A Few Little Highlights...

It seems that I spend a lot of time convincing myself that I will do weekly blog updates.

And then... well, life happens & the expectations I place for myself fall thru.

I could accept that it is failure...

But I will choose to believe instead that it is simply part of life!

I want to give everyone a few updates about our lives the past few months.

And with any luck... My updates will truly be much more frequent. *smile*

Our first stop in this trip down update lane takes us to Coro, Venezuela.

We were thrilled to host our Regional Directors, Dick & Cynthia Nicholson, for a marriage event at one of our largest Assemblies of God churches in Venezuela.

It is always a treat to have someone from the states visit us, especially for our boys!

Our boys quickly adopted Dick & Cynthia as grandparents & I think the feeling was mutual.

While packing for our trip to Coro, I realized that the rolling bags we have are actually 8

 years old! I am feeling very good about my Target special. Each bag was on clearance for 

$7. Not too shabby for a newly appointed missionary's budget. Just think... It was less that $1

 per year. Now that's cost effective!

Venezuela has been experiencing food shortages.

We have had shortages of flour, oil, toilet paper, sugar, toothpaste, & the list goes on!

Ian was quite excited that on his Dad's trip to the grocery store he bought a selection of 

cereal that we had not had for quite some time. Ian is our cereal lover!

June 13th we welcomed a team from Burlington, NC. It was a great pleasure to welcome

 UTURN Youth Ministries. God used them to do amazing things while here. We will forever

 be grateful to them for their flexibility & the love they showed to our boys.

There was definitely NEVER a dull moment with this group!

And finally,  we want to thank the Women's Ministries at Calvary Church in Greensboro for

 sending us a little love from home! This is Imanuel showing us his very last goldfish before it

 went into tummy heaven. And I have to thank our dear friend, Alina Snuggs, who 

coordinated the endeavor & even hand delivered it to us! 

I have one more update but it is so special that it requires its own post. Thanks to everyone 

who prays for & supports our family. We are truly blessed!

The Art of Unpredictability.....

I have not blogged since January!

Why you might ask???

Well, it all goes back to the simple truth that we live & work in VENEZUELA!

Unpredictability has become the new word that describes everything that we do.

When we travel.... what we do each day.... when we make calls.... when we check & respond to emails.... when we turn in reports.....ALL ARE UNPREDICTABLE!

The thought of, "I'll do those reports tomorrow!" or "I'll email that friend back in the morning" becomes a joke when we awake to no electricity due to power rationing or no internet because a cable was fried in the night.

I would be lying if I said that this new word did not bother me.

I am really one of the most predictable people out there!

I like order.... I Love lists.... and sticking to the plan makes me quite happy.

However, living where we do.... all of that order & plan stuff.... yeah.... no longer exist!

As I am sure many of you have read or seen on the news.... 

Venezuela is not the most stable place to live (shhh...don't tell!)

After rocky elections in October, we have been dealing with shortages, violence, & fear as the people sit back & wait to see what will happen next.

In February, the whole country was experiencing fires due to lack of rain.

Our town was no different...

A park across the street caught on fire which led to burnt cable lines.

So, our internet was FRIED!

It has taken 2 months to get it fixed & restore internet.

(We actually had to go through another company.)

And in the midst of no internet, the president died! You can imagine how lovely that might have been. It felt like living in a cave with no contact with the outside world as it was unsafe to leave our homes for several days. Dependency on technology becomes terribly obvious.

And in the midst of all of this craziness, there have been food shortages.

Grocery shopping is like going to a garage sale hoping to stumble upon a treasure.

We end up doing much of our shopping at the meat & bread store & my personal favorite...the pharmacy. With those 3 stops you can survive.

Needless to say... unpredictability has won again!

How sad it was that I could not make Isaiah the cake he wanted for his birthday because there was literally NO butter to be found! 

But regardless of all of the craziness... God has been faithful & great things continue to happen.

We were pleased to throw a fabulous baby shower for our dear friends in Pavia, Camilo & Jeniffer.

Many of you remember that they prayed for 3 years to have a baby & this summer just as we arrived, Jeniffer found out she was expecting. 

God provided for them the whole way & on March 1, they welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world named Cadniel Jose.

March 9 brought with it many emotions. We celebrated the 2 year anniversary of Chris's near fatal bus accident in Maracaibo. The first anniversary wasn't very strange as we were in the states....but year 2 brought a flood of memories, at least for me... Chris still remembers nothing!

 (Unfair? I think so!) 

None the less, we are still in awe of God's provision during that time. He continues to prove Himself faithful even though Chris still faces daily challenges as the result of the accident.

On the day of this special anniversary, we sent our beloved Yubisay to the states to train with Kidz Ablaze International. Her goal is to learn as much as possible & return to help put a national children's ministry into place. It just goes to show that what the enemy meant to destroy 2 years ago, God turned around for his glory.

We have also been privileged to assist with the national Deaf Bible Institute for the Assemblies of God here in Venezuela. What started as a simple,"We'd love to help be your voice in a sea of hearing people" turned into Chris being the new Vice President of the Deaf Bible Institute.

(It's okay to laugh.... we are still processing this one!)

We were blessed to travel to Maracay where Chris preached for the 7th anniversary of one of the Deaf churches pastored by our friend Jose Ojeda who is also the President of the Deaf Bible Institute.

Along with this ministry, we have been blessed to assist a local deaf church in finding a location for their Sunday services. This church has had as many as 80 people over the past few years & with the new meeting place we hope they reach many more.

March 27th, Chris & I celebrated our 14th anniversary. We were so blessed to have a little time to celebrate as our dear friend Erica came & loved on our boys. It is always a treat when Chris & I get time alone! We never take those moments for granted.

As we approached the end of March, we were once again excited to celebrate the birth of our oldest boy... Isaiah.

It is hard to believe that our first baby boy is now 12! We are excited to see Isaiah developing into an amazing man of God. This photo is one of those "Mom Photos" that us moms just love to show off. Isaiah was 6 months old.

And now we are here in April...

This week, we prepare ourselves to face another election.

Sunday, April 14 will be an important date for this nation.

There are many scenarios that could play out.

Some are positive... some are negative... some are calm... & others are down right scary!

I have come to grips with the fact that life can simply be UNPREDICTABLE!

How we choose to handle these changes....

the mountains... the valleys... the good... & the bad...

that defines our character.

It is an art.

It is not easy.

We are being molded & shaped by the Master.

May we embrace this art of accepting the unpredictability of our lives with grace.

Please join us in prayer as we pray for peace & safety in the nation of Venezuela.

BEWARE of Falling Luggage....

It has been about 2 weeks since I blogged.

                                                              I know... SHAMEFUL!

I have been putting it off with the expectation of posting pictures from Imanuel's 8th birthday party.

But, a technology monster seems to have eaten my card reader for my camera.

So, here we are 2 weeks later & I am still without the card reader & no post!

Today I am changing that.

I might not have pictures just yet, but I will go to bed tonight knowing that I have written a post!

It obviously doesn't take much to please me....

actually, anything pink & chocolate usually works nicely! *smile*

Okay, on to more important things... (as if anything could be more important than pink & chocolate!)

                                                               

Our life has been a bit nuts the last week. Chris left Monday with 2 of our team members to attend a huge convention for the Venezuelan Assemblies of God.

We opted not to go with him since it was a minimum of an 8 hour trip & the boys would be bored to death! Fussy boys are no fun for Mom!

He left on Monday & from what I hear, had a successful time there.

He always enjoys meeting new people & reacquainting himself with old friends.

This time, however, was harder for him.

Since Chris's memory was affected in the accident almost 2 years ago, memories are harder to retrieve if they are still there at all. I think he missed having his wife around who pretty much never forgets anything! *smile*

He also can not go at the same speed he once could, so he has to pace himself now which is hard when left to his own devices.

Again, that's where his wife comes in handy.

Other than that... I think he had a great trip!

My boys on the other hand, dealt with Dad's trip very differently.

This was his first long trip here in Venezuela since we returned in June.

The boys were having constant memories of 2 years ago.

They wondered if he would arrive safely?

Would he have a great trip & then have another accident on the way home?

Should they pack their suitcases so they would be better prepared than they were the last time?

This question got me the most!

When Chris was hurt, everything happened so quickly.

I left, the next day our dear missionary friends came & got them, they spent the night & POOF!

They left our house & never returned again.

They packed a small rolling bag each with a few toys, clothes, & their favorite stuffed animals & off they went.

They assumed they would come back home... but they didn't!

They stayed in the home of another family for 2 weeks.

They were then flown back to the states with only the few things they had taken.

(With our friend... but no Mom & Dad)

When they arrived in NC, my mom went to buy them clothes & things like that.

That experience in & of itself would be hard for anyone to deal with...much less a child.

But it wasn't even that simple!

These 3 little boys were left with all of the worries & concerns for their Daddy.

Would he live? How bad was he hurt? Would he ever be the same again?

We all ended back up in North Carolina & spent well over a year in therapy, doctor appointments, & surgeries. Nothing like we had put on our 5 year plan!  They found out that YES, he would live... YES, he was hurt badly, & YES, he would never be the same as before. 

And after all of that, we returned to Venezuela.

We transitioned yet again... several times actually since being back & are finally in a place of feeling somewhat settled... minus furniture that is! (ha ha)

I will have living room furniture one day! For now we are living it up on hammocks & bean bags.

(a boy's dream!)

So, after all of these things... you might understand how it gripped my heart when the boys asked if they should pack... just in case!

It reminded me of how we hold onto fear.

No matter how much we think we have put bad things behind us, they still have a way of creeping back in at a moments notice.

I spent time explaining to my boys that God doesn't give us the spirit of fear!

We prayed & asked God for protection over their Daddy believing that He would do it.

So far, the boys have been calmer.... but I would be lying if I said that they weren't very anxious to see him walk through the door in a few hours.

Little pieces of baggage from all of the craziness we have been through the past 2 years keeps falling out of the sky. So we pick them up, address them, & give them back to God.

May you all be blessed in the days ahead... & should you be faced with any falling luggage of your own, may you have the strength to pick it up & give it back to God. 

And BEWARE:

Falling luggage can often be quite heavy! Don't be afraid to ask others to help you. It is often the kind & insightful words or compassion of others that God places in our lives that allows us to have the strength to give "it" back to him & move forward into a life without fear & worry.

Happy Birthday Imanuel...

Can this moment really be here?

That moment when you realize that your baby is not a "baby" anymore!

I do not think I am quite ready for this!

Today, our precious Imanuel is 8 years old!!!!

Eight years ago today at 8:15 am, we welcomed our 5lb. 11 oz. bundle of joy into the world.

Eight years ago....

Wow!

Imanuel came at a time when we needed him most.

After a military deployment & LOTS of struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),

(YES... it is a REAL problem!)

Chris needed help!

He needed hope...

He needed to know that God was still there...

Then came Imanuel.

All of our boys have a special place & purpose in our lives & the ministries we do,

but Imanuel's role has always been a bit special...

He is his Daddy's "Buddy"... the calm in the daily storms of life.

His name, means "God with us."

At the moment that this treasure was born, God's peace from heaven came with him.

For us, Imanuel has been our steady reminder that yes, God is with us!

We have made the statement in the past that God used Imanuel to help his Daddy through a very difficult time.

In Imanuel's words, "I saved my Daddy's life!"

And in the end, he is right.... God used this special treasure, with his calming voice, incredible sense of humor, & crooked smile to "save" us all & remind us of God's love for us.

We are blessed.... we are humbled... we are forever changed....

Happy Birthday to our "Sweet Love"

And for the record... I am okay with the fact that he will ALWAYS be my baby! *smile*

A Christmasy Puff Ball Perspective....

"It's doesn't really feel like Christmas, Mom!"

These were the words spoken by all 3 of my boys at one time or another.

And they would be right... 

How does it "feel" like Christmas?

For them, it's when it is cold outside... not almost 90˚

(with that always hoped for chance of SNOW!)

It's being with your family & traveling to visit them... not staying home

It's eating all of the special foods that only special loved ones can make... not hallacas

So for them... this Christmas did NOT feel like Christmas at all!

However, the fact that nothing we planned actually happened as planned didn't help.

Sunday, we had planned to visit our friends in Pavia & help with their annual Christmas event.

But, Imanuel had a fever & hives & I didn't think exposure to 1000 people & their germs was in his best interest. So we stayed home to take care of him.

Then, we planned to spend Christmas Eve with our friends, the Rincon Family.

Christmas Eve is much bigger here than Christmas Day.

I did as all good Moms do & made lots of food!

About an hour before we were to leave, Imanuel began throwing up!

I guess the hives were our warning that there was more to come!

(Isaiah had the same virus about a week & a half ago without the hives.)

So, Chris & Isaiah went to the party to take the food & visit with friends while I stayed home with our little sicky & Ian.

Isaiah, always a ham in front of the camera, even managed to steal a few kisses!

It's amazing what happens when Mom is not there *smile*

He returned late that night in time to light fireworks! 

(A MUST for any Venezuelan Christmas)

Christmas morning was anything but normal as Imanuel was still violently sick! He didn't even want to open his presents! 

(now that's SICK!)

Ian, being the good older brother & gift lover that he is, pitched in to help him! 

The boys enjoyed opening a few special surprises. They will use money from family in the states to buy the specific things they wanted like a hunting knife, legos, or memberships to play Club Penguin.

Those gifts will come in with teams or individuals in months to come.

Isaiah most liked his drawing supplies.

Imanuel was so sick that he didn't have too much interest. He was excited to see a pack of strawberry pop tarts & Hershey Bars (chocolate with words on it) in his stocking!

These are things that we almost NEVER find where we live. We are still looking for Dr. Pepper!

Ian enjoyed his gifts, but I think his favorite was the alien popsicle mold. He LOVES freezing things & making his own frozen treats. What could be better than frozen Coca Cola with an alien handle?

The Venezuelan Christmas foods consist of Hallacas (a mushy dough pocket filled with meat, olives, & raisins that has been wrapped in banana leaves & boiled) Ensalada Navideña (a sort of potato salad) and Pan de Jamon ( a bread loaf made with ham & raisins inside)

Isaiah LOVES this food as does Chris... Ian & Imanuel, on the other hand, just smile & say please pass the mac-n-cheese! 

To make it feel more normal, I made Christmas lunch with favorites from Great Gran's house.

(chicken pie, cinnamon apples, mac-n-cheese, deviled eggs, & Cherry Cream Cheese pie.

( I will soon make the pound cake! I wanted Imanuel to be better to enjoy it!)

We were thrilled to talk with family members through skype & our new phone device!

After 6 months back, we FINALLY got our new VOIP device so we can call the states like normal people. It was a nice Christmas surprise!

Then Chris decided to refill our good bean bags with beans from damaged ones. 

Ian & Isaiah opted to "help." 

My philosophy has always been... "It's not really helping if it makes a bigger mess for Mommie to clean up!" But they tried.

Ian started yelling, "IT'S SNOWING IN VENEZUELA!!!!"

I looked & he was throwing styrofoam beads in the air. *sigh*

Then he laid down & began to make snow angels in the beans as he smiled & said it was starting to feel a lot more like Christmas!

The rest of our evening consisted of hanging out together while caring for the very sick Imanuel.

So in the end, our boys decided that even though it was different & nothing had gone as planned...

It wasn't that bad of a Christmas after all!

I guess it's all in perspective....

Do you see the styrofoam puff balls as a mess or as an answered prayer for snow?

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Shower, Sugar, & Such....

Wow!

What a busy 2 days it has been around here!

Today we celebrated the baby shower of two of our team members...

Yanethssy Peraza de Yu & Frank Yu

You might remember that officiating their wedding was our first order of business when we arrived in June... and now it is time to welcome a new little one into the world.

For Chris & I, it is a joy because we get to be this baby's Tío Chris & Tía Angela

(or Uncle & Aunt if your prefer)

We have been going full steam ahead to get everything in order to celebrate this special couple.

First came the wreath to decorate the party space.

Next came the food... I have been told I am the Queen of Pinterest.

To that I say... "Long live the Queen!" *smile*

The whole day my boys couldn't wait for the moment when we could "eat" the baby!

I know... my boys have issues! (ha ha)

Then we chose the pattern for the sugar cookies....

I chose a happy little ducky. As I made these lovely creatures at 1 am in the morning I noticed that the eyes were growing as they sat on the plate... Oh, well... Fat eyes are better than no eyes at all!

There was also an assortment of cucumber sandwiches, cheese & crackers, & Venezuelan pasapalos or finger foods as we would call them. They consisted of pastelitos, empanadas, & tequeños.

After all of the food, it was time to take pictures with the happy Mommy to be.

This is the Happy Couple just weeks before they welcome their little one...

"Matias Yin Yu Peraza"

And here I am, completely exhausted, but so happy that Yanethssy enjoyed her special day!

And of course, Chris couldn't miss a photo op with this special lady either!

After all was said & done, everyone (all 20 or so) piled into the van for their return trip home.

And Isaiah got what he had waited for all day.... to eat the baby's head! 

Imanuel's comment of the day was,"I just LOVE eating this baby's organs Mom!"

Oh to be the mom of 3 boys! *sigh*

 I thought I would include a few more related photos just for fun.

As I was planning the menu & buying the groceries to make the food we realized that Venezuela was having a sugar shortage.

Are you kidding me? During the international season of baking?

How can there be no sugar during the Christmas holiday?

Normally, we have a nice sugar reserve in my cabinet because shortages are common here.

But this time, I was at the end of my supply when I learned that it had happened again.

After much stress, a friend graciously gave us 1 kilo of sugar.

I used ever granule down to 1 tablespoon which I saved for my well deserved cup of coffee!

Fortunately today, the same friend came across one store... like a needle in a hay stack...

She bought us 10 kilos!

We can now make sweet tea!

The world is as it should be!

I have had a few people ask me for pictures of my Christmas tree this year.

So, I decided to take this opportunity to give everyone a peak.

Here is a close up picture. I especially LOVE the chenille stick gingerbread man shaped ornament that mysteriously made his was onto the tree!

And this would be the tree that always makes me smile. I bought it last year in the states & was determined that it WOULD make it here to Venezuela!

It proudly sits on the dressing table in our closet.

And to answer your question....

Yes, I have a pink closet.

Yes, everything in the picture is pink.

Yes, I love pink that much!

Yes, our bedroom has lots of pink too.

Yes, my husband loves me & is okay with me having my pink space to make me happy! *smile*

And this last picture is when the tree looks the coolest... with the lights out!

Today proved to be quite successful!

Stay tuned for more updates about our adventures here in Venezuela!

Next week promises to be even more adventurous!