I am at a camp in Virginia..."all alone". There are over 700 people here, but it seems as if I was all alone. The strange thing is...I KNOW probably 1/2 of them; we were friends growing up, we're cousins, we met in Paraguay, we were from the same youth group, etc. Usually at camps I have important people with me...my husband and my kids! It's so exciting to be with them, eat with them, wave at them from far away, walk down the paths with them, sit by them at evening services, introduce them to your friends...but, what happens when they are not with you? Who do you lean on? Who do you go to? Who do you hug? Who do you eat with?
Some people say, "it'll be fun. It's a vacation."...but, it's not. How can we have a vacation from our best friends, our family?
My nephews are fun. We play all day. We laugh together and run around in circles. We put pretzles up to our eyes to make it look like we have glasses on. We have FUN...but, it's not Edson! I wonder what HE'S doing? Is HE having fun? I talk to some teens. My sons met them last year. They're fun and polite. They are good looking or pretty...they are my friends' kids...but they aren't my Brandon and Gabriel. I wonder what THEY'RE doing? Are THEY having fun? I see husbands saving seats for their wives or wives waiting for their husbands...but, no Oscar!
This time "all alone" makes me appreciate even more my best friends, my family! Family is a special gift from above. Family makes life complete. We aren't "all alone" when we can depend on FAMILY.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
In USA!
My aunts told me today that I wasn't blogging!
I haven't been around a computer for a couple of days...well, I've been around the computer, but we have been visiting...creating and absorbing QUALITY TIME with family and friends. It has been wonderful!...all the while I am missing out on my wonderful Paraguayan family even though THEY are enjoying time with Ohioans in Paraguay. Here's whats been going on for a week.
My trip started out flying into Seattle...rainy, and pouring Seattle. While waiting for Ellen the sun came out and we went downtown to Pike's Place Market. The next day we went to Warm Beach Camp and started the Mission Conference. Every three years we have a mission conference for the missionaries of our denomination.
On Monday we went Whale watching. The cruise was a 5 hour long ride through pueget sound. We saw many many orka. It was so beautiful, but soo cold. We got back to Warm Beach in time to see the campers arrive. I had a presentation for the little kids.
Tuesday was my FULL day at camp.
Wednesday morning I flew back to Ohio and spent the night with mom and dad.
Thursday was a girl's day (Mom, Martha, Liz, and I) at Liz's...we did nothing but talk, laugh, cry and...eat! It was great!
Friday was my shopping day. It was one of the first days I got out to see what you all have at those large super markets! I bored Laurel at the local WalMart for THREE hours and I still forgot about that flat-ball that I wanted to get Edson. I almost NEVER go shopping in Paraguay, this was a treat for me! We also never see such an amazing variety of STUFF!
Today we had an impromtu-schley thing at mom's yard sale. The sale was finished early because of a huge thunderstorm. We packed up for Paraguay and Camp and we finished the evening at Doylestown's small Pizzazio's Pizza.
Tomorrow I am off to another camp in Virginia.
So, sorry this is so blunt and short. These days were full of many, many details, and many, many memories...beautiful stories, beautiful family, beautiful moments.
I haven't been around a computer for a couple of days...well, I've been around the computer, but we have been visiting...creating and absorbing QUALITY TIME with family and friends. It has been wonderful!...all the while I am missing out on my wonderful Paraguayan family even though THEY are enjoying time with Ohioans in Paraguay. Here's whats been going on for a week.
My trip started out flying into Seattle...rainy, and pouring Seattle. While waiting for Ellen the sun came out and we went downtown to Pike's Place Market. The next day we went to Warm Beach Camp and started the Mission Conference. Every three years we have a mission conference for the missionaries of our denomination.
On Monday we went Whale watching. The cruise was a 5 hour long ride through pueget sound. We saw many many orka. It was so beautiful, but soo cold. We got back to Warm Beach in time to see the campers arrive. I had a presentation for the little kids.
Tuesday was my FULL day at camp.
Wednesday morning I flew back to Ohio and spent the night with mom and dad.
Thursday was a girl's day (Mom, Martha, Liz, and I) at Liz's...we did nothing but talk, laugh, cry and...eat! It was great!
Friday was my shopping day. It was one of the first days I got out to see what you all have at those large super markets! I bored Laurel at the local WalMart for THREE hours and I still forgot about that flat-ball that I wanted to get Edson. I almost NEVER go shopping in Paraguay, this was a treat for me! We also never see such an amazing variety of STUFF!
Today we had an impromtu-schley thing at mom's yard sale. The sale was finished early because of a huge thunderstorm. We packed up for Paraguay and Camp and we finished the evening at Doylestown's small Pizzazio's Pizza.
Tomorrow I am off to another camp in Virginia.
So, sorry this is so blunt and short. These days were full of many, many details, and many, many memories...beautiful stories, beautiful family, beautiful moments.
Friday, June 27, 2008
CPA - 7
We started out with 9 teachers; 4 were homeroom teachers and 5 of us were teachers of special classes. School hours were from 7:00 am to 11:00 (morning session) and from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm (afternoon classes).Claudia – kingergarten and 1st grade
Estela – 2nd and 3rd grades
Zully – Principal and 4th grade
Mariela – 5th and 6th grades
Mary – Christian Education
Baldovino – Phys. Ed. and Administrative Secretary
Graciela - Music
Amy and Karen – English
Oscar – Pastor
Marcos – Secretary
Nancy – Cleaning lady
Elena – Snack bar
All the teachers were born-again Christians and 7 out of the 13 people on the staff were from the Apostolic Christian church denomination.
We scheduled a two-day camp, Mission’s Week, Olympics, Kid’s Day, and other exciting activities. We celebrated Mother’s Day and Independence Day, Father’s Day, and Folklore Day. Our music teacher did an amazing job on all the school programs. She had exciting ideas and got everyone involved. The parents loved it. At each school program we had the opportunity to share God’s Word with the adults. Hundreds of people would come and our school seemed all of a sudden too small.
We started praying for the empty property next to us…
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thank God for MOMS...
Right after last week’s funeral, my neighbor lady came to me with another problem. Mrs. Adriana who just had a baby was sick in the hospital with only days to live. Her baby girl was with Mrs. Rubia, her three teen age boys were here and there on the streets until late at night and Mr. Gino was with his wife in the hospital 1 ½ hours away.
I was thinking of my own family, my teenage boys, my baby, my friends at church who just lost their mom (a sister in church who always served and loved others with open arms)…another family with no mom! I sat down at the table and cried for a minute…for their family…for those boys, my kids’ ages, roaming the cold streets with no parental direction and her baby, a tiny little girl 20 days old, not even realizing that it isn’t her mom holding her and giving her her bottle.
Right before Mrs. Rubia came to tell me, I was nagging at the kids to clean up, study for finals, do this, do that…you know, the things moms have to nag about! The kids were grumbling, rolling their eyes and disgusted…you know the things kids hate about moms! We all just sat stunned after hearing the news of our neighbors, our friends. We prayed for that family, for Mrs. Adriana’s health, for Tito, Johnny, and Ariel, our neighborhood buddies. We prayed for Mr. Gino and little baby Luz. AND…We thanked God for our family, for our health, for our “nagging” mom and for all these added blessings that moms somehow provide.
I was thinking of my own family, my teenage boys, my baby, my friends at church who just lost their mom (a sister in church who always served and loved others with open arms)…another family with no mom! I sat down at the table and cried for a minute…for their family…for those boys, my kids’ ages, roaming the cold streets with no parental direction and her baby, a tiny little girl 20 days old, not even realizing that it isn’t her mom holding her and giving her her bottle.
Right before Mrs. Rubia came to tell me, I was nagging at the kids to clean up, study for finals, do this, do that…you know, the things moms have to nag about! The kids were grumbling, rolling their eyes and disgusted…you know the things kids hate about moms! We all just sat stunned after hearing the news of our neighbors, our friends. We prayed for that family, for Mrs. Adriana’s health, for Tito, Johnny, and Ariel, our neighborhood buddies. We prayed for Mr. Gino and little baby Luz. AND…We thanked God for our family, for our health, for our “nagging” mom and for all these added blessings that moms somehow provide.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Edson
Things have been kind of crazy lately with Oscar gone and getting back. Kaylie has been taking ALL of my English classes at school while I juggled other activities and family demands…the most demanding, of course, has been Edson. And then, the look on his peaceful face as he sleeps makes me think that it really wasn’t all that bad just a few hours before.
Saturday night was tough! Oscar was busy with others and I had a “free” moment to change a dirty diaper. Since we don’t have changing tables at church and the bathroom sink is often wet, I took Edson in the Pastor’s office and laid him down on the desk. It’s cold and he had about 3 layers of clothes on. I got the bottom part off, ready to change his diaper just as he reached for a box of pins and completely spilled them all over his face and body and all three layers of sweaters and sweat pants. I tried to pull them all out of his clothes, quickly change him, and bundle him up again. I think I was being tested for patience!
The rest of the night was full of squirming, screaming, scrambling and the rest. After that evening, we were both so exhausted that he came right home to bed. Since I changed him at church, I just laid him down and he instantly fell asleep.
Sunday morning came along. It was my turn to prepare breakfast for 50 kids at Sunday school, get my own kids up and once again, change Edson. Since I changed him so early the night before, he wet through most of his layers. I was taking off the layers one at a time, got to his diaper and found a pin in it…laying flat, but pricking at his stomach! Then another fell out of his sweater! Oh no! Could that have been the reason he was so ornery the night before? He was being pricked by pins and couldn’t be still!
He’s still asleep. It’s warm in those covers. He’s peaceful, cute, and calm. Let’s just blame those wiggly, active moments on the pins!
Saturday night was tough! Oscar was busy with others and I had a “free” moment to change a dirty diaper. Since we don’t have changing tables at church and the bathroom sink is often wet, I took Edson in the Pastor’s office and laid him down on the desk. It’s cold and he had about 3 layers of clothes on. I got the bottom part off, ready to change his diaper just as he reached for a box of pins and completely spilled them all over his face and body and all three layers of sweaters and sweat pants. I tried to pull them all out of his clothes, quickly change him, and bundle him up again. I think I was being tested for patience!
The rest of the night was full of squirming, screaming, scrambling and the rest. After that evening, we were both so exhausted that he came right home to bed. Since I changed him at church, I just laid him down and he instantly fell asleep.
Sunday morning came along. It was my turn to prepare breakfast for 50 kids at Sunday school, get my own kids up and once again, change Edson. Since I changed him so early the night before, he wet through most of his layers. I was taking off the layers one at a time, got to his diaper and found a pin in it…laying flat, but pricking at his stomach! Then another fell out of his sweater! Oh no! Could that have been the reason he was so ornery the night before? He was being pricked by pins and couldn’t be still!
He’s still asleep. It’s warm in those covers. He’s peaceful, cute, and calm. Let’s just blame those wiggly, active moments on the pins!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Oscar's home!
Okay, so what have I been doing this week that kept me from blogging?Too much!
I was finishing up my last couple of days as a single parent. Oscar flew to Canada for a friends wedding, a visit to our Canadian Mission Organization, a meeting with someone thinking about coming down, and a visit with our relatives from Kitchener. Two weeks made me appreciate Oscar even more than before! He helps me so much with so many things! Running around with Edson to all of my responsibilities at school, church, just wore me out. I was so used to Oscar giving me a hand with Edson. Especially at meal-time when I am working at getting things ready it seems as if Edson needs to be held…just then! Oscar is always there to pick him up and care for him a couple of minutes. I missed Oscar way too much!
I had to drive everywhere, solve strange problems, get Edson up, put him to sleep, spend time with my company, help the kids with homework, cook something for tomorrow, etc. etc. All this without my right hand man!
We had some shocking news on Tuesday morning. A sister in church died. She was an older lady that Oscar cared for, served, and visited on a daily basis. Funerals here in Paraguay usually take place 24 hours after the person dies. There is a 24 hour vigil with the family and then the burial. Oscar was leaving Canada that night and I called him to tell him the sad news making him more homesick wanting to be home to comfort this family. I had to juggle my hours around to spend time with them, while finding someone to care for Edson. By Wednesday morning I was exhausted!
I kept my eyes glued to the clock…Oscar was going to be at the airport at 5.10 pm. There was a Paraguay/Boliva soccer game that the kids wanted to see. Positive that there would be a TV at the airport, all three kids and I went. Brandon and Gaby were standing for an hour watching the game and happy that Oscar’s plane got in an hour late! Tired, anxious mom and squiggly, active Edson were just waiting and waiting trying to entertain ourselves in our seat so we wouldn’t lose it.
Finally he came through, Edson threw himself at Oscar and could not even be pried off. His papá was home! The whole rest of the night he only wanted to be with Oscar…whewww! They both loved it.
Yesterday we were busy with school meetings, studying for final exams. Oscar took me to the dentist all the way in town just to find out that they left a message on the answering machine letting me know that my appointment was cancelled until today, Friday at 4 pm. So, we went all the way in and back…but enjoyed ourselves catching up on everything. Yes, we listened to the message when we got home. Last night we took Kaylie to a Churrasquería restaurant and today…
I am home…catching up on emails, blogs, travel plans, housework, etc. I’m thankful God got me through such a hectic week. We are healthy…even though many at school are sick with colds and the flu. We are happy to be a family again. Ohhh, God is good!
Friday, June 13, 2008
A frightning experience!
I am still a little bit shaky, but I guess I'll write about it.
I think I could consider myself a very ontime, punctual person especially in a culture where punctuality really doesn't matter. I am up and out of bed on time, we get to church or other places on time, my kids like to get to school 1/2 hour early...it's just in our personalities to be where ever...early! It's probably a pride thing, too.
Well, here's the story. Our electricity has been blinking off for about 5 minutes at a time. The first time it happened was Wednesday night at midnight. My OLD, electric clock/alarm got unprogrammed because of those 5 minutes of electrical power we lost. No problem, yesterday we didn't have to wake up early, there was no school (yes, a holiday, again). Then, yesterday morning the same thing happened...the electricity just blinked off for a short time. In the afternoon the kids and I were watching a dvd and the power went off for about 2 minutes. Each time this messes up my 20 year old, digital clock. Before going to bed, I decided to set both cellphones to "alarm" just in case something happened. One was set at 4.30am and one at 5.00am so I would be sure to get up and get the kids ready for school. Pastor Dario was coming to pick them up at 6.00am. I went to bed trusting those two little alarms.
At 6.00am I heard someone clapping outside (Paraguayan doorbell). I JUMPED OUT OF BED AND LOOKED...it was Pastor Dario. What????
I looked at my cellphones...5.58am. I ran downstairs, woke up the kids, ran outside, opened the gate, I ran here and there apologizing to the kids as they got ready for school in 2 minutes. I couldn't believe this was happening. (My heart is still pounding!) They were out the door at 6.05!
I sat down to check my alarms and have no idea why they didn't ring. I was so jolted awake that I went back to my room to pray and calm myself down. Being the "quality time" person that I am, I felt sick to my stomach that I didn't pray WITH them, or talk to them, or fix them breakfast, or hug them. They left...and all we said was a hurried..."bye"!
I AM thankful that Pastor Dario came to take them to school today or else we wouldn't have gotten up on time!
Good thing tomorrow is SATURDAY!
I think I could consider myself a very ontime, punctual person especially in a culture where punctuality really doesn't matter. I am up and out of bed on time, we get to church or other places on time, my kids like to get to school 1/2 hour early...it's just in our personalities to be where ever...early! It's probably a pride thing, too.
Well, here's the story. Our electricity has been blinking off for about 5 minutes at a time. The first time it happened was Wednesday night at midnight. My OLD, electric clock/alarm got unprogrammed because of those 5 minutes of electrical power we lost. No problem, yesterday we didn't have to wake up early, there was no school (yes, a holiday, again). Then, yesterday morning the same thing happened...the electricity just blinked off for a short time. In the afternoon the kids and I were watching a dvd and the power went off for about 2 minutes. Each time this messes up my 20 year old, digital clock. Before going to bed, I decided to set both cellphones to "alarm" just in case something happened. One was set at 4.30am and one at 5.00am so I would be sure to get up and get the kids ready for school. Pastor Dario was coming to pick them up at 6.00am. I went to bed trusting those two little alarms.
At 6.00am I heard someone clapping outside (Paraguayan doorbell). I JUMPED OUT OF BED AND LOOKED...it was Pastor Dario. What????
I looked at my cellphones...5.58am. I ran downstairs, woke up the kids, ran outside, opened the gate, I ran here and there apologizing to the kids as they got ready for school in 2 minutes. I couldn't believe this was happening. (My heart is still pounding!) They were out the door at 6.05!
I sat down to check my alarms and have no idea why they didn't ring. I was so jolted awake that I went back to my room to pray and calm myself down. Being the "quality time" person that I am, I felt sick to my stomach that I didn't pray WITH them, or talk to them, or fix them breakfast, or hug them. They left...and all we said was a hurried..."bye"!
I AM thankful that Pastor Dario came to take them to school today or else we wouldn't have gotten up on time!
Good thing tomorrow is SATURDAY!
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