We've been busy. Often my time is filled with things that need to get done, but I can't exactly recount to you what all of that was by the end of the week. Does anyone else ever feel that way? Is that a product of having young children? Last Thursday through Sunday, Scotty was participating in a seminar given by SIM friends on communicating between cultures. He was reminded of a lot he already knew about what makes Bolivians different from Americans, learned some new stuff and generally was encouraged to recommit to adapting to what is culturally appropriate in life and ministry. We had some good chats about it afterward (I wasn't able to attend) and I am proud of him for putting together such a large event with a lot of other responsibilities happening at the same time. We had our good friend and Spanish teacher from our Cochabamba days come in a stay with us during the conference as well. Baby J got shifted to our room and decided she'd rather wake us up than sleep in a new place. Thankfully, her sleep patterns returned to normal once she got back in her crib. This week, Scotty has been busy with meetings out the wazoo and preparing to preach tomorrow. I've been asked to teach a young woman's Bible study in a little over a week on any topic I'd like (where to start??) and am plugging away at that this week. As much as I dislike teaching and fear how it might go over, I have to admit that I learn so much in the process. The girls are healthy, praise God, and Jubilee is growing little by very little. I never knew what a blessing it was when Natty was small to have a plump baby. That's about all that is going on at the moment!
Wanna have a little peek into what it looks like to take the girls to the pediatrician? Thankfully, at most doctor's offices, you can call and make an appointment for the following day or sometimes even the same day if you have a free schedule. At Natty's 4-year check-up, I talked to the doctor about bringing both girls back in the following week to get shots. She said just to call the nurse when I was ready. (Unfortunately, there's no making an appointment ahead of time). The pediatrician only works Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 on. Therefore, I can't call before 3:30 to make sure that day is OK for shots. So, after dropping Natty off at ballet, I begin calling the office to try to make contact with the nurse. I was determined to do the shots that day since both girls needed some catching up on vaccines. I called FOUR times trying to reach the nurse and even called the doctor's cell phone to see when she might be back in the office (she was running errands). Doc tells me she'll be back in 15 mins and I can call then. By this time, I'm feeling bad about bugging the office staff with so many phone calls. Finally, we decide just to drive to the office after ballet and hope for the best. When we arrive, I make Scotty call and the nurse has just walked in the door. She says to meet me at the clinic next door (where they are doing shots). We head to the clinic, sit and wait for the nurse to come, than wait for someone in the clinic to come and give the girls shots. The nurse brings the vaccines from the fridge next door in the pediatrician's office and passes them off to 2 ladies who don't wash their hands and get ready to poke my babies. My body goes tense and the inner battle of whether or not to say something to them begins to rage. The nurse that works for my pediatrician did wash her hands and she's going to be the one holding the girls, I justify to myself. Still, I wonder what rationale there is behind coming from touching who knows how many sick patients in a large clinic to touching my healthy children and not washing hands. I asked our SIM friend who did the culture seminar, who happens to be a doctor, if it would be offensive to ask them to wash their hands. He said, "yes". But, I'm not attempting to form any relationship with them, I counter... I was still silent. They are still healthy, so I thank God and continue to pray for His protection. Anyway, there's poking and crying and paying a pittance to the clinic for their services and then we walk back to the pediatrician's office to pay the nurse for the shots and get a receipt. Wrap that up and then we're in the car and out. It's not the most efficient system, or easiest to maneuver, but we manage.
Oh, and I just have to mention what an incredible gift our little Jubilee is. Natty, of course, is a treasure as well. But, I have to say that as far as babies go, I can't imagine much sweeter or easier than Jubilee. I so enjoy just sitting and playing with her, watching her facial expressions, seeing her ever-present smile and know that God has been so very kind to let us have her for a while. Her life makes me think so often of our Zion and how much we miss him, but I can't stop speaking constant thanks for our baby girl.
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