More Mission Trip

It was muy calor!! (Very hot!!!) But beautiful! We spent a day on a salt water river. Supposedly there are manatees there, but we made way too much noise to see any wild life. Beyond the crab that is. The most gorgeous BLUE crabs. And bright red ones. We started with a huge snack that the ignorant Americans assumed was lunch. The Jose, Yamy, Kevin and I took a walk. When we came back the rest of the group, we decided to rent paddle boats. We all hopped on and down the river we went.

Can you say SUNBURN? It's been 2 1/2 weeks and I am still peeling. But my lily white skin doesn't get much sun exposure. On purpose , I might add. So, I was coasted in scumscream (as we call sunscreen around here) and still went home looking like Bob the Tomato . We were by far the most obnoxious crew on the river. That is because we had more fun than anyone else.

So we paddled, many of the crew , there were 17 of us, cooled off jumping into the water. It was so deep. The adults jumped off and never touched bottom. We had several young boys with us and they were in heaven. Jumping off, pretending to be shot as they fell in the water.

Somehow, I ended up on the wildest boat. Those of you who know me well, know that wild I am not. But there I was on this deep river with teenage boys and a ten year old jumping off at everything while I was trying to keep from hitting the shore, branches etc. Kevin and Jose ended up on the calmest boat. They got about 100 yard ahead of us as they followed a gorgeous blue heron along the river.

After several hours, we finally returned the boat and then packed up to go to lunch. A HUGE lunch! As we finished lunch, an incredible storm rolled into the area. So off to our van we ran. We were certainly like sardines. But we headed back to Jose and Yamy's so we could change and be ready for a HUGE dinner. It is amazing that I didn't any weight while we were gone.

All and all it was an amazing Sabbath. What a way to serve the Lord!

What is This???

Anyone got any guesses?? And the winner is: Tina!! Although she kind of knew too. This is a lap band and as of Aug. 5, I will have one! I promise it will not overtake my blog, (that job belongs to my kids!) but as some of you have asked, I thought I'd explain a little bit.

The band is inserted lapriscopically (hence the name LAP band.) The round part goes around the top part of the stomach creating a small pouch. The inside of the band has a liner that is gradually filled with saline. Saline is added through the port which is on the right side of the picture. Because the stomach pouch is so small I should feel full longer. Hopefully I will finally be able to win the battle of the bulge with this devise.

It is not a magic cure, I'll still have to eat right, learn to exercise and all of that good stuff. But if I over eat, that food will...uh, let's just stay it will not stay in my stomach and leave it at that. Feel free to ask any questions you might have about the whole thing.

Guess What My Kids Are Watching?

Or, as Charis calls it "Booty and the Beast"!!

One of the Hardest Things

about being a mom of 5 (or even 2 I would imagine) is watching the face of whomever is left out. A lot of the time here, it is Olivia. Grace is 9 and have more privileges than Olivia. Grace can ride her bike farther distances. Her friends invite her over to their homes. And Olivia is left behind. Now, I can remind Livi that Grace didn't do those things when she was 6, but that offers very little conciliation. She just feels left out.

On Sundays, Grace and Olivia tend to go to Grandma's for the afternoon. The three younger ones come home. Grandma and Bill don't have room in the car for all 5 and they are not young kids anymore (don't tell them). As we leave church, well the wailing and gnashing of teeth is horrible!

I can't imagine what it is going to be like when they are older and their heart really are broken!!

New Look

Okay, so I haven't figured out a header yet, but I like my new look! I'm sitting here playing around like I have nothing else to do!!

What's different about Livi?

The Other Teenager

my daughter had wrapped around her little finger. This is Enmanuel, isn't he adorabe?

It Is So Hard To Explain...

the connection we have with this small church on this small island country. But is is from God. Yes, those are palm trees along side a salt water river with mountain cliffs. Gorgeous. We spent hours on the river on paddle boats. We came home exhausted, sunburnt and happy.

The congregation is amazing. Full of lots of love and lots of Holy Spirit. They were so excited to see videos from their prayer partners in the states. They cheered aloud everytime one said they'd like to visit Cuba. They were expecially excited to see their own pictures on display in the prayer room at Grace Church.

Beautiful, sweet children.....

My Baby's In Love

This is Grace with Jose Fernando. (Aren't her eyes amazingly blue?) Any time we saw either of them, he was carrying her around. Fernando is 14 years and completely smitten with my baby. He said he's never had a little sister before. They fell completely in love with each other. He watched her like a hawk the whole time we were on our trip. He made sure she was safe whether they were swimming or just walking around Jovellanos. Any time he was with her, he was always making eye contact with Kevin or I to insure that we knew she was safe. He is an amazing young man. When we were in a church service, he realized that we couldn't hear the interpreter, so he found another one, a dear friend of ours named Pichi, to interpret for us.

When we left, Fernando just sobbed. He was sad to see Kevin and I leave, but crushed that his little sister was leaving. Now when you see her, she is usually sporting one of his bracelets and two of his necklaces.

We Are Home

and sick....yuck. Don't know what we've picked up but it is not fun! Will update all as soon as we can.

Leaving on a Jet Plane!!

Pray for us!

3/5 Disease

Three fifths of the crew has Fifths Disease. Ella, Josiah, Charis. Lots of rosie cheeks and temper tantrums......

A day at the park with good friends!

and more....

What is going on???

Okay, my mom sent me this, but blogger keeps turning it on end?????? It's not like that anywhere else. Anyway, there they are, 18 years ago. I like the skinny part, but it must have been WEEKS since i had slept!!!