Still Learning

2008 Blog

2008-07-29T15:38:00.002-05:00

www.pambuller.typepad.com

I forgot to tell you

2007-01-30T12:21:00.001-06:00

If you want to track us on the usual day to day stuff (the real world we live in) I've moved my blog to www.pambuller.wordpress.com

Here We GO!

2007-01-26T09:31:00.000-06:00

Ok, for all you who do really give a hoot about our Africa trip...you can see our ramblings and a few pictures at www.bullerfamily.wordpress.com

Another one a day late...

2007-01-24T16:04:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was also Jody's birthday. Cassie made a beautiful spread including an elegant table setting and delicious gourmet chicken chili and salad. It was a great attempt at making Jody feel special. If only the kids would've thought so too...

While Brigg, Lani and Max were trashing Cassie's house Quincy slyly dug into the cake. See the joy on that kid's face?

The joy was quickly squelched when mommy decided she really did want to eat her cake.

And the cool thing was none of the kids were mine so it was very easy for me to laugh. :)

A Day Late

2007-01-24T15:59:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX

My first-born daughter...I love you so much!

Unfortunately, Alex had a rough birthday so we're having cake at 5 pm tonight. Birthday pictures will post later!

Pictures from Africa

2007-01-24T15:58:00.000-06:00

I promise...coming soon.

Life AFTER Africa

2007-01-24T11:20:00.000-06:00

I keep thinking I will post today. And then the day passes and I'm tired and I don't post. To be honest, I am having trouble blogging. The things I knew to be true three weeks ago seem to not be quite as important or the same as before. Nothing has changed here yet everything within me has changed. I am the same person I was three weeks ago and yet my heart is different. I am in a bit of limbo; still processing the amazing adventure we had the privilege to embark upon. Still wondering what on earth we are supposed to do when we finally grow up...if we ever truly do. One objective we sought going to Africa was clarity for us for our future. The truth is, it is clear that Africa needs us/others. It is clear that other countries need us/others. But the blurry part is how or when. The focus of where, how, when, who...those are the things we struggle with today. And, it was much more peaceful in Africa. Eric and I lived in a blissful world where he didn't have to go to work, our communication was on target 99.9% of the time, our kids were quiet (ok, so they weren't there but we missed them to death), and we never fought. Re-entering life as we know it has been difficult. Nothing around us has changed yet we have. Eric hit the ground running at work and we still haven't had an opportunity to reconnect with each other and process. Understandibly our kids are acting out a bit after feeling somewhat abandoned in recent months. There isn't enough of me to spread out over all of them yet they need me. We are addressing some of the most difficult attitudes and behaviors we've experienced thus far in parenting. And it seems as though all I want to do is cry out in frustration and say, "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND??" The things we take for granted and hold of high importance are really truly meaningless. And yet I know this is a feeling I hold as a result of the emotional confusion I feel about life. How can they or anyone else understand? Now, do you see why I haven't posted in so long? I cannot narrow down my thoughts. I can't clearly articulate the passion, emotions or feelings that scream AFRICA.

Things I missed

2007-01-16T13:38:00.000-06:00

- I almost cried at lunch when Lucy begged to pray. She could be a preacher as long as she prays. I just love her.

- Beth greeted me in full makeup and glitter. Grandpa warned me he overheard her telling Lucy she was "going to California with her boyfriend". I hope they were just playing.

- Believe it or not, I missed grounding Jake and Alex from books.

- Diet coke WITH ICE.

- Seriously, I realize we stayed on a beach but I had trouble focusing during my quiet time. I missed my chaise lounge. :)

- Email.

Home

2007-01-16T12:37:00.000-06:00

We left for the airport at 4 pm Sunday Liberia time...that translates to 10 am Iowa time. We flew the first leg from Monrovia to Brussells as planned except for a minor time delay for refueling (because in Liberia they use gallon jugs to fill the gas tank so it takes a LONG time to fill a big airplane). After a short delay in Brussells, we loaded the plane to head to Newark. The captain came on and said there was ANOTHER slight delay...the defribulator was not working and it is a "no go" item, meaning we don't go unless this works. So, we were to give them 5 minutes to locate the part and they'd report back how long we'd be waiting. So, 5 ++ minutes later the pilot came on and said they had to get the part from London. Seriously, no where in Belgium carries a battery part for this thing?? So, long story a little shorter we had to deboard the plane and wait 5 1/2 hours more. But, the story gets better. About 2 minutes before the pilot announced our possible delay I took my customary sleeping pills...a full dose. By the time we finished lunch my words were slurring and I thought I was going to fall over. I ended up laying on the floor asleep in the middle of Brussells airport. We missed all our connecting flights. We got to Newark in time to make some alternate flights but by the time we stood in line most of the flights had left. Decision: keep going to Chicago and sleep in O'Hare airport or get a courtesy hotel in Newark. There was only 3 seats left on the flight the next morning and we would get home by late afternoon. Tony and Jill opted for the Newark option while Mark, Eric and I were going as far as we could. We were seriosly thinking about renting a car to get home. I had a little mental breakdown in the airport at the realization I wasn't going to see my kids last night...and a few reports from home brought me back to the real world as well. Emotionally spent, longing to see my kids, and exhausted from the many hours in the flight, I took a back seat out of Newark while Mark and Eric wheeled and dealed to get us to Chicago. They were still working the "system" at the gate just before boarding the plane. Still thinking we were sleeping in the airport, we were glad to just get some food vouchers and grab a quick pizza and a long awaited diet coke with ICE before the last leg of the night. We got into Chicago around 11:15 pm just in time to check a few more flights out. One flight left: Cedar Rapids. But because of weather delays in Chicago many flights were cancelled and many people sleeping in the airport or re-routing their journies. The Cedar Rapids flight was full, although Eric plead a good case with the attendant who offered stand by seats (meaning the flight is full but I can give you a seat in case someone has a heart attack before they walk between this gate and the airplane). :) A little more of our soga shared with another gate attendant and Mark was able to get us rooms at a very nice hotel. About 38 hours after our journey began, we arrived at the hotel in time for a HOT shower (which we hadn't experienced in two weeks), freshly brushed teeth (which I think EVERYONE appreciated...we were starting to clear rooms when we breathed), and three hours of sleep. 5:15 am we met outside our rooms and headed back to the airport. A little more patience was needed as our tickets weren't entered correctly again but we finally got out of Chicago and flew into Moline around 9 am. Whew. So grateful to finally be home safely. The kids waited around for us this morning and just headed to school at lunchtime. Eric headed into work. I'm heading to bed. (this doesn't seem fair to Eric but seriously, someone has to be able to parent our children this evening!)

One last thing. I was really bummed at how the trip took a turn towards the end. We were really on a high about how God is working in Liberia. I won't give you all the details until I sleep a bit and have some organized and whole thoughts but I will share this. Our short 30 minute flight this morning was hosted by a beautiful young black woman who reminded me of the families we grew so fond of in Liberia over the last 15 days. She was so pleasant and reminded me of the welcoming and friendly Liberian people. I only had the duration of the flight to reflect on this but this flight attendant reminded me how much we all fell in love with the people we lived life with over the past weeks. I was reminded of how God brought us home safely and through this whole trip safely. This is the day the Lord has made. And so was yesterday. Let us rejoice and be glad. I'm glad to be home. But I left a part of my heart back in Africa.

Last Update before Pam Returns!

2007-01-13T21:16:00.000-06:00

This will be the last update until the team returns to the states. I hope you all have found them informative and helped you feel connected to their trip. Yesterday the team went to the market. Pam found a sill she was unaware of, she is very good at bargaining. She even did better than Eric. They said “Look out Dave”. They were not able to go to another orphanage as they had a mix up with Robert. Pam also got a new hair do on this day. I can’t wait to see it. Tony was able to go on a date with a nephew, a niece, and his sister-in-law. On Saturday, they met with the lady that owns the house (for the library). Things did not go very well, so they will not be using this building. They then left to go to the Year End celebration. On the way there they had car trouble. It was fixed, but this put them back about 3 hours. They said everything worked out just fine. They had lunch at the party then went to Tony’s Mother’s house again. A brother and sister of his were there, so it was a good reunion. For dinner, they ate at Pastor Vaye’s house. He is the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. This evening they were able to spend at lot of time talking with Robert and Koligar. Tomorrow (Sunday), they will go to church around10:30. Tony will be speaking tomorrow. Then they will have time to pack and go to the airport. Their plane leaves at 9:40p.m. (their time), so they have to go to the airport around 4 or 5. Mark asked several times for prayer that all the flights go well and are on time. I ask that you pray that the weather will be good enough for them to be here at 5:40p.m. (and not a minute later). THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THESE LETTERS AND FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS! Love, Amy

1/11 Update from Amy

2007-01-11T17:59:00.001-06:00

Pam says “HI!” to Jake, Alex, Beth and Lucy. She misses you all very much. Only about 4 more days to go! As for the rest of the group, they are doing well. This morning Tony brought Koigar’s kids to the complex for a visit. They sang for the team. The kids are not able to get out much, so this was a treat for them. This afternoon Jill had a meeting with the minister of health. Then the team drove to Tony’s mother-in-laws house. They had lunch there. After this they drove to Victoria’s house. She is Tony’s sister. Her husband is a Representative in Liberia. They had dinner with them. They also meet with Reverend Wilfitoe, he pastor’s a church that the Ngwayah’s help support. They felt they had a very good day as they meet with more Liberians in their homes. Tony felt this is the best way to build relationships. Mark said today they got stopped at a check point for the first time. It took about 30 minutes. He said it was interesting. Mark will not call tomorrow so I will not send out an e-mail. He said they plan to go to a market and to an orphanage. They are hoping to go to look at the house for the library. They are also hoping to take Koligar’s kids with them. On Saturday they have been invited to a celebration for the New Year. They are looking forward to it. Please pray for Robert and Koligar as it is hard on them to get to know people and then have them leave. Thank you for the prayers for those of us back here (me). God has given me more patience than I thought I could possible have, plus fewer fighting boys than usual. This makes the time without Mark so much easier. Thanks again, Amy

from the team

2007-01-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone, I didn’t get a chance to get the letter out yesterday, but Mark did call. Wednesday Jill had a meeting at 8:30 with other organizations that are working in Liberia. Pam spent the day with Robert’s wife. She helped make bread and also helped make dinner for the team. I am sure she really enjoyed this. Mark said she had a very good day. Tony took Mark, Eric, and Koligar to a village about 35 miles away from Monrovia. Tony stayed at this location for four months during the war. They went to visit Mr. Dixson (he let Tony stay there) and to see the school that he started. The building is made of mud bricks. They are in need of money to build a concrete school. Mr. Dixson asked that we pray about this. While at this village, there were some muslim men. Mark said he got to see Tony in action and that it was so cool. Tony is so smart and good with his words. Mark said Tony really made the men think. For dinner they went back to Robert’s house. They had some time before dinner so Mark played with the kids (which he loves to do-we miss him). Mark did not have any pressing prayer requests. He said Jill is feeling better and the computer turns on, but still has some kind of short. The money situation is growing tighter so he has decided not to call home anymore. I have to call him which is also expensive. So, I am not sure how much info I will be able to get for the next 4 to 5 days. They get home at 5:40p.m. in Moline on Monday the 15th. Please pray everything goes well for them and the families here, Amy

Another Update from Amy

2007-01-09T15:47:00.001-06:00

The phone call was very short as the time ran out on Mark’s phone. So, I don’t have a lot to tell today. First off, Mark said everyone is really missing their families back here. They all said to say “Hi and I Love You”. Only about 6 more days to go! This morning Jill had a meeting with a lady that does some kind of social work. While she was at the meeting, the rest went to a local market. It was in a burned out building. They sold things like fish and spices. Mark and Robert took the computer to the ILWA compound and a man took it all apart. He is hoping to have it working by tomorrow. This afternoon they looked at the space in the basement of a restaurant (for the library) and tomorrow they are going to look at a house. The basement is in a great location, but the house is much bigger and costs less money (not as good of a location). After looking at the house tomorrow they will have to make a decision. This evening they had dinner at the home of Pastor Yonga. He is the associate pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Please pray for wisdom on which building to rent for the library. I did not get a chance to ask about how Jill and Tony are doing. Hopefully Mark can call tomorrow. Amy

Today's Update

2007-01-08T16:32:00.001-06:00

"This morning Mark went to the hospital to give blood. The doctor there felt it was just fine for him to give, so he did. Mark said it went very well. Other than the trip to the hospital, this morning was rather uneventful. Jill had to meet with someone this morning so the others stayed at the complex. Around 11 they left to meet up with Jill at the Group of 77 Handicap Home. When she was in Liberia last time, she took medicine for them. She was checking on the supplies this time. For lunch they eat at the pizza place again, along with the pastor from Calvary Baptist Church. A judge that Tony went to school with also joined them. After this they were able to go see the land where Centerpoint will be located. Before dinner Mark, Pam, Eric, and Tony went to the ocean which is very close to the complex. Over dinner they discussed the goals for the rest of the week. It sounds like the days are going very quickly for them. The computer was not worked on again today, but pray that tomorrow will be the day. Also please pray for Jill as she has had a cough that is not going away. Plus while on the beach, Tony cut his foot on a sharp object. He was not sure when he had his last tetanus shot, but he felt he was fine. Please pray that he is fine. One last prayer request is that their money stretches to the end of the trip. Things (food, gas, and so on) are costing a little most than was planned. This will be helpful info for future trips. Thank you for your continued prayer, I will write again tomorrow, Amy"

A Good Day

2007-01-07T19:04:00.001-06:00

Today was a good day. It was not as emotional as yesterday. Sunday school went very well. Robert was really impressed with Eric’s teaching. Pam did not get much response until the end when she asked if she could pray for anyone. Many women shared their prayer requests. Mark said to ask Pam about the bathroom situation when they get back. I am not sure what that is all about. After church they had lunch and then took Robert and his family out for ice cream. They were also able to go to an SIM complex called ILWA. I guess this is a missionary complex. While there they met a couple that started the African Christian College. This is where Tony and Robert went to school. This couple is there to rebuild their school that is 8 hours inland. It had been ransacked from the war. Now the jungle has taken over and is literally growing in the building. For dinner they went to Koligar’s house. He is Tony’s brother-in-law, their wives are sisters. Koligar’s wife and one daughter live in Denver with Tony and Beth. Koligar and the other seven children are still in Liberia. Mark said the US will permit them to come here but, they do not have the money to get everyone here. (one plane ticket is around $2600). The daughter here in the US has a medical condition and her doctor does not want her to go back to Liberia. Please pray that God will reunite their family soon. Koligar’s daughters made dinner for the team and sang for them. Mark said it was very nice. Tony’s in-laws and a couple of brother-in-laws were also there. Tony told them that it is a very big deal for the team to go to their home’s (Liberian’s) for dinner or a meal. He said many of the missionaries that live and work there have never been to their homes. Our team has been there for 4 days and has been to at least 3 homes. I asked about the availability of food, Mark said most Liberians eat once a day, mostly rice. He said a 100lb bag of rice costs $40 (US) and lasts about a month. He asked that we pray for a few things. One is that the computer will be fixed. The meeting did not happen last night, but they have another guy lined up to look at it. Another is that the children need Sunday school books as they don’t have any. Finally please pray for Mark as he is planning on giving blood tomorrow. Robert’s father is sick and needs blood. Robert gave yesterday, but he needs more. Robert said it is safe, but Mark just gave blood before he went on the trip (as he will not be able to give for a year due to going to Africa). Robert also said the doctors are American and will know for sure if Mark should give. If Robert’s father does not get more blood, he could die. Mark assured me that if it is unsafe, he will not give. Please pray that it will all work out.
Pam also has a message – Happy Birthday Kathy!

Another Day in Liberia

2007-01-06T20:31:00.000-06:00

"Hi, I just got off the phone with Mark. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry. He said Tony is expecting the Fortenbacher’s and the Buller’s to be moving to Liberia! What? Anyway, Mark said they had a very emotional day. This morning they went to an orphanage that had about 40 kids. He said all the kids were so cute. An American woman is in charge of the orphanage. She said most of the kids will be adopted. There are a few groups of kids that are hard to place- handicap children, siblings (as they do not want to split them up), and older boys (7 or 8 year olds). She did say that a need for them is clothes. So I guess we will have to start sending all our out grown clothes to Liberia. Mark asked about kids with clefts, as this is very near and dear to our hearts. She said most babies born with birth defects do not live. This shocked me, as I have seen many adults with clefts that have not been repaired. He went on to say that they are not allowed to live. I was speechless. I see how blessed we are to live here. After this very emotional morning they went to have lunch with Tony’s mother. When Tony became a Christian his family no longer had anything to do with him. His father died not to long ago and since then he has had some contact with his mother. So this was also an emotional time for the team. Tony’s family is very poor. They have about 50 people living in a very small house. While they were having lunch, the mother of Tony’s best friend (when he was younger) came to see Tony. His best friend has died and it was very hard for the mother to see Tony as many memories of her son came back. This must have been a hard day for Tony as well. This evening they were able to have a nice dinner at Robert’s house. Robert works for Tony and has been with the team daily. Robert has 4 boys with the youngest being 2 months. Mark said Robert lives in a very poor area as well. Robert’s mother has been cooking some meals for the team. She made them the dinner and it was very good. After dinner they went back to the complex for the night. Tony and Robert were expressing the need for a laptop for Robert. So, Mark gave him the one he had. There is a small problem though; it has not wanted to turn on since they got there. Robert was so excited about getting the computer that he called a guy to come work on it tonight at 10p.m. This gave Mark great joy to see his excitement. So, please pray that the computer will work. The last thing that Mark said is that they are leading Sunday school tomorrow at Calvary Baptist Church. He asked to please pray that it goes well. They asked Mark to lead the men, but he had to decline. He said he would be happy to lead the children, so that is want he will be doing. Pam will be leading the women and Eric will be leading the men. So, you can see this has been a day filled with ups and downs. I also ask you to pray that they will be able to sleep peacefully tonight. Thank you for your continued prayer, Amy"

Another Phone Update to a Family Member

2007-01-06T11:45:00.000-06:00

"This morning they stayed at the complex and read a little while Tony and Jill took care of some business. The team was going to an orphanage, but it did not work out today. They are hoping to go tomorrow. Tony took them to see some land that he and his wife are going to build a house on. They also met with a missionary couple (James and Kathleen) and their 4 children. They had dinner with this family. Mark sounded very upbeat (but when doesn’t he) and said things are going very well. Please continue to pray for more good days. You could also pray for those here to also have extra patience and grace."

They Made It!

2007-01-04T09:01:00.000-06:00

Received this email from Amy, (Mark's wife)
"Mark called at 4:15 p.m. (10:15p.m.their time) to say they made it safely. They were in their rooms and ready to go to bed for the night. He said that the place was much nicer than they had expected and that they each had they own room. Pam and Eric were able to stay together. Everything is going well, all the luggage arrived with them. They are getting up early tomorrow to register with the consulate."

On Their Way--

2007-01-03T10:24:00.000-06:00

Got this email this morning:
"I am just sending you this small update to let you know that the team made it to Belgium at 2:00 a.m. our time. They had about an hour lay over and then are heading to Dakar. My info says they leave Dakar at 4:45p.m. their time (6 hours ahead of us)."

Last I heard they were all functioning on very little sleep. But they had met up with Tony and were all letting the excitement and anticipation carry them.

Continued prayers for safety, flexibility, and wisdom would be much appreciated.

The Big Day

2007-01-02T00:56:00.000-06:00

We're getting ready to hit the airport in a couple of hours. The house is mostly clean. Just a few laundry loads left. Our bags are fully packed. But most importantly, the kids are safely tucked into bed with plenty of hugs and kisses. Two have decided to set their alarms and camp out in the living room to see us off at 4:45 am. We're ready. We're excited. We're a little tired. :)

Hopefully updates to come...

Toilet Paper

2006-12-31T15:30:00.000-06:00

Could someone please drop off a couple rolls of toilet paper? :)

We've had three extra kids in the house this weekend and we ran out yesterday morning. I haven't made it to the store yet. Oops.

Why I fell in love with him...

2006-12-31T15:12:00.000-06:00

E has the best sense of humor, even when all is serious. I sent him an email and here is the out of office automatic reply I received:

I will be out of the office from Monday, January 1 thru Monday, January 15, returning on Tuesday, January 16. During that time, I will nave no access to telephones or email. Heck, I doubt I will even have electricity. If you need to reach someone in Quality, please send an email to...

And I am sure he sensored himself for professional purposes. :)

Why Me?

2006-12-31T12:05:00.000-06:00

I've been wrestling with a lot of questions this week. Waking in prayer every morning and wondering in my heart what the future holds. I listened to the worship service this morning and my heart was spoken in Andy's prayer when he said something to the effect of God choosing to use a man who has doubts and fears, insecurities and brokenness (this is what I heard but it could be that I heard what I wanted to hear). My heart cried out with relation to these words. I look around me and see so many more capable people. People who do well in new situations, adapt quickly, talk with strangers with ease, love well, attract people, and move people. I take days to adapt, stick my foot in my mouth anytime I talk to people in passing, and freeze when I talk to strangers, can't even always carry a sensable conversation with my good friends. There's more I think I'm not good at but this is not a pity party. It is called doubting. And I realize deep in my soul that doubting and worry is a cop out. God has a plan for me to be useful. I am wiggling my way out of it by doubting who HE is in me. I am right when I say I am nothing because alone I am just that. But it is because I have HIM that I am breathing and serving.

My last overseas trip during a frantic car ride a new friend shared a verse with me and I've held in it my heart so I may not worry, "...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

Why me is becoming where me.

A New Day

2006-12-30T08:05:00.000-06:00

God has awaken me earlier than normal the last two days. I forgot how I penned it in my written journal early yesterday morning. How grateful I was to be awaken by Lucy's snoring from the sniffles and her legs lassoed over my torso as she rested her head on Eric's mid half back beside me. I smiled to myself as I remembered a little girl about 27 years ago doing the same thing to her parents. I was remembering how grateful I was to be able to care for my children while they are sick. I forgot throughout the day how I awoke. Smiling and feeling blessed beyond words or measure. I've also been having weird and humorous dreams. My last dream before leaving my warm and safe slumber was about my medical doctor from when I was young through early adulthood. He is normally a very serious and blunt man. Not much room for feelings. In my dream he moved his practice into his home where his whole family could be together. He quizzed me in front of children playing and at the end he played an unusual instrument for me and Beth, encouraging her to play the drum along with it. The point of me retelling some of this odd dream is this: I don't see people or situations in real life how God sees them. Throughout the day I often lose sight of the things God places in my heart early in the morning. Yearning today to see things more like God and thankful each days is anew.

Dry

2006-12-29T23:09:00.000-06:00

A bit of an emotional day. Too much to blog. I am feeling a bit sucked dry. More antibiotics. This time all six of us. Thankful tonight that we have the option of clinics and medicines and though it hurts to pay the medical bills and the pharmacy tab somehow the money flows. Remembering tonight that many people don't even have the option of clinics and pharmacies...and that I sound like a broken record. :)

Nightly Ramblings

2006-12-28T20:36:00.000-06:00

I started a little organizing today. It turned into a frustrated mommy with little people running through my piles. :) I am trying to prepare myself spiritually for the road ahead (I really am trying! I just messed up...) so I began by saying a bad word in front of my kids after my new favorite coffee cup broke to pieces on the tile foyer floor. It was a good lesson in forgiveness and "mommy's a big sinner" as Lucy says. Days are running short, funds are drained from the last month, and my mommy patience is below tolerable. But I am remembering tonight how grateful I am just to "be". Maybe it is PAS (pre-Africa syndrome) but I am tearful and don't want to blink a second away from these days off with the kids. I found a pile of my paring knives gone from the drawer and recalled a hoard of sticks that had been "carved" out back. I don't ever want to forget these days.

Totally unrelated. I realized today I put off the issue of skirts for my trip. At Calvary we don't need to wear skirts so I surely don't have but one in my closet. But, I took some capri's I didn't like and made them into a skirt. Something accomplished for today. Eric is "cleaning" in the garage...I think it is more like a re-discovery of years past.

More lessons on Acceptance

2006-12-27T12:50:00.000-06:00

I have been humbled over and over by the generosity of people who have come out of the woodwork to support our trip to Liberia. While in the Old Mennonite bookstore in our home town we met a woman originally from Iowa. She moved to Kansas after her husband died and she lives with her daughter. She volunteers at the bookstore and engaged us in a very interesting conversation on missions. As we prepared to pay for the study bibles and other old keepsake books for our trip, the kind woman slipped us some money and said to me, “I would rather support a young couple like you who is willing to go to Africa for God than the mega churches.” I was so taken aback and I held back tears as I thanked her.

Just a few hours later as we were at the gas station airing up a tire and getting gas my phone rang. It was my dad. He said we should come back to the house for a visitor. We went back and were surprised to find an old family friend. She told us that they and their grown children decided to forgo gifts for the adults this year and give the money to our trip instead. I could no longer hold in the tears welling in my eyes. I am overwhelmed by the sacrifice given from friends and family and even total strangers. This last gift also came from a dear friend who is suffering from cancer (the daughter of the visitor). Just a few years older than me, I imagined the conversation between her siblings and her parents as they read our letter and decided to give to this mission. God is a God of providence and a God of unexpected blessings. On days when I doubt and I am overwhelmed by this calling he has given us I will remember my friend and her family giving in the midst of a day in and day out battle of their own yet they still believe in God working through us.

Cops

2006-12-27T12:49:00.000-06:00

We only got stopped once (for a headlight out and a sobriety check...it was Christmas Eve). Had the lights turned on for us twice. And was pointed at by a passing cop warning us to slow down three times. No tickets. All in all it was a good trip.

Lucy-ism

2006-12-27T12:48:00.000-06:00

Lucy told someone this weekend that she was a Vegenarian.

Christmas Tradition

2006-12-27T12:05:00.000-06:00

Every year we either leave a sickness with my brother and sister's families or take one home. This year I think we did both. :)

Beth has been running a high fever for a few days and has the "strep throat" voice. Today Alex has the headache and flu symptoms poor little Carlie suffered through Saturday and Sunday.

I am pretty sure I passed a stone Christmas Eve so just a few more to go before I leave for Africa.

"We grow through suffering." (can't remember where I read this but it was good)

A Drive Down Memory Lane

2006-12-27T11:48:00.000-06:00

The house I grew up in.

Our "honeymoon" house. (13 1/2 years ago it was grey)

The first house we bought. I was 19 and it was yellow...

...and the garage was bigger than the house. Our first baby was born here.

Our second and third babies born here. Our favorite house but we outgrew it quickly.

We lived here when Lucy was born. This is also the last house we lived in in Kansas where most of the kids' memories lie. The house had issues but the neighborhood was worth it. We miss this neighborhood!

We didn't have time to capture them all but wanted to get a record of this for our kids. These were the important ones.

Merry Christmas 2006..with the Buller side

2006-12-27T11:44:00.000-06:00

We forgot to charge the camera so this is all the pictures I was able to get. I've been promised more soon via email. :)

Masks went over well again and again, one of mine missing from the picture (but I think it's a different kid this time).

Captured

2006-12-27T11:42:00.000-06:00

Lucy captured another victim for the tierra club. :) Papa is a good sport.

Cousins...

2006-12-27T11:39:00.000-06:00

My brother's family was missing this year. So Jake was the lone boy at the Decker Christmas. The rest had playmates.

Carlie loves to dance. She also took to Beth.

Alex and Hannah

Somehow one of the Buller kids didn't make the picture but the Chinese masks were a hit!

Merry Christmas 2006

2006-12-27T11:32:00.000-06:00

The Decker Christmas started with a meal...

Beth read the Christmas story.

Hannah played the piano.

(Jake practiced his Christmas songs but the guitar kept falling on Moby so we had to leave it behind in Iowa)

And ended with some fun gifts and lots of pictures with the cousins (continued on the next post). :)

Lucy is still Lucy away from home

2006-12-27T11:11:00.000-06:00

Within minutes of arriving and Grandma and Papa's Lucy was ready to get a bath and get dressed. She tried on every pair of pants in the suitcase and created pure chaos. I love free spirits. :)

Acceptance

2006-12-27T10:47:00.000-06:00

I failed to mention the generosity of our friends who loaned us their Suburban at the last minute. On Wednesday, a few days before we left, we realized our own Suburban was going to take over $300 to fix and still may not be incredibly reliable. Although I was a little psycho about the kids not eating in their new vehicle, and the dog staying on his blanket in the back, and making sure no one wrote their name on the windows with their fingers, and making sure their smelly little feet stayed under blankets and not on the back of seats, it was a relief to not worry if we'd get to our destination or not. How do we thank someone for such a blessing? I have struggled with this for almost a week now. But then, while I was reading to Eric to keep him awake, I found this:

"He who recognizes the breath of God in another can truly let another enter his life, too, and can receive the gifts which are given to him. In this way it is possible to allow another the joy of giving something. The difficulty this presents in our time comes out in this confession of a contemporary man: 'To accept something gives me the feeling of dependence. This is something I'm generally not used to. I manage my own affairs and I'm glad I can. Whenever I receive something, I don't know exactly how to handle it. It's as though I am no longer the center of my own life and it gets a little uncomfortable. Actually that's a silly thing to say, for I'm not letting someone else have what I myself like to have. I don't let him have the joy of giving.'"
- Henri J.M. Nouwen

Hmmm. Being on the receiving end makes you think.

Thank you McGills from the bottom of our hearts!

On the road again...

2006-12-27T10:40:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning we woke up and fed the kids cream filled donuts with Christmas sprinkles. At least it was free if not healthy. :) We got about an hour down the road and we realized Lucy was still wearing last night's pull-up. Hmmm. Eric reached in his pocket and said, "I have her panties in my front pocket if she needs them." Ok. Not something you repeat without the full story attached. The longest drive home in history but we made it by about 2 pm Saturday. We missed a Christmas, convinced my dad to help me wrap presents for an hour and a half, and then sat down to a 20 course meal my mom prepared. No hunger this trip.

On the road...

2006-12-27T10:35:00.000-06:00

Left for Kansas three hours later than planned, stopped to finish Christmas shopping on the way, at 2 am gave up getting there and my dad booked a hotel. Eric took Moby into the hotel first, leaving him alone in the room to carry in kids. I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out after he barked so much. :) I slept with two little girls' knees and feet in my back (but I had TWO little people to keep me warm when we decided to turn off the heater because it was making a horrible noise and no one could sleep) and Eric had a pleasant night of slumber with Jake. We were just grateful to have a place to lay our heads.

T'was the night before traveling...

2006-12-21T20:33:00.000-06:00

Woke up at 5 am to start baking for E's work.
Scurried around trying to pick up the house and get it back to a state of organized packing.
Ran errands in every corner of the city.
Went shopping...first trip out this season...not much luck finding things off the list.
Hurried to a toy store minutes before picking up the kids to peacefully shop for the nieces and nephews.
Picked up kids...a few minutes late.
Visited Moby's 10 offspring with 10 kids. The numbers worked out pretty nicely.
Jake got his haircut...although he refused to REALLY let her cut much off.
Took the kids to the bookstore (still trying to check off the shopping list). Lucy proceeded to run up and down the wood floor, shaking the old building from here to the North Pole.
Thought I could make it through the toy store one more time and get a few more things. Stayed about two minutes and left carrying and screaming, melting Lucille who yelled at the top of her lungs all the way to the car...two blocks down from the store.
All the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Sent Eric to ring the bells at Fareway for 2 hours (great family memories being made tonight).
8:43 pm. Starting to pack. Starting laundry. Starting 8 dozen cookies for 4 kids' school parties.
Lucy is still sleeping...

My Girl

2006-12-21T20:25:00.000-06:00

I stole this off of Cassie's blog. :) The puppies eyes are open and they are sooooo cute. The kids are trying to talk me into one. Moby doesn't need company. He has a cat to play with.

2006-12-19T22:36:00.000-06:00

Seriously, we just wanted a smile.
Beth lost her tooth just in time for Christmas pictures. They are like twins now!

Music to my soul

2006-12-19T22:35:00.000-06:00

This is the kind of music we hear around here. Beth reads to Lucy in the top bunk before bed.

Not so traditional birthday cake...

2006-12-19T22:31:00.000-06:00

E turned 35 last week. His birthday cake fell in the odd "Buller" category for cakes. No one around here likes a white or chocolate simple cake. :)

Focus

2006-12-19T16:06:00.000-06:00

I sat down for coffee this morning with 3 of my favorite people. People I learn from, people I'm inspired by, people who remind me of who I want to be and what I want to do. Today I am behind on laundry (ok, nothing new there...), I haven't purchased any Christmas presents (except for the ones we brought home from China), and I haven't even begun to think about driving to Kansas in a few days. But I feel focused. I feel God working around me. I feel like whether I'm on board or not God is still going forward with His plan and I can choose to live or miss the blessings of this life He has for me (which thankfully don't always include laundry!). I choose to be on board.

Mommy the Grinch

2006-12-18T18:45:00.000-06:00

I've been feeling a bit like the Grinch who stole Christmas this past week. Too much yuckiness in this household and I haven't been a fun mommy. So tonight, I decided to secretly make the kids' favorite holiday goodies - peppermint swirl cookies. While I was whipping up the frosting I heard Beth and Lucy down the back steps playing:

"And pretend I was the mommy and I was going on Bacation because I was sick..."

"And pretend you had to give your baby up because she sinned too much."

Ok, maybe I should've made the cookies a few days earlier. They are scarred for life. :)

Change in Plans

2006-12-16T22:25:00.000-06:00

Full weekend. Turned into a day in the ER. I'm too groggy for details but I'm reminded that my plans aren't always God's. :) At one point I was on the verge of throwing up a bunch of stuff they had just given me and I refused medicine to help because I'd be knocked out. I was seriously still planning to make it to church to fulfill my responsibilities. Eric over ruled me. So I'm just waking up from my drug-induced sleep and ready to sleep some more.

Africa needs all of us

2006-12-13T10:05:00.000-06:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/world/africa/10africa.html

Go to this link. Read this article. Pray. Africa is screaming for help.

Thanks

2006-12-12T19:55:00.000-06:00

I am constantly reminded each and every day how God takes care of us. I think it's always happened but I am increasingly aware of Jesus in the people around me. Today was no different. Many things happened today to remind me. One in particular stands out. Tonight Eric and I had a lack of communication about the evenings' events. He was staying at work to serve a Christmas dinner and I had our family signed up to ring the bells. I am getting over this sick crud but I still have two kids down with it. I realized this double booked situation at 5:40 pm. We had to be at Fareway at 6 pm. Supper was still cooking since I hadn't planned to take the kids. I pulled supper off the stove top, loaded the kids, and grabbed movies and blankets. We headed to Fareway. I had a prime parking space where I could keep an eye on the Suburban and run out if needed. About half an hour into our two hour slot, my friend Karen came in to grab food for their small group. When she left, she handed Alex gummy bears, which alone made her night. About 2 minutes later her husband, Jamie, who just had surgery last Friday, walks in and says "go home." It was very hard for me to give up the responsiblity and I gave him a hard time. He told me Karen was gone so he was stuck and wasn't leaving. I reluctantly left. I called Eric and told him how bad I felt that Jamie was missing his bible study, that they paid a babysitter to get out alone, and instead he was ringing the bell for me at Fareway. I am humbled by their generosity. Eric said to me, "They are good people." He told me to get over my pride and accept their generosity. So I took these little people home and fed them dinner. I can't tell you how much I appreciate how kind they were to me. Thank God for Jesus in the form of the Brookharts tonight.

3 out of 6 Ain't Bad

2006-12-12T09:15:00.001-06:00

Three of us down sick. Three more with minor symptoms. Hope it doesn't spread any further. E had a pretty crummy birthday. I tried...I even made battered scallops. :)

(sorry...for some reason this morning I woke up with a bunch of 80's songs in my head...at least I didn't title it LOVE HURTS or DESPERADO)

Confessions

2006-12-12T09:13:00.000-06:00

Last week I bought jam at the store. I just haven't had time...

It DID about push me over the edge, though.

E

2006-12-11T08:45:00.000-06:00

I made a good save this morning. I woke up groggy, still no voice, no clean laundry, kids not wanting to get out of bed. I started searching through a pile of laundry for a little person shirt and trying to think if they had anything going on today at school. What day is it? Something going on today. Lightbulb! E walks in the bedroom (after he had to iron his own clothes, only 1/2 of which I laid out because I was feeling too yucky last night so he too had to search for a clean shirt today) and it hit me. It's his birthday. Poor guy is neglected. :)

Happy Birthday Big E!

Night Out

2006-12-08T10:18:00.000-06:00

Tonight I'm looking forward to a night out with E. It will be the first time in a long time...and not in another country! Our alone time is becoming more available and I am grateful. I give him a hard time (because it's my job as wife...I'm pretty sure it's in the bible...) but he has been looking out for me this week. He called around to my friends frantically checking on me while he was out of town and couldn't get me to answer the phone. (seriously, who answers the phone when you're sacked out and sick??) Cassie showed up on the doorstep, Cheryl W. was tackling the bedtime routine, and many more were taking calls from my worried husband. I am a lucky girl. Tonight we sneak away for a bit. I can't wait.

2006-12-08T10:16:00.000-06:00

I've been kind of sick. Sick and very out of it. Yesterday when I drove to Iowa City to save my bible study membership status (while dizzy and my head was pounding), I wept when God reminded me of my friends and how they have stood by me this week. Thank you. I love you all.

2006-12-04T15:08:00.000-06:00

I just had a very huge scare here. Jake and Alex came barreling in the door screaming and crying. They were so scared because Beth didn't get off the bus. They were afraid she'd fallen asleep. I quickly called the school and they were putting a call into the the driver. I sat here and waited for what seems like forever. While I was waiting for them to call back, Beth came bursting in the door, nose red and tears flowing. She forgot to get off at the bus stop and she was afraid so she got off on the next one and ran all the way home. I was a little miffed at this since it is freezing cold and she was confused on which way was home. Imagine a seven year old wandering the streets. I am so thankful she made it home. I realize we are all human and these things happen. But the fear of losing one of these little people sends the shakes right through me. Thankfully God is in control and not me. I couldn't handle the job.

Africa Bound

2006-12-04T12:12:00.000-06:00

It is official. We are leaving for Liberia January 2nd in the wee hours of the morning and returning the evening of January 15th . My parents have graciously agreed to return for the whole two weeks. We are so blessed to have retired parents! (Liberia is the small brown country on the coast)

When you send a guy to buy a cake for another guy...

2006-12-03T21:06:00.000-06:00

You get Hello Kitty.

Happy 40th David!

And while we were visiting the puppies...

2006-12-03T21:04:00.000-06:00

Lucy needed to go #2. So she just sat down right next to the Jessica and did her business. (the puppies were in their laundry room/bathroom in their basement.) I think we may need counseling.

There's 10!

2006-12-03T21:02:00.000-06:00

Harper had 10 puppies. Moby is quite the stud. :)

The Puppies are coming!!

2006-11-30T22:44:00.000-06:00

YIPPEE!! Moby is a father!! 3 out so far...more on the way. The momma was huge so we're expecting a bunch. My kids would hardly go to bed because they thought it was about to happen. They will be so excited tomorrow.

I'm free entertainment

2006-11-30T16:50:00.000-06:00

I can't even begin to explain all the stuff that has been shooting bullets at me the last few days. I refuse to let Satan win...instead I am laughing at myself. Here is a small glimpse of it:

My kids were very late this morning to school. The spare car keys to E's car were lost while we were China. I called him home...and out of a meeting (he was a happy camper...the keys were in his pocket). Ignition was frozen...so were the doors. Everyone crawled in the car through the driver side door, which we leave open just a hair due to no door handle which is why it wasn't frozen. (it gets better) Then I'm running late to pick up my friends' kid and take her to preschool. The babysitter doesn't like me much. I get her buckled in her car seat in the car (finally able to open ONE of the back doors). I go to get in and the handle-less door left ajar has now latched shut. I panicked a bit as I smiled at my friend in the backseat, remembering all the other doors were still frozen shut. But, I was able to man handle the passenger door a bit and crawl over to the driver side. I'm sure the show was very entertaining.

2006-11-27T23:15:00.000-06:00

Lucy fell asleep in the car on the way home from guitar at 4:30 pm. I left her in the car in the garage when we got home. I was on the phone with my sister for a long time and as we got off I realized Lucy still hadn't come inside. I went out and woke her but she wasn't having it. So I put her to bed. Yep. 4:30 in the afternoon. And what happened at 8:45 pm just as I got the rest in bed??? Another yep. She woke up. What was I thinking??? Seriously, I thought she'd sleep through the night. She's done it from 5:30 or 6 pm before since school started. It's rough being in kindergarten.

Yum

2006-11-26T23:17:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago our Saturday night small group had some leftover canned whipping cream. It got even wilder after the kids had their share and the adults started in...

2006-11-26T22:56:00.000-06:00

Our Sunday night prayer group doesn't always get this wild. A bunch of people gone from the Thanksgiving holiday so we hung out and looked at pictures. Mark played along while Lucy made him Queen...glad he didn't have to participate in full attire. :)

Thanksgiving

2006-11-26T22:47:00.000-06:00

This is the only picture I took for Thanksgiving!! UGH! Taken at Lucy's school party. Our Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We spent it with friends who graciously invited us so we wouldn't be alone. We had a really relaxing day hanging out. Our kids were entertained by the other kids and we hardly saw them. We are so thankful for friends here in Iowa.

I was talking with Jake and Alex one night and they were telling me what they were thankful for. Alex's was a very sweet list of family, God, books, and friends. Jake's was...truly a Jake thought. He was thankful for the magnetic solar rays that protect us from the harmful rays coming from the sun (ok, so maybe I didn't remember that exactly right but you get the point).

Crazy Hair Day

2006-11-26T22:43:00.000-06:00

As we scurried off to school last Wednesday just before Thanksgiving break I stopped the car in the driveway to quickly capture the essence of crazy hair day...Buller style.

Reconnecting

2006-11-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

E and I are thoroughly enjoying just "being" the last few days. Today he even went to the store with me and helped me get groceries. I can't remember the last time that happened. We are so blessed to have his schooling behind us. Jet lag is slowly leaving our bodies and I am recovering a bit quicker than E. The kids were on their best behaviors while we were gone but let the cork pop when we came home. They've been bouncing off the walls and a little wild. We are working on it. :) So much to be thankful for as we start this week. Although not just because it is Thanksgiving. There's so much to be thankful everyday no matter what week it is.

Observations

2006-11-18T01:23:00.000-06:00

All luxery cars are black or dark blue. There are no SUV's and all vans look like condensed versions of American styles.
The traffic is wild to a newcomer in China. But once you've ridden in traffic with a competant driver for a few days you begin to recognize how in sinc everyone is with one another. The accidents are minimal and although cars come within inches of one another during a lane change it really is safe. The traffic seems to lean. If you want in another lane you begin to lean towards it and soon you are there. Sometimes our driver would just drive in two lanes until he knew which one suited him. We would stop in the middle of an intersection while he assessed where he was at and everyone around him would just wait. There was no road rage or anger. Everyone used their horn for a friendly acknowledgment that they might drive by you on the shoulder.
Cars drive up behind a pedestrian and honk and blink thier lights and come within a foot of hitting them but the pedestrian doesn't even flinch.
Little chinese women have no problems running in high heels.
Women walk around arm and arm with their girlfriends. Even I got used to this with my chaparone. It is a refreshing sign of friendship. Although I was a little taken back the first time I saw two men with their arms around each other...and then two more and then two more. Eric laughed as he explained it was a cultural thing too. Nothing odd about it.
You can have a friendly negotiation on a shopping outage but if you walk away without buying something, the merchants turn bi-polar. Eric was cussed at in Chinese a few times. I took lessons and decided to buy and avoid the heated confrontation caused by walking away.
There are a lot of kind, good people in China. Most are lost. Every time I rode in a taxi or spoke to someone on the street I prayed for them. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Lost in Translation

2006-11-18T01:13:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the english version of a Chinese sign doesn't quite jive.

2006-11-18T01:03:00.000-06:00

We went to hear this jazz band one night. They are legendary in Shanghai. Tony Blair among other "special" people had been to see them. I used to play the sax in a jazz band through high school. It was cool but not so legendary for me. Eric was thoroughly enthralled with the band and even took a video of them at one point to send to some of his ALP buddies. He joked this could be them in 30 or 40 years. The drummer was especially humorous. At one point a group of elderly gentlemen got up and left (about 10 pm) before they turned into pumpkins. It was so sweet how they waved at their friends as they left. While playing, their friends waved back. These guys play almost every night from 8:00 pm - 1:30 am.

When traffic is annoying the drivers just use the sidewalk.

My babysitter, Ice. We were killing time during a meeting. There's only so much shopping one can do. Most of my list was checked off and I had all the silk I could handle for one trip.

Food Continued

2006-11-18T00:55:00.000-06:00

Let's face it. I will never be as adventurous as Eric. They knew better than to offer me locust or cockroaches. I passed up eel. But I did try my first fresh water hairy crab.

I also had to bypass watching people when we ate. I had removed the vision of everyone double dipping their chopsticks in the community dishes. Our host would order a large variety of entrees and they would be put on a rotating shelf in the middle of the table. You would take a little and eat it and then take a little more. It was quite a germ-sharing experience at every meal.

Food

2006-11-18T00:51:00.000-06:00

The fruit in China was so yummy. Much more tasty than America...or maybe I was just really hungry for "normal" food. :) Every time I ordered fruit it was a work of art.

This became my favorite type of food. Thai. I now love Thai food.

I drank coconut juice out of a freshly cut coconut. I also experienced watermelon juice and cucumber juice.

Shopping

2006-11-18T00:46:00.000-06:00

There were so many buildings in Shanghai with TV's on the side of it or 2 or 3 stories long in lights. This building had both. Very flashy.

This is the old market we shopped in. I am now a very good negotiator. I may never be as good as Eric but I can hold my own.

This is me and my babysitter, Ice. She chaparoned me during the day and took Eric and I shopping and out to eat one night. She was a little Chinese woman about the size of Alex. She was so much fun and like so many in China she had a servant's heart.

Shanghai Night Life

2006-11-18T00:39:00.000-06:00

This is a work of art. Eric couldn't get a good picture of the lights in this place so he took a picture while shaking the camera. Very impressive.

The first night in Shanghai the supplier took us to this night club. It was a 70's retro bar. We tried to capture the atmosphere but failed miserabley. There were laser lights and mirrors and disco music playing. The thing about China is it is very safe. The worst crimes we heard of were pick pockets. There aren't drugs and the clubs are very clean. The workers all wear matching uniforms...retro orange long sleeve button ups with black pants. At this place we had popcorn and there were 3 or 4 workers who stood around our couched area and picked up every piece of popcorn we dropped within minutes. If you needed something they were right there. The only thing hard to get out of the Chinese is the bill when you want to leave.

Shanghai

2006-11-18T00:22:00.000-06:00

We stepped out of the secured area of the airport to see a Chinese man (the tallest I've ever seen) waiting for us, holding a sign with Eric's name on it. He spoke no English. The Chinese are incredibly kind people with the heart of caretakers. He right away took our luggage and ushered us outside. The driver was in a brand new dark blue BMW. The seats were so comfortable and I was so exhausted. This same driver took us anywhere we wanted to go the rest of the week. Although there was a language barrier this man showed us incredible kindness and humor. He would stay out with us until midnight and then report back to work at 8:30 the next morning. Lazy is not a word the Chinese know very well until they meet an American. :)

Walking into the hotel Sunday afternoon I saw more Westerners (as we were referred to as) in the hotel lobby than I had seen in all of Shenzhen and Xiamen. The hotel lobby was fascinating. Although you could see the age beginning to wear on the hotel as a whole, the sights were still amazing. This was Shanghai's first 5 star hotel. The floral arrangements in every area were enormously magnificent.
The staircase was lit up at night and was cool looking.

The outside of the hotel from the car on the highway.
This view is from our room on the 7th floor. The first night we had a room on the 15th floor and this view was much cooler. This highway interchange looked like a huge hotwheels toy with multi-faceted parts.

I could see this expo center from our window. The screen in the middle ran a buick commerical all day long. I didn't watch TV in the hotel but could watch wherever I went in the city.

We were now in the most densely populated city in the world. Over 18 million people.

Xiamen Continued

2006-11-18T00:16:00.000-06:00

Look at the very top of the white building. PIZZA HUT!! In Xiamen this is known as quite an exotic resturaunt. I would say because of it's view. These people have a bit of a let down if they every travel to the US and try to eat at Pizza Hut.

Xiamen

2006-11-17T23:30:00.000-06:00

The best part of our whole trip was the weekend we took off and went to Xiamen. It is an island just off the coast (still China). The views were breathtaking and sometimes if I didn't know better it felt like Southern California with the palm trees and ocean breeze. We were still in a third world country bound by political agendas but here in Xiamen all the hustle and bustle of China seemed to come to a stand still for us. This island contained about 1.5 million people. It seemed like a little town compared to the big cities we experienced. While here we traveled by ferry across to a neighboring island called Gulangyu. On this island no cars were allowed and all work was done by hand. The buildings were old and historical and the stories we heard by locals were at times hard to hear after years of persecution. The beauty of this old village island was incomparable to that of any other places we visited in all of China. The peacefulness and the serenity we found here were unbelievable. We walked around most of the island and finished our day with our only trip to McDonald's. We worshiped in a registered international church the next morning where Chinese were not allowed. The service ended with groups gathering for prayer. In our group we prayed with a Japanese couple, a Canadian woman with a Chinese heritage, a Canadian man, and a Liberian man. All people from different walks of life gathered in one place, in a country not our own, to bond together as Christians. It was a very moving experience for us both. We left that church service feeling very humbled and encouraged. And we left Xiamen to head to Shanghai, not wanting to really leave at all.

I fell in love with the Chinese children.

We ate at this beautiful beach-side Chinese restaurant. The views were amazing.

On the island of Gulangyu. These men ran hauling loads of rock. They were incredibly strong. The work ethic in China is hard to put into words.

Looking back at Xiamen from Gulangyu.

Shenzhen

2006-11-17T22:49:00.000-06:00

Ok, this may just be pictures of a hotel room but this was my scenery for about 2 1/2 days. I was very glad when we left Shenzhen.

The highlight of last week was the completion of Eric's MBA after two long years of sharing him with work and school. The only night we ate outside the hotel was Chinese Hot Pot night which ended up being very tasty. A cross between Fondue and Borcsht. Shenzhen was a little more of a dirty area. We walked around after we ate Hot Pot and I kept smelling a weird smell. I questioned Eric about it and he said, "It's China." And yes, after several days I realized that most places I went smelled the same. Kind of like the back alley at Peking. :) When we got back to the hotel after walking around I took my shoes off and noticed the socks I had put on just before leaving for dinner were trimmed in dirt and grime. I was wearing jeans so I can just imagine how dirty they'd have been had I worn capri's. My first encounters in this new land were immersed in germs and bacteria...all of which we all know I do well with. I also had my first view of a child using the restroom in the middle of a shopping square.

We stayed at a nice hotel in Shenzhen. I think it was the nicest hotel we stayed at the whole trip, although the one in Shanghai was a 5 star. The food in the hotel in Shenzhen was very good - a nice mix of Chinese and Western (American). Except for the weekend getaway, Eric managed to eat Sushi every morning for breakfast. He is very proud of this.

After staying up all night Friday night (10th) we took off for the airport and to be honest I was not sad to leave Shenzhen. I will really be fine if I never have to go back to that city of about 8 million people.

Home

2006-11-16T20:00:00.000-06:00

Home. Alive. Sleepy.

I'll catch up on the blog when I catch up on my sleep! :)

2006-11-14T18:12:00.000-06:00

FOR THE KIDS :)

I'm behind on my blogging so I will quickly try to post some pictures and catch up a bit. Eric is leaving soon for work so I don't have much time.

First and foremost, I spent many days and nights in the hotel last week but the fruits of this are that Eric has finally completed school successfully. He passed the last two classes. We pulled an all-nighter Friday night to make it happen. Praise God it is done. I had to help keep him awake as the jet lag kicked him in the buns and he had trouble each night trying to catch up and keeping his eyes open at the same time. Eric didn't want me to go out and walk around much until he had time to go with me. I did walk around a little on my own last week but this week I am fairly acclimated to everything and feel alright about exploring on my own. We are 14 hours ahead of Iowa time and so it has been a challenge to call the kids before Eric leaves for work in the morning (it is evening there...I always hated it when he would call me in the morning rush) so I haven't gotten to talk to them as much as I'd like. I do miss them terribly. Last week we were in Shenzhen. Shenzhen wasn't quite as exciting as our weekend getaway to Xiamen. Sunday we flew into Shanghai to continue business and finish out the trip. I'll try to post later tonight some of my observations and culture-shock. :)

I'm in

2006-11-08T03:52:00.000-06:00

We walked through this building to get "cross" the border.

My first views just inside China after leaving customs.

We are in Shenzhen for a few days.

Safely

2006-11-07T11:08:00.000-06:00

27 hours later here we are safely ready to tuck ourselves in for some shut-eye. The day has been long but adventurous. No problems with any of the flights with the exception of my two cohorts who kept contrasting and comparing their previous business class experiences to their first overseas coach experience. Naive, I thought everything was nice. Going into yesterday morning I hadn't had a night I slept more than 3 or 4 hours all week. E and I were both running on about 1 1/2 hours of sleep when we sat down for take-off. I slept about 8 hours on the long flight from Minneapolis to Tokyo and was in and out on the last flight into Hong Kong. I'm sleepy now but feeling pretty good. E on the other hand is trying to get to sleep, not having slept more than 45 minutes or so on any of the flights. I would compare my sleeping experience to that of a post-operative one. I felt like I was going in and out as if coming off anesthesia. Like the nurse would wake me briefly to take something or to have me eat or drink. Similarly I would wake up and the stewardess would be handing me a diet pepsi, meal or snack. Speaking of diet coke/pepsi, I think I had my last one on the flight coming into Hong Kong. They now cost over $3 for a can. As we arrived in Japan earlier we witnessed a beautiful sunset. We had been in daylight for about 21 hours. It was the wierdest feeling looking out the window at 3 am home time and it was still daylight.

Here are some brief observations from the day:

Asian airports are cleaner, employee serious workers, are well organized, and all workers are clean and neatly put together. The women especially are all dressed exceptionally in their matching airline attire. In my small exposure I am realizing we Americans appear sloppy. :)
Stewardess' on international flights work their butts off. And they are still very pleasant 14 hours later.
It seems like two weeks since I saw my babies.
The airport seats are not designed for big girls and seat belts are not a standard length.
The "decent" hotels (as Eric calls it) here are nicer than most American hotels. I can't wait to see the nice one in Shenzhen tomorrow.

Sorry. No people pictures tonight. We're a little stale from the long day. I'm sleepy and E is finally snoring so hopefully more tomorrow. In a few short hours we shuttle into mainland China. Goodnight!

2006-11-05T00:40:00.000-06:00

Oh, and I forgot a good story -

Found a mouse in the foyer (different from the half chewed one). The kids were all freaking and standing around it. It was alive but not moving much. I think it ate the poison and was ready to head "home". Eric wasn't here so Jake, being the man of the house, got a plyers and picked it up by the tail (while we all screamed and oooed backing away) and put it in the trash outside. Alex freaked out about the mouse in the first place and then took a 180' on me and started freaking out the minute Jake walked outside with the mouse because she didn't want us to kill it. It was just a little baby one. The neighbors probably thought I was beating her the way she was yelling, "No! NO! NO! Mommy! NO!"

Two mice down. Not sure how many to go. But, luckily, not my problem for a couple of weeks. :)

Not ready yet...

2006-11-05T00:31:00.000-06:00

I'm leaving in about 29 hours for my first trip out of the country. I'm panicking a bit. My washer just broke (with many loads left to go), my car brakes just went out today(ok, some of these stories just keep repeating...is this real??) and I can't remember the people who have told me my parents and in-laws could call them in case of emergency or they need help or have questions. So, some of you may just get a call without asking for it. :) These things seem a bit trivial but there are so many t's to cross and i's to dot before I can get on the plane. In addition to the sheer madness I am a bit emotional and keep telling all my friends and family how much I love them. Oh, and the kids are all crazy and naughty this weekend acting like we're already gone. I think my parents are already ready for their re-inforcements which aren't coming until next weekend.

Life will soon be a long airplane ride and a hotel with a spa. And I'll miss my little ones with all I am, I'm sure.

Seriously Gross

2006-11-03T12:48:00.000-06:00

The cat took care of my mouse problem this morning. I was looking around the house and panicking about my parents getting here tonight and the house being trashed when I found him in the kitchen with only the legs of the mouse left to eat. One problem: that mouse may have already been dead due to the poison Eric left for him behind the refrigerator. I asked E if the cat will get sick and die from the poison too and he said "that is the circle of life." Guess he still doesn't like the cat very much. But that cat DID eat the mouse...finally. (Jody, you need a cat) :)

Oops

2006-11-03T12:47:00.000-06:00

I just asked the principal at my kids' school if we were going to be having the kids join the mile-high club. I think she's re-thinking the PTO presidential elections. I MEANT mileage club. Apparently my mind is elsewhere and off course.

2006-11-02T01:47:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow (I guess it's today already) is Beth's birthday and also Lucy's treat day. And what did they pick to take for treats? Mini cheesecakes and sunflower seed cookies. Only my kids...

2006-11-02T01:46:00.000-06:00

Where else would you peel and orange and eat it?

Tuesday, October 31

2006-11-02T01:38:00.000-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I talked the kids out of trick or treating. I bribed them by buying each of them their favorite bag of candy and a pizza. We enjoyed the night at home playing games.

We also spent some time praying together and were going around sharing prayer concerns. We were encouraging Lucy to think of something more than "I hope I still love my family tomorrow." We asked her if there were any kids in her class that seemed lonely or sad. She named a girl in her class that didn't have any friends that we should pray for. She needed a friend. Eric and I were thinking, "How sweet. Lucy wants to be her friend." But Lucy prayed that God would make Julia be this other little girl's friend. We had a hard time keeping a straight face through the prayer.

I'm a bad mommy and forgot to take pictures of our family night!

Monday

2006-11-02T01:36:00.000-06:00

Spent the day sick in bed with an enormous pile of crap left by the front door from our trip. :)

By evening I felt better and joined a mission prayer meeting. It was nice to get away for a little while.

Sunday

2006-11-02T01:30:00.000-06:00

It was time to say goodbye. I woke up feeling sick...sore throat and headache. Lucy woke up with diarrhea. About half way home Jake started in with a belly ache. There was a detour in the middle of Kansas City that wasn't there three days before. I ended up exiting at the wrong road due to traffic but used some common sense and was able to catch back up with I-35. Beth and Lucy had obnoxious issues from Liberty, MO all the way until home. I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin by the time we arrived. Another trip that was not a record time deal. On the positive side, I think I drank 8 Route 44 diet cokes in the 2 1/2 days I had access to Sonic. One of the things I miss most about Kansas.

Saturday Continued

2006-11-02T01:12:00.000-06:00

The kids spent most of the day playing in the barn and the hay shed. At one point they were having a near gang rivalry with the Holdeman Mennonite kids over who had a right to play up there. They were a little possessive of the farm on sale day. Alex said the auctioneer's "singing" was annoying so they had to get away.

Lots of sugar consumed behind mommy's back. Papa had the Mennonite ladies who were selling food keep an open tab for family. Lucy took full advantage of Papa.

The day ended with an enormous amount of pizza.

And a double birthday party.

Saturday - the BIG day

2006-11-02T00:56:00.000-06:00

The antique dealers were out in full fashion on this day. I was relieved for my dad's sake that most everything sold well. Some of the antique tractors and toys went for over $100 and some even closer to $200. The antique telephones brought just under $300.

Intense Bidding going on.

The old "M" tractor that Eric is still mourning.

This is the reason horror movies are filmed on secluded farms. We nicknamed this doll Chuckie. And someone actually bought it. (we chose not to figure out what kind of animal actually chewed off part of Chuckie's head)

We cracked up at this "sex sells vegetables" crate.

The doll cradle I bid on. My friend Celesta won the bid but I made her pay a pretty penny for it.

The big cradle I wanted. It brought $135 I think. Out of my price range. (I did come home with some free treasures...just not this one)

Seriously, at one point my mom counted 3600 canning jars. My grandmother was one serious canner.

Friday Continued

2006-11-02T00:53:00.000-06:00

My brother and brother-in-law were actually cutting old farm machinery out of trees the day before the sale.

I have a side view of this bucket as well but decided to spare you the visual. :)

Friday Madness - October 27

2006-11-02T00:04:00.000-06:00

An eventful day getting ready for the sale:

Voni and I ended up helping a neighbor chase his bull out of my dad's pasture. (this is how it goes at a farm. this little adventure had nothing to do with preparing for the estate sale) At one point the bull looked Voni square in the eye and took off after her. We were laughing so hard she could barely get away. I think she was a little freaked out because she kept telling me about some cow that almost took her down when she was little. I had no recollection of it. To top it off there were gopher holes all over the pasture and we were trying to run and kept getting stuck.

Only my sister would wear pink leather work gloves on the farm. :) Our new friend, Major, the bull, is tucked safely away inside the cattle trailor.

The day was filled with trips from the house to load hay racks for the sale. But no day on the farm would be complete without Braden (my brother) scaring the living sh*# out of me at least once. Most tin boxes or items with lids on them seemed notorious for having some kind of bug or dead animal inside. I found a beautiful unscratched silver milking can with the lid tightly attached. I opened it and the smell was horrid. I motioned for Braden to come help me check the rest out since he had gloves on and I didn't. I was standing beside him peering over his shoulder when he pulled the bag out of the can and screamed "Oh Sh*T!" and lunged the sack at me. I took off running scared half out of my wits. But, the smell was only old milk and the mysterious sack was filled with the milking hoses used to milk cows.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

2006-11-01T23:57:00.000-06:00

Left Muscatine about 30 minutes late. Quickly ran through Wendy's to grab some lunch. Eric and I were not getting along too well so I was going to call him one last time and egg him on a bit when I realized my phone was totally dead. Fully charged, but dead. I turned around and went back home and put it on the charger and rebooted it. I had to reload all my phone numbers off the computer but was able to save the phone somehow. On my way again. It rained most of the trip. Yucky rain driving beside splashing monsterous semi-trucks. I stopped for gas. Then a potty break. Then supper at Subway and another potty break. Jake is getting sick of going into girl's bathrooms with me but I'm not sorry. :) Drove through storms the rest of the way. It was exhausting trying to keep the van on the road through heavy winds and downpours. At one point my sister called and said, "There's tornados in Meade...but none that I know of where you are." Very comforting. I did make it, and NOT in record time. But I made it with four kids still in tact and a tired mommy (with leftover white knuckles from the death grip I held on the steering wheel). Sat up talking with my brother and sister-in-law until 1:30 am. The kids too were up. Jake was reading and Lucy was bouncing off the walls. I finally laid down with Lucy and put my arm around her and held her down. I don't know when she went to sleep as I sacked out long before her.

2006-10-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

Seriously. I didn't spend much time looking pretty today like the other two so I refuse to post the original picture. Although the photographer was 5 and did a very fine job.

12 meals, a day full of laughter, another item checked off the list for next week. I am blessed (and ready for bed!).

Checking Things Off

2006-10-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

I'm checking things off my list left and right and trying to get ready to leave. I've added a few things but will make next week's prep for the big trip a little easier. Next week I can really focus on cleaning and packing. The kids are beside themselves excited to see their cousins. I'm walking into a ton of work to help the people at home who have been slaving for months to make this sale happen. I feel a little guilty for not being able to help ahead of time but I'm sure they aren't so annoyed with me that they'd turn down my extra set of hands the day before and morning of the sale. Looks to be a cool weekend in Kansas. It will bring back memories of many, many past falls on the farm. From here it is easy to remove myself from these memories and remember it is only "stuff" and doesn't matter in this life (only the memories of the people matter). But, when I get there, I know I'll struggle with remembering this so my prayer for today is to not attach to anything, only anyones.

Here's why...

2006-10-23T00:39:00.001-05:00

I received a guilt ridden message today from my sister (wait, there were actually TWO messages) about not calling her back. So, in an effort to shed some light on my "TO DO" list, here's a glimpse at tomorrow's (Monday) tasks (I really AM a good sister...just too tired to return phone calls):

Daily Devotions/Bible Study Fellowship Questions

Exercise (more than just sitting on the bed and WATCHING the Firm videos)

Go to church and find the pill bottle with questions for the Dear Ernie column and give them to "Dear Ernie" so he can come up with some ground-breaking advice for the next issue of THE VIRUS newsletter.

Plan meals and make a grocery list for food while E and P are out of the country in just two short weeks.

Write a missions blurp for the bulletin.

Send out emails with small group schedule

Do 15 loads of laundry (so my mom doesn't chastize me for being so behind again)

9 am meeting.

Get a picture from a sponsor interviewed for THE VIRUS and complete editing for the publication.

Email my brother-in-law to see if he's finished drawing up our will (you know, in case we die on the way to China...my house will be spotless too). :)

Email my mom and brother to finalize sleeping arrangements for the weekend.

Double check pricing for rental cars

Make calls to confirm party participation for the Fall parties next week for my room parent duties.

Start packing for Kansas.

Lose 20 pounds before Thursday so if I see anyone I haven't seen in a long time they don't recognize me (ok, I might not get this one done tomorrow but I thought I'd throw it in).

Plan Beth's birthday next week

Call for an appointment for my shots

Oversee Jake's thank you writing

Reschedule dental appointments for me and Alex

Buy my sister a very belated birthday present

Call the sprinkler guy and find out why he hasn't come back to finish the job he started (MY SPRINKLER ISN'T WINTERIZED AND IT's FROSTING!)

Back up my pictures

Close jewelry show

Make supper

2:30 pm Pick up kids from school

3 - 4 pm supervise homework

4 pm guitar

5-6 pm feed kids (assuming sometime before that I MADE supper)

7 pm - Jake basketball practice

7:30 pm - bathe Lucy and Beth and get them to bed

8:00 pm - Pick up Jake from basketball

8:30 pm - make sure Jake and Alex have showered and tuck them in

8:40 pm - lay out clothes for morning and pack lunch boxes, sign planners

9:15 - midnight or later - finish whatever I didn't get done during the day

Ok. I think that's do-able. (thick sarcasm involved here) And I haven't even begun to clean.

Mouse Hunt

2006-10-23T00:29:00.000-05:00

We've been playing a frustrating game of kill the mouse at our house. The food in my pantry has gone into quarantine. We've removed all feed from the mouse's reach and he just keeps eating our bait without getting hit. At one point Eric was standing in the doorway of the pantry and said to me, "Pam, get me a broom handle so I can smash this thing with the end of it. I can't move from here because I'm making eye contact." First of all, I refused to let him use my broom - we all know this would gross me out for an eternity - and second of all mice don't make eye contact. After I searched for several panicky minutes for an alternative to my every day broom handle (further digesting the fact that there could be mouse guts spewing everywhere inside my food storage closet in a few short minutes), the little speedy gonzalez dropped eye contact with the big scary human and ran between his legs out of the pantry and under the refrigerator. UGH! These are the blessings of living on the edge of the country (something one of my friends who is moving may soon find out, I'm sure. :) love you...but you might have a pet soon after all).

TO BE CONTINUED...