A Dog's Pampered Life

I was looking back through old pictures and found some better ones of my friend Kelly. These photos also show her sense of humor and why I laughed when I was around her! These pictures were taken at her dog´s birthday party! Eli turned two, and Kelly invited Tamara over since Tamara was Eli´s best friend! We had blast trying to keep the party hats on the dogs. Oh, what missionaries do for a little entertainment!

Here Kelly is giving out the party favors to the special birthday boy and his guests. What were the party favors? Doggie treats! Actually, I think they were Eli's gifts, but Kelly was nice enough to share them with the other dogs. Eli and Tamara are waiting anxiously for their doggie treats, but the other dog guest, Sage, you can see in the background, is too busy with something else to realize she's missing a treat!

Eli has since gone to the States to live with Kelly's parents. Tamara was alone for awhile, much to her dismay. However, Sage has joined us for the summer months, as her "parents" returned to Montana for some fund-raising. You may see some pictures of Tamara and Sage in the days to come! We do miss Eli (and Kelly, of course!), though!

The Afro -- Back in Style?

For a long time, Gerson's parents have told me that as a small boy, Gerson had the most beautiful curls! I finally convinced Gerson to grow his hair out so I could see these lovely curls I've heard so much about. It's taken him several months, and now Gerson has a great "fro." When he wakes up in the morning, the curls are sadly lacking!!!! Instead, it stands straight up on end! Very cute, in an endearing sort of way. When he doesn't "fix" his hair, but rather just places his cap over his fro, he gets lots of laughs at the University! They have begun calling him a clown!

However, when he takes the time to wet the hair down and put cream in it, the beautiful curls appear! I love them! When he leaves the house with the curls, he no longer looks like a crown. Rather, he gets glances from admirers, much to his delight! Even our dog, Tamara, loves her "daddy's" new look!

Here you can see his curls a bit better. This is one of the classic photos where Gerson held the camera at arm's length and hoped we would end up in the picture!

Well, I think he's a hunk! So far he's not cut his hair, due to my insistance that his curls are precious! However, I think the time is coming soon. :( It's a lot of hair for him to put up with!! I'm just thrilled he loves me enough to deal with the comments and the uncomfortable length of his hair. Isn't he a cutie!? (I know -- I'm biased!)

Bittersweet Goodbyes

Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures!


May and June are hard months around here. I´ve begun calling these months ¨The Grand Exodus!¨ Why? It's when many missionaries leave Bolivia for Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA). This year's goodbyes have been especially hard for me.


Kelly, left on the top picture, has been my prinicpal for 2 years. Not only has she been my principal, but also my neighbor, close friend, and walking partner - when we got around to it! Kelly left at the beginning of June to follow God's direction in her life -- He has called her to continue her studies at Asbury Seminary! If I ever needed someone with whom to laugh, I always went to her. She LOVES to laugh! I'm already missing her laughter and presence next door. However, I know she's going to be a blessing to those at Asbury. Get ready to laugh!

Ann left at the end of May. She wasn't going to the States, however! God has called Ann to go to the new WGM field of Peru to work! She has taken that huge step of faith and God is blessing her for it. He has already provided her a nice apartment in which to live! Ann was the teacher with whom I student taught when I came to Bolivia for the first time in 1998. In the years I've been teaching here in Bolivia, she has continued to be my mentor, my friend, and my prayer partner. I am missing Ann, but I'm so excited about what God has in store for her in Peru.

Several of my other friends left as well, although I failed to get pictures with them before they took off. Emily Barlow left for HMA and will be gone for a year. That means when she returns to Bolivia, we will be gone. However, hopefully our time in the States will overlap and we will be able to get together up north. Emily is the high school English teacher the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, where I also teach. She was also my neighbor on the other side of the lawn! She even mentioned she MIGHT come to the airport to see us when we land in Indy in February! We're excited about that possibility!

The Phillips family also left for HMA. They will also be gone for year. Betsy Phillips (the OTHER Betsy, as we often teased!) was our elementary school chaplain. She also volunteered in my classroom throughout the school year and helped me do creative educational activities with my students. She has been such a blessing! I've also taught one her kids, Abby, who will be in 8th grade. We already miss the Phillips as well.

So, the goodbyes are bittersweet. We know we'll see each other again, SOMEDAY -- even if it's in Heaven. But, at the same time, we sense their absence as each of these people have had a huge influence in our lives. One of the hard things about being a missionary is the goodbyes we say to our biological family and Stateside friends; however, it remains hard as the missionary community becomes our family and support group, and it is also in constant transition. The airport runs become emotionally draining as we say to goodbye to those we love.

I just praise God for bringing so many wonderful people into my life, for whatever time He allows our paths to cross. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group friends -- from one side of the globe to another!

CLUB DEPORTIVO UEB

Felicidades Israel, sigue con ese mismo espiritu de liderazgo y cada día mejora tu relación con los chicos del equipo, el profe Fermin y mi Persona estamos juntos para apoyarte y tu puedas reflejar ese espiritu a los demas. no bajes los brazos, y para quienes no lo conocen y saben de Israel, el es el Capitan del equipo, juega como Central derecho, tiene 18 años, es estudiante becado en la Universidad Evangélica Boliviana, y cuenta solamente con el apoyo económico de su padre quien tiene que ayudar para pagar algunos gastos en la Universidad, el trabajo que el realiza es de Soldador Metalúrgico y el me conto que se queda hasta altas horas de la noche para pagar su mensualidad de la U. Es un ejemplo de hijo lo dijo su padre y esta orgulloso de Israel, y ademas yo lo comprobe por que en varias ocaciones llega a la U. con sus ojos rojos, pero cuando alguien quiere salir adelante, se puede lograr con esfuerzo y valentía.

Adelante Israel continua con ese mismo empeño.

El es el famoso Beniano, su sobre nombre, bueno cuando empezó a entrenar el año pasado sus compañeros le decian el "Malo", pero dejo de ser el Malo a ser el Goleador del Club, el es delantero del equipo, Su verdadero nombre es José Antonio Agreda Ojopi, desde que empezo a meter goles sus compañeros le dejaron de decir Malo, sino que ahora le dicen "Beniano" porque el es del departamento del Beni, y para el debut del campeonato de la ACF, llegó su padre para mirarlo ya que en varias ocaciones el nos comentaba que su padre no le creia que estaba jugando en un equipo de la ACF. Felicidades Beniano, continua haciendo goles y te deseo lo mejor para ti y tu familia, para que lo conozcan un poco el ya esta con nosotros con su Segundo año en el equipo, estudia Ingenieria Civil en la Universidad Gabriel René Moreno la cual es del Estado.

El se llama Erick Flores, tiene 17 años, el fue el capitan de la temporada 2007, el juega como Lateral Derecho con la Numero 2, recientemente Erick acepto a Jesucristo como su Señor y Salvador en un Encuentro realizado por la 1era Iglesia Bautista de Santa Cruz-Bolivia, el me conto muy contento, lleno de alegria y creo que Dios ha empezado a tocar los corazones de los chicos del club UEB, espero y creo que el tiempo a llegado para la cosecha, gracias a Dios el es fruto del año pasado ya que antes de cada entrenamiento se realiza un devocional para los chicos donde todos escuchan la palabra de Dios y oramos para que cada entrenamiento no haya lesiones.

Felicidades Erick, te deseo lo mejor en este nuevo año y continua buscando al Señor Jesucristo y compartiendo con tus compañeros. tienes mucho que dar y te veo como un Líder en potencia y de gran influencia, ahora te toca ganar a tu familia y quiero que sepas que ya eres un Campeón, con Cristo Jesús, porque el que está en Cristo Todo lo Puede y con el somos más que Vencedores.

UEB Vs. FORTALEZA

Felicidades chicos creemos en ustedes y estamos seguros que llegaremos a la final con ustedes, son muy especiales para nosotros, no bajen los brazos hasta llegar a la meta final y todavia hay muchas fechas por recorrer y ganar, pero recuerden que con Cristo somos Más que Vencedores.

HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY!

On May 26, Gerson and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. We went out to eat a wonderful Italian restaurant. We had a great time recalling the last 2 years of marriage and thinking about what the future has in store for us as a family. I´m so blessed to have a husband who loves and serves the Lord and who loves me and treats me like a queen!


Many of you haven´t seen our wedding pictures. I won´t post them all, but this will give you an idea of what our wedding was like. We rented a place in Santa Cruz and I came down those steps to meet my future husband. This is a picture of us with our parents.

Of course, after the wedding comes the honeymoon! We had a wonderful 10 days together, away from the stresses and responsibilities of life. We spent the first part of our honeymoon at a resort outside Santa Cruz. Then we headed up to the mountains and spent the second part in a small cabin. We stopped at the waterfalls on the way up the mountain. It was beautiful, but chilly! We didn´t venture into the water!

The dog in the picture belonged to our taxi driver, Oscar. We didn´t have a car, so we hired him to take us to our cabin in the mountains. We enjoyed the ride and we fell in love with his beautiful white dog! When I look at these pictures, I think to myself, ¨Wow! We were thin!¨

CROSSING CULTURES - CAMP "GRINCABO" (GRINGOS/AMERICANS, INCAS/PERUVIANS, AND BOLIVIANS)
In March, Cathy, Gerson's sister, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. WGM Peru missionaries, David and Cathlene Strong, invited Bolivian youth who are leaders in their churches to join them in Peru to help with an Asbury College workteam. Cathy was one of the youth selected to go! What was unique about the team the Strongs put together? It consisted of Bolivian youth, American college students, Bolivian WGM missionaries, and the Peruvian youth from Peruvian churches! It was a true testimony of the power of Christ to span cultures to work with one purpose: to spread the Gospel. The team came together in Peru and helped the Peruvian youth host a youth camp. Isn't the Body of Christ beautiful! (The picture is of Cathy- Gerson's sister; Veronica - an Asbury College student and close friend of mine; and Kelly - a Bolivian WGM missionary and also a very close friend of mine!)

One of the team´s outings was to one of the new 7 wonders of the world: Machu Pichu, the Inca Ruins in Cuzco, Peru. It was rainy, so Cathy donned her poncho. She's the one on the right.

The main purpose of this group was to do a youth camp. They had an attendance of about 50 teenagers, most of them unchurched. It was an exciting time, as the Gospel message bridged culture, language, race, and distance. Peru is a country bound by superstitious Inca beliefs. It was a joy for Cathy to be involved in missions up close and personal and to see the need for Christ outside of Bolivia. Lives were touched for eternity!

Cathy with WGM missionary Kelly and several Asbury College gals.

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

Well, the trip quickly came to an end and it was time to return to Bolivia and the ministry God has called us to there. This picture was taken at Indy Airport. Notice I'm holding little Joshua, getting a little bit more loving before saying goodbye! Time to go "home".

LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOLWe were also able to stop by my former place of employment and ministry, Lakeview Christian School. It was wonderful to be back. We happened upon campus during Homecoming week. Gerson was very amused by the spirit day --- and the great clothing the accompanied it! He was also amused that so many backpacks were thown crazily on the parking lot pavement before the pep rally!

I got to see many former students and a lot of good friends. Once again, however, I didn't get pictures with them! After attending the pep rally, my friend, Keetha, and her husband, Greg, took us out to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant, La Charreada. SCRUMPTIOUS! Then they took us shopping at the mall for some last minute purchases. We ended up going back to their house to visit. Thanks, Keetha and Greg, for your hospitality! We're looking forward to living closer! More La Char down the road!

FRIENDS ON THE FARM

Tiffany is a great friend of mine. We were able to go out to her farm and visit with her. Gerson was amazed by her HUGE remote control! We also enjoyed looking at her show horses. We were sad that her husband was away on a hunting trip. Thanks, Tiff, for taking time to see us!

SHARING THE VISION
It was a joy to return to my home church, Pioneer Faith Evangelical Church, and share with them what God is doing in Bolivia! It was amazing to finally be able share the vision for ministry the Lord has given us together. I had to translate for Gerson, but he does a great job of communicating! We couldn't be in Bolivia, working in sports and educational minsitries without the many churches and individuals who support us. We praise God for each one of you! Thanks for your prayers and financial gifts! Soon I will posting stories of how God is working through your gifts and prayers here in South America! Thanks to all of you who are on our team.

JOSHUA - THE CUTEST NEPHEW EVER!
We FINALLY got to meet our nephew! Joshua was born while we were in Bolivia and we had to wait 8 months to meet him. My brother, Andrew, and his wife, Elissa, graciously opened their home up to us when we were in Indiana. We enjoyed spending time with them. This is where we got the "baby fever!" Don't you think Gerson will make a great dad?

Just wanting some lovin´!

Aunt Betsy says it´s never too early to learn to read and enjoy books!

Bathtime! Daddy Andy is giving Joshua a bath. I think he likes the water!

FRIENDSHIP ACORSS THE YEARS
What a blessing it was to see my best 3 friends from my Upland, Indiana, days! Keren, Liz, Joan, and I became friends in the 6th grade, and our friendship blossomed throughout junior high and high school. We all went to different universities, but we've kept in touch through the years. We're all married now, though none of us have children yet. Joan and her husband, Andrew, picked us up Illinois and drove us to Indianapolis where we all met at Liz's house. Although we only spent an evening, a night, and part of the next day together, it was a blessing as we reminisced, laughed, talked, and caught up with each other. I praise God for sending these gals into my life when I was a lonely MK (missionary kid). Once again, this is a demonstration of God's amazing love for His children. He's an initmate God who knows JUST WHAT WE NEED. Thanks, gals, for your friendship. I treasure each of you.

FAMILY REUNION
While in Illinois, we also had a family reunion, of sorts, so my family could meet Gerson. I'm sad to say, I got very few pictures! Aunt Linda and Uncle Butch opened their home to us for a few nights. They were WONDERFUL hosts, and it was here where Gerson learned he liked American waffles! Aunt Linda a great cook! Anyway, she invited Aunt Joan, Uncle Maurice, Debbie Sue (my cousin -- the mom in the picture above) and her three kids (Caleb, Brittany, and Victoria, also in the photo), their daughter-in-law, Holly, and her kids. John Matthew, Aunt Linda's son, also dropped in. It was a fun group! Sadly, we only got a photo with Debbie and her kids. But, hey, that's better than none! We were glad that Victoria was healing from an accident she had. Thats why she has a neckbrace on. I'm glad to be able to report the Lord touched her and she is a healthy teenager again!

GRANDPARENTS
On our way back to Indiana, we stopped in Illnois to visit grandparents. Gerson got to spend more time with Grandpa Gail.

I was excited that Grandpa Gail was having a good, lucid day. He told us stories about how he was able to buy the farm when he was just a young man. We enjoyed the history lesson!

We also stopped by another nursing home to see my other grandparents. It was a bitter-sweet time. Grandpa John didn't know me. Grandma Dorothy cried when she saw me and said, "I haven't seen you in a long time, have I?" Although they didn't know me, they knew I was important to them. They a;so met Gerson and feel in love with him! Grandpa wanted "that young man" to come back and visit him! It was the last time I saw Grandpa John. He passed away after we arrived back in Bolivia. I praise the Lord Gerson was able to meet him and that I was able to say goodbye to him.

FOOTBALL ANYONE?
We couldn't leave Tallahassee without going to see the FSU Stadium. Gerson became a fan! He even bought an FSU stocking cap!

This blog is for you, Keetha! Don't worry. You'll have time to "convert" Gerson in the year we're in the Midwest. Start thinking through your strategies! We look foward to being invited over for a few football games!!! Will there be popcorn? :)

AT THE TOP OF TALLAHASSEE

Here we are at the top of the big tall building (capitol building) in the last photo. You can see Tallahassee behind us.

BEAUTIFUL TALLAHASSEE

We couldn't leave Tallahassee without Auntie B giving us a tour of "her" city! Tallahassee is a beautiful city!

NAP ANYONE?
After playing on the beach, eating seafood, and touring the police station, we were exhausted! The trip home seemed long. Good thing our driver, Uncle Rick, and his sidekick, Gerson, were able to stay awake! The rest of us were goners!

DO YOU FEEL SAFE NOW?
We took a tour of the World's Smallest Police Station. It didn't take too long! It's actually a phone booth. I guess you can call the police from inside?? We found the whole thing pretty funny.

YUMMY SEAFOOD!
On the way back from the beach, we stopped at a seafood restaurant. I'm not a big seafood fan, but Gerson loves it! I did enjoy my fried shrimp!

See the picture I took? I'm going to post it on my blog!

We went to the beach in Florida, and it was the first time Gerson was able to enjoy the sand and saltwater. His first view of the beach was as we flew into Miami. As Gerson watched the sun rise over the water, he turned to me and said, ¨God is big!¨ in a voice of awe. On the day when we actually went to the beach with my family, Gerson ran and played like a little boy. When it was time to leave, he pulled me into the water, and with small waves rolling into our ankles, he said, ¨Do you hear that?" I wasn't sure to what he was referring. He looked at me again and a said, "Can you hear what the waves are saying?" I remained silent and listened. He answered himself, "They are singing God's praises. Creation sings the greatness of God!" I was humbled as I watched my husband be in awe of our Creator. How often the awesome become "normal" for some us. May our hearts always be sensitve to see and hear God's greatness!

Gerson and my dad went out one morning to spend some quality father-in-law and son-in-law time together. Dad took Gerson to see plants. Surprise, surprise! Dad also taught Gerson an important English phrase: "There is more than one way to skin a cat!" I mean, everyone needs to know how to say that to survive in the States.

This is Peanut. He belongs to Aunt Betsy and Uncle Rick. He's our spoiled cousin, as you can see. Quite pampered, but we love him! Oh -- and he knows it!

Family game night with Settlers of Catan! We love that game! Dad was learning, while mom was working on stocking for her grandson! Jamie and I were studying and strategizing, while Gerson was busy taking pictures!

We saw this BIG cow close to my aunt and uncle's home in Florida. We got a kick out of it. At first we thought is was for sale for $6,800, but then we realized it was the address! Silly us!

I leave the States for few years and come back to cars with DVD players!! Incredible! Technology is astounding!

Mom modeling her new bathrobe! Isn't she beautiful!?