What a nice day! Sharon made Sunday lunch for me! It was so sweet of her and it was much appreciated. We only had 12 people at lunch and now we are all relaxing, well, reclining as much as possible! Jody and Jeana are studying Spanish. They have an agreement with Sharon that they each put in 3 hours of Spanish study a week. Whoever falls behind gets to treat the others to something good. I think Sharon is studying too:) Brian preached about Gods definition of 'rich'. I couldn't understand much, just enough to find most Bible references and so got the gist of what he said. We had some translation of the message at lunch. It was a timely message, just when I have been making a list of goodies to bring back from Idaho! I am craving some real good chocolate and black licorice and ladyfinger popcorn with brewers yeast on it, to name a few things! Things! How important are they? How much do they define me as a person? We have it very nice here in the city. There are a lot of rich Guatemalans in the city and yet there is so much spiritual poverty. I was reading over my blog from yesterday and noticed my blog title wouldn't make sense to any one but myself. I was feeling stretched and pulled towards many different needs and wants at the same time and I realized I can descend toward spiritual poverty by my attitude or I can look at each person and need as an opportunity to try to reflect Gods spirit with in me. Then I had a test... we have this cellar right below the water filter where we fill the jugs for drinking water and I went to fill the jug and forgot to shut it off till I felt the need for coffee and..... the cellar had a lot of water in it! Since I have been here I have had a few cellar cleaning opportunities and we have a very clean cellar floor. Could almost eat off it! That felt a bit like the last straw and I felt like crying but I was so hot and sticky and didn't want any more dampness! Such is life! Vernon thinks he should fix up an alarm that goes off in 2 min. to remind the jug filler to turn off the water.
Tonight is visitation and so today feels very relaxed. We are going to play games after supper.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
.........and I love you too..................
Today has been a very busy day and I can't catch my breath! We had our Saturday morning breakfast of pancakes again and had about 18 people. I had a blackberry topping, yum! Vernon had to take Maria, Eileen and Janet to the bus station at 10:15 and the Steve D. family went along because they needed to do some shopping in Zone 1. Before they left Vernon ran Sharon, Jody, Jeana, Marcus, Isaac and Wendel to the park for children's Bible Club.They had 14 children show up today and usually have active games of soccer before the time ends.
The Bible Study group came home starving but I planned lunch a bit late to accommodate Vernon and his group and when they didn't get back by 12:30, we ate any way. It was Mitskas on the menu. This is a glorified hot dog sandwich. Take a tortilla and spread it with guacamole, cabbage that has been stir fried with onion, tomato, oil and salt, and then topped with a hot dog. By the time we cleaned up lunch, Vernon's group came home and ate and then Vernon and I ran to the market to get produce and some of Lucinda's Queso fresco. Vernon loves to 'talk'with the vendors and we came home with watermelon, bananas, pina, lettuce, strawberries, .... The phone rang just when we got home and here a fellow had been sitting at the airport since 12 pm!!! The flight status showed the plane delayed for 4 hours, so we didn't worry. Vernon went rocketing out of this place (did leave time for the black doors to open before he shot through)! They just got back and Vernon is giving Craig the tour of the mission. He is a possible v.s.er. I have to go work on supper. It is youth tonight at 6:00pm so I can't be late with the meal. Last night was a beautiful night with a half moon shining, the kind of night that reminds a person of God and eternity. I need such nights!
The Bible Study group came home starving but I planned lunch a bit late to accommodate Vernon and his group and when they didn't get back by 12:30, we ate any way. It was Mitskas on the menu. This is a glorified hot dog sandwich. Take a tortilla and spread it with guacamole, cabbage that has been stir fried with onion, tomato, oil and salt, and then topped with a hot dog. By the time we cleaned up lunch, Vernon's group came home and ate and then Vernon and I ran to the market to get produce and some of Lucinda's Queso fresco. Vernon loves to 'talk'with the vendors and we came home with watermelon, bananas, pina, lettuce, strawberries, .... The phone rang just when we got home and here a fellow had been sitting at the airport since 12 pm!!! The flight status showed the plane delayed for 4 hours, so we didn't worry. Vernon went rocketing out of this place (did leave time for the black doors to open before he shot through)! They just got back and Vernon is giving Craig the tour of the mission. He is a possible v.s.er. I have to go work on supper. It is youth tonight at 6:00pm so I can't be late with the meal. Last night was a beautiful night with a half moon shining, the kind of night that reminds a person of God and eternity. I need such nights!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
What is Family Time?
Wednesday is the house moms day off, (technically). Usually the house parents are older than Vernon and I and their children are grown. We are a family of 5, living with an extended family of 3-5 more single adults. So, Wednesday has become family day for Vernon and I, Jody, Jeana and Jared. We have been strongly encouraged to make sure we have enough family time together so I have been thinking of "what is family time"? Is it sitting on the girls bed and having a late night discussion, is it talking with Jared when he comes with questions and fears, is it going to Clubco with Vernon to stock up on groceries, and having a few minutes of time to talk all by ourselves? Or should it be grand adventures that make for great stories long afterward? What comes to mind when I hear family time? The first thing I think is... connection. It isn't what we do, but the attitude and love that comes through what we do!
Wednesday was my day off and it started off early! Vernon had to run to the bus at 5 am and pick up 4 tired travellers. After they had breakfast, he had to take them to the airport and stop at the dentist on the way home. Mean while, Ruth had called in sick and so Jody and Jeana were doing her cleaning jobs and getting the girls dorm ready for the next wave of occupants. By 11:25, we were ready to leave for our 'family time'. We had decided to stay in the city, so first stop was a Shoe Mega Paca, translate - thrift store of shoes only!!! I found some real nice ones, but they didn't fit. Then we headed to Pizza Hut for lunch. The pizza was so good, that crunchy, greasy crust just like we remembered it! We had a great time, actually discussed 'what is family time'! After lunch, we followed San Juan road and headed to Zone 1. We spent a lot of time driving around looking for the tourist market. Then Vernon got a call to go buy some bus tickets for 3 girls heading to El Chal on Saturday. We got home at 4pm in time to put a fruit salad together with mango, pina, and kiwi, and head to Danny's for supper to plan the first 'mission children' school at MAM Headquarters. It sounds like it will be an experiment and will take a flexible teacher, which, fortunately, Jody is! The school will be in a room at headquarters and they may run down the street to the Spanish school for the half hour morning break. I hope it works out, Jared will have more exposure to Spanish. School starts on Sept. 1.
Today was a pastors meeting and about 25 men came in from all over Guat. Ruth made lunch with the help of Elba. She made a Guatemalan beef soup which had meat and veg. cooked in a wonderful broth with lots of seasoning including cilantro. To serve the soup, she dishes the chunks of veg. into bowls and we put rice in our bowls, then the meat with broth and then potato, carrot, cabbage, vysquil and tortillas. De e licious!
Ruth got burned when a pressure cooker kettle that doesn't work, did build up pressure and blew hot water on her arm when she went to take the lid off! I was trying to act calm and think what would be best????? We put her arm in cold water and then I got out my B&W ointment. Hopefully it won't be too bad! We served 26 guests for lunch and after the burn excitement, everyone pitched in and got the rest of the meal ready, maybe that could be called....... 'family time"!
Wednesday was my day off and it started off early! Vernon had to run to the bus at 5 am and pick up 4 tired travellers. After they had breakfast, he had to take them to the airport and stop at the dentist on the way home. Mean while, Ruth had called in sick and so Jody and Jeana were doing her cleaning jobs and getting the girls dorm ready for the next wave of occupants. By 11:25, we were ready to leave for our 'family time'. We had decided to stay in the city, so first stop was a Shoe Mega Paca, translate - thrift store of shoes only!!! I found some real nice ones, but they didn't fit. Then we headed to Pizza Hut for lunch. The pizza was so good, that crunchy, greasy crust just like we remembered it! We had a great time, actually discussed 'what is family time'! After lunch, we followed San Juan road and headed to Zone 1. We spent a lot of time driving around looking for the tourist market. Then Vernon got a call to go buy some bus tickets for 3 girls heading to El Chal on Saturday. We got home at 4pm in time to put a fruit salad together with mango, pina, and kiwi, and head to Danny's for supper to plan the first 'mission children' school at MAM Headquarters. It sounds like it will be an experiment and will take a flexible teacher, which, fortunately, Jody is! The school will be in a room at headquarters and they may run down the street to the Spanish school for the half hour morning break. I hope it works out, Jared will have more exposure to Spanish. School starts on Sept. 1.
Today was a pastors meeting and about 25 men came in from all over Guat. Ruth made lunch with the help of Elba. She made a Guatemalan beef soup which had meat and veg. cooked in a wonderful broth with lots of seasoning including cilantro. To serve the soup, she dishes the chunks of veg. into bowls and we put rice in our bowls, then the meat with broth and then potato, carrot, cabbage, vysquil and tortillas. De e licious!
Ruth got burned when a pressure cooker kettle that doesn't work, did build up pressure and blew hot water on her arm when she went to take the lid off! I was trying to act calm and think what would be best????? We put her arm in cold water and then I got out my B&W ointment. Hopefully it won't be too bad! We served 26 guests for lunch and after the burn excitement, everyone pitched in and got the rest of the meal ready, maybe that could be called....... 'family time"!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Lunch today was a delicious meal that Ruth cooked, total Guatemalan, and was chicken, potatoes, cabbage salad with lemon and cilantro, tortillas and watermelon. There are no words to describe the flavor of all the finely chopped peppers, onions and garlic and whatever else she put in! All I know is that every bite was oozing flavor! We had a discussion about which language is the strangest - English or Spanish - there was no agreement :) We had some real laughs though. When we say 'pick a song' the Spanish translation of those sounds is 'itchy'!
The rain has returned again after about a week of hot, humid weather. It is a gamble to figure out when to do laundry. Every time it rains, there is a loud drip right outside our bedroom window, that reminds me of the proverb about a whining woman. I am seeing it through a mans eyes. That drip is very annoying! God has a way of using nature for object lessons.
God also works in our lives in the small things, as we were reminded again yesterday. Jody and Jeana were babysitting for Brian and Janelle Yoder at their house which is a 20 min. drive from the mission. Jared was along too and when it got close to supper time we called to see how it was going and they didn't answer the phone. We found out why - they were locked out of the house! There they were with 5 children, Austin 10, Isaac 7, Olivia 5, Alisa 3 and Jared. They managed to reach in a small open window with a broom stick and with the boys looking in a window from the other side of the house, they were able to direct Jeana how to swing the broom to hit the lock. Janelle said they have tried and tried to open that door when it swings shut behind them, and never could. I believe God heard their prayers. Olivia made the comment that 'she wishes they would have thought to bring warm clothes out in case the door locked them out! The girls enjoyed babysitting. It is something they haven't done for a while. There was never a dull moment, including getting chased with a dead spider. I think they may have exerted their authority with a broomstick after a short while!
Jody and Jeana and I were washing down some of the concrete walls in the open area today. They were so dirty and I made the comment that a group of Hutterite women to clean would be great and Vernon seemed to have very sharp ears just then because he reminded me that I have Hutterite roots, so, there was a group of 'Hutterites' cleaning. This is such a big area when it comes to keeping it clean, especially when it is kind of open to the outdoors! Jared and Dizhon, a little boy who is staying here with his parents while they get a home ready in a new area they are moving to, have been playing hard all day. The wood shop has been a real magnet as they build things and then next thing I know, they are being monkeys, climbing on the swing and eating bananas. We have a lot of people coming through here this week. Lydia Zook who was visiting and plans to do v.s. in El Chal, Jerry and Kayleen Hoover coming to get her sisters at the airport, Ann Lehman who is flying in tonight to surprise her sister Judy, Steve Steckly who has to leave the country to get his visa re stamped, pastors who are coming for the pastors meeting on Thursday, the Steve Defenbaucher family who will spend the weekend here before flying home on furlough, Craig Miller who is coming to visit and see if he wants to volunteer for a term...................... that's all I know of right now. Jody and Jeana are baking cookies with Sharon. They have to bake a bunch of them for the pastors meeting. I am going to go sew a zipper in Jeana's dress for her so..... blessings to you and keep us in your prayers.
The rain has returned again after about a week of hot, humid weather. It is a gamble to figure out when to do laundry. Every time it rains, there is a loud drip right outside our bedroom window, that reminds me of the proverb about a whining woman. I am seeing it through a mans eyes. That drip is very annoying! God has a way of using nature for object lessons.
God also works in our lives in the small things, as we were reminded again yesterday. Jody and Jeana were babysitting for Brian and Janelle Yoder at their house which is a 20 min. drive from the mission. Jared was along too and when it got close to supper time we called to see how it was going and they didn't answer the phone. We found out why - they were locked out of the house! There they were with 5 children, Austin 10, Isaac 7, Olivia 5, Alisa 3 and Jared. They managed to reach in a small open window with a broom stick and with the boys looking in a window from the other side of the house, they were able to direct Jeana how to swing the broom to hit the lock. Janelle said they have tried and tried to open that door when it swings shut behind them, and never could. I believe God heard their prayers. Olivia made the comment that 'she wishes they would have thought to bring warm clothes out in case the door locked them out! The girls enjoyed babysitting. It is something they haven't done for a while. There was never a dull moment, including getting chased with a dead spider. I think they may have exerted their authority with a broomstick after a short while!
Jody and Jeana and I were washing down some of the concrete walls in the open area today. They were so dirty and I made the comment that a group of Hutterite women to clean would be great and Vernon seemed to have very sharp ears just then because he reminded me that I have Hutterite roots, so, there was a group of 'Hutterites' cleaning. This is such a big area when it comes to keeping it clean, especially when it is kind of open to the outdoors! Jared and Dizhon, a little boy who is staying here with his parents while they get a home ready in a new area they are moving to, have been playing hard all day. The wood shop has been a real magnet as they build things and then next thing I know, they are being monkeys, climbing on the swing and eating bananas. We have a lot of people coming through here this week. Lydia Zook who was visiting and plans to do v.s. in El Chal, Jerry and Kayleen Hoover coming to get her sisters at the airport, Ann Lehman who is flying in tonight to surprise her sister Judy, Steve Steckly who has to leave the country to get his visa re stamped, pastors who are coming for the pastors meeting on Thursday, the Steve Defenbaucher family who will spend the weekend here before flying home on furlough, Craig Miller who is coming to visit and see if he wants to volunteer for a term...................... that's all I know of right now. Jody and Jeana are baking cookies with Sharon. They have to bake a bunch of them for the pastors meeting. I am going to go sew a zipper in Jeana's dress for her so..... blessings to you and keep us in your prayers.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
How true that no two days are alike! Today we had a great breakfast and then I was very busy buying a ticket to fly to Idaho for a Hofer family reunion Aug. 19-21. I had started to plan the reunion before we knew that we were taking off for Guatemala. My heart is torn between longing to see my mom, siblings and Jeremy's, and leaving Vernon, Jody and Jeana here when they would love to come along. Vernon and the girls were so sweet and encouraged me to go, so Jared and I will fly out on the 18th.
I talked to Sharon and Marta and Priscila to see how they felt about the housemom deserting her post so soon and they gave their blessing! Marta tried to keep a straight face and told me "no, you can't go, there is too much work!" So I dried my eyes with the dusting cloth and told her ok, then she told me that I could go if I started working real hard from today on!!
I am sitting in the kitchen trying to keep my thoughts collected as Jody and Jeana and Sharon charge around preparing food. Jody and Jeana have to make snack for youth activity tonight, fruit pizza with fresh strawberries, sweet pineapple and kiwi. It is a feast for the eyes and looks delicious too! Sharon mixed up this wonderful dessert for lunch tomorrow.
Shopping for kitchen tile is a learning experience in Guatemala! Vernon and I took Priscila and Marta along to translate and ended up searching through 4 stores till we found something that matched our new paint job. We had a lot of fun, literally driving in big circles trying to find the right street that would take us in the right direction! After finding the tile we felt would work, we enjoyed looking at the beautiful designs and colors of tile that didn't fit a missionary budget. Danny and Linda and boys came over after supper and Brian Yoders dropped by and we had a good time visiting while the boys played volleyball in the courtyard with chairs for the net.
Thought for the day - "Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." I couldn't wait to use that one. Hasta leuga............
I talked to Sharon and Marta and Priscila to see how they felt about the housemom deserting her post so soon and they gave their blessing! Marta tried to keep a straight face and told me "no, you can't go, there is too much work!" So I dried my eyes with the dusting cloth and told her ok, then she told me that I could go if I started working real hard from today on!!
I am sitting in the kitchen trying to keep my thoughts collected as Jody and Jeana and Sharon charge around preparing food. Jody and Jeana have to make snack for youth activity tonight, fruit pizza with fresh strawberries, sweet pineapple and kiwi. It is a feast for the eyes and looks delicious too! Sharon mixed up this wonderful dessert for lunch tomorrow.
Shopping for kitchen tile is a learning experience in Guatemala! Vernon and I took Priscila and Marta along to translate and ended up searching through 4 stores till we found something that matched our new paint job. We had a lot of fun, literally driving in big circles trying to find the right street that would take us in the right direction! After finding the tile we felt would work, we enjoyed looking at the beautiful designs and colors of tile that didn't fit a missionary budget. Danny and Linda and boys came over after supper and Brian Yoders dropped by and we had a good time visiting while the boys played volleyball in the courtyard with chairs for the net.
Thought for the day - "Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." I couldn't wait to use that one. Hasta leuga............
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A Monday in the life of a housemom.................
5:15am wake up hearing church bells getting louder and louder (it's my alarm clock)
5:40 getting breakfast for the 'water girls' before they leave for Pasaco to paint a house for Ross and Danita Good. Also sent a lunch along for seven people.
6:15am start breakfast for Jody and Jeana before they head to Antigua to live with a native family for the week as they study Spanish.
6:20am Vernon finds out he has to drive the girls and Danny and Linda to Antigua, so he eats and leaves at 6:45.
6:50 make breakfast for two guests and find out one gets sick when he eats eggs, but he insisted on eating them any way. I offered something else.
7:25am Sharon, Priscila and Marta came to the kitchen. They had decided to skip breakfast since we had a special Sunday eve. snack of waffles with homemade ice cream, peanut butter and syrup and strawberries!
8:00-10:00am started hanging out laundry.Got a phone call from Brian telling us we would be getting a family of five for supper and the night. Vernon got back from Antigua just in time to take a visitor to the airport to fly back to the states. I started to prep the kitchen for a paint job on Tues. James came in from Oratorio to drop off a vehicle that needed to go to another out post.
10:30 Vernon got back from the airport and helped take some things down in the kitchen. We put away all the pizza sauce we had canned on Friday. I kept trying to get my laundry done.
10:45-12:00 sanded the kitchen walls with 60 grit sandpaper because we thought the old paint may have been oil based and we wanted to use a water based paint. We got that dusty job done before lunch thanks to Jared helping me. Vernon ran to the airport to pick up Janet Meyers, a RN who is starting a term of service in El Chal.
1:00-5:30pm After one of Elbas delicious meals of rice, beans, tortillas, and 'quesa fresca' and a cup of wonderful coffee, I was ready to get going. Sharon and Janet walked to Walmart to get a few groceries we urgently needed.
Vernon and I worked in the kitchen and got a coat of primer on the walls and ceiling and got everything ready for the paint job next day. Jared was helping too, and was pleased that he got to do some painting. We received a call that the family of five got held up in construction and would not be coming for the night; but maybe the next night.
Sharon made a delicious supper that I felt almost too tired to eat.
The evening was a bit more relaxed and I got our laundry done and started working on a large bi weekly grocery list. Had some story time and talking time with Jared before bedtime.
This is a birds eye view of one day in our life, and I have learned that every day is different!!
5:15am wake up hearing church bells getting louder and louder (it's my alarm clock)
5:40 getting breakfast for the 'water girls' before they leave for Pasaco to paint a house for Ross and Danita Good. Also sent a lunch along for seven people.
6:15am start breakfast for Jody and Jeana before they head to Antigua to live with a native family for the week as they study Spanish.
6:20am Vernon finds out he has to drive the girls and Danny and Linda to Antigua, so he eats and leaves at 6:45.
6:50 make breakfast for two guests and find out one gets sick when he eats eggs, but he insisted on eating them any way. I offered something else.
7:25am Sharon, Priscila and Marta came to the kitchen. They had decided to skip breakfast since we had a special Sunday eve. snack of waffles with homemade ice cream, peanut butter and syrup and strawberries!
8:00-10:00am started hanging out laundry.Got a phone call from Brian telling us we would be getting a family of five for supper and the night. Vernon got back from Antigua just in time to take a visitor to the airport to fly back to the states. I started to prep the kitchen for a paint job on Tues. James came in from Oratorio to drop off a vehicle that needed to go to another out post.
10:30 Vernon got back from the airport and helped take some things down in the kitchen. We put away all the pizza sauce we had canned on Friday. I kept trying to get my laundry done.
10:45-12:00 sanded the kitchen walls with 60 grit sandpaper because we thought the old paint may have been oil based and we wanted to use a water based paint. We got that dusty job done before lunch thanks to Jared helping me. Vernon ran to the airport to pick up Janet Meyers, a RN who is starting a term of service in El Chal.
1:00-5:30pm After one of Elbas delicious meals of rice, beans, tortillas, and 'quesa fresca' and a cup of wonderful coffee, I was ready to get going. Sharon and Janet walked to Walmart to get a few groceries we urgently needed.
Vernon and I worked in the kitchen and got a coat of primer on the walls and ceiling and got everything ready for the paint job next day. Jared was helping too, and was pleased that he got to do some painting. We received a call that the family of five got held up in construction and would not be coming for the night; but maybe the next night.
Sharon made a delicious supper that I felt almost too tired to eat.
The evening was a bit more relaxed and I got our laundry done and started working on a large bi weekly grocery list. Had some story time and talking time with Jared before bedtime.
This is a birds eye view of one day in our life, and I have learned that every day is different!!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Yesterday was a great day! It was very busy but interesting. Sharon was managing the making of 100 jars of pizza sauce so I was doing all the cooking. I made tostadas with refried beans, guacamole, guatemalan salsa, and all the other little fixings that go on top. It was a challenge to get it all made correctly and on time, but we sure enjoyed the results!Then for the evening we had a campfire over at our house and made mountain pies with the best homemade ice cream!! We had a great time sitting around and eating and laughing and then there was a very loud active volleyball game in the courtyard.
The grandmother of some of our friends died this week. We went to the wake on Thursday eve. and it is a very sobering reminder that God has given us the freedom to choose His gift. We don't know that she chose this, though her grand children shared the plan of salvation with her. May we all be reminded that life is a gift from God to be used for His glory for His light to shine through us and draw others to Him.
The grandmother of some of our friends died this week. We went to the wake on Thursday eve. and it is a very sobering reminder that God has given us the freedom to choose His gift. We don't know that she chose this, though her grand children shared the plan of salvation with her. May we all be reminded that life is a gift from God to be used for His glory for His light to shine through us and draw others to Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)