"Mundial" (World Cup) Madness

Our first taste of experiencing the World Cup overseas, or at all for that matter. The World Cup or "Mundial" of Soccer is a very big deal down here in Argentina and for most developed countries of the world (other than the U S of A that is, I guess it is because we have some many other national sports to keep us entertained ;)

It is like March Madness only 100x worse! And it seems that everyone, whether normally a soccer fan or not, gets caught up in it. (It has even peaked my interest ;) This year, for the first time in Argentina history, they are even allowing students to miss school to stay home and watch Argentina's games with their families. I don't know if this is a good solution or not. I suppose that the thinking is "Why give everyone an absence when no one is going to come to class anyway?" -or- "Hey, the teachers want to be home watching the games, too, just like everyone else in the country!" I am also told, sad to say, that this is BY FAR the most patriotic time in Argentina, too. Although they recently celebrated the bicentennial of their Constitution and will soon be celebrating their Independence Day, nothing rivals the World Cup to get people excited and putting on their "baby blue and white"! I have never seen so many Argentine flags on houses, until the last few weeks, and not to be outdone, we put one up, too! (Yes, I am American, but "when in Rome...." I am proud to support Argentina in the World Cup, and of course rooted for the good ole' US of A team, too, while they lasted ;)

So far Argentina is playing well and has made is past the preliminaries and the first round of elimination, but they are about to enter into a higher level of play and risk. They will face the dreaded German team on Sat., which just so happens to be the team that eliminated them from the last World Cup in the exact same round. Yikes! {Nervous shudder and biting of nails} Lord willing, they will go on to enjoy a much better outcome this time around! :)

I will be sure to keep you posted and look forward to reporting another glorious victory soon!
Until then, VaMoS ArGeNtInA!!!

My Sleeping Beauty Babies

I know, I know, I have a daughter and a son, so I shouldn't call them "Sleeping Beauties", but they are just so precious and a beautiful sight to this mother's eyes. {Deep sigh of contentment} Love my sleeping babies--so peaceful, so serene, so Quiet! I adore my kiddos when they are awake and rowdy/rambunctious with the singing, cooing, humming, screeching, giggling, crying, animal noises, shaking of rattles, etc., etc. BUT, I savor those moments of blissful tranquility, too! Helps keep one's sanity, ya know?!
 

Even my poor, sick hubby enjoyed some cuddle time with his little girl. There is just something so precious and innocent about a daddy and his daughter. To watch a grown, big, strong man turn into mush as he hugs and squeezes his baby girl--such a sweet sight to behold! (Makes me turn into mush, too ;)

My Anchor Holds

My Anchor Holds

1. Though the angry surges roll
On my tempest driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I've an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.

2. Mighty tides about me sweep,
Perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o'ershade the sky,
And the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest's shock,
For my anchor grips the rock.

3. I can feel the anchor fast
As I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen,
Bears the heavy strain between;
Through the storm I safely ride,
Till the turning of the tide.

4. Troubles almost 'whelm the soul;
Griefs like billows o'er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray;
Storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I can be bold,
I've an anchor that shall hold.

Chorus:
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of my father is a firm anchor that I have always been able to depend upon. Just as the song "My Anchor Holds" speaks of the tremendous safety and reliability we find in Christ, I can also relate this to my dad, who often sings this song at church, too.

He has always been there--for my mom, for my brothers, for me. When the hard times come, I know that he will be there with his quiet strength and faith in God to guide our family through it, just like he always has been. He never gives up on God when the going gets tough. I never had to worry if dad was going to come home after work or not, nor if he would come home drunk. Praise the Lord, a drop of alcohol has never touched his lips!! I never wondered IF we were going to go to church or not, that was a given, of course we were going to church, what else was there?!? Special meetings, VBS, Sunday school, Sun. A.M. & P.M., choir practice, Wed.--we never missed! You could always find us right up front, 2nd pew on the piano side. AND I know that if I were with my parents today, that is STILL where I would find them! I can picture them there right now, so vividly! 

My dad is a man who never attended Bible college, or any college, and yet is one of the smartest people I know in the things that count and a true student of God's Word. If you have a ?, my dad will have a chapter and verse. No, he's not a preacher, evangelist, or missionary. He's not famous or rich in worldly goods. To the outside world, he is just an ordinary Joe working a typical job, part of the hardworking middle class. Nothing fancy or eye catching. He often gives me a hard time about my "over-expressiveness" with hand gestures and mouth that runs at one speed--110 mph! I have gotten myself into trouble on numerous occasions for not waiting for him to finish what he was saying before rushing ahead with what I have to say, but I have learned that when I take the time to stop and listen the lessons I learn from him are practical and invaluable. I value his opinion and advice very much, because I know that he speaks from experience and from a Biblical perspective. What a blessing to have such a godly example in my earthly father!
I love my daddy and am sooo thankful to have him for my father and friend!

A Soggy Adventure

Yesterday was quite the adventure! It was raining. It was raining A LOT. Sometimes it poured down buckets, sometimes more gentle rain, but it rained ALL DAY until about 7 p.m.! So what did we decide to do on this rainy, muddy, wet and slippery day?!? Why we went to visit some friends, of course! And no, I don't mean the kind that live just around the corner either. We had been invited to our Youth Pastor's house for lunch. He and his wife have 3 kids, with their youngest boy being Clara's age. They are truly "2 peas in a pod" and play so well together. So, we got up and going, I gave the kids baths (as if they weren't going to get wet enough), had a little breakfast, put ourselves all together, including the big stroller and diaper bag stuffed to busting and we set out. I am sure we were quite the procession to watch as we made our way slowly down the puddle-filled street--no car so we were braving it on foot. First, there was Matt, with large plaid umbrella in hand, attempting to push Ethan's stroller around the mud and over the bumps and keep the rain off of his head at the same time. Then came Clara and I, both with umbrellas, too, mine a pretty lavender color, and Clara sporting her new clear Minnie Mouse one. She got it as a present for her birthday, and just in time, too! The catch is that with the umbrella firmly gripped in 2 small, 3 yr. old hands, she walks even slower than normal. And, also due to the umbrella, did not want to take my hand to let me help her across the street. O brother!

So after about 4 blocks that felt like miles, we made it to the bus stop. Thankfully, there was a little roof to wait under because in the next 10 min. it was pouring and blowing like CrAzY! Finally, we saw the bus that we needed approaching and started to get on, I asked as politely as possible in my rough Spanish if the bus driver would open the other door so that Matt could get the stroller inside. "Wheew! He understood me!", I thought. "One obstacle down, a billion and 2 more to go!" Then I told him that I needed to pay for the 2 of us (little kiddos are FREE! :) He rattled something back to me, which I had no clue, but attempted to smile and turned to put my coins in. **AAAAAAANT** (Buzzer noise) Wrong answer! No bluffing on this one! After he repeated himself a couple of times, I realized he was trying to find out how far I was going so he knew what to charge me. Yikes! Another problem--I really had no idea to where we were going, not the street or neighborhood or anything. Ugh! Such a feeling of helplessness and embarrassment. Here I am on his bus, but I don't even know where I am going. Double UGH! **Dun da dun!!!** Matt to the rescue!!! I plopped Clara in a seat and went to hold the stroller so Matt could talk to the driver and pay.  About 20 min. later, we made it to our stop and were met by our friend who escorted us to his house, dodging mud puddles all the way. (Big sigh of relief) And that was just the trip to get to their house! (Big chuckle) Life's never dull, that's for sure!
The Lord gave us a relaxing and wonderful time of fellowship with our dear friends. They are so kind and patient (they have to be to put up with our limited Spanish vocabulary and strange accents). We ate, we talked, we laughed, we played games (even Chickenfoot with Dominoes--my favorite!), we passed Baby-Man around. It was a wonderful break and thankfully, the trip home was much drier and uneventful! :)

6 Roses = 6 years

Today is our 6th anniversary! It's hard to believe as sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I was walking down the aisle to say "I DO!" (Other than the 2 cute kiddos of ours that are clamoring for attention in the other room lol! They help me remember that things have definitely changed, and mostly for the BETTER! :) Yesterday, my sweet hubby was out getting his exercise and taking care of some errands, (we don't have a car right now so errands = lots of walking) and surprised me by bringing back a GORGEOUS bouquet of roses for me. 12 big, beautiful, o-so-fragrant roses. "6 pink ones and 6 red ones, for our 6 years of marriage," he told me. Isn't that sweet?!?

 I love him and am soooo, soooo very thankful for every year, every day, every moment that the Lord has allowed us to have together. My time with my hubby is such a precious gift from God and I don't want to abuse it or take it for granted. I want to be ever bettering myself and my relationship with my husband, as we serve the Lord together and raise our "cute and crazy" kiddos to serve Him, too! Lord willing, He will bless us with many more years and adventures!

The Birthday Girl--Watch out world, she's 3!!!

What's worse terrible 2's or terrorist 3's? LOL just kidding! ;o) We have our moments, but all in all she is a pretty, fun-loving, easy-going, silly, giggly, fun to be around, lovable, hug-able, squeeze-able sweetie-pie! Last Sunday, June 6, my Clara turned 3. Amazing! The time is rushing by and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon. (I cringe and shudder to think that in another year or so, I will embark on the loooooong journey of homeschooling) Anyways, back to birthdays (much happier thoughts).

As her birthday was on Sun. it was a bit tricky to celebrate amidst all of the busy activities at church. She helped me make cookies on Sat. to share with all her buddies in Sunday School and got to open a couple of presents before and after church services. 

The real treat was on Monday night. Matt, our "master griller", grilled asado and chorizo (steak and sausages) and our pastor and his family, along with another missionary family, came over to help us celebrate. There were 13 of us in our little house, and while a bit hectic at first, when everyone settled into their place, we all enjoyed the good food and fellowship together.

It all started with sending Clara over to our pastor's house for nap time so that Matt and I could decorate for her Winnie-the-Pooh party. When she arrived, she looked around with big, wide eyes. I said, "What is it, Clara?" She answered, "A party?!?!" Me--"Who's it for?" Clara--"It's for ME!!!" So exciting to see the realization dawn on her little face!

She loved getting to play with her friends and all the new toys she acquired, so much so that she even turned down her own birthday cake! Now that's serious!! lol

And of course, to liven up the party a bit more, we lost power/lights for about 15 mins. (Thankfully, not longer and not while we were in the middle of dinner) Boy, those "decorative" tea light candles I have sitting around sure come in handy at times like that!
So glad that although far from our families, we still had loved ones to share Clara's special day with us!

"....and for me,...Clara, RIGHT HERE!"

My "not quite 3" year old is really starting to figure out how to pray. It amazes me, she is old enough now to formulate her own thoughts and put them into the sweetest prayers to Jesus that I have ever heard. I absolutely LOVE to listen to her as she prays so earnestly and with such innocence and child-like faith. Recently, as Matt and I were going through our normal "before-bed" routine with the kids, she began to pray. She prayed for Mommy and Daddy, for "Baby-Man", and then she said, "and for me, (slight pause) Clara, RIGHT HERE!" (spoken very enthusiastically as she firmly pointed to herself). It was such an adorable reminder to me of how prayer really should be.

Prayer doesn't have to be all flowery and full of empty words. In fact, let's just forget all that stuff. God wants us to talk to Him like He's our best friend and we are having a ♥ to ♥ chat. Many times, we try to complicate things that are very simple. I think Clara said it best. As if to say: "You know God, Clara, the one you created and who talked to you earlier today, your precious little baby girl, yah, that's me, I am right here and I am back to have another visit with You!". So simple, so to the point, and so much faith that she can talk to God just like she talks to her daddy and that everything will be alright.

Also, I am so glad that, although Clara very willingly identified herself, the Lord knows us by name and every hair upon our head. He is our Heavenly Father and loves us beyond measure. I cannot even begin to fathom His love for me. I possess the love of a mother for her children. Love that makes my heart turn to mush when I receive that slobbery kiss or that amazing "work of art". Love that makes those little baby coos and smiles make the whole day 110% better. Love that allows me to clean up the stinky diapers, or bed accidents, or throw up. Love that gives and gives and gives to my kids, whether it's providing them with food, clothing, education, toys, or most importantly taking TIME to just be with them and be a kid again. Love that gives and wants to give more and more wonderful experiences and opportunities to them. Why?? Because they're MY KIDS and I LOVE THEM!! How much more does our Heavenly Father love us and want to hear from us in prayer?!?!? WOW!! It's Incredible to think about!

Whenever I stop and think about how much I love my kids and/or how much God loves me, I am reminded of these wonderful words of Jesus in Matthew 7:9-11:

"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"

"Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?"

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

Good "Food 4 Thought", huh?!? ;)