We arrived a few hours before Grandbaby !

 

We arrived in Tampa, after cancellations, delays, and Brazilian immigration snags, the 12 hour trip turned into a 33 hour trip... BUT we got to see Jackie pregnant for 12 hours. She went into labor last night and delivered Alexandra Joy at 9:35 this morning at home. Proud Grandpa caught the baby while Dad and Grandma helped mommy through the final push. 

All is well and God is good!

  I discovered that it is more painful to watch your baby give birth than to give birth yourself

Pictures of baby!

USA ~ Ready or Not...

 Here I come!

Getting ready to leave the house in a few minutes to head to the airport. I is 3 am, we should make it to Miami this evening and drive on to Tampa Thursday morning.

Pray for us, and I'll see you,  when I see you!

Procrastinating

I hate to pack. I always leave it to the last minute and will come up with just about any reason to avoid it. We leave at 3 am in the morning  and I have a room full of empty suitcases...but I went and got my hair done instead of packing!

I ended up only get a trim but decided to get highlights. I am not too sure about the blond highlights! Nothing against blonds, but I need  my red hair! I am feeling a bit like a red and white striped zebra!

I need to pack...but I would rather post!

Han Solo gets a little help from local missionaries.

For many years, Mission Aviation Fellowship serviced us with air support in Venezuela .

Film star Harrison Ford (left) studies a map of Haiti on the wall of MAF's hangar office as MAF pilots John Munsell (center) and Jason Krul (right) provide Ford with a briefing on the area and Port-au-Prince airstrip. The actor, acclaimed for his iconic roles in films, including the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” blockbuster movie series, flew one of his aircraft loaded with medical supplies and volunteers from Los Angeles to Haiti for a humanitarian mission. Ford visited MAF facilities twice during his recent visit to Haiti.

MAF Pilots Brief Acclaimed Actor, Provide Airstrip Chart

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – MAF pilots recently provided acclaimed actor Harrison Ford with an airstrip chart of the Port-au-Prince airport and offered him a personal briefing at the MAF hangar.

Ford told MAF the information its pilots provided helped him in his humanitarian mission to relieve suffering following the Haiti earthquake. Ford flew from Los Angeles into the capital city’s airport in his own aircraft loaded with medical volunteers and supplies to help earthquake-stricken Haiti.

“MAF is honored that an international celebrity such as Ford visited our post at the Port-au-Prince airport,” said MAF President John Boyd. “We commend him for his selfless humanitarian work.”

Ford, 67, is among the most successful film artists in history. His roles have included Han Solo in “Star Wars” movies, the title role in “Indiana Jones” adventure films, and as CIA official Jack Ryan in screenplays based on author Tom Clancy’s military novels. The award-winning actor flew the supplies and team in his Cessna 208 Caravan to assist Operation Smile's relief effort in Fond Parisien, a community in central Haiti.

While at Haiti’s main airport, Ford learned of MAF and asked the MAF staff to brief him on the area and the airstrip. MAF pilots John Munsell and Jason Krul provided the actor with a briefing and an airstrip chart. Ford stopped by the hangar a second time to thank MAF for the airstrip chart, said John Woodberry, MAF disaster response/security manager.

During his visit, Ford also flew medical teams in his airplane into the central Haiti town of Hinche and piloted other flights into Santo Domingo, capital of the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Ford, who is also a helicopter pilot, is a noted philanthropist and has used his aircrafts in mountain rescue operations.

Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) is a Norfolk, Va.-based charity that offers free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries in poor nations.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS, VISIT www.mafc.org TO DONATE ONLINE.

But I do wonder... 

Is Ford's plane perhaps named 'The Millennium Falcon'????

You may have noticed...

 I have been a bit scarce around here of late. My mind is on other things, you see, we are about to leave on a trip.

Next Wednesday morning we will be flying to the USA for a month of non stop activities! 

First, 
thanks to the generosity of family and friends, we will be able to participate in a family reunion cruise, SAILABRATION !

Take a break from your worldly worries and enjoy vacationing in a Christian atmosphere on a 5-night cruise to the Bahamas. The entire ship has been chartered for this unique Christian Cruise. Gone are the party crowds and the “Vegas” style shows. The casino is converted into a Christian bookstore, the bars are serving non-alcoholic drinks, smoking is prohibited in all public areas, and the ship’s entertainers are replaced by Christian entertainers, speakers, and comedians.
You will worship in song with a complete lineup of Gospel singers and musicians and enjoy inspiring Bible sessions with some of America’s best known preachers of the Gospel: Dr. Charles Stanley, Jerry Vines, Jonathan Falwell, Don Wilton, Johnny Hunt, Ken Whitten, James Merritt, and Jim Henry.

Many of Clint's family will be going, including his father and brother. It is a great blessing for us and something we never expected to be able to do! We thank the kind, generous people who have graciously made this happen for us!

Secondly,
 Jewel has her Spring Break. 

Third,
I  will be able to go to a reunion of the small school I attended and where I also held my first teaching position!

 Slide show 

of WAY BACK WHEN.

Fourth,
see all my children together!

And last but not least,
my grand baby should be born while we are there! 

oh... and some medical stuff I am trying to not think about at all....

  

We are probably the only people looking forward to going to the Caribbean for the COOLER weather!

Go Team USA

I think the Team USA snowboarding uniforms
are so uniquely American!

 

Are you watching the Winter Olympics? 

What is your favorite winter sport?

UPDATE from SOUTH AFRICA

Many of you have prayed and asked for an update on the missionary friend, Julie McCrum, who was involved in  a bad car accident in South Africa. She had not been expected to survive!

 

She wrote this AM that God has answered prayer and restored her health.

She is going home today to start her six weeks of recovery.

The Things I see ...

 Paraguayan ñandutí

 I have read a couple of different versions of this folk tale but prefer the following which was written   by fellow missionary , Shilo Cain.

Two young men loved the Cacique's (Chief's) daughter. While he alone determined her destiny, he loved his daughter and desired her happiness. He devised a contest that would be sure to show which young man would be best suited to marry his daughter. Each one must bring a gift. But not just any gift. A unique gift. One that would cause the Cacique to release his daughter to marriage.

One young man was very rich, and there was nothing he could not buy. He gathered every kind of animal and prepared them to be taken to the Cacique.

But the other young man was beyond poor (you knew it would be so, surely). He had nothing, and no way to buy anything for his beloved. As he wandered through the woods, he looked up and saw an elaborate spider web hanging from a branch. He thought to himself, "How perfect! I will take this as my gift!" But as he reached up to grab it, it dissolved in his hands. He left the forest weeping, completely defeated.

His mother heard his cries and found him. As he poured out his dilemma, she assured him that all would be well. She found another spider web and sat down to mimic it's pattern and create her own beautiful web. Using the hair from her own head, a stunning salt and pepper, she weaved the first ñandutí.

When the poor young man presented his gift, the Cacique gave his daughter to him. Since that day women all over Paraguay have been creating ñandutíi out of lovely colored thread.

Favorite Family Fotos

I love my kids! 
Sometimes, candid shots turn out to be the best!

My oldest daughter, Jackie, on her wedding day.

Feb.14, 2006. Barquisimeto, Venezuela

My son in law, Brian, at a Paraguayan soccer game!

Asuncion,Paraguay 2008

My son, Joshua, on his wedding day.

June7,2008. Lake Tahoe, California.

 

My daughter in Law, Naomy, on her wedding day.

June7, 2008. Lake Tahoe,California

 

My daughter, Jewel, with my nephew, Joshua ,

at my son's wedding in California. 

June7,2008

My daughter, Jayde, in her room goofing off. 

Luque, Paraguay 2009

My two grand daughters in New Hampshire. 2009

My Valentine

 I met my husband at a church skating event. 
I was 14 ~ and that, was THAT!

 Here is a  slide show of our wedding album .

He has been the best thing in my life and I will love him forever, not only for his love for me, but his love of Christ and for being the best father my children could ever have.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Song of Solomon 8:7

Mission Accomplished

Just returned from a Marine Reconnaissance Mission. The Rules of Engagement were to seek preferred targets and also engage any target of interest encountered. We were successful on both accounts and able to withdraw with acceptable losses

TRANSLATION: This means that the store which has American imports once a year, finally received the shipment!! Preferred Targets were Cranberry Sauce, cake mixes and icing. Targets of Interest would explain the Wing Sauce, Pop Tarts and Pinto Beans! The acceptable losses mean we kept the spending within budget! Barely....

Happy Birthday to my man!

  Clint and I here in Paraguay

Today is Yekwanaman's birthday.  Jayde just finished a yellow cake with chocolate cream cheese icing which we will enjoy later on. Join me in celebrating his life of service!

Your WALK talks louder then your TALK talks. My husband preaches a good sermon, he preaches in 3 languages, but among the tribe, his life of service was the best sermon ever!

 Spending time in the round house with the elders. This is Chief Bertico

I’d rather see a sermon . . .

then hear one any day.

I’d rather you would walk with me,

than merely tell the way!

The eye’s a better pupil,

and more convincing than the ear.

Your words may be confusing,

but example’s always clear!

I’d rather learn my lessons

by observing how it’s done,

Conversation might be easy,

but your tongue too fast may run!

I may not fully understand

the fine advice you give,

But there’s no misunderstanding

how you act or how you live!

~Kristone

Here is my husband taking care of an asthmatic woman and giving medicine to a sick toddler.

Cooking soup for the village.

Pulling a bad tooth.

Visiting a village to provide needed medical attention and sharing the gospel. Made friends with the chief.

Delivering Bibles in the Ye'kwana language.

Teaching the Old Testament to Indian church leaders and pastors.

Making sure medical emergency patients were flown to town for treatment we could not provide in the village.

Removing stitches from a child's arm.

Hanging out and being part of their lives. In this case, getting ready to go hunting.

The Things I see ...

Cows on city streets.

 

 

MOOOOOVE  over Bessie...

Coming Soon !!!

Grand baby number three!

Individual Responsibility

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."

—Rudyard Kipling

In our society we often see this idea promoted at certain levels, suggesting that each one should 'be your own man' and yet it is denied the individual at other times in promotion of 'tolerance'. On the one hand, programing the youth to be accepting of all things, even the intolerable, and on the other hand, forcing all to conform in thought and manner to that which is deemed politically correct.

Being a Christian, I add the following quote:
"The most important idea I ever thought,was the day I realized, that I am personally and individually accountable to God for how I lived."

-Daniel Webster

As Christians, we not only must, at times, abstain from that which society is promoting, not just of our own volition, but because we answer to a Higher One. This will in no way take from our individuality or weaken our convictions. It will make us more resolved to stand against those who would ridicule us when we refuse to be party to their ways. It is what will force us to maintain our principles when times are difficult.

The Bible warns us that the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things and so we can not rely only upon the arm of flesh but must have the knowledge and faith that a personal God will hold us accountable for each and every action we commit while walking on this earth. Only in this manner will the Christian be able to live a morally upright life, separated from sin, without being judgmental or lacking compassion upon others.

This is what will provide true strength of character. Character others will observe and be drawn to, seeing it as genuine. Kipling's "responsibility of owning yourself" paired with the knowledge of being "personally and individually accountable to God."

106* today here in Paraguay

Sweat on da' brow...

Sweat on da' brow...

 Drippin' like a fool wit da' sweat on da' brow....

Look at ya now...

sweatin' all around....

drippin' like a fool wit da' sweat on Da brow!!!

  Cool it down.....

Traveling

... and busy celebrating my birthday! 

I am '29' and holding...thank you very much!

and holding,

and holding,

 and holding...

Ciudad del Este ~ My future home

Ciudad del Este ~ this is where we will be moving to start a new church plant in a few months. Today we are going for a few days trying to secure housing.

 I ask that you pray  with us that we we may find affordable and safe housing  for ourselves and our daughter's family.

 Here is an article about CdE in Wikipedia;  CIUDAD DEL ESTE

I wanted to highlight just a few interesting points from the article about this unique city. I find it to feel very much like a mini NYC with all the languages and cultures one experiences while walking around downtown.

 

From Wikipedia:

• It is the second largest city in Paraguay, with a population estimated at 320,782 in 2008
• The city has a large Asian-born population, specifically Taiwanese, Koreans, Arabs and Iranians, evident in the city's mosque and pagodas. The Taiwanese government paid for the construction of the city's town hall in exchange for Paraguayan support in the United Nations, hence the Taiwanese flag that flies on the building.
• Ciudad del Este generates about 60% of Paraguay's GDP. It is the third largest free-tax commerce zone in the world, after Miami^, and Hong Kong.
• Smuggling is a major occupation in the city, with some estimates putting the value of this black market at five times the national economy. Indeed, evidence indicates that some of the revenue generated by smuggling may support criminal organizations based outside the region, including terrorist organizations.
• There also existed rumors in Western media that Al-Qaida operatives were located here, but those claims were not proven, as these are recognized only "off the record". Other rumors had members of Hezbollah using the city as a base to launch bomb attacks on Argentine Jews. See AMIA Bombing. It is believed that the suicide bomber entered Argentina through the Triple Border.
• In 2005, it was a filming location for Miami Vice, a film directed by Michael Mann and based on his television series of the same name.
• In the Cyclops: Icons series, Cyclops travels to Ciudad del Este to fight Ulysses.

We have already made some great contacts and met wonderful people who live in this city. I think we will find plenty of work to do and many people in need of help. Pray for us as we began preparing for this new endeavor.

 

My Doppelganger

 On Face Book people have been putting up pictures of their supposed celebrity look alike. I did a search online using this photo of myself...

and the result I was given was this....

(I'm guessing it is the forehead!)

Then my son reminded me that he has always said I look like Conan O Brian!

Finally I was told by a Face Book friend I should use Jillian Moore!

  I guess I need to go out and buy me some big ol' sunglasses to pull this one off!

 Personally, I think I am more like Marion Ross, better known as Mrs. Cunningham of Happy Days.