El Salvador- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday-June 10-12th

A view from our hostel

Praises and reflections thus far … Friday Night/ Early Saturday Morning: Eliana loved, for the most part, being in the airport.  There were so many people and new things for her to look at.  Between the Burger King and the Starbucks was a half wall with glass on top of the wall going up to the ceiling.  A young guy making coffee danced for Eliana as she laughed and encouraged the attention.  Once we were on board, I nursed Eliana and she stayed asleep for the vast majority of the flight.  I didn’t get tons of sleep, but that is okay.  I prayed that God would multiply my sleep, and I believe He did.  Even though I didn’t get much consecutive sleep that day, I was okay.

Saturday: Pam met us at the airport.  With Pam’s recommendation, we decided to rent a car so that we could have freedom to travel.  We also got a GPS unit to help us get around.  Pam brought us a pack n’ play, a car seat, cold water, food for Eliana, and a lot of snacks for us.  She showed us a few important routes like how to get from our hostel to the church, the grocery store, and the central commercial.  That night we ventured on our own for to find dinner and to pick up a few other items at the grocery store.  We didn’t get lost, and people LOVE meeting Eliana.  I had a conversation with two older ladies in the grocery store while waiting in line.  The encouraged me to learn Spanish.  I said Eliana might learn more first.  They said it is good for babies to know two languages.   I am so glad that Kyle is with me.  His Spanish is better than mine.  It makes ordering food easier as he helps me understand what people are asking.

Sunday: When Kyle was here in January, his team helped to evangelize in an area called Nueva Concepcion.  Since then, a church has been planted.  Another church from Oklahoma donated money to help build a building for the church.  When we came, that church was helping to complete the finishing touches on the church like painting, hanging the ceiling, and putting in electrical lights.  Sunday was the dedication service for this church.

On Sunday morning, we drove a gal named Ruth up to Nueva Concepcion with us.  She knows a little bit of English.  She turned out to be a very patient teacher as we learned and reviewed words we knew.  We laughed a lot as we tried to get concepts across the language barrier.

The Oklahoma team’s leader preached the sermon.  This turned out to be very nice for us since that made the service bilingual.  The leader preached about the church continuing to grow and be a place where the gospel will be preached.

After the service, we ate papusas.  Kyle has been talking about papusas since he came back in January.  Eliana and I liked them.  They are like a thick tortilla that is small and made of corn that is stuffed with cheese, beans, or other things.  The locals eat them with a tomato sauce and a cabbage slaw.  The way they eat them reminds me of when we were in India.  The papusa is torn into a smaller pieces and then you use them to pinch up some of the slaw and sauce.

Eliana is the door opener to communication since people love to talk to her!

Here is the new church building in Nueva Concepcion.

Saturday June 10, 2011 - Kyle

I did not get to sending off an email reminder that our trip had arrived.  We are currently sitting at the gate.  We were able to pick up a GPS unit but unless I can jail-break it, I will not be able to purchase and install El Salvador maps.  However, I utilized Google maps by saving all of our destinations and we’ll just click one, click the other, and read off the route.  I sent a message to our hostess to ask if we could reserve a room with its own bathroom.  At the place where we are staying there is a floor that has rooms with their own bathrooms and a floor that the rooms share a common bathroom.  I wish I would have thought about asking to reserve it before today, but we’ll see what happens. 

This last week our daughter made the transition from a morning and afternoon nap to only having an afternoon nap.  This is a partial answer to prayer because that means that we’ll have more freedom to move about during the day while on this trip, rather than trying to figure out how to work around naps.  Our hostess has four children, all of which were made to adjust to the demands of the ministry, which meant learning to sleep anywhere and always being on the move.  We’re not sure how this will work for our daughter because her mama has been an at home mother since birth so she has had a consistent schedule of food, naps, playtime, etcetera. 

Our daughter is currently clapping her hands on a water bottle that she is chewing the top of.  The airline would have charged us a full adult priced ticket for her to have her own seat but for 1/2 that price, they permit her to sit on our laps.  (o.O)  We’re both hoping that she winds down soon and doesn’t spend the duration of the flight pushing on our faces, and trying to climb up our chests.  Although we have travel internationally several times, this is the first time we are going to do so with a baby.  She is almost 12 months old and she’s not so much a baby to me anymore.  At what age does a baby become a toddler? 

Bibles for the Bible and Art Club

I remember during an April lesson asking my students how many of them had Bibles.  Most of my students didn't.  I thought, "How are my students supposed to learn more about God's Word if they don't even have access to a Bible?"  As the lessons progressed, I wanted to give each of my students a Bible for our last meeting.  About a week before our last meeting I went to a local Bible store and found that although I could purchase some Bibles for $4, there were NKJV Explorer's Bibles that was more accessible to my students for $13.99.  There are inserts on various topics and boxes that helped to explain what verses meant.  The salesman explained that they had seven in stock, but that he believed he could get the other eight from another store they have a few hours away.  I told him I'd think about it and get back to him.  I went home and checked online and for that Bible it was the best price I could find.  I sent out an email to friends and family updating them on the progress of the club and the tremendous blessing it has been for me to teach my two favorite subjects.  I asked them to pray about if the Lord would have them help purchase a Bible for each of my fifteen students.  Within twenty four hours, nine of the Bibles had sponsors.  I was blown away as I marveled at God's faithfulness.

The next day I called to request the Bibles.  The salesman took my contact information and said that he was only able to locate one other copy of the Bible I was looking for at his other store.  So, I headed over there to see what else I could find.  He did have NIV Bibles, but the pictures looked more accessible for younger students.  I had a friend come with me, and we talked about the pros and cons of various Bibles.  There were a few leather bound versions of the NKJVs I was looking at. I had the salesman see if he had enough of the leather bound at his other location to make 15 Bibles.  He had exactly enough with the combination.  So, even though the seven leather bound copies would make the price a bit higher, I went ahead and purchased them.

Over the next few days several people emailed and said they'd be willing to help out.  Friends of ours were telling others about the Bible and Art Club, and two people who don't even know me or my students wanted to help buy Bibles.  A relative let me know that he'd be willing to cover whatever wasn't purchased, even if it meant buying all fifteen.  On the day I was passing them out, six more people said they'd help out.  With all of the extra support, the cost of the Bibles was completely taken care of.  There was actually more than enough, so I let a friend of mine know who was planning on purchasing eight Bibles, one for each child in their home, that she only needed to pitch in to cover 2 and 1/2 of the Bibles.

I wish all of the sponsors could have seen my students faces as I explained that the Bibles I was passing out were for them to keep.  I wish the sponsors could have heard the chatter of excitement as they showed one another things they were finding in their Bibles.  One of the neat things about the Bibles was that I got a little message from the sponsors to write in the Bibles they helped purchase.  I explained how the table of contents works so that they can find books like Obadiah and Ezra.  We explored the concordance/glossary so that they could find Abed-Nego from our first Bible lesson.  I showed them the inserts and told them that they were there to help them understand the Bible, but they weren't part of all Bibles.  I compared it to mine, so they could see how my commentary notes were different than their's.

The last passage I shared with them was from John 15:1-10.  The key verses I focused on were verses nine and ten, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love."  I explained that when I was a little older than them, I remembered feeling completely alone.  I know that is kind of hard to fathom since I come from a family with seven kids.  I felt like no one, not even my friends, understood me.  I felt like no one cared.  Was it all true?  No, but that is how I felt.  I remember being drawn to read my Bible.  I read John 15 for the first time that I could then remember.  I was amazed to read that Jesus loved me.  I had heard for years that God loved me, but I had never seen where it said so.  I shared with my students that I hoped they knew that God loved them, that He sent His Son Jesus to live a perfect life, and to die for our sins.  I hope they remembered the best part, and that is that Jesus then rose again and conquered death.  I pray that my students will learn to love God's Word.


As we left that last meeting one of my most enthusiastic fourth graders headed over to a group of seventh graders to show them his new Bible.  As I walked by, one of my former fourth graders was skimming through God's Word.  Inside, I was jumping up and down singing Hallelujah, and outside I was beaming.

11 Months Old!!!

I can't believe Eliana is 11 months old.  It simply amazes me that she is nearly a year old.  My, my, my how time truly flies.  What a blessing she is to us, our family, our friends, and the many strangers who smile when they see her.

Eliana has dark eyes, and I've been working on capturing them for awhile.  I read a blog with amazing photography and interesting stories of a family with 14 kids.  The youngest is a day younger than Eliana.  Renee occasionally posts photography tips.  I just play around with my camera.  I really don't know much in regards to technical terms.  The picture of her son Tucker amazed me, and I've been working to capture Eliana's eyes since then.  http://bakersdozen.typepad.com/a_bakerss_dozen_daily_lif/2010/12/aperture-and-why-it-matters.html

Last week I read a blog by Misty and found a tip that made a difference.  It wasn't in super techy words, so I got the gist of what she was saying.  Plus, her blog is full of great photography, fun, and conviction of a follower of Jesus.  http://garrison-serendipity.blogspot.com/2011/05/proof-and-few-tips.html

Eliana likes to help me take my pictures:)  Lately she enjoys grabbing the cap and strap that are attached to the camera.  She is so fast these days that it can be hard to capture her quick movements as she crawls and explores. 

Eliana is a day old in this picture.  She was at the hospital getting her oxygenation levels tested while in her car seat.  Kyle went with her, and I'm pretty sure I thought about her the entire time she was gone.

Look at how big she has gotten!!!   Go back and compare where Tigger is in each picture.  Eliana was smiling at her daddy through the car window.  Eliana gets so excited when Kyle comes home.  Sometimes we are up before him.  She loves to wake up her sleeping daddy by crawling across the mountains of blankets to pat his face or grab his nose.  Kyle can be hard to rise in the morning, but he often wakes up quickly when his daughter is ready to play with him.

Family came to visit when Eliana was dedicated at church this past Sunday.  I'm so glad that Eliana is loved by her Aunt Trisha and Aunt Taylor! 

 I LOVE this picture of Eliana with her Aunt Tara.  I was impressed that Tara let her play with her necklace.  Not only did she play with it, she also chewed on it with those two new teeth that are breaking through on the top.  Eliana has a good grip.  She hasn't broken anyone's necklace yet, but she has the potential to!  We always know when Eliana has been with Aunt Tara because she comes back with glitter on her head from Tara's many kisses:)

Eliana's Grandpa Mark and Grandma Bonnie got a bear for Eliana back at Christmas time.  It had been hiding under the Christmas tree and was discovered after we had already left. HA!  Eliana didn't mind the wait.  At six months old, she didn't know how to open presents.  

Eliana loved the tissue paper!  She was elated by all of the exciting noises that tearing, crunching, and squeezing the tissue made.

Eliana has recently discovered that boxes are loads of fun!  Who needs presents?  Boxes can be just as entertaining:)    

Our home isn't the best well lit.  It cracks me up how many times I take pictures or go outside and realize that Eliana's face has sweet potato, green beans, or other food on it.  She is now in the phase were she prefers to feed herself.  She enjoys picking up French cut green beans, cooked carrots (which she wouldn't touch if they were pureed), banana (also something she didn't care too much for pureed), and bread (Oh how she LOVES bread of all kinds... wheat, sour dough, tortilla, and French bread just to name a few). 

Eliana was almost three months old in these pictures.  My goodness she was small.  I guess I was just used to her being that size since I didn't really have anyone to compare her to.

Now she actually finds this toy fun! It plays music as she either pushes it around or bangs on the tops. She likes to hit the tops as its lights flash. Ruli is going to make a drummer out of her yet.

 A profile of my sweet baby.

Eliana is on the go as soon as she wakes up!  Her memory is developing to where she notices anything new in the living room.  One day last week we picked up a light weight stroller for travel and a new puzzle.  She went from the puzzle, to the stroller, and ended with the box the stroller came in.

She gave me an amazing gift the last two days by sleeping through the night.  I don't know if it will last, or if it was sound sleep due to her adventures out of town.  Either way, I didn't mind in the slightest:)

There are pros and cons to each stage of her growth.  I appreciate the increase in sleep, how busy she keeps me during the day, and the many smiles she brings to so many people.  I am thankful that she still loves being in her stroller, the sweet smile she gets while enjoying the breeze in the park swing, and that she rarely screams in the car anymore.  Teaching her that no, she can't do everything she wants, isn't easy; but I'm glad she can't tell me no back yet.  Well, I guess she does in her own way, but she isn't using the word no back;)  I miss when she used to fall asleep on my chest.  I miss rocking her to sleep.  Although at 6+ months old I didn't know how much longer I could take it.  Now we just lay her down in her crib, give her a small soft blanket, and often she goes into sleepy land all by herself.  I'm so thankful that she doesn't cry as much as she used to.  Eliana doesn't go by a strict schedule, but she does have a pattern.  Once she is up for the day somewhere between 5am and 8am, she takes her morning nap about two hours later.  Her morning nap is around two glorious hours in which I try to get all of the things done that I used to be able to do when she was awake.  She'd rather play with me than watch me read my Bible up at the table, shower, or watch me do chores.  Now she wants to help me read, figure out how she can get me out of the shower faster, and see what it would be like to get into the dishwasher.  After being awake, she is normally up for two to three hours and then down for a nap that lasts some where between an hour to two hours.  Then she is up for the rest of the afternoon until between 6:30pm and 8pm depending upon when she got up for the day.  

I love this precious gift from God, our daughter.

Eliana Videos

Tasha discovered that Eliana not only liked to stand and hold the handle on this toy, but she could also walk with it by herself!

Rachel and Eliana had some play time with the rubber ducky.  Rachel was laughing so much at Eliana's laughs that you can hear Rachel trying to catch her breath.

Go ahead and watch it again.  You aren't the only one that can't resist.

Proud uncle moment

I went to Herb Bauers a few weeks ago and picked up a few items.  My carabiner broke a few days before this, so I purchased a neat looking S-Biner to hold my keys.

Jump ahead to my brother Nick's wedding.  My super cute niece was the flower girl for the wedding.  She is a year and half old and very smart.  As we're enjoying the reception, Kallie points to my keys and says, "S!"  Now that my friends is one smart cookie!!!

Oh the Things you do as Parents

 Eliana will only fit in this small sink for a little while longer!  I can't remember why Kyle bathed her in the sink.  We have a baby bath tub that we use at the kitchen sink, but maybe I was doing dishes when he decided to bathe her.  Either way, it accounted for some fun photo time!  Plus, we got lots of laughs.  Eliana only drained the water once.  I don't think she connected her action with the lack of water, but it was funny to us!

Yes, I am clipping her finger nails.  Yes, I have her locked in my legs.  Sometimes she turns into such a wiggle worm when it comes time to clip her nails.  They grow so fast that we have to do it every week!

This was the first time I trimmed Eliana's nails.  She was 12 days old!!!  It took me half an hour to file them.  She stayed asleep the whole time.  Look at how small she used to be!!!  She still curled up her legs at that time.  Wow, that was a long time ago.  It was nearly a year ago!  Time sure does fly.

Creation Story Circles

While reading Genesis 1, I had students stop and think about what colors could represent each day.  For example, black and white might represent darkness and light in day one.  We then traced seven circles to represent each day.  Then I had students trace their circles and map out which day would be where and what colors they thought of.  The colors within the circle represent things created in the day.  The above picture is my sample created with marker.  I had the students make their paintings with tempera on canvas.  Below is a diagram of what each color represents. 

I liked my work, but I found it hard to tell the circles apart.  I did another example in which I picked a color to represent each day and then I used various values of that color so that the circle would be eye catching.

I showed the students both examples and let them decide how they wanted their art pieces to look.

When I first taught this lesson, I walked away thinking the lesson was rather bland.  I liked the art piece, but I had changed up how the lesson was taught and there wasn't a lot of dialogue about the verses.  I retaught the same Scripture the next week and loved having conversations about how God created everything.  I also emphasized that not everyone believes that, and in fact their science books don't.  I explained that some scientist believe God created everything, but many of them believe in evolution.  When I told them that some people believe we came from monkeys, they laughed.  In high school and college I argued with teachers about this.  My students wanted to know if I got in trouble.  I explained that I was respectful in disagreeing with their perspective.

The Bible and Art Club Spring Exhibit is tonight during Open House!  I'm so excited for my students' work to be displayed!!!  I'm hoping that the students will have an opportunity to talk with others about their work and the Bible!  Yesterday's mini lesson was on Matthew 28:18-20 in which Jesus tells us to teach others about Him.  I told my students that they might get a chance to do that since their art work is being displayed.  Initially many of them looked a little scared about that.  I asked them if they could why there were seven circles on their paintings. "Yes, God made the earth in seven days."  What about the colors, could they explain them? "Yes, the represent what was made in each day!"  Oh the sigh of relief when they knew they'd have something to share.  I asked if they remembered learning some things about Daniel a few weeks ago.  It took a moment for them to go that far back into their memory banks, but yes they had something to share about Daniel too!!!  Wahoo!