Blessed Sleep May 3, 2008

At least that is what we are trying to get Norah to realize.  The physical purpose of a parent is to raise their child to become more and more independent, and it starts early.  I’m discovering this is the hard part of parenting.  

We are trying to get Norah to sleep through the night.  It hasn’t been so bad, the first night we decided to try to just let her cry.  The thought of leaving her in a dark room crying is a little disheartening.  (before i had my own child, it seemed so easy)  She cried for a while and calmed down, and a few minutes later started up again.  So since it had been 4 hrs i fed her and she fell asleep, I felt better, but worse all at the same time.  I failed!  Later on she woke up again and we let her cry it out.  The next morning she was happy.  So no psychological damage.  

So every night this past week we’ve been wondering what is going to happen.  Some nights she has up a fight and others she’s slept.   One night i sang to her and she fell right to sleep.  She’s even started rolling herself over, so last night she had to cry that out a while and then she sang herself to sleep. I checked on her and she slept the entire night on her back. (first time, huge step, yes i know i’m a horrible mother)   It’s been interesting.  But I know this is the right thing.  She needs to learn how to sleep independently.  One of the first steps of many to come.  

Unexpected Blessings April 19, 2008

I was just reminded recently how much the Lord cares for me, and little things like my poor spanish.  He just put a couple in our house, now I was very leery to say the least about someone living here.  But through some struggling the Lord changed my attitude and It has been one of the best things that has happened.  She is helping my spanish like I couldn’t believe, Not that it’s much better, just being corrected constantly.  And speaking spanish 24/7 isn’t so bad. God knows what’s best usually what we would least expect

Prayer April 16, 2008

This is quite a story, i will try to get to the point.  A baby girl was born here in Peru, when they opened up her mom for a C-section, they found Cancer, so bad, that her mom couldn’t take care of her.  As it was she already had 3 other children.  The mom eventually passed away leaving all four children behind.  The father works full time, and is traveling for work, so he cannot take care of them.  The oldest three are in the children’s home here in Peru.  The little girl Belu, has been passed back and forth by her grandmother who has official custody.  Belu is now 21 months and has been welcomed into the home of our Pastor and his wife.  They love her with all of their heart and would love to adopt her.  She even calls our Pastor “Papa”.  They have been taking complete care of her, but last week the grandmother decided to take her back.  She lives hours from here, and works full time as well as has several small children of her own.  When Belu comes to stay with the Montenegros, she is sick and has to be put on medicine.  So this woman cannot give Belu the attention and care that she needs, like the Montenegros have given her.  They don’t know when or if they will see her again.  

As Laura told me this story my heart broke for her.  They have had Belu for months loving her like their very own, and then one day she was taken from their home.  Laura told me she couldn’t go into the room where Belu stayed, it was too hard.

 

Pray that the Lord would work all of this out for His glory and that if it is his will, he would change the mind of this grandmother.  Break her pride and help her to see Belu would be so much better off with this family.  Please pray.  

Ministry April 12, 2008

Just recently Norah has been so doing so well, I have to say I am almost bored at times.  Which being a missionary wife this should not be.  I go back and forth between, I’m doing the right thing by taking care of my family and home, and I should be more involved in ministry of some kind.  It is a constant battle in my mind.  

Recently the Lord has opened up doors for me to minister in some way to different people, not anything major, just little areas mainly friendships.  I cannot begin to explain how fulfilling this has been.  Another thing is I have always felt that I could not be close with someone who spoke another language.  Yes I debated whether i should write that or not.  I guess I was never willing to admit that could be the issue.  It could also be that being in transition makes it a little hard to get close to people.  Almost like why bother, we’re leaving anyway.  I was completely wrong in both areas.  

I have always liked Peru, but the Lord has given me more of a love for this place, and for the people here.  I am mostly thankful for the friends he has given me while we have been here.  Those I have learned from whether it be language, ministry, or simply patience.  (with me, for example)   I can’t really say I am ministering, it is more like I am being ministered to.  

My Turn April 8, 2008

My husband gets to speak publicly quite a bit, being a preacher and all, it is a part of his job.  I don’t get to very often (or should I say have to)  But I was thinking and praying for him the other day, as he was getting ready to preach.  I realized what a good person he is. And I never get to brag on him publicly.  

He is truly the kindest person I know.  I have been married to him over three years now, and I have never ever heard him say anything bad about anybody.  No matter what the situation is.  Honestly it can really be annoying.  No matter what someone says to me, or does to him, he finds a reason for their behavior. 

When you are close to someone, you see their imperfections, but you forget to step back and look at the whole picture.  And I don’t do that enough.  I probably have the husband closest to perfection, sorry every other woman in the world.   I am so thankful for him.  He is a perfect picture of Christ-likeness to me.

 

 

Help April 4, 2008

There are nice things about living here in Peru, like the cost of labor is very low.  So help or work is easy to come by.  Having someone watch Norah is not too hard or expensive.  But i have to say, it doesn’t replace Grandparents or friends.  

 Honestly, I could get a break if i wanted.  Sometimes, even though it doesn’t cost much, I don’t want to pay someone to watch my kid constantly.  I guess it is the principal of the thing.  Or maybe I’m just a cheapskate.  

But this week, I realized I sometimes just need help.  Yes it is just one baby, most of the time we are fine, but there are weeks that she is just difficult.  Wants to be held all of the time, etc… I realized during these times I get incredibly stressed out, to the point where I just cry when Tyler is walking out the door to teach English.  

I finally told him, I know I have a problem when i get overwhelmed.  I will not ask for help.  Not from him or anyone.  It is a pride problem, and sometimes I need to just ask for help, for my sanity and for Norah.  She doesn’t need a frazzled mom.  

It was such a liberating feeling admitting my problems and asking for help.  Of course, Tyler knew I needed help, but sometimes when he realizes it, it’s too late, so I need to just ask.   

I have Feet! March 28, 2008

Feet, as a child you use your feet, not to walk, but for other things.  Norah has just discovered her feet, aka “new toys”.

 Not only does she love to play with them, they serve a very important purpose.  When she drops a toy,  she now lifts up her feet to pass the toy to her hands.  It is the funniest thing.  They may not yet be useful in walking, but they sure are useful for something.  

  

Finally, FOOD! March 28, 2008

We decided to give Norah a little taste of some real food this week.  She is just so pathetic when we eat, she smacks her lips and drools.  (I’ll have to work on that one)  And of course the looks just make you feel so bad.  She is sitting up pretty well and I figured we could try just to see.

 I gave her some rice cereal and she took the first bite as if she had done this before.  She ate it all and cried for more.  I questioned myself is this too early?  Should I make her wait?  But once I fed her, I realized she was more than ready.  I look at her sitting in her little seat and think man, she is growing up so fast.  It’s amazing, yet I can’t even imagine my life without her.  It’s seems as though she has always been with us.  Life is strange like that.   

We’ll the other night as I was feeding her, she was having such a hard time keeping her eyes open, we caught a few seconds of it, if you haven’t seen the video, here it is.   

A Celebrity in my house? March 22, 2008

Yes, that’s right, we had a celebrity stay with us this week.  Steve Saint, the son of Nate Saint.  When I heard the news, I was so excited and nervous all at the same time.  He was here in Peru and we were blessed by his company and Bruce Sneed.  We only had Steve Saint for one night, it wasn’t nearly enough, but we definitely enjoyed it. 

 It was amazing to hear him tell the story of his dad and how the Lord allowed him to continue working there with his mother.  The most amazing is the part where one of the men who murdered his dad is now saved and practically his family.  He showed us pictures of his grandchildren climbing all over this man, who is now a Christian. 

 It is humbling when I think of the problems I have, or issues with people who may have offended me.  How could the Lord ever do that kind of a work in my heart when I can’t give up the bitterness I have over such small things?  

 Well, I have to say he was one of the kindest men I have met, and of course we got a picture with Norah, as she was pulling on his beard.  That was one unexpected blessing.   

Stop Cutting Me! March 22, 2008

No I’m not recalling the days in 5th grade.  That is something I am just dying to scream out every time I am in a store or at the market.  I’m talking about grown men and women.  They just walk up and cut you in line.  I’ve started to say excuse me, and they always say things like “oh, I’m sorry”  and I’m thinking “yeah right”.  I usually let them go, but my pride wants them to know i am not stupid and they are acting like a child.  

Well, at the bread store I was about to order and someone ran in.  and asked for what he wanted.  I didn’t say anything, and another young man came in and tried to do the same.  I wasn’t gonna take this.  So I just said excuse me and he looked at me with this sheepish grin and said just one little thing.  I was like how rude, and just didn’t let him go.  I ordered and walked out.  I was proud of myself for all of two seconds, then I realized, what did i gain from that, 30 seconds, and a mean reputation.  Is that what I really wanted?  Sometimes, we can blame this stuff on culture shock, but I know it was really my pride that made me say something.  I don’t really know what the solution would be, but I know I felt bad when I left.