Happy 3rd anniversary!!

Three years ago today, I married the most amazing man on the planet! God brought us together from very different places to a country far, far away from home- Bolivia! I never expected to meet my husband on the field, nor did I dream of getting to know this man who super ceded all my hopes of what a partner could be. From the very beginning of our friendship, his honesty, funny personality, intelligence, sense of humor, love for people, love for Bolivia, positive outlook, and strong faith struck me. Only over these last several years have I seen those great qualities grow and so many more have been discovered. We have walked together through good times and bad and he has always clung to the Lord and led me to do the same. And now we enter together into the great adventure of parenting! I am so thankful for him and look forward to many more years of laughter, tears, and discovering God's plan for our life together.

Long day

Isn't this a lovely image of sheep grazing by a happy, little church (extra points if you can find the shepherdess)? This is the neighborhood Catholic church that we can see out our window and I love to see the neighborhood sheep grazing in the front lawn. It's definitely better than seeing the sheep "grazing" in the empty lot behind us which is filled with nothing but dirt and a few dead scraggles of bush (not to mention little shade and no water)...

So, here's the latest me and belly- 38 wks. I impressed myself today with the amount of stamina that still remanis by leaving the house early to meet a friend for a birthday breakfast and spending the rest of the morning shopping, followed by an almost 8 hour lunch/meeting/dinner with the Mallasilla Bible Church leadership team. Granted, I am pretty pooped by this point- but I'm still blogging! It has been nice to have more energy than I thought I would in last trimester, but I'm starting to finally feel those aches and quick drains of energy that lead a woman to wish for her old body back. I will miss the tummy but I'll be so happy to meet our daughter soon! Now all I need is the time to pack my hospital bag and to find a baby bathtub and I think we'll be set. Could be any day!

Waiting time

I realized I haven't been writing a ton lately, due somewhat to busyness and somewhat to not a lot going on. The days seem to whirl by and although I'm not to that point in pregnancy yet where I'm dying for the baby to come- I do kinda expect her at any moment. There seems to be lots of little projects here and there to complete before our lives change forever, but as is typical in Bolivia, you can never get everything done you want to get done as fast as you want it done. However, we did manage to finish our prenatal classes tonight and even take home an exercise ball, on loan from the center, to work with before and during labor. That's one of those things that once you complete, you feel more prepared to actually take care of a baby and realize there's nothing left to wait for! I've had all my showers, I've got baby's bag packed (but not mine) and now I'm just getting the "how are you feeling?", "is there any progression?" phone calls from time to time. The closer the day comes, the more I want to cherish every second Scotty and I have together before the responsibility of a baby.

We have a young girl come to the house once a week to help me clean in the afternoon. Her name is Eugenia, she is 13, and lives very close to us. We met at church and I quickly realized she was an out-going, self-starter who seemed quite interested in learning more about the Bible. We thought she'd be perfect to come help out at the house, especially cause she lives so close, and I hope to be able to help her grow in her faith through that time as well. We were talking on Tuesday about her family and I offered for Scotty and I to stop by to meet her parents and invite her to church. I think it is fairly common for a lower class family to feel uncomfortable about showing up at a church where foreigners attend, but personal invitations go a long way. Tonight after prenatal class, we drove partway down an insanely craggy road that only the Landcruiser could handle (and only in 4-wheel drive), and then carefully plodding our way in the dark, trying not to twist any ankles or get bitten by protective dogs, we arrived at the small brick house where Eugenia lives. Scotty made the comment that it's built exactly like the little house on our piece of land, which is usually constructed temporarily to house building supplies, and then demolished. I was feeling very apprehensive, not knowing if Eugenia would be home and how we would be received by her parents- we were definitely out of our element. But, fearless Scotty encouraged me to not turn back and he knocked on the door while I worried we were at the wrong house and at any moment one of the yappy dogs would signal to a wary resisdent that 2 gringos were standing awkwardly at the door. Thankfully, Eugenia came out with a big smile on her face, informed us that her mom had not gotten home yet, but her dad was there. She led us into her room, about half the size of the house- a small, cement space with 2 simple beds and nothing on the walls. She shares it with her brother. It's not the first time I've been in a house like that, but it's the first time I've been in one in my own neighborhood and realizing afresh what a different world Eugenia enters into when she comes to clean my house (and why her skills are not as refined as I'd often like them to be). I'm not sure what to do with these thoughts and what role God will have me play in her life- but it was good to be reminded of what I have, by the grace of God, and challenged to be involved somehow in the life of those who have less.

Bonfires and Baby showers

Hannah Hurst turned 9 on Friday and we were happy to be invited to one phase of her surprise birthday celebration. We offered our land to have a weenie roast/smore toast- Scotty has been collecting burnable stuff for quite some time and has plenty for several bonfires. We gathered around together to enjoy a yummy meal and celebrate Hannah- the sweet, middle daughter of our good friends, Greg and Faith. Scotty had recently pushed down a section of the wall that divided our two pieces of property and it gave us a new perspective of both lots together- we can't wait to build a house there!
These 2 beautiful ladies threw me a baby shower for me and all my foreign friends on Saturday. Knowing me well, they made it a brunch and I loved every minute of breakfast food and great chats with this community.
Julie is one of my 3 friends here that has had her first baby this year, also a girl, and I'm blessed to be surrounded by other women going through this fun, new phase.
Jana's mom is in town and shared a few points of godly wisdom she has picked up as a mom and now as a grandma to Jana's adorable baby girl, Emma. Thanks Momsy!!

The girls gathered round to lay hands on me and pray for me, Scotty, the baby and all that we are entering in to as new parents. What a gift to be lifted up to the Lord by these godly women.

Adventures in Bolivia

For a good look at some of the unique aspects of Bolivian tourism and a feel for the dramatic dynamics of the countryside, check out this article from the New York Times.

Saturday church fun

Is and Vianka grillin' up lunch.

This past Saturday we had a special church service and lunch together. Sunday was a nation-wide revote for the president and all the prefects of the different departments in the country. If each official did not receive a certain percentage of the vote (depending on what they received upon being voted in), they would be ousted- including the president! This is an interesting way of doing things, but the president was hoping, and succeeded, in proving he was still well supported and also wanted to be able to put a few more of his men in high positions if some of the "others" could be voted out. Anyway, this referendum Sunday meant that no group of more than 10 could gather and no private transportation was allowed- so we had church on Saturday.
We weren't sure we'd have much of a crowd, since many do their shopping on Saturday or have family activities.

One of my favorite neighborhood ladies, Teri, hanging out with the kids.

But, we had a huge turn-out of both children and adults and enjoyed eating sausage sandwiches, playing outside in the sun, and listening to a great devotion by our fellow missionary colleague, Kep, who was a guest for our event. It was a really fun way to spend the day and we are thankful for the new construction of the cafeteria where we will meet for the next couple of years, with higher roof and lots of light. We continue to pray God will unify this body and grow it in depth of faith in Him.

Worshipping together

More fun in third trimester

I've recently thought of a few more particular experiences accompanying the 3rd trimester. And I'm now in my ninth and final month! You could be very pregnant if...

10. ...there is a hefty creature in your belly that braces her feet against both sets of ribs and attempts calf-raises.

9. ...after using the bathroom, you get up to find you immediately need to use it again (or is someone sitting on my bladder?).

8. ...those cute little kicks and taps you felt a few months ago have now turned into the jabs and drags.

7. ...when you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, you feel as though you had a full body workout earlier in the day (oh, if only I could still work out). Why is this?

6. ...every day brings the sensation at some point that you've been horsebackriding for several hours- ouch.

5. ...you realize that even though those adorable, tiny baby clothes are small, they sure make for a lot of laundry.

4. ...even though the books say you won't gain much weight in the last month, your appetite makes you wonder if you're the exception.

3. ...every night you go to bed thinking about what needs to be packed in the hospital bag/what is lacking in the nursery/how will you breastfeed discretely when the pastor comes by for a visit...

2. ...you talk to the baby as if you will see her very soon.

1. ...every morning you wake up thinking that was one of the last good nights of sleep you will have, ever.

Baby shower- IBM style

The iglesia Biblica de Mallasilla threw me a shower last weekend that was lots of fun! I feel very blessed to be surrounded with women (most of whom live in our area) who are so excited for us to be having a baby and have already offered their help many times when we need it. Carmen put together a lovely tea table- complete with dress-shaped cake, adorable place settings, and cookie bouquets. It was a neat time to share and be showered with diapers and other practical gifts that will help us prepare for baby.

Beautiful table with yummies.

Hand knitted booties, white chocolate baby candy, and dress-shaped napkins.

Astrid, Paula, and Fa- blessing me with their friendship.

Baby days

All my girlfriends who have recently had their first babies went home over the summer/winter to visit family and friends. But, they're now all back and as I see them and their new and/or bigger babies, I get excited to join the club and have my little girl too! Scotty and I are taking prenatal classes, sharing the time with just one other couple. You'd think that would be helpful in getting personal attention, which it is if you have a question, but unfortunately the style here doesn't seem to be very interactive. During the lactation class, the instructor held the doll and demonstrated different nursing positions, but we didn't get to touch a doll or practice anything ourselves...aren't we the inexperienced ones about to be thrown into the realities of breast-feeding? We are appreciative, however, for a very knowledgable teacher and classes ranging from breast-feeding to nutrition (seeing a professional nutritionist) to breathing techniques to baby massage. And my sweet husband even asked me this afternoon if I wanted to practice breathing and positioning techniques for when I'm in labor! He's the best. We're enjoying a calmer Saturday than usual, even though there's a lot of activity Scotty's been involved in with the church moving back to it's previous location at the school (from a small classroom to the cafeteria). But, because the ladies of the church are throwing me a shower today, we didn't have any Bible study prep to do and have enjoyed the sunny day walking, cooking, eating, doing devos together, and just now, breathing exercises. And now I'm off to my shower...pictures to follow!