tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368693682024-03-13T08:03:09.564-05:00The Quast's Family BlogJon and Jen Quast are members of New Tribes Mission to become tribal church planters in Paraguay among some of the most distant, majority world ethnic groups on the planet. Their passion and desire is to see the name of Jesus proclaimed over the whole earth, and they desperately desire people who have never had the opportunity to hear what Jesus has done for them to believe on His name for Salvation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-60258184927314082062015-08-29T13:08:00.002-05:002015-08-29T13:08:48.020-05:00That's Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The biggest news these days is we have internet here at home! Its weird to be connected to everyone and everything. But also very helpful... I'm writing from the kitchen table, its a hot (102F) windy Saturday. The last few months have been hard for me, I've struggled with balancing homeschooling, keeping up with house, studying, making friends and in all that time management and routine. But the Lord has encouraged me through friends and just taking the time to figure out what works for me and our family. Its been quite the growing process, I don't have it all figured out but I'm learning flexibility and realizing that our routine will change with the time of year and that's okay.</div>
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So back in June we had a ton and I mean a ton of these caterpillars...it was nuts! They ate a lot of the trees and they covered everything! We then had lots of butterflies, some even got in the house and so we would wake to butterflies drying their wings in the morning.</div>
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Its been winter time and we did have some cold mornings of 55F in the house, so Saturday mornings looked like this.</div>
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Other mornings looked like this...Jonas went outside to work with Jon (pictured below).</div>
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Jon laying cement for the washing machine</div>
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We enjoyed a wonderful package from sweet friends, so many goodies!</div>
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I got a nasty rash on my wrist, it was actually getting better in this picture. I don't know what it was but it bubbled my skin and oozed and itched like crazy. I had tried just about everything on it (lotions, essential oils, apple cinder vinegar) and nothing was helping. Finally I showed my neighbor and she told me to scratch it open and rub garlic in it. So naturally I did it and it burned like crazy but its finally gone away. I'm guessing it was some kind of worm...yuck! </div>
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I got that little guy stuck in my leg last weekend...people call them jumping cactus. Now I know why. I didn't even see it until it was stuck in my leg. Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, they burn and itch even after they have been pulled out.</div>
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The kids and I did some exploring...the above tree is in bloom right now and its smells like jasmine </div>
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Back in July we made a trip to the river, it was a fun family day! </div>
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Jamen caught the smallest fish of the day </div>
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Jade and Jonas found a shady spot to play. </div>
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So that's a bit of life here the last few months! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-22424182796033394332015-06-21T09:22:00.001-05:002015-06-21T09:22:38.209-05:00No Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have been at a loss for words the last two months. Even as I write I don't know what to share, except pictures...so here are a few...</div>
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Got some large mosquitoes flying around right now </div>
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my favorite wild orchid is in bloom right now </div>
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Lots of mushroom growth due to the cool weather and misty days </div>
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awesome clouds </div>
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my kids doing their favorite thing...playing in the dirt </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-25991951432599525432015-04-08T20:35:00.001-05:002015-04-09T11:42:32.337-05:00Fall in March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall has arrived here, the days are shorter and the weather was cooler this month. The hottest day was only 106 and the last two weeks this month have been very mild with temps in the 80s or 90s and dropping into the 60s or 70s at night. It's rained a lot more this month and the gardens in the village are growing well, that is when the caterpillars aren't eating everything and the ants are cutting everything down. </div>
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We have enjoyed a few watermelons. Our kittens have kept us entertained and they are a fun addition to the family. With the cold and rain brought new challenges. We have a good routine when it's hot, how much to drink, what foods to eat, how often to bath. But with the cold, rain and cloudy days, left us scrambling to do laundry sooner than later cause it would take two days to dry or to not do laundry cause it would run the water tank dry. On cloudy days the sun doesn't shine, which doesn't allow the solar panel to function which powers our water pump. I finally put buckets under the roof to catch water and emptied a big plastic <span style="text-align: center;">barrel I use to store blankets and extra sheets and towels in and put that under the roof as well. The extra rain water went a long way that cloudy week and I felt very much like an 1900's pioneer woman. When the sun finally shone it was busy few days of doing laundry all day. The kids complained it was too cold and they were putting on sweatshirts and pants when it was 80 in the house, but then again so was I. Other exciting things this month include seeing several new snakes, 3.5 foot rattle snake, two baby coral snakes, and me almost stepping on a 6 foot rainbow boa. </span><br />
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Language has been coming slowly but I'm excited with the progress made and this next month has I'll have opportunity to lean to sew bags and I'm thankful a faithful friend who comes to visit me about three times a week, it's been very encouraging for me. </div>
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The baby kittens</div>
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Butterfly... </div>
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The rain... </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-74424358652450094332015-03-06T18:40:00.000-06:002015-03-06T18:40:10.683-06:00The whole month of FebBy the time you read this we will have spent our first whole month out in the village. Currently I am writing this from our house (we have been out here for 3 weeks now). It rained last night, a cold south wind blew in and dropped the temp down to 68F this morning and its only been a high of 80F today. This might not seem such a big deal to most but after the last 2 weeks with the temps over 100F and for a week over 110F, its a welcomed break. I looked back on my journal and the highest temp was 112F and that night it had only cooled down to 110F in the house at 8:30pm. I had heard it said (and now I totally agree), "the heat is better as long as there is a breeze." There were days when the air was so still and not a sound could be heard and the sweat would just drip off of you, I have never experience that kind of sweating, all I was doing was sitting still.<br />
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That being said, we have done very well in the heat, we have fans in the house and having a no complaining attitude goes a long way. I will say though the heat it does have its positives, its been too hot and dry for bugs, I never have to dry my dishes and by the time I get all the laundry hung most of it is dry and I can take it back down again, I don't have to heat water for washing dishes or baths, we hardly eat it's a perfect weight loss plan. Also it's been sunny so we are getting lots of vit D and finally after 5 months of being sick, we are healthy! The heat in a lot of ways makes life easier. <br />
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In other news, we have been working on some projects for the house, like getting it better sealed up so the opossum rat, large centipedes, lizards and huge spiders can't come inside. Jon built some storage shelves, I rearranged the furniture to make more space and thanks to pintrest converted an old dresser into a shelf. We brought out the deep freezer, which has been the most awesome thing of all. Being able to double a batch of muffins and freeze it, cook a big pot of strew and divide it into 3 meals to freeze, has freed me up in so many ways. Not to mention, the unlimited ice we can make which makes drinking so much better when the tap water comes out at 100F.<br />
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I started our new school year with the kids beginning of Feb. Jamen is in second grade this year and Jade is in kindergarten. I am using all new material this year and I was the most nervous the first day of school. But the kids are liking everything so far and so am I. Jon has dived head first into learning the language and he is loving it! He's been sharing all he's learning with me and our coworkers have also been a weather of information.<br />
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Among other things I am still learning how life works out here, between the power going out (it can be anywhere from 9 hours to 15 min) and dealing with limited water on cloudy days or knowing when is the best day to do laundry. Its been so dry and hot here, there hasn't been enough rain for the peoples crops to grow and the village cisterns have been dry for a while. People come asking for food, water and ice, I am learning that life can be very hard out here. But I am also learning that God has provided food that grows among the thorns (which seem to cover every inch of the land out here) and we have been able to help gather wild beans for our friends and they are able to hunt the wild animals.<br />
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I think too we have had our first bout of culture shock even though we are in the same country, life and the people are different here.<br />
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Also for fun I have planted an "herb garden", currently I have sunflowers, anise, moringa, yellow flowers, dill and aloe growing. It's something I enjoy and it's nice to have a hobbie. <br />
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So that's been our first month, looking forward to the adventure of this month!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-55727512249843172812015-01-04T09:26:00.001-06:002015-01-04T09:26:04.845-06:00Once Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</div>
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It has been so fun this month to enjoy all the fun traditions we hadn't experienced the last three years....</div>
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Decorating the tree in the cool of the house </div>
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Frosting cookies with Pa</div>
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Wearing warm winter hats and mittens</div>
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Then Jade turned 5! I can hardly believe its been 5 years!</div>
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It was so fun to throw her a themed party, it was a surprise and she loved it!</div>
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Frozen crafts </div>
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Building a "snowman" </div>
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Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing! </div>
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Fun Frozen foods and ideas (thank you pinterest)</div>
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Both sets of Grandparents were able to be there and some of the cousins, it was a good party!</div>
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So this brings our furlough to a close, its been a full 7 months but a good time to catch our breath a bit, do fun things as a family, see all our family and visit with friends and churches. We are almost packed and ready to go back in three days! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-11582058802854877282014-11-17T09:00:00.000-06:002015-01-04T08:57:34.128-06:00Emotionally Raw<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no other way to say it October and November have left me emotionally raw. From Jamen fracturing his arm to our family being sick for the last 8 weeks and me feeling guilty for not being able to pour into other people around me. The hearing of the sudden and tragic death of a three year boy in our village and feeling the weight of why we are doing what we are doing. The high spring temperatures (118F) that have left people in the village with sleepless nights and walking to get water at night because its too hot during the day. And me feeling guilty for sleeping in and not having to leave the temperature controlled house for days. The planning of our return and yet needing to be present here and now. The reality that there will be hot and sleepless nights ahead...my list goes on as it slow strips away leaving me feeling beaten and raw.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read a fellow missionary blog and she said it so well I have to quote her because I couldn't have said it any better. "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">I'm worried that my commentary on American life right now might come across more critical than I intend, so I just don't write about it. I don't feel critical, but I do feel a little lost and overwhelmed at times and I am not sure that I could explain those feelings well on this blog without it sounding like I am bashing everything around me. People constantly address the issue of Third Culture Kids </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">(</i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">children who were raised in a culture outside of their parents’ culture for a significant part of their development years and who don't feel like they are truly a part of their culture of origin or fully part of their host culture. They are a mixture of both and therefore represent a "third" culture) </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">but nobody really talks about Third Culture Adults. And I think what I am feeling and experiencing should be labeled as that. Because even though I spent almost 30 years in North American culture, there are some parts I never experience that I am experiencing now."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> "</span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">But the real transition has been that I have tried my best to immerse myself in a completely different culture for the last three years, and jumping back into my own has been more complicated because of the new sights, sounds, and thoughts that I have been processing for three years. I can't un-see the things that I have seen that now make me view the entire world- not just these two separate and unique cultures- through different lenses. I have a whole new perspective, and as most of you know, perspective can make all the difference." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">She says it so well, doesn't she? I am so there and can totally relate and understand. I realized this month that my perspective has changed in so many ways. Since we came back to the states I knew how I saw things was different but I kinda pushed it away or shoved it down and blamed it on just being out of tune with things. But now I realize I view the entire world different now and that's OK. So in my times of feeling raw with the weight of a new perspective I have thrown my self into the word in the early quite of the morning, cried out to the Lord, been burly eyed with lack of sleep and hardly able to engage those around me. I pray for guidance and renewed excitement, I plan and organize and am thankful for this time of AC and indoor heating and rich foods to nourish our bodies. I talk with my husband and close friends who have been there and understand, not to have a pity party or brag about how our perspectives are different now but to be encouraged and/or come alongside. I'm not prepared for the things that are challenging and that shake me to my core but I don't have to be, I have be walking in truth and looking to the Lord to guide me and grow me in it. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">This month I've also been realizing that in just 7 1/2 short weeks we'll head back. So I have stopped buying luxury items like body wash and switched back over to bar soap. I'm letting the mouth wash run out. Some might think this ridiculous but I couldn't justify throwing out half used items, I don't want to leave them behind and I'm not taking half used items back (I need all the space I can). So here I am, reminding the kids to wash and rinse quickly while showering, don't leave the water running while brushing teeth, I've been writing down new recipes and menu planning for a whole month (breakfast, lunch and dinner) to save myself the time when we get back. Its a good thing too cause its taking me a long time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Then to top it off I've been reminded not to be so attached to our stuff. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">We lost our favorite backpack, the one we have had for 8 years and had been collecting national park passes on, it had all our memories! When Jon was on his way on a camping trip it flew out of the back of the truck, he lost everything (clothes, camera, flashlight, sleeping bag, ect.)! He called me and I spent over an hour driving around with the kids, looking and stopping on the interstate. I told the kids and we cried together. I actually got a little mad at God, thinking its just a backpack, can't you let us find it! But then He reminded me that I was being prideful and putting too much weight and identity in something like the backpack. I was playing the "woe is me" card and "pitiful poor missionary" card, thinking to my self, "we don't have much in this world and you take the back pack away?" Pathetic I know but I'm being real with you none the less and the Lord was good in reminding me my thinking was wrong and so was my attitude. And really in the grand scheme of things, I would rather loose all my stuff and still have my family, and that is where my focus should be, so I'm kinda thankful it took the loosing of the backpack to remind me and nothing more.</span></span></div>
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September has been full! We were in TN for 3 full weeks, getting to know people in a church out there and visiting the Smoky Mountains. My kids made friends and it broke my heart to have to move on, but I am so thankful for other kids accepting my kids and my kids jumping in and making friends. I'm thankful for people who included us and did fun things for our kids like take them to the county fair. It was fun for me too, I met new people, learned lots about canning (which will help me later back in PY), kept homeschooling and learned more about myself.</div>
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Rainbow falls in the smoky mountains.</div>
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It was beautiful! </div>
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Baskins Creek Falls</div>
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Jonas was loving the orange (his favorite color) leaves</div>
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Jamen and Jade worked hard in their books to get their junior badges.</div>
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Finally we said goodbye to TN and we made our way to GA we stopped in a place called Cataloochee in NC for two days to camp. We got to see lots of elk and up close too!</div>
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We saw 30 elk one day and 20 more the next day </div>
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Our last day the rain and sun created an amazing rainbow </div>
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I even saw the end of the rainbow! I was pretty excited and a little disappointed there was no pot of gold at the end. </div>
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This last part of September simply has gotten away from me. I had my birthday (this is my last year in my 20s, hard to believe) and after that we have been sick every weekend and then Jamen broke his arm. It hasn't been fun (just being honest) but I am so thankful for so many things through all this. Thankful doctors close by, fun sick foods, cool house to battle the fevers, freezer space for popsicles, a dryer to dry favorite blankets quickly and lots of kid movies!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-25779724911955777362014-08-28T14:21:00.000-05:002015-01-04T08:56:06.915-06:00Culture Shock 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I walk along just looking. The pots and pans, plush towels and soft sheets are everywhere and a rainbow of colors line the walls everywhere I turn. Slowly the walls start to close in on me, the walls lined with their rainbow of colors smile down at me, looming over me, shelves with their sparkling wares</span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> screamed "buy me", my heart started to race, my face goes pale, tears blurred my vision. Closer they come and my vision becomes darker. Suddenly firm and gentle hands grip my shoulders, my mom pulls me into a hug and I blink hard to not let the tears fall. I cling to her as she whispers, "its ok, I understand, we can leave if we need to." I hugged her back and wiped my eyes, I stared harder at the walls as if to push them back where they belong and I say, "no, I can do this." </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-align: start;">Culture shock</span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> is defined as the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social environments, or simply travel to another type of life.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #990000;"><img src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BA-BB297_BBBY_P_G_20130309000528.jpg" /></span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Its been three months today since we have been back. I haven't been able to write simply because I didn't know what to say. I had too much emotion and not enough words. But today I think I am able to put my emotion into a few words.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">My personal feelings of disorientation came at me from all sides the second the plane touched down and we walked into the Miami airport. The smell was different... bleached and clean and it was so bright! The kids hit culture shock when we strapped them into their 5 point harness car seats for 5 hours. My husband embraced it all, he drove the car like a pro on the 6 lane highway out of Miami. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Less then 24 hours after we had landed we walked into Walmart...we walked like we were in slow motion, staring with eyes wide and mouths open. The lights were bright and there was so much space. Now I had been planning this trip to Walmart for three years, I couldn't wait! I thought I remembered what it all looked like and how to shop in the states. Boy, was I wrong. I set out to find the 6 things we needed for dinner and breakfast the next morning. Jon and I split the list to save time. I only manged to get yogurt cause I stood looking at all the choices for 10 min! People were looking at me and saying "excuse me" trying to get their own stuff. I finally just grabbed some and ran away. Jon, meanwhile, had found the rest of what we needed and took the kids down the cereal isle to count the different kinds of Cheerios. He did all that while I was just trying to pick out yogurt! This was only in the first 24 hours and I knew I would face much more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Little things started to stick out to me that the kids noticed, they noticed that there weren't any guards in front of every store. They freaked out when it started to rain, we almost never travel in the rain. The foods were different, what people once or twice a week here, we eat once a year when it comes in season. They are adjusting very well, everything is new and exciting and they are getting use to all the traveling and new people. It been awesome to see my kids interact and share what they like and miss about PY. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Days turned into weeks, I started to drive again after 3 years, it was like learning all over again. Hands at 10 and 2 the whole time and I hugged the white line. I consistently go 10 to 15 under the speed limit. Shopping got better, I forced my self to go out to the dollar store, go to the post office. I realized that I use to be the person who wouldn't talk to the people who worked at the store, now I don't care and I ask questions. I have embraced being able to speak in my heart language to express everything I want to without fumbling for words.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Slowly my thinking/remembering where I was changed. I talked a little louder to my kids in the store, I managed to greet people at church without trying to kiss both cheeks, I stopped saying "excuse me" to enter and leave a </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">conversation, we have had to learn to be on time and I freak out less about carrying enough water and snacks when we travel. We still take way to long when we leave someones house after dinner and its weird to say goodbye at the door. So many cultural things we had adjusted to and were part of the norm, suddenly weren't normal. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">So, here I am, driving, talking, thinking, relating and enjoying the things I've missed for the last three years. I probably sleep more than I should, I defiantly eat more cheddar cheese than I should but over all I think the crazy culture shock is gone. More how the Lord is growing me in another post. Meanwhile, here just a few pictures...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Playing tent in Grandma and Grandpas back yard</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3YYuuoyAkg/U_96rt-hFgI/AAAAAAAADVM/jDtx5H_Guo0/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #990000; color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3YYuuoyAkg/U_96rt-hFgI/AAAAAAAADVM/jDtx5H_Guo0/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Big bowls of ice cream! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Feeding the deer at the zoo!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Enjoying the views!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-75699199741292598172014-06-13T14:50:00.000-05:002014-06-13T14:50:04.587-05:00Reentering Society<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We made it, we had arrived! We had great flights, the kids were excited, all baggage arrived safely, our heads were spinning with fatigue but we were back! </div>
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We hit the ground running when we arrived but it turned out to be a good thing. The kids were adjusting well, I however was struggling. Have you ever had a dream that seemed so real that when you woke up it was hard to remember where you were but at the same time hard to remember what had happened in your dream? Well that's what I felt like, I felt like the last three years of my life was this far and distant dream, and yet so real. I was in a fog and kind of a grump the first 5 days. Four days after we stepped off the plane we went to one of our churches kids camp where we were able to share with the kids and the adults what we had been doing the last three years in PY. It really helped me talk through all that we had done, seen and experienced the last three years and help rid my brain of the dream like state I felt like I was in. It ended up being a very good and encouraging week!</div>
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<a href="http://cgny.davlerstatic.com/uploads2/66926/kids-summer-camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cgny.davlerstatic.com/uploads2/66926/kids-summer-camp.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
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Its been really cute to listen to my kids as they discover things like hot and cold running water, one conversation between Jamen and Jade went like this...Jamen: "Hey Jade look at this! This one is hot and this one is cold." Jade: "oh ok". Jamen: "Turn them on and see which one you like best." Jade: "ouch this one is hot." Jamen (giggling): "I know, which one do you like?"</div>
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They are also liking the big bath tubs that you can "swim in", rugs, all the different foods...like the 12 different kinds of cheerios in the cereal aisle, different kinds of cars and houses, car seats have been an adjustment but its going well. Jade a slight freak out moment when it started to rain on the highway, she was very concerned for our safety but we assured her that the roads were safe to drive on even in the rain. Jon has been loving everything! For me Walmart has been a highlight and very tiring at the same time, the first time I went I spent 15 min just trying to buy yogurt.</div>
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Not only have been dealing with culture shock but, I've also been dealing once again with the "American dream" and "life being so much easier here". I know you are thinking life is not easy and I know that too, everywhere there are challenges but in comparing the physical stress of every day life in PY to life here, its totally different. Part of me wants all the stuff that I see around me and to just stay here would be so easy. But its been cool to see the Lord remind me in different ways that this world is not my home. Some dear friends of ours live in Africa and they recently came back stateside and wrote blog about this world not not being our home and I was so encouraged. I've been encouraged by the verses below...</div>
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<a href="http://www.southmetromnrealestate.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/american-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.southmetromnrealestate.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/american-House.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hebrews 13:5 & 20-21</div>
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"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be satisfied with what you have." "I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so you can do what HE wants. God raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, because of the blood of his death. His blood began the eternal agreement that God will do in us what please him, through Jesus Christ, and to him be glory for and ever. Amen."</div>
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<a href="http://underthebutton.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2740293565_340a22c91d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://underthebutton.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2740293565_340a22c91d.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I know there will never be an easy button in life and when I look at the pictures we've taken and see the faces of people I have gotten to know and seen the lives they live. I will keep pressing on even though its not always easy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cK0s3z1Gb5s/U5m9BP_tnUI/AAAAAAAADUM/7oW3wCbMubI/s1600/plane+ride+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cK0s3z1Gb5s/U5m9BP_tnUI/AAAAAAAADUM/7oW3wCbMubI/s1600/plane+ride+003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-63429265563419174922014-05-22T16:49:00.001-05:002014-05-22T16:49:24.832-05:00The Journey Has Begun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, we made our last journey to the village and stayed about 12 days, the rain delayed us in getting out for longer. But we had a good time once we made it and learned so much, always something new to learn, like when it's cloudy for 5 days the solar panels don't pump water to the water tank, so its a good idea to be careful with how much water you use. How to say yes or no in different situations, when you are asked for food, gas or rides, knowing that what you say sets a trend. What to do when your child is throwing up but people are at the house to visit and you know, they know, you know they are out there waiting but you can't tell them what is going on inside the house so you have to ignore them. Always a challenge and there was lots for us to think through. Over all though it was good to have time to say goodbye as we transition into a different world and begin our 7 month journey. </div>
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Below are some pictures from our trip...</div>
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We got to eat grilled armadillo, which was very good! </div>
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Jon wasn't sure if he should eat the lung or not</div>
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The neighbor dog fell into the trash pit where we burn our trash. He barked and whined for much of the early morning, Jon had to get the neighbor to get him out, he wasn't going to let us get near enough to help him out.</div>
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Jade and her friend </div>
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Me and some of the neighbor ladies drinking terere together</div>
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The baby from next door, he is such a cutie! </div>
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So we said our goodbyes, packed up the house and went back to town. Once there we organized everything and packed our bags to head down to the city. </div>
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Jonas was ready to go, hat and backpack on, snack in mouth and shoes in hand.</div>
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All the kids did great on the 6.5 hour bus ride to the big city. The bus was nice, good movies were played, everyone around us was friendly and the bus made great time! It was such a blessing! So, we made it to the city and the first thing Jamen said was "its really loud here". </div>
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We are about to under-go several changes over the next few weeks, please pray we will gracious with ourselves and our kids as we adjust to so much... food, cultural greetings (Jonas says "Hola" to just about everyone these days), sights and sounds, the weather (its gonna feel cold) and just the normal things that aren't so normal (TP goes in toilets, hot and cold running water, learning that whole back yard isn't for digging in, car seats). Of course there are things we are looking forward to...seeing family and friends, worshiping in our heart language, foods we remember and crave, rest stops, big bath tubs for the kids and hot showers in heated bathrooms with no water restrictions and so much more! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-61033807321572615132014-05-01T16:19:00.001-05:002014-05-01T16:26:05.366-05:00Three Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is the 1st of May and in just 10 days it will mark 3 years in PY. Just three short years ago we had our bags pack, life organized, long flights ahead and an exciting adventure before us.</div>
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We arrived and were greeted in new ways but by smiling faces. </div>
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We were welcomed and we were excited!</div>
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We had new sites and sounds before us...</div>
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And a new culture to understand.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3OlQdPlCSI/U2KevnlICjI/AAAAAAAADPg/xpXz7SxOH70/s1600/june+30th+new+shirts+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3OlQdPlCSI/U2KevnlICjI/AAAAAAAADPg/xpXz7SxOH70/s1600/june+30th+new+shirts+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We jumped in with both feet </div>
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we settled in, we studied, we made this our home.</div>
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We kept learning new things while still doing the familiar in our own culture, birthdays were celebrated and friendships deepened.</div>
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(Jade's 2nd birthday and Jamen's 4th birthday) </div>
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We had a baby! I always said I never wanted to have a baby overseas but the Lord had other plans. We were blessed to have a 3rd child and to experience the best labor and recovery ever! </div>
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The first year was lots of adjustments for us but the Lord was faithful in being there every step of the way, through the smiles, the tears, the joy and the pain. When things were going well and when things were hard. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjoHICilELQ/U2Kfkf-eeNI/AAAAAAAADQ0/7M9D-GRQslI/s1600/July+2012+Grandparent+visit+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjoHICilELQ/U2Kfkf-eeNI/AAAAAAAADQ0/7M9D-GRQslI/s1600/July+2012+Grandparent+visit+205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second year marked ... </div>
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A year of greater struggle for me but also a time of friendships deepening, holidays felt a little more normal, drinking terere and eating sopa were familiar and comfortable. The sites and sounds were common and my heart no longer raced out of control when I took the bus alone.</div>
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Sweet friends who were by our sides helping us, encouraging us and being there for us became closer than family. I recall when Jon had dengue fever and baby Jonas was so sick friends took me to the hospital. They dropped everything to help! What a blessing!</div>
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More friends were made as language levels grew and culture understanding deepened. We were able to grieve better with friends who lost loved ones, who's families struggled. </div>
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But we also got to experience the joys of new life, to be there to celebrate and give encouragement and a helping hand.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7knYVUE6Xo/U2KzPd4wVYI/AAAAAAAADSM/HFOrwLViKQc/s1600/chaco+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7knYVUE6Xo/U2KzPd4wVYI/AAAAAAAADSM/HFOrwLViKQc/s1600/chaco+051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally a new horizon was before us, one we had been waiting 10 years to get to </div>
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It was time to once again say goodbye </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9TmZ747_9k/U2KzLV0okjI/AAAAAAAADSE/cZuClbs-FhA/s1600/chaco+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9TmZ747_9k/U2KzLV0okjI/AAAAAAAADSE/cZuClbs-FhA/s1600/chaco+045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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To take time to visit one-on-one and treasure friendships made </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mMaxFG11lo/U2KgPH3tVOI/AAAAAAAADRk/mMiZsHbIRU8/s1600/feb+phone+pics+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mMaxFG11lo/U2KgPH3tVOI/AAAAAAAADRk/mMiZsHbIRU8/s1600/feb+phone+pics+019.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Time to pack up again </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5LVhyDNTj4/U2KgROna8hI/AAAAAAAADRs/PyvacaSd5Pg/s1600/feb+phone+pics+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5LVhyDNTj4/U2KgROna8hI/AAAAAAAADRs/PyvacaSd5Pg/s1600/feb+phone+pics+028.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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To arrive again in a place were greetings are unfamiliar, the words sound like gibberish, the culture unknown and everything we knew to be familiar was no more.... </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3rVgN2ZuAQ/U2KgfH4YvbI/AAAAAAAADR0/cj9RKcwM0zQ/s1600/princesa+and+others+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3rVgN2ZuAQ/U2KgfH4YvbI/AAAAAAAADR0/cj9RKcwM0zQ/s1600/princesa+and+others+060.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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But there is no doubt in my mind friendships will be made, culture understood, the gibberish will turn into meaning and understanding and the Lord will grow us even more though the ups and the downs.</div>
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So here is 3 years! And I'm looking forward to many more!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-80317133416071398352014-04-20T16:51:00.002-05:002014-04-20T16:51:56.811-05:00New Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
March was a rather discouraging month for me, so I didn't post...basically we were stuck in town cause the truck was broken and it seemed we had one set back after another. However at the end of the month a friend offered to drive us out to the village, using his truck and trailer! I was very excited cause it meant one last big trip to get the last of our stuff moved out and it would mark our longest stay out (16 days). So, here is the story... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA5kkrLDxQk/U1QcpaMPnAI/AAAAAAAADLk/jQ3Ris6QJ7o/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA5kkrLDxQk/U1QcpaMPnAI/AAAAAAAADLk/jQ3Ris6QJ7o/s1600/004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We packed and loaded down the truck and trailer on a rainy Sunday morning. Thankfully it hadn't rained in 12 hours and the roads were open... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI28rM-caGA/U1Qcj2oERsI/AAAAAAAADLc/L1MzfgaJwRU/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI28rM-caGA/U1Qcj2oERsI/AAAAAAAADLc/L1MzfgaJwRU/s1600/011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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...but they were muddy and the big cattle trucks were backed up cause the roads had been closed the day before. The roads are sloped to help with water run off which is great, except when you are gonna pass other cars... </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ1Oy7aP2jk/U1QctWEAjwI/AAAAAAAADLs/fDTS38yfQz4/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ1Oy7aP2jk/U1QctWEAjwI/AAAAAAAADLs/fDTS38yfQz4/s1600/013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and of course we had to pass those trucks and we got stuck, even with 4 wheel drive the trailer had to be unhooked, pushed sideways and then pulled out by the truck. Jon and I were so glad our friend was driving, he grew up in the Chaco and knows the ins and outs of driving in the mud. I'll be honest diving in the mud is a little stressful for me so it was really good to watch and learn from someone who has lots of experience.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgwjvOj8Wb8/U1Qfa2IkPhI/AAAAAAAADOY/ahqCrdE1248/s1600/march+phone+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgwjvOj8Wb8/U1Qfa2IkPhI/AAAAAAAADOY/ahqCrdE1248/s1600/march+phone+003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We finally got there and unloaded, dusted the spiders and the webs from the furniture in the house and began to unpack. I still have much to learn about packing...my bananas were mush and had to be frozen for banana pancakes later. Thankfully my jars of canned chicken, stewed veggies and pickles all made it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hoo3-cNZEY/U1Qc3AwzeJI/AAAAAAAADL4/QE0LPeuH4MY/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hoo3-cNZEY/U1Qc3AwzeJI/AAAAAAAADL4/QE0LPeuH4MY/s1600/021.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This time we had lots of visitors in and around the house, this little guy was crawling down the wall one morning, we saw two more in the house but they were smaller...either way...yuck! </div>
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Several of these grasshoppers were seen, they were pretty cool </div>
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This big green moth got in the house one night, he was really pretty.</div>
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This bright green caterpillar was crawling around outside and the kids had a good time playing with him. The game was to play with him without touching him with their hands (we don't which bugs are ok and which aren't at this point)</div>
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and there was this tarantula. </div>
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We were able to bring the washing machine out but it took us a few days to get it working, so in the mean time Jade helped me with the wash. </div>
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We finished setting up the kids rooms, they were very happy to play with their toys. </div>
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We took several walks to visit the neighbors, Jade was pointing out a plant that is covered with thorns and really burns if you touch it. </div>
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Of course we also had visitors </div>
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It was hot most of the time we were out there (102F) but thankfully we had two fans for the kids to use at night, we had a few less than restful nights but what can you do...nothing, it was good to experience. </div>
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The kids loved every moment...</div>
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...even when our friend killed a rattle snake (a very little one) and watched Jon skin it.</div>
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It was good for them to see it, we are still teaching them about all the snakes out there. </div>
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Jon and Jonas enjoying some rest time in the hammock. </div>
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Jamen turned 6 when were out there and we made doughnuts...lots </div>
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The wild orchids were in bloom the last few days of our stay.</div>
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We also got to enjoy some cooler nights (60F), which was nice break from the heat and the bugs which flock to the lights in the house.</div>
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Jon and Jamen found cactus fruit but we don't know how to pick it. Even the fruit is covered in fine hair like thorns. </div>
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One of the highlights while we were there was honey hunting. Jon went with our friends (its not womens work) to get honey from a hive they had found...and there was honey! Some times you go and do all the work chopping the tree or hive and smoking the bees out only to find a hive with no honey.</div>
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The tree with the hive inside and no they didn't have to cut the tree down. The bees had built it inside the log on the ground.</div>
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It was a wonderful two weeks in our new home! We got a ride back to town and are currently waiting for a car part to be shipped from the city. We are in the middle of a 5 day holiday and because of that we had some surprise visits and some planned visits the last few days.</div>
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Some friends from our church in the city were up visiting the Chaco and we were able to get together for a bit.</div>
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Some other friends came and stayed with us for a few days to celebrate Easter. We made the traditional chipa (type of cheese bread) and had an asado (bbq) with them.</div>
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We also visited some of the monuments around town and learned a little more of the history of the town.</div>
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It was so encouraging to see friends and catch up!</div>
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Then to top it off Jamen lost his first tooth!</div>
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That pretty much sums up April, later this month Jonas will turn 2 and we hope to have the car fixed to make one more trip to the village.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-62773836334199188132014-02-25T10:41:00.001-06:002014-02-25T10:45:17.129-06:00New Reality <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, we made our first multi-day trip out to our new home. We were welcomed by lots of kids coming to play everyday, almost all day long, it was great for our kids and for us to get to know our neighbors a little bit more. Lots of neighbors came to visit and drink <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terer%C3%A9">terere<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17.91111183166504px;"> </span></a>with us. During our five days we began to experience a new reality, a reality that could either cripple us or encourage us to learn and except that this is the way things are... </div>
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The reality of thorns...they are everywhere and on almost every plant. Which means where ever you walk you will get thorns in your shoes or in your feet. I am currently in the process of collecting many pairs of tweezers to have with me at all times. </div>
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The reality of animals...they are new and exciting, some are nice and some are not. The chaco leaf footed gecko below is a friendly fellow, we currently have one in our house, he is about 6 inches long. My only beef with him is he poops every where but I like to think he keeps other bugs out of the house.</div>
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" 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We find these black headed parrots beautiful and wonderfully new but for our neighbors these birds destroy the crops and thus destroying their food source. </div>
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Butterflies as far as know are harmless, we are enjoying the amount of butterflies that we see.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7GkkweXOso0/UwyW6U0OkXI/AAAAAAAADJE/3ONKyfVPTJo/s1600/random+phone+pics+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7GkkweXOso0/UwyW6U0OkXI/AAAAAAAADJE/3ONKyfVPTJo/s1600/random+phone+pics+011.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This little guy is called a yarara...he isn't really little...our neighbor saw one in our driveway that was as big around as an orange and 9 feet long. We have yet to see any snakes but we have seen dead ones while driving and the slither marks in our yard, so we know they are out there. </div>
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" 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The reality of the weather...the weather rules out here, this has been a new thought for me. Its not very often that when it rains in the states that life stops, well here it does. The rain makes the craziest mud I've ever seen, you can't drive after a hard or long rain, the roads are closed until they dry or if you do attempt it out 4 wheel drive is needed along with everything you need to get your self out of the mud if you get stuck.</div>
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The sun is hot here! I sweated more than I ever though possible. I love it when the wind blows and I am so glad our little wooden house cools down (even if its just a bit) at night and that we have little personal size fans to use at night to sleep. </div>
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The reality of health...we are gonna get sick, we are gonna get thorns in our feet, we are gonna get bit by bugs and burned by the sun. My first aid kit continues to grow, as I add more things like tweezers, sunscreen, snake bit kit, kid and adult pain meds, anti-itch cream, bug spray, eye drops, instant sugary drink mixes and much more.</div>
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The reality of dirt...it is everywhere! When the wind blows the dirt covers everything, when the wind doesn't blow the dirt covers everything. The kids sweat and the dirt sticks to them, there is no keeping clean. They have to be bathed twice a day and clothes don't come clean...I'm pretty sure even Tide couldn't clean these clothes. Crazy bugs live in the dirt, some only come out when its wet and others live in it when its dry...good clean dirt doesn't exist here.</div>
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The reality of the unknown....is just part of life...but it's how you handle it that will either allow you to continue on or give up.</div>
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The reality is... there is nothing we can do to about the thorns, the animals, the weather, the dirt, the bugs, the sickness but accept it as part of our new life. </div>
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Here are a few stories from our trip...</div>
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After our 3rd day of living in our new home Jon and I were becoming overwhelmed, the kids were dirty all the time, they had so many red swollen bug bites it was crazy, they weren't sleeping well cause of the heat and all the new sounds of the woods (window are left open all the time). Jon and I were starting to lose perspective. We had to take a step back and think about how we grew up....Jon grew up with rattle snakes around and thorny bushes, I grew up with lots of dirt and black flies...that was just life and we did just fine.</div>
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On our last day before heading back to town I started to get more and more grouchy, I wanted AC so badly that I couldn't think strait anymore. I had to stop my self and remind myself that this was where I was and this was how it was and me wishing for something else over 24 hours away was just going to make life harder for everyone. I really had to guard myself against wishing for things to change or be different. When its hot its hot, when its cold its cold, when it rains it rains and to be okay with it. Its easier to deal with the heat and the bugs when you know you can't get away from it and you can't change it.</div>
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All the things that I talked about above are just part of life. But if you let it, it will make your life miserable. I have also found my attitude is being watched by my kids and by my friends and neighbors. What am I saying to my kids when I complain? What does my face say to my neighbors whom I can't speak to yet? It has taken us 10 years to get to this place and it could all be gone in a second if I forget that the reality is that God is in control...that He uses the hard times to grow me and teach me, to grow and teach my kids, to encourage my friends and neighbors. The reality is that I am to learn to be content in every situation. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-71762401553054074732014-02-04T08:03:00.002-06:002014-02-04T08:09:28.065-06:00New Chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The month of January was a bit emotional for me as we prepared to leave our life in the city and move once again. We had lots of goodbyes to say to people...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SzB1IAhFrI/UvDtRj7cwxI/AAAAAAAADHo/4GcovkJjFXw/s1600/feb+phone+pics+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SzB1IAhFrI/UvDtRj7cwxI/AAAAAAAADHo/4GcovkJjFXw/s1600/feb+phone+pics+002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our pastor and his family </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ql1c2b0Ztg/UvDtSOkgn1I/AAAAAAAADHs/Tzzund2Df18/s1600/feb+phone+pics+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ql1c2b0Ztg/UvDtSOkgn1I/AAAAAAAADHs/Tzzund2Df18/s1600/feb+phone+pics+003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our friends who gave us a beautiful picture that was painted by a family member. </div>
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More friends from our life group </div>
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Our pastor saying a few words at our goodbye party...I was trying not to cry in this picture </div>
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I went and had ice cream with my dear friend, it was nice to just sit and chat with her. Normally when we get together it's at her house or mine and it's always so busy we feel like we don't visit as much as we'd like. So this was a special time for us. </div>
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Finally, the day came and we packed all the last minute stuff (including dog and cat) and drove 293 miles to our "new home" in the Chaco. Praise the Lord we got there with almost no problems!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlJngf29ggo/UvDthPlM64I/AAAAAAAADIY/MQH6c__LaxI/s1600/feb+phone+pics+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlJngf29ggo/UvDthPlM64I/AAAAAAAADIY/MQH6c__LaxI/s1600/feb+phone+pics+030.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our friends followed us up and they were able to get these pictures, that's our truck as we entered town. </div>
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When we got to our final destination, Jon kissed the ground! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4jhmuvRMdI/UvDtoqW-zwI/AAAAAAAADIo/KBcC03xrMys/s1600/feb+phone+pics+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4jhmuvRMdI/UvDtoqW-zwI/AAAAAAAADIo/KBcC03xrMys/s1600/feb+phone+pics+038.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, here it is the <b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19.19999885559082px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_(Paraguay)">Paraguayan Chaco</a>.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.19999885559082px;">We love it here! Of course being a country girl myself, its wonderful to hear the birds singing all day long and to hear the wind in the trees. The kids are so happy to dig in the dirt. Some of the first things I've learned about living here is you get dirty pretty quick, its hot but not humid like was in the city and almost everything that grows here has thorns. But its beautiful, right now there are a ton of white butterflys all over and there are flowers and fruits that grow here. I am looking forward to getting to know more about this new place we call home.</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-48727897952862497942014-01-06T06:12:00.001-06:002014-01-06T06:12:29.973-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_I-KKsPV5Yo/UsqaQa2FcVI/AAAAAAAADGE/JYUCG2k7DEk/s1600/phone+pictures+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_I-KKsPV5Yo/UsqaQa2FcVI/AAAAAAAADGE/JYUCG2k7DEk/s1600/phone+pictures+019.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a great Christmas this year, it being our third one here it felt more normal for it to be hot, to not have the traditional Christmas comfort foods, to stay up till 2:30am celebrating on the 24th with friends and sleeping in on the 25th. </div>
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Jonas is now totally potty trained and in celebration we gave him a big boy hair cut </div>
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Jamen learned to climb... </div>
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The kids have been enjoying the pool these days. </div>
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Jade turned 4 last month! </div>
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And to ring in the new year we roasted marshmallows! </div>
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And Jade helped me make pizza </div>
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Christmas packages arrived from family... </div>
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and Jonas thinks stickers are for his face. </div>
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We have a very exciting new year ahead of us! It was good for me to reflect on last year, so much of last year was so very hard in so many ways but to think of how much the Lord taught and grew me in the last year has been amazing to reflect on! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-82223767466923976162013-12-08T08:45:00.002-06:002013-12-08T08:45:38.256-06:00October and November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Snfwg-q-vy8/UqR_frXJFOI/AAAAAAAADFE/TJLLyBReNYs/s1600/terere+Jonas+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Snfwg-q-vy8/UqR_frXJFOI/AAAAAAAADFE/TJLLyBReNYs/s320/terere+Jonas+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-82660091884379012132013-10-07T05:46:00.002-05:002013-10-07T05:46:58.196-05:00September Here and Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What times we had this month! Sadly I can't load all the pictures I want to share but here are a few...</div>
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First day of school! Jamen started first grade this year and Jade is in preschool. </div>
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Jonas does really well playing by himself while I teach other two but he also has times when he is included in the fun. He says "A" and "two", he is already trying to keep up. </div>
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First day of school snack time of popcorn! </div>
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Jamen went to the dentist for the first time </div>
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Clean teeth! </div>
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We went to our friends wedding this month, what a good time we had! </div>
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A glowing bride!</div>
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Some other highlights from the month were my birthday which we celebrated with friends from our life group, I think it went well. We said good bye to a good friend headed back to the states but also welcomed a new friend here to PY. I had an evaluation this month to see how I am progressing in language and culture. We also got out of the city for day to see where the strawberries are grown and go hiking. There was also a pretty bad hail storm this month killing the last of the strawberries and destroying many houses. By us it fell in only dime size pieces but it was larger in the hardest hit areas outside the city. Its now Spring time here in PY and I am enjoying all the flowers in bloom around the city, they are beautiful! So, that was our September, one to remember!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-64350716758980523082013-08-31T13:10:00.000-05:002013-08-31T13:10:05.974-05:00August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had few memorable life moments this month but mostly I feel like this month has been getting ready for next month or at least the middle week in September in which we have, a medical trip with our church, my evaluation, my birthday, a friend leaving for the states, starting a new home school year and a wedding! Its going to be a busy week that week. </div>
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This month mostly consisted of me studying 35-42 hours a week, which has its challenges. After living here for 2 years I finally decided this month to get some house help. And I am so glad I did! Finally we have one day that is less busy and the help is great, its taken me a little while not to feel guilty for having help and wanting to help the house help. Its also a great time for me to learn and practice speaking more! </div>
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So, other than study this month here is some of what we did or experienced....</div>
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The presidential place was opened up one weekend here after 150 years of being closed to the public. We didn't get to go in cause the thousands of people but we did enjoy the river view, watching the making of churros and kids liked the clown. </div>
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Churros are made of a dough that is deep fried, it has a hole in the middle which is then filled with ducle de leche (sweetened condensed milk that has been caramelized).</div>
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This month was also very cold at times, enough to frost again and kill over 800 head of cattle in some places. So we bundled up. </div>
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But it was also hot enough for shorts and drinking terere.</div>
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We also battled colds, I had pretty bad flu, we visited with friends, had small group and faced the reality of death and the hopelessness without Christ. Jon attended a vigil, we also visited a very sick friend and heard of a death in the village that our friends work in, very sad and yet very motivating to learn a language and culture so that there can be clear understanding. Keep praying we'll be faithful with our time with our friends and our family!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-50929306826680660172013-08-05T14:11:00.003-05:002013-08-05T14:11:57.281-05:00July Flys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This month flew by but I guess so do all the other months. I got a little carried away with pictures so hang with me, lots happened this month...</div>
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Jamen finished his first year of home school this month! Next year he will be going into first grade, he can't wait to start!</div>
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Jonas has become more of a helper these days, wanting to sweep, put things in the trash even if its not trash and he is slowly learning to play along side his older brother and sister.</div>
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We took the kids to the zoo, it was the first time for Jonas and I have to say he didn't like it as much as we thought. He mostly just liked the birds. Everything else was too big and scary for him, he freaked out when the lions came rushing out of the cage into the open area.</div>
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Here is a happy face.</div>
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We all loved watching the hippo eat and the monkey hanging by his tail.</div>
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Jon climbed this big tree at the zoo, the kids wanted to tag along.</div>
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A nice picture of the three kids...</div>
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Enjoying their first cotton candy!</div>
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July was also cold. Place outside the city hit 22F for at least three nights in a row. People died of the cold, there was frost and ice. Its still amazes me how it can be so hot in the summer and yet get so cold. We bundled up and drank lots of mate, a hot drink here. </div>
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Jade also started her dance class this month. We were in the right place at the right time and she got a 5 month scholarship at a dance school. It took a little to get use to but now she can't stop smiling while she is there, she loves it!</div>
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At the end of July, friendship day is celebrated here and Jade and I attended a tea for the ladies in the church. It was fun to do something together and another great learning time for me.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-52314080741390506582013-07-02T15:03:00.001-05:002013-07-02T15:03:27.781-05:00June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may have heard, yes, Jon went to Mexico for a few days end of May and beginning of June. It was a great time for him and good time of relaxing and growth for me....let me share...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day three of Daddy being gone and I found a kitten, all alone in the street, pretty much half starved. We were already having mice problems so its seemed like a good idea to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a great idea! I bathed it several times and since it was starving it didn't have the strength to fight back, it actually purred. It starting eating and every time we got near it it started to purr and just wanted to play with the kids. The kids named it Mitten and it was highlight of every waking moment. I was so glad for a distraction and it was a great way to enjoy the sunny weather! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before Jon left, he recorded several books so that the kids could listen to them, that was a fun surprise for the kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 4 days into our 12 days all three kids got very sick. Here are Jamen and Jade breathing in hot steam with eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint oil. Jonas got the worse of it. I was so worried I finally took him to the doctor. I get all teary eyed when I think about it cause I had to call on the help of my friends. They were there for me in a second, it was great to know I had friends who dropped everything to run me and three sick kids all over the city to the hospital, to the doctor, to the pharmacy. It turns out Jonas just had a really bad cold, the worse part lasted 3 days and in two weeks he was fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jonas has been changing by leaps and bound this month, he learned to use a spoon but really on while eating pea soup.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He learned if you get on the bike you get pushed...boy does he love that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got a birthday package, Jamen and Jonas had birthdays in April</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jade had some busy days that she fell asleep while reading the bed time story.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jamen made a life size drawing of himself with his new necklace and all </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jon brought back Krispy Kreme doughnuts!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jade loves to carry the baby Mittens </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jonas learned to use the rocking chair</span> ...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to smile for the camera...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to eat chocolate chip cookies and he got his first hair cut! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month was busy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also had some very emotional time for me as well. I enjoyed a great 12-15 day break of language study and came to realize just how exhausting it is to do it all...to study, to home school, be a wife, a mom, a house keeper and a good friend all within the framework of a different culture. But in this I have come to realize more and more that it is God who gives strength, it is the body of Christ that works together and that "one of God's most effective means in the process of growth is failure" "Failure where self is concerned in our Christian life and service, is allowed and often engineered by God in order to turn us completely from ourselves to His Source for our life-Christ Jesus, who never fails" - Miles J. Stanford in his book The Complete Green Letters. So in my moments of feeling down and like I have failed the Lord showed me that "yes, you have been wrong in your thinking and here is how I am growing you". Not a pain free process but a necessary one! I am already enjoying look back on the hard times to see what I have learned and to see the Lord prove himself faithful through it all!</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-19508509067697511732013-06-07T09:18:00.001-05:002013-06-07T09:18:27.828-05:00Forget May Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The months just seem to fly, here are this months highlights...</div>
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The three kids! Jonas is very close to walking these days. He is also getting better at his sign language. He says, "please", "more", "all finished", "milk", "drink" and is working at putting two together, so far its been, "more milk" and "more please". The baby sign language goes a long way, it sure is nice that he can communicate with more than just whining to get what he wants. Jamen and Jade are pretending more and more, they are so fun to watch.</div>
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This month we attended our very first 15th birthday. To read more click this link <a href="http://blogs.ntm.org/jon-quast/">http://blogs.ntm.org/jon-quast/</a></div>
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It was fun to get dressed up and go out, even if we were learning the whole time.</div>
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The cake and goodies!</div>
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Singing happy birthday!</div>
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Jonas loves to eat!</div>
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We went to a friends birthday this month!</div>
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I also have learned to make homemade yeast bread, its minimal work, cheap and yummy (according to Jon and the kids, this bread is not gluten free). I also learned a trick. Wrapping the bread in a damp cloth after taking it out of the pan softens the crust so its easy to cut and its not crumbly! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-72740064423321141542013-05-08T07:29:00.001-05:002013-05-08T07:29:26.564-05:00Birthday Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
April for the last two years has been birthday month between us and our good friends, we have a birthday every week for 5 weeks (cause Jon's comes the first week in May)! However this month between our family and theirs we colds, they had dengue and much more so our celebrating slowed down this month. We were finally able to come together and celebrate. Also, this month we continued with school and enjoyed special times together.</div>
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The kids enjoying some planet earth together </div>
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Jonas, the morning of his birthday! </div>
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Happy 1st Birthday Jonas! </div>
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First cake! </div>
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Jamen turned 5 this month, hard to believe. </div>
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Jamen has some friends over to help celebrate his birthday. </div>
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Jamen has been learning about time in school</div>
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I painted Jades nails with pok-a-dots </div>
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Jonas is learning about sitting at the table and eating big people food, which he loves! </div>
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After all the sickness, we were able to get together and grill pork ribs with our friends. We had never had them here and they were soooo good! </div>
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Apparently what you do is take a picture of the plate of ribs and then after everyone is done eating you take a picture of their plates to see how much they ate. </div>
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Jonas got to chew on a bone, boy did he love that!</div>
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Jamen ate so many we lost count and he kept throwing his bones to the dog so we never got a picture </div>
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and poor Jon only ate one...hahaha</div>
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It was a good month, we continue to learn more about culture, eating habits, new vocab and ways of life. At times is seems never ending. Also this month I (Jen) had the opportunity to attend a workshop for 5 days and it was so worth my time to learn more about how I function, how to better relate to others, ways to help our family deal with stress, grief and to see my coworkers in a new light. It was a great way end to the month. Stay tuned for Mays post at the end of the month, this month I have an evaluation, Jon has a trip and we are attending a very special event in the lives of Paraguayans, stay tuned to find out more!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-53679645116802624962013-04-11T09:46:00.000-05:002013-04-11T09:46:31.729-05:00Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Learning, what would we do without it? To be honest I think we would be very bored if we didn't learn. I know I have been learning since I was born, but I feel in the last 8 years I have learn the most. Moving away from home, college, dating and getting married, two kids, more schooling, moving/living in peoples homes with family and then moving to a totally new place where nothing is the same as what I know. Then to top it off baby number three comes around and I keep on learning...</div>
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This post is for Jonas, I am so glad the Lord blessed us with YOU!</div>
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I learned you can go from this to...</div>
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...this, all in 40 weeks!</div>
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I learned that I have friends all over the world and I am so thankful for their support and friendship! </div>
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I learned how grown up and big my other two kids are, its amazing how truly helpless babies are and I am so glad that my other two could dress themselves, us the bathroom, pick up toys, feed themselves and so much more.</div>
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I learned love can be at first sight.</div>
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I learned that God can give you peace and encouragement when you are unsure of the unknown. I learned babies do come on their due dates, you can have a 4 hour labor, have a great hospital experience and leave the hospital 18 hours after giving birth.</div>
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I learned to cherish more memories, cause they grow so fast.</div>
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Those smiles are priceless!</div>
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I learned how little you really need to have for babies. I had a mat, a pack n play, a dresser which also served as a changing table and a lawn chair to nurse in. A few clothes, burp cloths, a baby carrier, a handful of toys and a few warm blankets and we were good to go.</div>
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I learned you don't need a high chair to feed your kid. Jonas sat on the floor, on the table or in our laps for meals. I only just started to put him in the "high chair" now that he is bigger and he loves it! </div>
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I have learned just how different each of my kids are and to pay attention to things they like and don't like. Jonas loves tags and because of that, he has become very attached to his blanket. He is the first kid to become attached to a blanket, I love it! </div>
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Over all I learned to be more relaxed. Jonas slept in our bed the longest, he was held the most, he was still a scheduled eater and sleeper but if those things got a little messed up I wasn't a basket case because of it. I learned to change diapers and clothes in the 40 degree house in the middle of the night in record time. This third baby experience hasn't been without its challenges but I think over all I have learned more to take in the moment by moment things and to put aside less important things in order to invest more in my kids. </div>
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I love to watch Jonas learn. He loves books, dogs and pointing to things. Its been fun to see him play by himself and to see him interact differently with his brother and sister. With Jade, Jonas is silly and giggly. She likes to read to him, hug and kiss him and tickle him. With Jamen, Jonas is all business he is handing him blocks and pushing car right along side him. Jamen likes to play with him, as long as cars and blocks are involved. </div>
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I thank the Lord for my third baby and all that I have learned this year!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-61810486922561498442013-03-30T09:39:00.000-05:002013-03-30T09:39:31.813-05:00Marching On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This month was very busy for us but a good busy...</div>
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I, Jen, continue to press on in language study and this month I was invited to a moms group, its very exciting. Also there are craft days at the church this month, which I enjoy. I am still home schooling the kids and enjoying watching my kids learn. Jonas is cutting teeth this month, that's been rough at times. I also experienced a pretty bad fall of the bus this month, pretty sure I bruised the bone in my leg but thankfully nothing was broken. Our neighbor had a baby and this month is Easter so we continue to learn things every day. </div>
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Below are a few other things that happened this month...</div>
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The first week of March some friends treated us to a date night, it had been three years since our last date. We had a great time finishing our thoughts and completing sentences uninterrupted (not because the kids are bad all the time but they are always in need and you have to always think on the move.) I also and enjoying not cooking!</div>
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This month Jamen and Jade have gotten a lot more creative in their playing, naming cars, building towers, having tea and much more.</div>
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Jonas is getting into everything and requires Jamen and Jade to rethink their playing to include Jonas. </div>
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Jonas turned 11 months this month, hard to believe he is coming up on a year!</div>
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Home schooling continues to go well, Jamen read his first story this month, "The Fat Rat". He is making leaps and bounds in his learning. </div>
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Jade is learning her letter sounds, working on shapes, colors, patterns and following directions. She wants so badly to keep up with Jamen, she often sits and "reads" books to me or Jonas.</div>
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This month Jonas learned to stand up in his bed and he is also pulling up on anything he can around the house.</div>
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We all enjoyed a fall picnic the other day, the weather has been wonderful this month. Its cooled down sooner this year and we are not complaining. </div>
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Last year we learned to make chipa with friends and learned about Semana Santa (Holy week). This year being our second year we learned more, relaxed more and had a lot more fun. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HwgOk4zeGg/UVbq6TSMQ7I/AAAAAAAAC2s/BoAMUnukEog/s1600/ester+2013+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HwgOk4zeGg/UVbq6TSMQ7I/AAAAAAAAC2s/BoAMUnukEog/s320/ester+2013+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chipa dough consists of butter, eggs, corn meal, tapioca starch, cheese, salt and anise. You mix it all together till its crumbly, then comes the hard part, taking the dough and mixing it by hand till it sticks and you can form it into a shape. We found that we had to mix the dough by hand for 10 min before we could shape it, then you can bake.</div>
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Afterwards we enjoyed our chipa with cocido con leche...yum! </div>
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My cute little cooks! </div>
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Also this month Jon experienced dengue fever, this is a disease carried by mosquitoes Even as I write this he is still recovering. This disease is known as the "bone break fever", you have a high fever, headache, very bad aching in your joints and bones, not to mention the rash that leaves you itchy and the fatigue that keeps you down for more than a week. So, Jon has been confined to bed, eating good foods to keep his blood platelet count up. Thankfully he didn't experience vomiting and he has been able to eat and drink. Dengue can be very dangerous so we are taking precautions but so far so good and we are very thankful for this. </div>
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This year Jamen and Jade are learning the true meaning of Easter. There will be no hunting of colored eggs or dying of boiled eggs as we don't have the things to do that this year, but we did make Easter baskets for candy tomorrow and later we will make forgotten cookies.</div>
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That was our March and we keep marching on in language study and culture learning! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36869368.post-77394391594089383922013-02-26T12:53:00.000-06:002013-02-26T12:53:08.228-06:00Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the beginning of February we took a trip to visit some friends and see the work they are doing. It was an eight day trip and it was really hard for me to pick from the 500 pictures we took. We had an amazing time, here is what we did....</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsZMkedOHmk/USz621A6o1I/AAAAAAAACw4/wi75WzT6uG8/s1600/P2011693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsZMkedOHmk/USz621A6o1I/AAAAAAAACw4/wi75WzT6uG8/s320/P2011693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We packed the car and headed out on a Friday morning at 5:30am! </div>
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The kids were very excited!</div>
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We drove out of the city in the dark and watched the sunrise </div>
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and the countryside changed so much before our eyes </div>
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Our first stop to visit friends and see them in action working with believers and the church there </div>
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I love these pictures of the this man reading his Bible and </div>
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this little boy looking through the pictures of the Bible stories</div>
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I loved watching my kids interact with the other missionaries kids and the tribal kids </div>
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The kids loved to have their pictures taken and to see them on the screen of the camera </div>
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Jamen got to pick some pineapple, the plants are behind him</div>
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After a few days we visited another location, once again the countryside changed even though it was only about 3 hours away </div>
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At this new location we didn't stay with a family, we had a little house without pluming and just before we got there they put up solar panels and we did have a light! But we had to get all our water out the community well for drinking, cooking and bathing. The kids really enjoyed this process</div>
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On our way we crossed some scary looking bridges, yes we crossed this in the car </div>
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We did some hiking </div>
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and walking</div>
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Jamen got involved with the kids when it was time to color pictures, can you find him? </div>
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We visited friends of the missionaries </div>
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Jamen like playing games with the boys</div>
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Jonas took baths in the bucket </div>
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We visited a waterfall </div>
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and helped in anyway we could </div>
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We had a great time, I can't tell you how great it was to see us a family doing things together and seeing team work and seeing the stars!!! If you want to know more, email and I'll tell you more! Hope you enjoyed the pictures.</div>
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