful, unique creations - just as our ladies are

The retreat began at 2 p.m. on Sunday (October 9) and ended at 7 p.m. on Monday (a national holiday.) We gathered for a group photo just before packing up the cars and heading home. It is a picture I will treasure as our family heads into a year away from Iquique and the ministry in which God has allowed us to play a part these past three years. I pray that on furlough we will be able to share just how God has used the faithful support of many churches and individuals in the United States to minister in the lives of people here - including these very special ladies.

IBM Ladies' Retreat - October 2011

Making Sweet Music

2011-10-14T13:19:00.006-03:00

our beautiful violinist

Some months ago, Isabel was invited to participate in a pilot program for the Teleton branch where she has attended the past 2 1/2 years. After years of pleading and applying, one determined musician in Iquique received a grant providing funds to purchase instruments and begin an orchestra with/for the children who receive care through this great organization.

following the teacher's lead

It has been such a pleasure to watch Isabel blossom as she gains confidence on her instrument. She is playing the violin along with several others, and twice a week receives instruction alongside her classmates. The teachers are university students who volunteer their time and talent to the children. We have been blessed by this special opportunity!

practicing in the gazebo

The orchestra's first public performance was at the Teleton's anniversary event a few months back. They had just started practicing and were a little timid, but were encouraged by the cheers and applause of proud parents, therapists and guests in the audience. Two weeks ago, they had their second chance to perform. This time they played on the beach, in support of an event to promote organ donation in Iquique.

making music together

A professional archer began the event with several impressive shots out into the ocean. Booths were set up which provided free information, blood pressure readings, coloring pages for children, and even face painting! At one point a pair of tandem paragliders floated in, with the emblem of a heart fluttering on a flag behind them and confetti scattering below them. It was a sight to see!

spreading confetti and awareness

Our group of children, after practicing in the shade and relative privacy of a gazebo, eventually moved front and center under a tent and in full view of the event organizers and attendees. Isabel was serious and a little nervous, but she and the others did great! They received warm applause and were even photographed by a reporter from the newspaper.

Isabel with her violin teachers

We snapped pictures as well, of Isabel with her teachers and with Mommy and Daddy and Eva (who were her cheering section that day.) Afterward we headed to the new ice cream place in town to celebrate! It was a sweet morning of music and making memories with our two growing girls. We are proud of Isabel's latest achievement and so thankful for both of our precious, talented daughters.

the girls enjoying their special treat

Brothers & Sisters

2011-10-13T16:22:00.001-03:00

Just the Good 'Ol Boys

2011-10-03T08:29:00.002-03:00

Love my boys. Love the missing tooth, soccer ball, and plastic spider, too. :)

Owen's I Love You Song (video)

2011-09-30T12:14:00.002-03:00

We recently uncovered this gem from 2008 (during the time Owen was in a waist-high cast for his broken femur) and I could watch it over and over and over again ... in fact, I have ... Owen's affectionate, fun-loving nature is one of the reasons he is so very special to all of us who know and love him!

Fab Five Fotos

2011-09-29T11:26:00.003-03:00

Eva, age 10

Isabel, age 9

Owen, age 6

Ian, age 3

Alec, age 3

Reading Update: Toddler Adoption

2011-09-27T10:40:00.002-03:00

Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft
by Mary Hopkins-Best

Perhaps one of the most unique times to adopt a child is during the toddler years. Toddlers are just old enough to begin developing their own desires and dislikes, yet too young to verbally communicate them in the strange and often overwhelming context of a brand-new family. As the author Mary Hopkins-Best writes:

"At the precise age when he is beginning to organize his world so that it makes sense and can be acted upon, events beyond his control prevent him from doing so. It is no wonder that the single most important developmental task of his first year of life - learning to trust - is undermined or eroded."

This book was written in response to the author's own experience with international toddler adoption and the lack of resources and research she encountered while searching for guidance. It is intended for "prospective parents considering the adoption of a child between twelve and thirty-six months old, as well as for parents who have already adopted and now may be seeking explanations for problems their children may be experiencing."

It was my intention to read the book prior to my toddler sons' arrival from Haiti, but to be honest I was at first overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information it contained. Not until after the boys had been home for a year and when I began to read it in 5-10 minutes chunks a day, did I begin to process and apply what I was learning. I found the second half of the book and the personal experiences shared by various families to be most helpful.

The following quotes and thoughts are from pages I "dog-eared" because they resonated with our own personal experience. While every child and family is different, the information provided in the book is broad and complete enough that there is surely something to encourage and challenge everyone who reads it.

The "resilient" toddler is one who is characterized by certain factors which seem to protect him against adverse experiences. These factors include the capacity to be independent; initiative; intuition; humor and creativity; and morality as seen in compassion for peers, among others. (pages 104-107)

"Memories during the first two years of life are stored according to sensory and movement input. After age two, children's brains undergo a tremendous explosion of interconnectedness and they move into a new stage of memory retention. Because early life memories are stored in an essentially different system, it is very challenging for the individual or the therapist to access those early life memories." (pages 149-150) Also related to this, "Unconscious memories seem to revisit many toddlers during their dreams." (page 167)

Regarding separation anxiety the author writes, "Children who were the most securely attached to a birth parent or foster parent prior to their adoption display the earliest and most overt separation anxiety ... A number of families described their children's terror and despair if they even left the room to go to the bathroom." (page 167)

"Becoming distant and unapproachable is a coping mechanism humans use in situations where they feel helpless and powerless ... These [include] lack of eye contact or averted eyes, a lack of facial expression, and unusual body posture such as limpness ..." (page 170)

Structure/predictability/routines are reassuring to toddlers. Schedules should be consistent and parents should be reliable to return when expected. Also, parents should "make every effort to delay making additional major life changes ... until new routines are firm and secure." (page 176)

Grief is a reality and will need to be revisited with our children as they grow and mature. Each new stage of life and cognitive development may precipitate new questions and understandings. Also significant life changes and losses, even sights/sounds/smells may trigger feelings of bereavement. Parents need to be prepared to provide satisfactory answers to their children's questions as they arise. (pages 177-178)

"Perhaps adopted toddlers show such a strong desire to control their world because they have experienced the ultimate loss of control for a young child ..." (page 193)

"The ability to delay gratification is an outgrowth of the attachment process." (page 193)

" ... one striking difference between adopting an older child and adopting a toddler is the lack of honeymoon period." (page 195)

The author strongly reminds readers that "techniques of temporary segregation and isolation" (ie, time outs) are for children who are already securely attached. In contrast, during the attachment period with our new children we should "always assume that a request for parental contact and comforting represents a need for a toddler struggling to develop attachment and meet that need on demand, day or night." (page 198)

"Parents must be as assertive and persistent as necessary to strengthen attachment through appropriate touch. Parents claim their children, communicate their love, and manage their young children's behavior through touch." (page 201)

Parent in a positive fashion - with more praise than correction; more "yes's" than "no's;" corrective instruction ("do's" rather than "don'ts") and speaking positively of our children in front of or within earshot of them. (pages 236-237)

Wonderful Week with Friends

2011-09-26T18:48:00.006-03:00

This year our children started school a week early in order to allow for one whole week's vacation over the Chilean independence day holiday in September. What a treat! To make the week even more delightful, we were blessed with a very special visit from missionary friends David and Kristi Flinck and their four children: Jordan, Benjamin, Kaylee and Lucas.

Kids at the zoo

It was so enjoyable to wake up each morning to a table full of happy faces! The nine kids really seemed to appreciate each other's company and they got along so well. The three oldest match one another nearly age for age, and the "baby" Lucas was a fun reminder of the joys of discoveries at just-turned age two. Isabel was all too happy to try and "mother" him as much as possible! Eva and Kaylee shared a common love for hamsters and made sure "Cheese" got lots of attention between the two of them. Ian and Alec love company of every age and were thrilled to tag along on the many adventures planned for our week together.

the faces that greeted us each morning (minus Ian and Lucas)

Our one challenge was to pull the three big boys away from the Wii each day, where they spent countless hours of fun battling one another in a Batman Lego game. They must have bonded over the television screen because the three of them became great buddies despite having only met each other briefly once or twice before!

the three amigos: Jordan, Owen, Ben

Our outings throughout the week included the seaside park below the Marinero Desconocido; the zoo; the new and improved playground at Playa Brava (pictured below) and of course, Humberstone. Thanks to David's skills with a camera and tripod, we have plenty of fabulous pictures to show for it! (All of the pictures on this post were taken by him with the exception of the breakfast table and zebra crossing.)

Flinck + Garcia + Spink kids plus Jenny-Lyn and her two boys

The morning we hit the playground equipment (or the "juegos!" as Ian and Alec happily call it) our group just about doubled in size with the planned addition of missionary colleague Kim Spink with four of her kids, as well as the unplanned but pleasant addition of a new friend from Canada. Jenny-Lyn and her two boys just happened to have the same idea at the same time and so I guess you could say the gringos sort of overran the place for an hour! Fortunately we went early in the day before the big crowds arrived and no one seemed to mind too much. I do think we looked rather funny stopping traffic as we crossed the street on the cruce zebra (or the "zebra crossing") and so I couldn't resist snapping this picture of the whole gaggle of us:

watch out, world! we're coming through

This was one of those visits that was truly just completely fun. We seem to have similar parenting styles and that made things easy: for instance when it was bedtime for one, it was bedtime for all! After the kids were settled for the night we enjoyed long talks about first-term missions ministry, challenges and aspirations, even reminiscing about the past (Kristi and I have been friends since the 3rd grade which makes for lots of stories.) David and Kristi attended the same language school as we did in south Texas and also attended the church pastored by Pedro's dad, so we have that in common as well.

David is great at getting group shots! - everyone looking and smiling

What is especially exciting to us about the Flincks' ministry is that God led them to serve in the city of Antofagasta which for many years was our target place of ministry. While we are confident God "detoured" us to Iquique according to His sovereign plan and purposes, it is encouraging to know that He also placed a gifted and committed couple to serve Him in that needy place. We anticipate many trips between Antofagasta and Iquique in the coming years! ... and we greatly look forward to seeing all that God will continue to do in and through our families' lives along the way.

finishing a fun day at Humberstone

It's All about Relationship

2011-09-19T17:13:00.000-03:00

What do you envision when you hear the word "missionary?" Or the phrase "missionary work?"

My guess is that your first thought is not of a group of high school boys hanging around the dining room table eating delicious, messy tacos and playing a game of Blokus.

It's probably not of a missionary wife whipping up a batch of frosting for a baby shower cake, either.

Yet that's just where Pedro and I find ourselves today. And, its exactly where we need to be. If there is one thing we have learned over this first term on the mission field, it is that "it's all about relationship."

The four boys hanging around our table are the guys Pedro meets with each week for personal discipleship. They are like a "band of brothers" (well, two are actually brothers) united first in friendship and now in their common faith in Jesus. But no one else in their family believes, so the encouragement of one another and the discipleship with Pedro is very important in their spiritual walk. Today is the second "Dia del Burrito" to which Pedro has invited them and for which he has labored over the stove to prepare a delicious Mexican meal unlike anything they had ever tasted before! It is our hope that as we eat together and play together they are able to see a more relaxed side to their pastor and Lord willing, witness the healthy family life that God enables us to have.

And the cake? It was a favor asked of me from our Peruvian friend Martha. She knows a young couple who are immigrants here and experiencing financial and familial hardship, and she and her friends prepared a special baby shower to celebrate their first child and encourage them. Martha herself is very familiar with hardship, and while she wished to make a cake herself she has no refrigerator or stove in the shabby one room she rents alone in a rough part of downtown Iquique. She offered to purchase the ingredients if I could help her bake the cake, but I assured her I was glad to do it. Her generosity humbles me, and I learn from it even as I try to reflect Jesus with her through this small act of service.

Why I Love September in Chile: Church

2011-09-18T21:46:00.000-03:00

Every year our church in Iquique hosts an afternoon of special activities on the Sunday closest to the 18th of September. Usually it is very well attended and enjoyed by all! This year, however, the Dieciocho holiday itself fell right on Sunday and we were unsure if this would mean that folks would opt to celebrate with their families at home instead. When it was suggested that perhaps we should "downsize" the festivities this year to allow for that option, it was a pleasant surprise that most of our regular participants insisted that we not change a thing.

The truth is that almost everyone in Iquique is a "transplant" from other parts of Chile and even, like ourselves, from other parts of the world. While this undoubtedly allows for the possibility of loneliness or homesickness, on the other hand it means that friendships can become like family. It is certainly true within our church on special occasions like this one! And that is a sweet privilege indeed.

Pictures speak a thousand words, and I tried to compile ones of our family enjoying these special friendships last Sunday. I am thankful for the precious moments and memories!

Why I Love September in Chile: Programs

2011-09-16T21:43:00.003-03:00

I always enjoy seeing my children in school programs, but never more than during Fiestas Patrias. The colorful clothing, the creative presentations and of course the crazy antics of hundreds of kids anxious for their turn in the spotlight!

I especially enjoy the representation of each part of Chile's cultural heritage. This morning I sent to school one Mapuche daughter; one Pascuense son; and one lovely flower salesgirl. The first two (Eva and Owen) represented native tribes from southern Chile and Easter Island respectively, while Isabel played in a scene from La Pergola de las Flores which is a famous Chilean play. They all did a wonderful job!

Why I Love September in Chile: Dress

2011-09-15T10:49:00.005-03:00

Isabel, Owen & Eva dressed up & ready to celebrate

Yet another thing I love about September and Chile's Fiestas Patrias is the traditional dress that appears this one time a year. I love that women and girls alike will don the flowered skirts of the chinita or huasa de campo, and/or the formal black suit of the huasa de salon. I love what a throwback to a seemingly romantic era it is to see little boys and men in their dark pants with colorful ponchos or mantas thrown over their shoulders.

Tomorrow is our children's official program at school (in which they will be wearing different costumes and representing Chile from north to south) but today the school asked the students to arrive in typical dress for a fun half-day of practice and activities. The sun had yet to peek out when I snapped these photos, but the smiles say it all. What a handsome/beautiful trio of children we sent off to school today!

Why I Love September in Chile: Family

2011-09-15T08:15:00.002-03:00

Another reason I love September in Chile is the way it brings families together for special quality time. Traditional activities include cookouts and kite flying, dancing the cueca and playing dieciochero games. Passing on the traditions often means that one family member will spent time instructing another in the finer points of fancy footwork and the tried and true techniques of taking one's kite high in the sky.

This video was taken after the one previously posted (of Isabel and Owen bailando cueca.) Ian and Alec were enthusiastic observers for the first round and more than eager to try their own abilities after that! What they lacked in technique, they made up for in energy. But the sweetest part is their sister's patient instruction and even Owen's last-minute entrance to show them how the zapateo is done.

Why I Love September in Chile: La Cueca

2011-09-14T16:13:00.000-03:00

One of my favorite aspects of September is the return of the cueca, Chile's national dance. Today we purchased our girls' new chinita dresses for the Dieciocho and Isabel and Owen put on a lovely presentation for us in the living room. The lighting on the video is somewhat dark but as it was the first cueca of 2011, of course I had to share! :)

Lean on Me

2011-09-12T18:21:00.009-03:00

As I handed each of the little boys one slice of pan de pascua (Chilean fruitcake) Alec tried to get my attention. "Two piece, Mommy?" he requested, pointing to the last slice on the plate. "No, just one for now!" I responded as I set the plate on the table.

I had just turned my back when I heard Alec say to his brother, "Ian, you say Mommy two piece for Alec?" This was code for "you give it a try, maybe she'll say yes to you!" Of course my answer was the same, but I couldn't help shaking my head and chuckling at these two little guys and their buddy system. Always looking out for each other!

Speaking of which, probably the epitome of looking out for each other was our recent visit to the lab for some bloodwork. As two nurses and I held Ian tightly to begin his blood draw, Alec went ballistic and began yanking angrily on the lab coat of the nurse with the needle. He desperately tried to pull her off his brother while screaming at the top of his lungs and blindly throwing punches in all directions. Fortunately these were good-natured nurses! and when it was all said and done, they even gave the boys stickers and hugs and kisses despite the theatrics.

Tonight I dressed the boys in their jammies and left the room for a couple of minutes to make "once" for the bigger kids. Ian now sleeps in the bottom bunk as his reward for potty training (and outgrowing his pack-n-play by sheer length!) Alec still gets tucked into his pack-n-play across the room. However, when I returned to the bedroom there were two "missing" boys and two very suspicious moving lumps under the sheets and covers of Ian's bed! I did my best imitation of a scary growling beast as shrieks of laughter erupted from beneath the quilt. For a minute I just stopped to look and listen at the hilarious energy of these two and the way they wrapped their arms around each other's necks in mock fear and cuddled together for "protection" from the monster Mommy. :)

Pen Pals

2011-09-12T00:01:00.000-03:00

How 'Bout It?

2011-09-09T12:35:00.004-03:00

One of Ian's favorite phrases is "How 'bout?"

He asks this question constantly about so many things. "How 'bout oatmeal?" he asks in the morning. "How 'bout watch TV?" he queries in the afternoon. "How 'bout go blue car?" he inquires when he's itching to get out of the house. "How 'bout Bible story?" he demands at bedtime. And my favorite, "How 'bout kiss? How 'bout hug?" when it's time for lights out!

Yesterday when his brother and best buddy Alec was away with Daddy and Eva for a couple of hours, Ian contented himself playing alone in the back yard. It always amazes me how he will carry on a conversation, even if it's only with himself! He is actually very imaginative. I shot an entire 2-minute video without his ever being aware of my presence (that's saying something when you're talking about an inquisitive toddler!) but decided against showing off my messy back yard to the watching world, ha! Instead, I am posting a short video that I took once he recognized my presence. In just a few seconds, he asks his favorite question, "How 'bout?" twice.

After taking the video I went outside to see what he had been working on all that time. One of his "How 'bout" requests was for me to take a picture of his cars. Come to find out he was lining them all up neatly big brother Owen's skateboard! He was so proud of himself and his handiwork looked so cute that I snapped a couple of pictures.

I love how my children find the simple joys and share them with me.

Pass It On

2011-09-07T11:11:00.003-03:00

Maybe one reason I am such a fan of blogs is that I can't just head to my local Christian bookstore and pick up a good read here in Chile. But I'm pretty sure the bigger reason is how true-life, real-time stories resonate deep within my soul. And sometimes there are those posts which are just too good to be kept to myself. I need to pass them on.

Today I share three which have spoken to me in very different but equally meaningful ways:

Jen McManus is a beautiful mom to three children with a passion for fostering and adoption. She is also fighting cancer. In her post entitled "Hair be gone" she shares through pictures and words the inspiring support of her family and their amazing attitude in the face of one of cancer's big hurdles. If this doesn't challenge you to cherish each moment and keep up the good fight, nothing will!

Jamie Ivey's post "I was forever changed by Haiti" was such a timely reminder to me of the things that truly matter. It spoke to my own selfishness and the desires for material possessions and security with which I so often struggle. Her closing words convict and inspire me: "I will chose to die to my self. I will chose HIM. It is not all about ME."

Jen Hatmaker is not only a blog writer, but also a published author with a speaking ministry. In addition, she is mom to five children including a son and daughter from Ethiopia. At five and seven years old, theirs was considered an "older child" adoption and that is exactly what God had placed on the Hatmaker's hearts. Recently their family rejoiced in the homecoming of their two children and now they are committed to not only loving their children through this transition but also frankly sharing the joys and trials of it. In her post "After the Airport" Jen writes:

" ... Brandon and I decided some time ago to go at this honestly, with truthful words and actual experiences that might encourage the weary heart or battle some of the fluffy, damaging semi-truths about adopting. Because let me tell you something: If you are intrigued by the idea of adoption, with the crescendoing storyine and happy airport pictures and the sigh-inducing family portrait with the different skin colors and the feely-feel good parts of the narrative, please find another way to see God's kingdom come.

You cannot just be into adoption to adopt; you have to be into parenting."

If you are in the trenches of an adoption transition yourself or simply loving someone else through it, this post is a MUST read. All three of the posts linked above are, each for its own unique reasons. I am so thankful for the body of Christ, that no matter where we live or what our circumstances are we can edify one another when we encourage one another to look to Him and find our strength in Him throughout this journey of life!

Through It All, We Talked

2011-09-07T00:01:00.000-03:00

Somewhere, sometime I read a piece of parenting advice that said: "If you have to run an errand, never go alone. Always take a child along for the ride." I thought it sounded excellent at the time. In fact, I have made sure to remind my husband of it often!

However, I have to admit that of late my own personal parenting refrain has been something more along the lines of: "If your husband is home and you have a chance to get out alone, take it and run. And don't look back!"

I know. Sad, but true.

Which is why when I needed to run a quick errand to the waterfront to pick up a paper kite from the street vendor for school tomorrow, I tried to tiptoe past the open door to my daughters' bedroom where Eva was oh-so-quietly coloring a giant Tinkerbell book from cover to cover. But, she caught me. And she asked: "Mommy, where are you going?"

You know how this story ends. She wanted to come along for the ride, as did Isabel, and before I knew it we were on a girls'-only mission to buy a kite. Of course a girls'-only mission could never be a kite-only mission so after the street vendor we headed to our new Jumbo store. We paid little heed to groceries (except the newly stocked and imported Turkey Hill ice cream varieties!) but spent quite awhile perusing the end-of-season clothing on sale. At Eva's urging we hit the pet-supply aisle as well and purchased some lovely wooden fruits to sharpen and clean Cheese's teeth. (They must work because he bit her later and drew blood!)

We even picked up a surprise gift for a friend who is going through a hard time and dropped it off at her house on the way home.

But most importantly: Through it all, we talked.

We talked about money and about tithing, about giving to the Lord not because we expect something in return but just because we love Him. We talked about how He is so faithful to give us everything we need. I shared a personal example of how recently Daddy and I felt God leading us to make a special gift to some special friends, and then how He turned around and gave us back the exact same amount in another special way.

Isabel said that she has been thinking about Haiti and wanting to give some of her own money to help people there. She said she wants to go with me to visit, and take soup packets and make soup for all the little children and hand it out to them to eat. I told Eva and Isabel about other children who have creatively raised money for orphans and their eyes lit up and they began discussing lemonade stands and selling cookies and ways they could be involved as well.

Eva asked about the hard time our friend is going through and though it would not have been appropriate to share all the details, I could say enough that the girls were moved to pray for this family and the situation they are facing.

We talked about how important it is not to gossip and share private information about other people behind their backs. We discussed not to ever keep secrets that could hurt another person, and especially no secrets from our parents!

We were in tune with each other and the trip was sweet and afterward I was so glad that I took that advice I'd heard somewhere, sometime rather than the one I've been following lately. I am so thankful for my precious girls.

Race Relations ("The Help")

2011-09-06T15:11:00.006-03:00

Over the past weeks I have read many favorable comments about a new book and movie called "The Help." I've even watched the official trailer more than once. Unfortunately, though, neither the book nor the film have arrived in Chile just yet. While I therefore cannot speak from personal experience, I am contenting myself with reading the writings of those who do.

One such piece of writing was this blog post written by Molly. As a mother to a black daughter, she cares deeply about the issue of race relations and she took the time to share a few "super, super easy" things that families can do to bring positive change. Please take a few moments to read her post today!

I especially resonated with this statement Molly made: "You might not ever have watched your child cringe while another child points out that their skin is different from everyone else they know. I have."

Just yesterday we experienced this (again) with Ian and Alec. While waiting to get a new visa stamp in their passport at the Chile/Peru border we were surrounded by strangers from two countries who were all quite fascinated with the two little "morenitos" (dark-skinned boys.) There were curious questions aplenty and of course the not unusual request for a photograph. Soon enough I simply put on my "blinders" - which means I focused on my two boys, and only on my two boys - and tried to politely ignore the stares and conversations around us.

Apparently Ian, however, was still quite aware of the looks he was receiving because he suddenly startled me by saying very curtly, enunciating each word, to a nearby woman: "Stop. Looking. Me. Tia!" ("Tia" which literally means "aunt" is the term children in Chile use to politely address adult women.) I had to stifle a laugh while I shushed him and said that wasn't a polite way to speak to grown ups - not that her staring was polite either - but at the same time I couldn't quite blame him! And I imagine it's just that sort of scenario Molly is referring to in her post.

I hope you'll read Molly's thoughts. Because whether we've already begun to address race relations in our own hearts and families or not ... we can always do better!

Battling Brothers (video)

2011-09-04T21:43:00.001-03:00

This was the afternoon entertainment at our house today. My favorite part is in the middle when Alec attacks Ian only to be redirected by Owen who claims "I'm the bad guy!" So Alec turns to Ian and says, "Oh. Sorry!" and goes after Owen instead. What a trio of crazies!! :)

A Good Mechanic or Two

2011-09-03T12:45:00.008-03:00

Years ago (so many that I had all but forgotten until I started thinking of this post!) Pedro introduced met to a unique talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) called Car Talk. Or, as the two colorful brothers who host the show pronounce it in their unique Massachusetts accent: Cah Tahk. Even though my knowledge of cars is pitifully limited, I still enjoyed listening to the unique problems described by the callers and the humorous banter between the brothers as they attempted to diagnose a solution.

For the record, it's amazing how some things can stay buried in our mental storage banks for years and when uncovered, bring with them such bright flashes of memory ... even as I write this, I can picture sunny mornings in our first apartment on the third floor of an old house in Scranton with its brown linoleum squares and just the two of us enjoying a Saturday morning together ... or driving through the Pennsylvania fall foliage in the crisp air with the radio playing in the background ... ahh, the memories!

Anyway!! ... the point of this post was to say that these pictures of Ian and Alec "working" on their pickup truck made me chuckle and remember the two bantering brothers on the radio. I thought they were too cute not to share.

So does anyone need a good mechanic? Or two?? :)

Dropping off the truck to the "mechanic"

Alec assessing the problem

Getting the car into position

Talking over the options

Ian giving it his best shot (amidst laughter)

That's Exactly Why We Love Him

2011-08-31T10:18:00.012-03:00

According to the Miriam-Webster dictionary, an annotation is "a note added by way of comment or explanation." Sounds harmless and innocuous, right? But in Chilean schools, we have discovered a whole new meaning to this word!

I first heard the terms "anotacion negativa" and "anotacion positiva" during a class meeting for one of our girls.

I observed parents huddled nervously around a big burgundy book as the meeting ended. Curious, I asked another mom what all the fuss was about. She explained that students can receive both positive and negative annotations throughout the school year. They are written down on each student's page in the "big burgundy book" (as I like to call it.)

My next question was, what purpose does this serve? She said that the annotations remain in the child's permanent school records and should the child's parents wish to place him in another school in the future, that establishment may take the annotations into consideration when deciding whether to accept him or her as a prospective student.

However, the most ironic revelation to me as a parent was this: The school never formally advises the parents when their child receives an annotation, whether positive or negative. Which leads me to scratch my head and wonder, how are we supposed to support the school's efforts and encourage better behavior in our children if we are never told there is a problem in the first place?

So it happened that yesterday I had a meeting with Owen's English teacher to discuss an incident which occurred a few weeks ago. Apparently my son and his cronies caused a distraction in class one day. Apparently they forgot they were supposed to be studying English and deciding to try fencing instead! Apparently they were sword fighting with rulers at the front of the classroom and throwing themselves on the floor (in throes of dying agony, I can only assume??) while the poor teacher vainly attempted to teach her lesson. In exasperation she finally called upon the "inspector" to extract several of the boys from the classroom and escort them to the office, Owen included.

Wait just a minute. Am I really supposed to believe that this angelic toddler could create such a ruckus in first grade??

Okay, maybe I am. :)

In fact, if the entries on Owen's page in the big burgundy book are to be believed his first-grade antics may not be so far removed from the picture above as one might expect. Let's see ... pacifiers over his eyeballs versus pencils in his ears ... yes, one of the annotation did say that Owen likes to stick pencils in his ears to cause amusement in his classmates and interrupt the class with their laughter!

Another annotation described this incident: "The student arrived tired this morning and was sent to the bathroom to wet his face. He returned very wet all over, making the other students laugh and disrupting the teaching time ..."

Did she mean something like this?? (For the record, Owen had a major drool problem during his baby years!)

In all seriousness, as teachers ourselves we understand the difficulty of trying to control a classroom when there is a clown in the front row. And now we understand that apparently we are the ones staffing the circus! :) But I could not help but laugh out loud as I read through the annotations because each one was an anecdote of a day in the life of our first-grade son. (In fact, I really want to get a photocopy of that page for Owen's scrapbook!) Nonetheless I apologized to the teacher and assured her I would not be laughing when I spoke firmly to my son on the issue at home.

She in turn warmly assured me that Owen is a delightful boy, much loved by teachers and staff and peers and older students alike. In fact, she admitted the amount of spoiling he receives from everyone probably contributes to his antics! She also insisted that he is respectful and kind and that he is obviously receiving a good foundation at home. He is just ... inquieto! (restless!) and desordenado! (chaotic!)

Which I have to admit ... on some days ...

That's exactly why we love him.

Shades of Gray

2011-08-29T22:03:00.003-03:00

This morning was busy with running back and forth across town on school-related errands with another mom from the Parents' Association. Finally headed home, I stopped at the video store to return the latest flick our children had watched on "Family Movie Night" (aka, most Friday nights at our house.)

My companion had a question. She must have repeated it twice before I fully understood what she was saying.

"Did you make a copy of it before you took it back?"

I realized that what for me might be a joking statement was in all seriousness to her. When I answered in the negative, she shook her head. "You shouldn't waste your money renting movies! Don't you know that you can buy all the latest ones for 1000 pesos (the equivalent of $2) at the Agro (local market) ... my kids have a whole stack of them! Kung Fu Panda 2, all the new movies. Why don't you do that instead?"

Inwardly I grimaced as I thought, "I do not want to have this conversation right now! How can I explain our position as Christians without coming across as judgmental? I know what she is saying is completely normal in Chile (as mentioned in previous posts, here and here) but it isn't for us."

I half hoped that the brief interval where I hopped out of the car to drop the box in the slot would distract her from continuing the conversation. But instead she picked up right where we left off. Forced to respond, I took a deep breath and said haltingly, "Well ... it's just that ... those movies are pirated. They're actually illegal. So that's why we don't buy them."

"No ..." she disagreed. "It's not like you are selling them to make money!"

"Well I may not be, but the person I'm buying them from is. What he's doing is illegal. And we don't want to support that."

Quickly she extolled the tenets of her position. "It's not like you can take kids to the movies all the time! That's just too expensive. And they want to see the new movies that are out. There's really no other choice!"

No other choice. How many times have we heard that excuse? More to the point, how many times have we used it?

We are constantly teaching our children about choices. How to make the right ones. What the consequences are of the wrong ones. Yet it's no wonder they are confused in a world that is such a foggy hue of gray most days. If we the adults don't even get it right, how can we expect them to?

Eva basically said the same thing during an impromptu conversation we had the other day on the steps leading to my bedroom. "Satan? I hate that guy!" she declared emphatically. Then she added, "So it's like he is all black. And God is all white. And so we are supposed to be like God. But then we can't be perfect. And then the black and white gets mixed, and it's all just gray!"

Thankfully, there is Light strong enough to pierce the darkness.

Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path." Because of this we can make our choices based on His eternal truth rather than our own human experiences and convenience. Even in a relativistic world, we can be unmoveable. When it all turns gray let us turn our eyes towards the Light and allow Him to be our guide!

A Night at Matrimonios

2011-08-28T22:32:00.000-03:00

"A serving of Biblical wisdom with a dash of friendly fun and scoop of excellent eats" might describe well our monthly matrimonios' (married couples') meetings. Last night fifteen couples enjoyed sharing laughter and life experiences and learning life-changing truths from God's Word together.

To get the ball rolling (no pun intended!) we began the meeting with a couples' ping-pong competition. Only this one didn't involve paddles, but merely a lot of hot air! Each couple tried to blow the ball over to the opposing couples' side and off the table to earn bragging rights. Pedro had set up a bracket to ensure everyone competed and he led us all the way through to the final round, which was a face-off between our visiting missionary speaker and wife vs. a young married couple from church. The latter won, but both put forth their best effort amidst laughter and cheers.

Our second game had the dual purpose of icebreaker and marriage builder, as it involved giving each couple a set of questions with instructions to answer three now (with the rest for "homework") and be prepared to share one out loud with the group. The questions included: How did we meet? Where and when did we have our first kiss? What were our first impressions of each other? About what things do we fight? What is our favorite romantic movie? What was our favorite date or trip together? How did you propose to me? Where did we go on our honeymoon?

It's amazing how answering a single question for the group's benefit can open a window into knowing someone and there was clapping and more laughter as some sweet and some hilarious stories were shared. One couple shared that both their first kiss and marriage proposal were in a cemetary, while another said they met in prison (only not as inmates - both worked for organizations which provided resources to the prison, and they even shared their first "date" over coffee at the prison snack shop!)

Our third game was definitely unforgettable. The instructions called for the husband and wife to make it from point A to point B with the wife's feet on top of the husband's feet, which isn't as easy as it may sound. Two couples raced each other to the finish line. If nothing else, it was a unique test of each spouse's faith in the other!

Following the games and announcements, the teaching time centered on "4 Rules of Communication" in marriage. Our colleague Scott Russell from Santiago did an excellent job sharing these important principles from God's Word and how they apply to our marriage relationships.

The final part of the night was our monthly "once." (By the way, for a great description of this uniquely Chilean meal, read this blog post I recently stumbled upon!) Each couple provides some contribution and this month we enjoyed cheese empanadas, tuna sandwiches, chips with spicy Chilean dip, olives, cheese and a smorgasboard of delicious desserts. With three or four couples around a table, the last half hour or so was spent getting to know one another better - or in our table's case, answering some more of the icebreaker questions together!

New Pages

2011-08-25T07:59:00.002-03:00

I often assume that those who visit our little corner of the blog world know all about us. However, perhaps that isn't always the case and for that reason I have added two new page links in the right-hand column entitled "Domestic Adoption" and "International Adoption" which describe our family's journey through each of those miraculous adventures.

In the future I hope to add a bit of history about our missions journey, and maybe "someday" I will even get around to organizing posts with tags. Who knows?! Stranger things have happened. :)

Have a blessed day!

Then & Now: Four Years in Chile

2011-08-24T17:07:00.006-03:00

This picture from an unplanned Canadian layover
is how our children arrived to Chile four years ago:

And this picture from Easter is how they are headed back to the United States for furlough:

See any changes between "Then" & "Now?" :)

Four Years Ago Today

2011-08-24T13:35:00.003-03:00

Four years ago today, our family set foot on Chilean soil. Four years ago today, we embarked upon our first term of missionary service in this special land (otherwise known as the adventure of a lifetime!) It is hard to believe the time has gone so fast.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate this milestone than by doing what God has called us to do and dreaming about the future plans He has yet in store. This morning Pedro spent several hours with our missionary colleagues and a Christian architect going over ideas and possibilities regarding a piece of property for sale on the outskirts of Iquique. We are in the process of formulating a project proposal to present to our field team and mission board as a first step towards one day owning our (God's!) own church building in this city. What a day that will be!

Meanwhile, I met with two moms for the final morning of "Martes Para Mujeres" (albeit on a Wednesday!) It was with a full heart that I led the last session of our Biblical parenting course. I am so thankful that the Gospel was clearly presented in both the video and during our time of conversation together. My prayer continues to be for God's Holy Spirit to draw these special ladies to Himself. What a privilege it has been to meet regularly, knowing they are giving up their own time and other interests to come to my home because of the love they have for their children and their desire to raise them well.

Tonight I will meet with another four or five moms to finish the series with our evening group. For them as well my prayer is that they will understand that God loves them just as they do their own children. I pray they will know and understand that He wants to be a Heavenly Father to each one.

Thank You, Lord, for allowing us the precious privilege of serving You here. Thank You for your faithfulness and patience with us. May we be fruitful, for Your glory!

Post Number 2,001

2011-08-23T21:57:00.002-03:00

I was startled when my eyes fell on the number 2,000 after my last post. Has it really been that many? 2,000 posts ... 2,000 stories ... 2,000 memories. Some joyful, some sad. Some hopeful; some heartbroken; some heavy; some healing.

Then tonight I heard this song by Steven Curtis Chapman for the first time and it was such a comforting reminder of the truth that in every one of the moments I have lived and recorded already and have yet to live and record ... "Jesus will meet you there."

I hope it will bless your heart as it did mine.

Sometimes the Truth (Is Hard to Find)

2011-08-23T09:38:00.006-03:00

Who lies for you will lie against you.

~Bosnian Proverb

A half truth is a whole lie.
~Yiddish Proverb

Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies
soon grow color-blind. ~Austin O'Malley

A lack of honesty is one great area of frustration in the country where we serve. I qualify this by acknowledging it is probably an issue everywhere, but somehow it seems so ingrained in the actual fabric of the culture here in Chile. In fact, to paraphrase the statement I was given in explanation to a situation that arose today: "It's the Chilean way of getting things done."

For me personally, perhaps where I find this dishonesty most unnerving is in the professional setting. I could give numerous examples but I'll settle for this most recent one. Here in Chile there is a 19% value-added tax (called the IVA) that is commonly included in the price of goods and services. However, certain price quotes will separate the IVA from the base price. Such was the case this morning.

This year our Parents' Association (mentioned in this post) has been tasked with purchasing the raw materials to build pedestrian guardrails outside our children's school. They look like this:

With monies passed on from last year and additional funds earned through special activities this year, we now have the means to do so but are researching the most cost-effective option. Yesterday Pedro and I received pricing from one steel company in town, and this morning I provided that to the school. They in turn had received another quote and were still in conversation with a gentleman from Santiago. In comparing the two we realized their quote was slightly higher but already included the IVA.

Here is the conversation that followed:

Staff Member 1: "Oh, couldn't you tell him to take the IVA off?"

Staff Member 2: "I could try! It's not like it's a major project such as a huge building."

Staff Member 1: "Exactly! He could say it's for his personal use, maybe an addition to his house."

Staff Member 2: "Great idea! I'll tell him to say he is going to come help his mom with a small project at her house here in Iquique. I'll call him right now!" And then to me she added, "It's the Chilean way of getting things done!"

It may be the Chilean way of getting things done, but it certainly isn't God's way. What a challenge to walk in integrity when culture and society says it is okay to act otherwise! And what a great reminder to pray for my Chilean brothers and sisters in Christ, who live and work in this atmosphere each and every day.

God's Glorious Story (of Adoption)

2011-08-18T20:49:00.002-04:00

I wept through this post tonight. Most days the details of our Haitian adoption journey are just shadows in my memory. But reading the chapters of this family's adoption from Ethiopia reminded me of the hard. Of the hair falling out (yes, mine too.) Of the office that refused (in our case for 13 months to sign a document.) But in the end, of God's glorious Story. I praise Him for bringing two more children home!

Jen Hatmaker - I'm Not Done Yet

Pitter Patter Art

2011-08-18T09:58:00.002-04:00

I love reading about the creative ways adopting families go about raising funds to bring their child/ren home. It is always so encouraging to see how God provides perfectly for each situation!

One family has an especially unique way of raising funds. Laura Kelley is a busy mom to three children already, but she is also a talented artist! She created Pitter Patter Art to showcase her creations, with all proceeds currently going towards the adoption of their third son (this is their second Ethiopian adoption.)

In addition to selling her artwork, she offers a giveaway each new month they are waiting for their son. Their 9-month giveaway is open until tomorrow night and is for a 10 x 10 canvas showcasing a 9-word verse: "But as for me, I will always have hope." Psalm 71:14

I would love to win this piece! My middle name is Hope; our daughter Isabel's middle name is Hope. And our purpose as missionaries revolves around Hope: our eternal Hope in Jesus Christ.

But perhaps you would like to win it, too! If so, just click over to the giveaway and follow the instructions for several ways to join in. See you there! :)

Ruta 5: Iquique to Arica (and back)

2011-08-17T10:05:00.016-04:00

True, it is listed as one of the "World's 10 Most Dangerous Roads." But as often as we have driven it the past two years, each trip becomes more enjoyable.

Last weekend, Pedro and I once again traveled north to Arica for a combination of business (meeting with the owners of the house we rent in Iquique) and pleasure (belatedly celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary.) On the way, we snapped many pictures of this celebrated route.

There is a breathtaking immensity to the sweeping vistas between Iquique and Arica that capture the imagination and remind us of the awesome power of our Creator. There are also sobering reminders of the frailty of man, as evidenced by dozens of crosses lining each steep cuesta (uphill climb.) On this particular trip we also encountered several charred and broken vehicles, signs of more recent tragedy.

Perhaps your life's journey will never take you upon this particular "dangerous road" but through these photos, you are welcome to follow along!

hitting the road together

one of many detours off (should I say onto?) the beaten path

pictures don't do justice to the height of the mountains and depth of the valley,
nor of the contrast of the green below with the towering brown barrenness above

another view from above ... notice how far down it goes

because even with a 12x zoom, this wreck is still far, far away

wonder what these are?? so do we ... modern art in the desert

taking a break to observe the statues

and check the leak under the car

burned-out hull of a truck

and another somber scene

this is why Ruta 5 is on the "dangerous road" list

crosses remembering victims of former accidents

two roads diverged in a narrow wood ... let's say "vast expanse"

looking down into one of the valleys

this one warns of dangerous bridge on a curve

sad evidence below the bridge

a memorial to victims

including recent words from a bereaved spouse and children

returning to Iquique via the "zig-zag" (narrow downhill road)

the spine of the dragon (this enormous sand dune is called "Cerro Dragon")

finally meeting the highway home

Say, "Cheese!"

2011-08-15T21:33:00.006-04:00

After 24 hours' away, Pedro and I were welcomed home with squeals of delight.

Correction.

"Cheese," the hamster we were carrying, was welcomed with squeals of delight.

A gift from friends resulted in Eva's months-long dream being fulfilled.

(She quickly phoned cousins Mati and Micah to share the good news!)

And as you can tell, she wasn't the only one who was delighted!