Dave Ramsey.....with a vengeance

I have been occasionaly, casually mentioning Dave Ramsey and his ideas to my Dh for about a year now. Neil is usually very good with money, and we've only carried a balance on our credit card for a few months in our 15 year marriage.
But I know that we could do better. Of course, men usually don't like their women telling them what they need to do with their money, and they sure don't want to hear their wives sing the praises of another man. So I got dirty looks from Dh anytime I mentioned Dave. Until.......

Until Neil's best friend, Pastor Julian, becomes a Dave Ramsey devotee. Chileans have a hard time with the name, so they call him "el peladito" in other words, "Baldy". Another pastor friend gave him the financial peace book, in Spanish, of course. Neil, who must have Scottish blood running through his veins, has taken to it all....with a vengeance! I just wanted us to get out of debt, not turn into frugal experts! We're already completely out of debt, as our debt was really small to begin with. In fact, I didn't even think it was worth it to call Dave and yell "We're debt free!"

Neil's already put full plastic bottles into the toilet tank, so as not to use as much water. I have been reading Crystal Paine for years, and Hillbilly Housewife is where I first learned about blogging. I guess now its time to really get into it. Too bad that there is no CVS or Aldi here! Also, no coupons!
I guess its true, be careful what you ask for!

A prayer request

My mom's property, which includes her house and the camp, is supplied of water by a hand -dug well. Since it is so rainy, she has more than enough water all year, except for December and January, and that includes camp. This year all of camp was great, except for a great water shortage. We ended up having to carry buckets of water from the pool just to flush the toilets. It was not pretty. Everyone had a good attitude about it, but it was not easy. So, Neil asked all the campers to pray about mom getting a new well. That could run anywhere from 4 to 10 thousand dollars. Thats a lot of cash.
I really think its necessary, but its not my money, nor my call. I am praying that the Lord will provide my mom the money for the well in a miraculous way, so that she will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wants her to have the new well. We did some research yesterday, and she spoke to a company today who is willing to come out and give her a free estimate. Also, they might be willing just to extend the existing well, which would save her thousands. Her well is 14 meters deep and she needs to get to at least 18 meters. That costs 200 a meter.

Please pray with me that God might show and provide in a supernatural way.

Thanks

Happy Missionary-versary to me!

26 years ago today, we arrived in Santiago Chile to start our lives as missionaries. I was 1o years old.
I thank God for my life. Not always peaceful, not without troubles. Never boring, never without purpose. Always in His hand.

This is what the camp looks like

Welcome to Rose of Sharon baptist camp! The first thing you see as you walk down from Mom's house is the chapel. It has a roof and floor, but as you can see, the sides are from an old revival tent. We open or close them according to the weather. On the far side of the chapel is the soccer field, cut into the side of the hill.

Looking down from in front of the chapel, you can see the kitchen and the dining terrace. Look over to the left and down and you'll see the pool

Looking up the other direction from the dining terrace, you see the two cabins. Beyond the cabins are the camp terraces, all the way to the top of the hill.

7 years ago, this land was just an over-grown forest, seemingly good for nothing. Now it is a special place used for the glory of God

tomorrow is the big day!

Tomorrow we start Youth Camp! My kids are so excited. They think that Camp is the greatest week of the year. They are just as excited as when we go to Disneyland! Eileen has been packed for 4 days already, getting all her outfits ready.

As for me, well, I am exhausted already. We worked all day today. Its a good time, but a stressful time for me, especially since I have Vanessa. I'd appreciate any prayers.

We have had our share of troubles, and the water situation is still critical. So, for any problems we have, I am expecting God to give us blessing.

So sorry for all you suffering freezing temperatures. Its hot here!

Eileens Crafts

I can do a lot of things, but I don't craft. Not at all. But that doesn't mean can't encourage my DD to do crafts. So, she is going to a class, learning how to do things. Here is a decoupage tea bag caddy. Its really cute. I told her so, and that I would put it on my blog. So here it is!

Vanessa Pictures!

Since there are so many big people in this house that love Vanessa and taking pictures, we have an abundance. Eileen just loves the digital camera. Anybody remember the good ole days when you had to buy film and get photos developed? I am sooooo glad that's over! I do have a little printer that prints up regular photo size pictures. I love it. I can easily print up what I want.

Anyway, Here's my little Vanessa as captured on memory card by her big sister Eileen.

Camp!

Yep, its that time of year again. Its warm and sunny. Poor Tori is dealing with darkness at 4 pm, and here it is, 8:30 pm, and the sun still has not gone down.

Camp starts next Tuesday. We still have a lot of work to do. I am waiting for Neil to finish writing the devotionals so that I can type them up and print up the booklets.....for both youth and family camps....before this weekend. Hurry, honey, please!

The theme for this year's youth camp is "I commit to serve the Lord in 2009" Not a really catchy theme, but we are excited about the possibilities. I have made 8 posters showing ways to serve the Lord this year. During the week, they can commit to one or several. They will sign the posters publicly to announce their committment. I'll take plenty of pics and post them when I can.

For family camp, the following week, our guest speaker asked to speak about money, and Dave Ramsey's total money makeover. His view on money and debt has changed radically and he wants to share. So many Americans are in debt, but they have jobs. Here everyone is in debt and jobs are so scarce. I am really hoping that Bro. Epifani can get through top them about this important issue.
We are going to play a game all week. We are going to give them funnymoney, and a chance to earn more. They will have to "pay" for their food each meal. If they do not have enough money, they will have to work or go into debt. We are hoping to have fun, and also to illustrate what they will be learning about savings, debt, tithing, work, and trusting God.

We do have one very special prayer request. The camp, on my mom's property, is supplied of water by a no-to-good well. The well goes practically dry every summer, and this year it is nearly critical. Please pray that God would miraculously supply us with water!

My blogging may suffer over the next few weeks, but I do keep reading. God bless each of you, my friends, and you know who you are!

A follow-up Dr. visit

When we left the hospital 10 days ago, the dr. told us that she would need a blood test in one week. Then, if the results were good, the next blood test would be in another 2 weeks, then another month. I was discouraged, because I didn't want Vanessa to have to go through another torturous blood test.
Tuesday, we took her to the German hospital. Even in the nicest hospital in town, a blood test is still a blood test. It took forever. Vanessa screamed and pulled. It took me and two nurses to hold her still enough to draw blood. They had to take enough for 6 different tests. We were both sweating when the ordeal was over.
The next day, we went to the Dr.'s office. She lo0ked over the tests, one page after the other. She said, "This little girl is well. No need for more testing!" Amen, glory halellujah! Prayers answered!

The "why"

So often we are not made to know just why suffering is allowed in our lives or in the lives of those around us. But every once in a while, God makes known his purpose.

When the doctor made us understand that Vanessa must be hospitalized, we realized right away that is must be at the Regional Hospital. The charges for the German Hospital would have run several thousand dollars that we didn't have. And since we would not be compromising medical quality, just comfort, we knew what we had to do. I didn't know how miserable it would be, or I would have chosen to go into debt! I know that thousands get medical care there, and that maybe I'm just too spoiled, but the facts are that I was miserably uncomfortable. Vanessa would have been uncomfortable anywhere, as needles were going to be a fact no matter where we were. But I would have been better able to care for her in another setting.

Anyway, I am not a pouter. I tried to make the best of things and to be positive around the other children's mothers. Nessa's crib was at the end near the door and the recliners. Next to me was a little girl, Connie, who had a severe infection due to sinusitis that had not been properly diagnosed. The dr. let her mother know that she was in danger of losing her life because the infection might get to her brain. Connie's mom and dad took turns caring for her. Neil was able, over the 5 days to witness to Cristian. Jessica, Connie's mom, told me that she had been saved and baptized as a young person, but hadn't been to church in years. She was so glad that her husband was listening to Neil. They have commited to go visit the Temuco church. Also, next to Connie was Javiera, with a severe urinary tract infection. Neil was able to make friends with and witness to Eduardo and his wife. We passed out tracts and Pastor Jaime passed out Gospels of John to all the parents and nurses. Jessica told me that she knew that her child and mine had been allowed to get sick in order to bring us together so that her husband would listen to the Gospel. We plan to keep contact with these two couples.

When Vanessa was born, we didn't have a baby dedication ceremony, as many here think of them as the evangelical form of infant baptism. But in our home we talked and prayed and dedicated our Vanessa to God. Sometimes God needs to use us or someone we love to reach others. Sometimes that means suffering. If God needed to allow Nessa to suffer so that he could reach those in need, then I need to not grumble. I give her freely to be of use in the Master's hand.

We're home!

After 5 very long days, Vanessa and I are home. Here's the story





Last Friday, I had an appointment with the Pediatrician to get some drops for Vanessa, like Mylecon, for the colicky gas. Not a big deal, but you can't buy the drops OTC. That morning, Vanessa felt feverish, so I was glad I had the appointment. When we saw the Dr. , she examined her and told us to have her hospitalizes immediately. We didn't understand the gravity, but she said that any 7 week old baby that has a fever like that is a big deal. Since we are on the national health plan, that meant that I must take her to the Regional Hospital. They have the most advanced equipment and treatment, but the hospital itself is old and decrepit. Gives me the creeps.





They examined Vanessa in the emergency room, took urine and blood samples and inserted the needle thingy in her arm. We waited for the preliminary tests, which came back negative for urinary tract infection. So they decided to admit her in order to find out what was causing the fever. The next step was testing for....Meningitis!!!!! Do you know what that means? Yep, a spinal tap. I was furious because she had already been through so much. But the Dr insisted. We left the room. 30 minutes later, they came out and told us that they had been unsuccessful, and had not gotten any spinal fluid. Goodness! All that suffering for nothing! I was in tears. They started an IV antibiotic, just in case. The family had to leave and I was alone with Vanessa in the room. There were 8 cribs, but there were only 5 babies and their mothers. There were 2 recliners. We were told that we must not roam the room, but stay near our crib. We could not touch anything belonging to the other children. We could not sit in the recliners with our babies. It felt like baby prison. There are three levels of personnel. The Drs., the nurses and the Auxiliares. They are the low men on the totem pole. That makes them mean. Our particular one, Romina was a pain. I called her the nazi nurse. She got on to us about everything. She was unbending in the rules, and she didn't seem to like kids. Or their parents. She played horrible music loudly on the radio. Felt like torture.



Nights were horrible because I couldn't get Vanessa to sleep in that loud, well-lit room. Squeeky beds and howling children. I couldn't rock her. I couldn't do anything I normally do to put her to sleep. And once I got her relaxed, someone would come by and wake her to take her temperature or give medicine. She didn't fall asleep until 4 am for 4 days straight. I was desperate for sleep. At six, they would start waking all the kids to check their Vitals and prepare for shift change.



She saw several drs. and all said the same thing. We don't know what is causing the fever. So they would order more tests. More blood. More pain.



Finally, Emily saw her son's Dr, and got her to give Vanessa a look. She is the head of pediatrics at that hospital. She looked over the tests and examined her. She felt that Vanessa's liver was somewhat enlarged and order another blood test and an ultrasound. Two long days later, as we we preparing for another long day, she came and told us that we could go home! You see, up to that time, they could not determine if Vanessa had a bacterial infection, which needed IV antibiotics or a virus. She determined that Vanessa had a virus that was causing problems with her liver, thus calling her condition "hepatitis". Not the regular A, B or C hepatitis, just a viral hepatitis. So, since there is actually no treatment, we coul go home!

So we piled up all our stuff and went home. Vanessa calmed down immediately. We bathed her. She loved that.

We still have to take her for another blood test to see if there is any change in the liver situation, but we'll get that done at the German hospital where she was born. That's much nicer, and they have better blood-takers.

So, here we are, home sweet home.

Thank you, Lord

Thank you all for your prayers. Later I'll blog about why God allowed all this to happen.

Pray for my Vanessa

Vanessa started a fever last Friday. We took her to the Dr. and she hospitalized her right away because she is so young to have such a fever. We are at the regional public hospital. It is kinda scary, but the care is adequate. The nurses are on a real power trip. They haven't been able to keep the fever down, and they can't figure out the cause.
I'll blog all about it when i can.

thanks

Merry Christmas!

What a great holy-day! I know that we are not commanded in Scripture to celebrate Christmas, but we aren't forbidden either. I also know that we really don't know exactly what day Christ was born, but does that really mattter? I love it. I love the "pretties" and "sparklies". I love the goodies. I love reading and remebering the Story. The earthly beginning of Him who is eternal. Understanding and concentrating on the fulfilled prophecies of the birth of the Messiah is a great faith-lifter.



Now that I am older, I really am not interested in the gifts, except in giving them away. And I enjoy the whole season, as opposed to the "day". I love the Christmas cantatas, and programs.



As a missionary in the southern hemisphere, I still hate having Christmas in the Summer. I envy all of you who are in the middle of Winter!



May God bless you. May you have a lovely day with your loved ones. May you revel in the Reason for the season. The Babe in the manger became the Saviour on the cross.


"Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing"

"Gloria al Verbo encarnado, en humanidad velado"

Expelled!

I finally figured out how to rent movies on Itunes. I have been wanting to see "Expelled" for some time.

I get so frustrated when Creationists are considered insane. The blasphemies spoken by the atheists were appalling to hear. I wanted to weep for those people! They fearlessly speak things about God that they do not understand. More and more I feel like a stranger in a strange land. We speak a different language and we have different world views. We are not welcome in this land.

Also, it was difficult to see the scenes in the nazi concentration camps and "hospitals". I cannot see those things without being horrified. The scenes haunt me. To see how torture and murder are rationalized and explained as "good" is terrifying. But just as Nazi Germany tortured and killed Jews and the weak, sick and handicapped, modern American kill babies. As a nation, we are no different. Someday, those responsible we bow before an Almighty God and beg for forgiveness, and it will be too late.



It was a good movie, for a documentary. It was not encouraging, but it did remind me about my part in all this. My work in my home, in my Church, in our town, all is useful in proclaming the Truth.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving was last week. We had a marverlous day. We got together over at Mom's with my sis and her fam, and 2 other missionary families. We ate traditional Thanksgiving food. Chile is very good about having most of what we need to celebrate. Bro. Phil brought his laptop with the first season of Star Trek TOS! We watched "The Man Trap" WooHoo. You gotta love old ST!



Special thanks to Michele for the lovely ecard. What a blessing! And also to Courtney, for her sweet Thanksgiving greeting.

The reason that I am so late in all this is of course, the baby. Babies look so small! But I am telling you, they are a full time employer! I already have 3 other full time positions: Wife, Mother, Pastor's wife. But for now, Baby's mother trumps the rest. I have not been able to keep up with other duties and am beginning to feel overwhelmed. I cannot imagine how a single mom does it! I cannot understand the Supermoms that have 4 kids, and are pregnant, and still have a clean house AND live to blog about it!

As most of you are enjoying a lovely Fall, we are in a Chilean heat wave. Not too hot to you, but boiling to us. We had to go to the City on Monday for Dr.s appt. We had to leave our "new" minivan at the mechanic. We were on foot and in cabs all day. Hot hot hot. Me no like hot.
Anyway, Dr was pleased with Vanessa's growth and health. So we have a lot to be thankful for.

Calvinism vs Armenianism

For reasons that I cannot begin to comprehend, I have lately been fascinated by the Calvinism vs. Armenianism debate. I don't know why.
I have learned that women do not usually blog about this, but preachers do. They write loooooong posts and looooooong comments on other's posts. I don't know where they get all that time! The other thing is that the more I read about it, the stupider I feel (see how bad it is? I just wrote "stupider") These writers use long words I never heard before like "Lapsarianism" and "amyraldism".
I have seen harsh disagreement between these two positions. I have also seen inflexibility. For example, one man wrote that if you aren't a calvinist, you're an armenian. Oh, and of course, they both use some of the same words, but define they differently. Another example; Do I believe in the sovreignty of God? Yes. Do I believe that God chooses people to go to hell? No. Do I think that is two opposing views? No, but that's just me!

The sad thing is that it appears that both groups believe that the other group cannot possibly be saved. Hmm. Since I do not place myself in either group totally, where does that leave me? Hmmm.

Ahh, theology!

Mommy Musings, A tale of two Babies

Almost thirteen years ago, a wee baby was born to the Arias Family. Her 23 year old mama tried her best to prepare for her arrival. She read the books and listened to Dr. Dobson on the radio. (this was actually very helpful) But nothing prepare her for the reality of a baby. Mama and Daddy were preparing to head for the mission field in the next month after the blessed birth. So, shopping and packing, visiting and last goodbyes, they flittered all around Southern California during Baby¨s first month. Oh yeah, and a last trip to Disneyland. And a few Christmas programs. Mama was amazed at how well Baby did on all these outings. She did well, until nightime, that is. At night, Baby could not sleep. She fussed and cried. We took turns walking here all hours of the night, Mama, Daddy and Granny. Baby was frustrated. Mama was frustrated. Still, ding-bat Mama did not realize that maybe she was making this situation worse. She never dreamed that all the running around might be affecting her little one. As Baby grew, she seemed to need even more stimulation, leading ding-bat Mama to put Baby in her swing In Front of the TV, just so Mama could get some work done. Needless to say, Mama was not incredibly anxious to have another go at motherhood.

NOTE. There was another baby born between the two girls. I adore my son, but I cannot hardly remember anything from his babyhood. This may be because baby girl Number 1 was two at the time, and I was on overload. Sorry Ronnie.


Fast forward to Little Girl Number 2. Mama is now 35. She has watched "The Baby Whisperer" and read her book, especially the parts about over-stimulated babies. She and her Big Girl get the house ready. She relinquishes her SS class. After baby is born, she stays home. When she does go to Church, she keeps Baby in the cry room. Amazingly, Baby is much calmer. No need for hours of walking and lullabies. Very little frustration. Fewer tears from Baby and Mama. But then, Mama makes a mistake. Mama takes the ladies for a quick retreat. (Not her idea) One nïght away from home. Baby cries all night. Mama walks the halls of the retreat center and remembers the past. Next night, at home, same thing, fussiness. But then, all is calm again. Not perfect but definitely livable.
Maybe later on we can go out and about, but for now, for the first few weeks, we will stick close to home.

Lesson learned, and it only took 13 years.

Another Note.
God was exceedingly merciful to Baby Girl Number 1. She has turned out to be a lovely, godly young lady, in spite of her ding-bat mother.

A miracle

Last week, a lady from Church stopped by my house and told me that a guy in our church had had an accident and had broken/dislocated his shoulder and would need expensive surgery. The Preacher went to see him the very next day. He was horrified when he saw the x-rays of the broken shoulder, and the pain this brother was suffering. Through the public health system, the dr had given him an appointment for the following Friday. That night Neil took two men from the Church over to visit Jose Luis. They encouraged him, but also gently told him that maybe this was God's way of getting his attention, as he was not really faithful at all to God or the Church. This man broke down and cried out to God in repentance, acknowledging his guilt in this matter. The men prayed with him, asking God to heal him.
Neil knew that his physical condition shouldn't wait, so on Sat night, he drove Jose Luis into Valdivia to the Regional Hospital to the emergency room where they took more x-rays. Here's what they said. "Boy, why are you here? There's nothing more than a contusion here!" What!? He's OK! He doesn't need surgery. Its just a contusion! Wait a minute. Was there a mistake in the first x-ray? The second? No, my friends, there was healing from Above. When did this happen? We don't know. We just know that God is still here, and He still pays house calls! We praise you , Lord!

Mommy Musings

I guess since I have a new baby, it makes sense to blog about it. I don't think I've done a series, but I have been thinking a lot about mothering, especially during the time-outs for nursing, so I've got a few things to say.

Getting Real and learing to love.
I am going to try to be honest here. This may make you think less of me, but at least it will be the truth. I also think that it may encourage others to know that not every other mom is the perfect mother, and that we can all strive to be better at this sacred calling.
Confession: I am not a Baby Person. I do not, generally speaking, like babies. (Gasp! The Horror! How can she say that!!!!) Do you know that God knew that there would be women
who would have babies that would not be Baby People? Sure! Why else would he have written the Titus 2 command for the older women to teach the younger women to love the children? NOTE: I LOVE MY CHILDREN, but I had to learn to love babies!
Do you love babies? Great! Then you need to learn to spot out young ladies who need to learn this, and share your joy with them. Mentor an over-whelmed new mommy. Help her see past the tiredness and crying and see the joy. Also, many new mothers need to learn motherhood skills. The reason that they are so frustrated may be because the do not possess the skills needed to be competent mommies. I my own case, I only had one sister, born 4 years after me. Mother always wanted more babies, but the Lord said No. So, I grew up, never having the opportunity to care for a baby. I lived in Chile,where nobody babysat, and those who needed a babysitter, usually had a maid to do it. Many young women today grow up never having cared for a baby.
I was totally without experience in the Baby department, and it showed. May God bless all first-borns, who live through their mother's inexperience! I made a lot of mistakes and I had to repent of many bad attitudes. I want to share something I read this morning. I didn't comment there, but decided to tackle this here. Yes, we are all appalled at this mommy's lousy attitude. Yes, she is wrong. But let's not crucify her. Here is a woman (and a baby) in desperate need of some Titus 2 tough love. She is trying to find justification for her bad attitude, but what she needs is some help and loving. Also, she doesn't need the guilt trip. You know, the women who have a dozen kids and never ever dreamed of leaving any of them not for one second! They never wanted to go to a retreat alone, or even to the salon. This is not what that poor, foolish woman needs. Mostly what she needs is some godly examples. Maybe you can invite this woman or others like her over for tea or whatever. You can dote on her precious baby, and maybe she can start to see her child through different eyes. I don't know. Maybe you can offer to pray with her. Ask her if she has any needs. Ask her if she is getting enough rest. Ask her if you may offer her some advice. If she says no, thank you, then let it go, you tried. But maybe, she'll just break down in tears and you'll be able to share and help.

Now, almost 13 years after my first baby, and 9 years after my second, God gives me a third chance to do it right. Things are different now, I am different now. Had I known then what I know now, I'd probably have had more babies!

An Award!

What do ya know? I got an award! Michelle in Mx, missionary to the Deaf, awarded me with this:

This means a lot because I would be awfully sad if people thought my blog was a lot of fluff! Thanks, Michelle! I would also like to thank God because without Him, life itself would have no purpose, much less a little ole blog like mine!





And now, it is my great pleasure to pass this award on to Sis. Julie, missionary wife, of Julie's Jewels. Her blog knows no fluff!!!! Her purpose is to share what God shares with her through His Word, and I am always blessed.