The Big, Ugly, Black Lagoon

Sounds real appealin', right?!

About as much as it was to watch it flood into my living room.

Yep. You read that correctly--I had a muddy lake in my LIVING ROOM!!!

You know that Twilight Zone I jokingly mentioned...yah, I think it arrived.

So, here's how I wound up with the 'Big & Nasty' invading my living space. One day last week, after spending a lovely time out and about as a family, the rain that had been threatening to break loose all day, well...it did!

Now, I like me a good thunderstorm, including all the lightning and booming, especially as it is great "sleeping weather" {one of my FAVORITE past times! Grin} However, this was a bit extreme, even for me!

I was sitting on the couch reading to Clara, when the wind really picked up and you could hear the rain pounding down. Then it wasn't just rain, it was dreaded hail. Lots of it came down, fast and hard! When I was finally able to brave going outside, I found quarter-size ice balls all over our yard. Kinda of looked we had the remnants of snow hanging around. 

Before I got up from my huddled position on the couch in an attempt to keep my babies calm, we had more problems than just hail. Matt came into the room and was quick to let me know that I had a waterfall running down the wall, right behind where I was sitting! And yes, it was effectively getting the back of the couch all soggy! Obviously, we quickly set that right, shoving the couch away from our "little Niagra".

But, it just gets better and better. "Little Niagra" quickly turned into "BIG Niagra" as moments later we heard and saw a huge, yah, I mean a LOT of water, come gushing down from inside our chimney. I stood there frozen for a moment hoping to awaken from this very bad dream. I tell ya, I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes! Quickly our adrenaline rush kicked in and I proceeded to rapidly yet gently shove my startled kids into their room so that Matt and I could try to control our newly created "Black Lagoon". Bad enough that we had water flooding through our living room, but it wasn't just nice, clean rain water. This was yucky, muddy, sooty, clean-out-the-fireplace-of-grime-while-you-are-at-it, black water! DOUBLE ICK!!

I am sure Matt and I made quite a sight as we hurriedly grabbed our furniture and tried to get it out of harm's way. Then I began to push the "Black Lagoon" out our front door with a squeegee. Yah, 1/2 of our living room was covered with a good inch or 2 of mess. I have never been so glad that we do NOT have carpet!! One of my first thoughts, as I was shoving the lake out of our door was, "Ok, Lord, I know that I really did need to clean and mop the floor, but this is Ridiculous!!!" I definitely got the hint!

So the best we can figure out is that the drain pipe that comes out right next to the chimney got plugged up by the hailstones, causing all the water to back up and overflow into our chimney. Yep, those cute little balls of ice aren't as innocent as they look!

 Never a dull moment!

Mendoza 2011--Our ♥s calling

Mendoza--what can I say? It's truly amazing to look back at where God has brought us from to prepare us for the day that we will move to this city. And we are getting closer. Such a mixture of emotions that comes with this. Excitement, to see HIS plans for us unfolding. Anxiety, to think of all the changes and challenges that are yet to be faced. Awe, at how the Lord is working in our lives to make this a reality. And the list could go on and on...

As you will see in these pics, Mendoza is a wonderful city which rests at the bottom of the Andes Mountains. As it is so near the mountains it has quite a dry, arid climate. Thankfully, it has an amazing watering system to bring water from the mountains to the city and keep it green and beautiful. The city and suburbs combine for a population of around 1 Million people. That's 1,000,000 souls in need of a Saviour. There are only 2 good, Bible-believing Baptist churches in this whole area that we know of. Sounds like their is plenty of room for a few more, wouldn't you say?!

So let me introduce you to our city. Doesn't that sound nice?! At least it will be our city and God has already placed its mark upon our ♥s.
 

The city from a distance

Outdoor amphitheater near the city

"Hill of Glory"

Statue of General San Martin (Famous Argentine Liberator) at the front of the monument

Mendoza from above with the beautiful Andes Mountains backdrop

Another "Bird's Eye View"

Fountain in the Park

Small {man-made} lake in the park

Hotel Villavicencio

Sadly, it is not in use today

Hiking up to the outlook

Many times throughout the trip I was put in awe of the beauty of God's creation. From the lovely purple hues
of the sierras, to the crisp blue sky filled with puffy cotton-ball clouds, to the vibrant greens of trees and the rich golden fields just waiting for their day of harvest all of this beautifully accented by the sun's shining rays beaming down and warming the earth and my heart.

Definitely worth the climb!!

A lovely fall day!

The wonder of God's Creation

Love the yellow in the trees!

♥ ♥ ♥

Chapel near the hotel

Old-Timey Chandelier in the chapel

Pic of Jesus {SUPPOSED} Baptism

My first impression of this picture is to laugh {at its ridiculousness} and then I am instantly angered and saddened by the fallacy of it. In case you are wondering, Jesus' baptism did not look ANYTHING like this!! It's a shame that Satan has so perverted the simple and pure truth found in God's Holy Word. I am thankful that the Lord led me to the Light of Christ and that we can go to Mendoza and share Him with others.

Sign warning of the eminent dangers ahead {We did NOT go that way!}

 

A demonstration in the street, thankfully a peaceful, quiet one

A Museum about the founding of Mendoza Capital

This was the most interesting thing to me--Check out that Windshield!! LOL

These next few pics are kind of random, but they are of the area that we are praying about starting a church in.

Catholic church in front of the plaza

You might be thinking, "What's so special about that place?" And if you visited us in Argentina, you would realize even more that it is very typical for down here. Just a normal neighborhood, filled with buildings, streets, cars, and people. The only thing special about it is God's direction in our lives to go there and the people that are waiting. Waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus' unconditional love and be saved. It doesn't get any more "special" than that.

Obviously, this is just a small glimpse at the city I will one day call "home". Please pray for us to have wisdom in the many, many decisions that we need to make before moving and starting our new adventure. Pray for us as we continue to minister here and prepare for that day. Most of all, pray that God will begin even now to open doors and hearts in Mendoza.

God is good!

Mendoza 2011--Vacation of Many Parks

WE MADE IT, standing in front of our cabin

Wow!! Where to begin?! Our vacation week spun by like a whirlwind, but a fun one. Monday we rose early at 6 am. (much earlier than I prefer, I am more of a night-owl!) and put our groggy kids in the car to make the long haul out to Mendoza in western Argentina. When I say long, I mean 12 hrs. non-stop in the car with 2 little kiddos, that's LONG!! Not to mention the numerous police stops, toll booths, and searching for gas stations that actually have gas {imagine that!} no matter the price. Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous, sunny and 70s, and stayed that way the whole week! {YAY, US!!} I will proceed to give you some tidbits about our trip with {of course} some pics sprinkled throughout. {You will notice the pics are all of US; I will be sharing more of the beautiful scenery in another post ;) }

So glad to be out of the car!

Playing on the slide outside of our cabin

Hanging out in his stroller (good thing he doesn't mind being in there!)

Such determination!

The Lord truly protected us along the way and we made it to our cozy little cabin around 7:30 that evening. We spent the rest of the evening getting settled in, and Clara was EcStAtIc to get out of the car and try out the playground equipment that was just outside our cabin door! So nice for the kiddos and they truly enjoyed it and the many parks to the FULLEST!!

Clara & I in front of the {little manmade} lake

The prettiest rose in the garden!

Happy to be FREE!!

Trying to get a pic of the 2 of us, ♥ my hubby!

Tuesday we went to "Cerro de la Gloria" or "Glory Hill". As you might imagine, it is a hill that you wind your way around up to the top and at the top is a GINORMOUS monument to the great liberator of Argentina, General San Martin. It is truly a work of art and quite the sight to behold. Along the way are some great spots to capture pics of the city from above. Sort of a "Bird's Eye View", so to speak. Really neat!

My ABSOLUTE FAV pic of the trip--notice the crooked bow! ;)

I ♥ Palm Trees!

Wednesday, we headed to the ZOO!! So much fun! Clara loved all the animals, but surprisingly Ethan really got into it as well. You should have seen him as we tried to turn away from one animal in order to move onto the next. His whining and pouting face clearly expressed his feeling of "How dare you take me away from these amazing creatures?! Don't you know that I am watching their every move?!"  Of course, their was a park with fabulous playground stuff there, too.

In awe of the lions!

The other "King of the Beasts", such wild life, I tell ya! :)

This little guy was really munchin' his lettuce

Wish I would had a pic of this big guy standing up--Seriously, the fattest leopard EVER!!

Elephants are so fun to watch

I love how the zebra came up to sneak a drink from the other side of the fence

Clara's pretty post-braid hair!

Clara & her pinecone treasure

{They look so pensive LOL} Boys on one end...

Girls on the other! This was such a fun swing!

Round and round we GO!!

Thursday we visited a charming little place in the foothills called Villavicencio. It is an old hotel that is no longer being used {such a shame!} with a pretty garden area, chapel, and look out to a spectacular view. Up there with the yellow leaves on the trees, crisp air and crunchety-crunch underfoot it really felt like fall and a albeit small} taste of home. 

So picturesque!

♥ Precious Daddy/Daughter Moment! ♥

My Men!

HANDSOME!!

BEAUTIFUL!!

Friday was "survey day". We did some driving around to scout out the area that we feel the Lord is directing us to start a church. Such an exciting/odd feeling to see our dreams coming so close to reality! Driving the streets wondering if we may be looking at our future home, church building, etc. Looking into people's faces and seeing souls in need of a Saviour and potential church members in the making. Wow! Kind of amazing and overwhelming!

Monkeyin' Around! LOL!

We are getting onto each other about splashing water...{Notice Ethan trying to escape!}

And of course, scattered in and amongst all of these outings were many, many visits to a variety of parks. The kids played their little hearts out and loved every minute of it.

When you can't find your pacifier, I guess the end of your hammer works, too!

All wore out!