Not My Own...

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2012-01-26T12:46:00.003-05:00

The sky is blue.

The day is deep and possible

With heartbreaks yet to be and

Wounds still uninflicted by

Man and earth and all that is fallen.

And yet.

The sky is blue.

And I,

I am hopeful that this day

In all its glory bestowed by God

Will prove beautiful

In the end.

Happy 4th Birthday Annie Pie!

2012-01-20T10:50:00.008-05:00

We have this unusual tradition in our family.

Jonathan's Mom's side of the family does it.

It's a tradition I was happy to adopt.

It's quirky. It's harmless. It's lots of fun.

When it's your birthday, you get butter on your nose first thing in the morning.

Now tell me that's not fun!?

Okay. for the first few years of our marriage, I did not think it was fun.

But now I do.

Annie turned 4 on December 9, 2011.

We made our own construction paper rectangular bunting.

But tailors are cheap and fabric is beautiful and one day I will have real bunting to strew about the house!

We set the table with pretty flowers and bright table accouterment.

And we celebrated with a blue flower cake.

Originally, Annie wanted a cake with her, Lily and Ada on it.

That sounded like decor way above my pay grade.

So I steered her toward the blue flower and we were both happy.

I made her a doll house out of a cardboard box and she got some vintage fp little people and she was happy as a clam.

She also got this cool t-shirt from the cotton expo.

It has Hello Kitty on it.

On Saturday we celebrated Annie's birthday with friends at a climbing wall in town.

Rather, at the climbing wall in town.

Lots of friends came and climbed the wall...

and ate doughnuts,

And hung around,

And had their faces painted by Gabriela, the face painter extraordinaire,

And stripped off their shirts...

er...that was actually just caleb.

He gives Lils a run for her money in every category--sass, stripping, sweetness, every category.

Thanks Keli, for hanging out with the babes.

Ada and Hannah are 2 weeks apart!

There she is. Painting faces. With all her graces.

Even the Iverson Fam got in a couple of climbs.

Here Daddy coaches Annie.

Moi.

Lils may or may not have cried the whole 2 feet off the ground before she let go and swung on the rope.

The stash.

Annie got her first Barbie, a really precious Cinderella t-shirt and an Anne of Green Gables Book! Score!

The spread.

Note: The doughnut cake.

Gift bags.

No, you cannot get brown paper sacks here.

Yes. I made them out of brown paper.

Daddy's Girl

Lighting Annie's doughnut from her doughnut cake.

She really did have a good time. Despite that face.

Did you see her t-shirt?

She is 4.

Sweet Kishor who belayed all the kiddos and adults for this event. He was a real trooper and really helped the kids with their confidence. And maybe the adults too.

Happy Birthday Precious Annie.

4 went by way too fast.

You are a treasure and a joy. What a privilege it is to be your mamma.

Eavesdropping

2012-01-18T09:52:00.004-05:00

This nifty little chick loves to play with plastic animals. The little ones. The little ones you remember from your childhood. She stacks them and lines them up and I find them in the most imaginative places. The other day, we heard her playing with the rhino and the tiger. Of course, Lils was narrating:

Rhino: Come here Mr. Tiger!

Tiger: Okay, said he.

Eavesdropping

2012-01-18T09:34:00.005-05:00

Our friend Jason came and visited us back in November and with him he brought the New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress. "What fun!" I thought, "I'll read it to the girls." So a few nights ago, while J was gone, I thought I'd give it a try and we three of us sat on the couch and began to read. It went something like this. (Mind you, this version has a few little sketches, maybe etchings, which I thought would help the young attention spans.):

Me: In my journey through the wilderness...

Annie: (referring to the picture of Christian on the opposite page): Is he alive?

Lily: Is he dead?

Annie: What is his name?

Lily: Does he have a mommy and a daddy?

Me: Well, girls, let's keep reading so we can find out. Let's see, ah, In my journey through the wilderness of this world there came a time when I found myself caged up in a very dreary dungeon. Now how...

Annie: Is he in jail!?

Lily: Is he dead?

Annie: Does he have food in jail?

Lily: Are his mommy and daddy in there mwif (with) him?

Annie: Are there other bad buys in the jail?

Lily: Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

Me: I'm not sure. Let's keep reading. (faster now) Now how I came to be in that place, and what befell me there, is not for me to relate in this little book. What is for me to tell is the story of my dream. For you see, while I was shut up in that most loathsome place surrounded by profligates and felons, I seemed to breathe the very atmosphere of heaven. Yea, 'twas there that I laid me down to sleep; and, as I slept, I dreamed a most wonderful dream.

A: Mom, did that guy dream the dream?

L: Is he dead or alive?

A: Why does he have a beard?

L: What is he reeeeeeeeeading?

A: Can I sit on your lap?

L: No I want to sit on your lap!!

A: No I asked first!

Me: Maybe we'll read this another day.

Genesis 15:5-6

2012-01-17T11:12:00.002-05:00

And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

9 Days Is a LONG Time

2012-01-12T20:26:00.004-05:00

As any good friends of ours will tell you, Jonathan and I have an arranged marriage, AND a love marriage. While he was living in Sri Lanka, doing relief work after the 2004 tsunami, his grandpa and my grandma decided we would like each other and they introduced us over email. I lived in Virginia and for five months, we corresponded via email and telephone with one brief meeting in July. In early Jan we got engaged. In lat June we were married. In total, we spent about two months together in person. It was a great fit for our "courtship" if you will. But that's beside the point. All of this to say, I know how to do long distance.

When I was early pregnant with Annie, J went back to Sri Lanka for 2 weeks with his uncle. That was hard, but not too big a deal. I did a road trip and saw friends and family and we rendezvoused like old times in the Dulles airport. That was fun.

Right now, Jonathan is in Rwanda at a conference that is vital to what we are doing here. He has to be there. I know that. But today marks the half way mark and I haven't even been able to think about it or talk about it or do a paper-chain countdown because guys, this is really really hard. I don't know how you military wives do it for such long stretches! And wives of traveling business men where they're gone for weeks each month! I HATE it. Please pray for me. I was really unkind to our children yesterday for doing really normal, children things.

Fighting and bickering
Not obeying right away
Disobeying directly
Painting with their hands all over their clothes...

You know. Normal children things. All of this to say, J has been gone for four days and this afternoon will be the halfway mark and I can finally think about it! Our friends here have served us so graciously, coming to hang out for long afternoons so this extrovert does not get depressed. We even have a family of four coming across town tonight to bring US dinner! I've got my plan and my pocket comb and we are certainly not in dire straights, but somehow, my attitude conquers all in these scenarios. Even if everything goes wrong and is horrible, if I have a good attitude and thank God continually, things are better. And vice versa. Even if things aren't bad, they're just normal, and I have a bad attitude, things get dark fast.

So. Pray for me. And pray that Ada will sleep better than she has the last five nights. Waking. Almost. Every. Hour. *

We have a lot more traveling going on this month and next. So I have to put on my big girls pants and act like a mom. But I know I really can't do this without Jesus. He is so gracious to use my own family to change me and work out my sins. But whew! It's tough! And ugly. And fickle and freckled...praise Him.

*(I've never done that period thing, I don't think. I don't really like it, but it seemed appropriate in this context. It feels like blasphemy for an English major. What to do?)

A Year Ago Today...

2011-12-25T02:17:00.006-05:00

...we had been here 3 weeks. We had been in our apartment for 2 weeks. We had no idea what we were doing. I was still in shock, having been uprooted and transplanted at a time that used to feel so familiar, so tradition-filled, so much like home.

We had two daughters outside the womb, and had just found out, this morning, a year ago today, that a third little one was going to come in September. It was a sweet Christmas gift after months of trying.

A year ago today, I thought I was doing fine, but now realize just how out of it I was. Newly displaced. Newly replaced? Newly pregnant. Newly aware of my weaknesses and overwhelmed by my sin. Newly desperate for the grace that came to earth on Christmas Day, 2000+ years ago.

Today, settled in our home a year+ in, things are quiet, less shocking, beautiful, friend-filled and joy-filled. Today I am not pregnant, but delighting in my still somewhat new-born babe. Today we are far more aware of the traditions we are cultivating with a four and two year old who can answer questions and process what's going on around them and delight in "Jesus's Birfday!" Today I am still desperate for the grace that came to earth in a baby, a light to lighten the Gentiles and to live and die for those He came to save. I love the image in the old hymn, "While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night" of the Angel who appears to these humble sheep herders and blasts the triumphant announcement:

"To you in David's town this day is born of David's line/ A Savior who is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign/ A heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed,/ All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands and in a manger laid."

Hallalujia! Hallelujia! Hallelujah! Christ is born!

A year ago today, they had just arrived. Jonathan's brother, his beautiful wife and their precious baby boy. He was only four months old. About Ada's age now. And they had flown across oceans and continents to welcome us to our new, foreign home and to be with us at Christmas. AirFrance lost their luggage (shocking...NOT). They had used most of it to bring extra treats for us and the girls during the holidays, anyway. They came to bring joy and light to a Christmas that would have otherwise been, I imagine, lonely and hard. I meant to post this a year ago. (A YEAR AGO, Anne W. A YEAR AGO. You are not that behind. ;) ) So here it is. When Mary Stuart, Joel and Oliver came to visit.

They got here after a grueling 24+ hours of travel time. With an infant. They were cheerful and up and ready to go! They were flexible and gracious to these people who had no idea what we were doing or where to find things or what restaurants to go to or who foods to cook in our new city. They even helped us arrange travel plans with some friends who were also in the area.

Cuddling with Aunt MS and Oliver on the couch by the tree.

Touring the city the day after they arrived! Troopers!

...

Lilsy, a year ago.

Annie and Oliver cuddle in bed.

The day after Christmas, we traveled to some villages nearby in our state, then to an ancient city. We took a small travel bus, the 11 of us, and it was actually quite an adventure. Most of the roads were full of enormous potholes, so what should have been about 6 hours turned into 12 or 14...

Climbing the rocks in a village nearby.

Getting ready for our trip. Oliver is prepared in carseat and shades.

We spent our first night at a little hotel the guidebook recommended. We were newbies. We didn't know. It was vile. Please call me before you book reservations at the

Sri Lakshmi Golden Beach Resort.

our mosquito netted bed.

Our bathroom.

The bugs in our bathroom.

Annie's bed with no sheets that she did not sleep in on the floor with no mosquito net. She slept with us.

Onward.

Stops along the way.

We kept pulling over to take pictures at the incredible, gorgeous, ancient ruins just sitting on the side of the road.

Annie learns to pose from our friend Alexandra

An ancient temple. Doesn't it look like the Jungle Book? I think Kipling modeled the monkey palace after this place. It was gorgeous.

When we got back home, Joel busted out the gingerbread men and helped the girls decorate them. He and Mary Stuart brought them all the way from the states for the girls.

What a good uncle!

Then we went to the zoo! That was amazing. The girls and I pose here with a hippo.

And then to Mysore, where the king lives.

We rode an elephant.

It was super fun.

Our first family elephant ride.

Jonathan and Joel practiced their S. Asian cultural awareness.

They brought gifts and gingerbread men and green sprinkles for the Christmas tree bread. They brought great, flexible, adventurous attitudes. They brought sweet little Oliver. They didn't haggle me when I never posted about it on the blog. They brought a little familiarity and family to us at Christmastime and I will never forget how that made everything a little easier, sweeter, more memorable and real.

So a year ago today, I'm thanking God for an incredible year. I am thanking him that this is our second Christmas, and not our first. And I'm thanking him for the Atl Iversons who came to make the first Christmas bearable and wonderful and beautiful and merry and bright.

Ada Potato--3 Months old

2011-12-17T10:35:00.002-05:00

It's been a hard mommy month.

I'm not going to lie.

My littlest babe turned three months just two days before my biggest turned four!!

Often, milestones and birth month marks go unnoticed in this house. Maybe it's the sentimental feelings surrounding the holidays, maybe it was two big milestones in one month, but something about my babes growing up made me weepy this month.

Ada rolls back and fourth, plays with toys, locks eyes, engages, smiles, coos and survives two very attentive, doting big sisters,

We love you Ada Potato!!

(but say it with an a, so it rhymes...obviously.)

Final Days

2011-12-17T09:50:00.004-05:00

Here are a few shots of Annie on her last day of being three.

I tried for awhile to get Annie and Lily to pose. But they refused.

Until I stopped trying to get them to pose.

And then they hammed it up.

And we changed clothes because we have a house full of girls and that's what we do.

And then they looked through our dining room window for awhile and whispered about the white bird that sometimes sits outside our window.

Then we had lunch and went down to the park for awhile.

And played in the sand.

And the next day Annie woke up, and she was four.

And the earth kept turning through space like it always does.

But it seemed like it really should have stopped for at least a few seconds when my first baby girl turned four.

Granne & Gee-Daddy Come to Visit

2011-12-12T06:46:00.010-05:00

What to say about my precious parents who sacrificed their time, money and frequent flier miles so that they could be with us during the Thanksgiving Holiday? They went completely outside of their comfort zone and sought to serve our family (especially their grand girls) by traveling far far away to bring us some light and joy as we are far far away from family this year during the holidays. Thank you so much, Mom and Dad. We loved seeing y'all more than you know. And the way you poured into our girls has reaped benefits long after your leaving. Thank you for the countless books you read, stories you told, hugs you gave, laps you provided for sitting and cuddling, stories/songs/absurdities you listened to, travels you endured, hide&seek games you played and more. Y'all are truly wonderful grandparents and we are so thankful for you.

A few photos from their visit:

A four hour drive from our city, we went to see the state palace all lit up!

Our family of five...don't miss Lils on Jonathan's back.

I did not venture onto the elephant with my infant, but I did run around following them so I could take photos! The elephant liked me. I could tell. He kept waving his trunk at me and he let me pet him several times. He had kind eyes. We connected.

This is not a green screen.

classic Annie.

A local bird sanctuary. Annie is at the ready with her bird book.

Faithful Gabriela.

Being a former rower, the guide instantly recognized my ability to steer through crocodile infested waters and asked me to take the oars. Or. Jonathan asked if I could row for a few seconds.

I am not zooming in on this animal with my camera lens. We were REALLY that close.

Gee to the daddy with A to the Annie.

Jumping off the observation tower into our capable father's arms.

High Jump

Family Photo.

Monkey!

Eating off banana leaves.

Local restaurant

We celebrated Annie's birthday a few days early so G&G could watch her open her presents.

From Aunt Kimberly and the Newarks!

A fav. Melissa & Doug Birthday cake. She saw one at Amie and Judah's house and played with it all night.

A little shy.

Granne and Princess Annie do their toenails.

Reading by the light of the christmas tree.

Bonding with the littlest.

Cheese!

Thank you again, Granne and Gee-Daddy for venturing over here to do life with us for two weeks. We love you and miss you all over again!

Yesterday...

2011-12-11T20:58:00.003-05:00

We saw this at church. Those are ducks, and they walked in perfect formation responding to the mere wave of a thin stick. I was impressed. I mean. There are like, a hundred ducks there! Not 6. 100. That's a lot of ducks to walk down a busy road and remain in duck formation.

And this is how Lily fell asleep for her nap. One minute she was yelling at me and telling us she wasn't tired. The next. Out. Under a blanket.

Hilarious.

Lily's Exotic Nativity

2011-12-11T20:51:00.004-05:00

For Surely, at the birth of Christ...

A Hippopotamus was present.

Thoughts on Bathing, Contentment and My Washing Machine Has a Sari Setting.

2011-12-05T11:33:00.004-05:00

If I were in the states right now, I would take a bubble bath. The house is clean. The children are sleeping. I've finished my chores for the day and I've just brewed a cup of a tea. Obviously, the next to do after a long, day-well-done (or day-not-well-done) is a bath. I love baths. Whenever I returned home during a college break, one of the first to-dos on the check list was take a bath. Not bath, as in get clean, but take a bath, as in, get the water as hot as you can stand it and soak.

Confession: When I was in 7th grade, I bought one of those calming music cd's you can find at Target. The ones with the names like "Rain Twinkle" or "Stormy Sundays." Mine was called, get ready, "Dance of the Dolphins." There was swelling, synthesized music and dolphins squeaked (? is that what dolphins do? What do dolphins do? What is their sound called? I don't know.) in and out of the distance. I would sit in the bath tub and listen to that cd. This confession reveals that one can LEARN good taste. It is nurtured. I had bad taste in calming music. Now my taste is better. Onward.

I can't take baths here. #1. We don't have a bath tub. #2. The water often (and I mean often) smells like fecal matter. Like, not only do you not want to shower in it, you definitely don't want to bath in it. #3. The water doesn't really get hot enough to fill the tub and be hot by the end of the filling.

So tonight, I'm sipping my tea and soaking my feet in our kids bucket bath tub. It's bigger than a bucket. About the size of a baby bath tub. It is divine. I can feel my shoulders relaxing. I can feel the shivers run up to my head. If I don't think too much about how this isn't a bath, I can really enjoy it.

That. That last sentence is the theme of what God is doing in my heart and my life these days. "If I don't think too hard about how ________ isn't a ________, I can really enjoy it." I hate it when someone wants me to be something I'm not, or harangues me for the things I didn't do, rather than notice the things I've done. Why do I do that to people? Why do I do that to life? To a gracious and loving Father who gives me good gifts. I just have to open my eyes and see. When you try to make a puppy into a pony, the puppy proves to be a disappointment. But if you delight in the puppy for what it is, a puppy, then JOY springs endless! (Reverting back to childhood memories again...stop. But it does reveal that I've struggled with this for a long time, eh?)

My washing machine is small. It doesn't have hot water. The dryer is my drying rack outside. But it DOES have a sari setting, which is cool. I'm still not sure what it does, but sometimes I press it and nothing bad happens. And my drying rack is so much more than a drying rack. It's suspended on pulleys from the ceiling, which saves space and allows flexibility, and anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE that. And drying your laundry by the air makes you more aware of the weather. And it makes you go outside at least twice a day. And it makes me thankful. And it makes me aware of what my neighbors in the slum next door and even other apartment buildings endure when it rains because at least my porch is covered and theirs isn't. And it forces the day into a rhythm it would otherwise lack. And it makes the clothes smell fresh. And a lot of other things. Things are different, but if I forget to focus on how they're not what they used to be, I can delight in them in ways I never thought possible.

All of this to say, I am learning to enjoy things for what they are. Enjoy my children for who they are. Enjoy my husband and my friends for who they are, where they are, right now. Praying for them, yes. Hating our sins together, yes. I'm not talking about complacency. I'm talking about being delighted in the good things that are here, now, and learning to relax in the tepid water of my foot bath on a Monday night with a cup of chamomile.

Praise be to God.

My Parents Are Here!!

2011-11-24T11:25:00.004-05:00

And because I know Netsi, Aunt Ems and Aunt Laud (and maybe some others?) are DYING To see pics, here is a quick preview of the bounty that is to come. Enjoy! It's Anne and Ed in Asia!

Jonathan, 32 years later, in female form

2011-11-23T00:54:00.002-05:00

or, Lillian Emeth wearing her daddy's old shirt. She makes for a dead ringer at 28 months.

Photo Shoot: 26.10.2011

2011-11-13T11:13:00.004-05:00

Thanks, Aunt Sara-Beth, queen of photo shoots, for the coordinating girlie clothes!

Remember, I'm just an amateur here. Forgive the average photos. I'll get better, I'm sure!

Friday Afternoon

2011-11-10T00:49:00.001-05:00

Getting Herself Dressed

2011-11-10T00:44:00.002-05:00

Sweater

2011-11-10T00:35:00.003-05:00

It was my old sweater. Made by hand nearly 30 years ago. It's a sunny yellow with little blue flowers knit into the back. Annie wore it. I doubt Lily wore it, since she was born in June in the tropics of Florida. But Ada wore it two nights ago when I went out to dinner with some girlfriends. She looked lovely in her pink, ruffled, footie pjs with a high collar coupled with the old yellow sweater. A perfect lady for dinner with the chicks.

We Understand This Only With the Heart...

2011-11-05T09:33:00.005-04:00

My friend, Alison, sent this to me when Ada was born. I love it.

Charlotte Rebecca Jones,
22nd August, 1969
Madeleine L’Engle
When the time comes it is always unexpected
And a miracle. Charlotte,
Caught in the violence of creation,
Thrust into life, disconnected
From her bearer, arrived, scarlet,
Shouting. There is no explanation

For the tearing violence of a birth.
The Lord himself, when the Word first was spoken,
Took fistfuls of formless chaos, wrested
Sky, sea, and our familiar earth
From naught. So nothingness by Love was broken
And it was good. And then God rested.

He calls his creatures each to take his part
In this great cosmic heave of love and birth,
Sharing the mighty act of his creation.
We understand this only with the heart,
With pain and joy and pure celestial mirth.
The miracle of Charlotte needs no explanation.

Deja Vu

2011-11-05T06:15:00.003-04:00

Is it just me, or do these two look alike?

Annie

8 Days Old

Ada

18 Days Old

Annie or Ada?

Speaking of things that remind me of other things, or people who remind me of other people...

here is Jonathan with Ada a day after she was born.

Such a quirky fellow.

And here he is in the SAME T-SHIRT the day after ANNIE was born!

Few things have changed.

Photo Shoot 1: 06.10.2011

2011-11-04T12:31:00.004-04:00

My first attempt at a photo shoot with three little ones.

And also these two reminded me of...

...these two a little more than two years ago.

Bagilella

2011-11-04T12:14:00.004-04:00

She's into her second month with us, so this post is looong overdue.

It's high time we introduce you to Gabriela, (Bagilella, as Lils calls her), our intern.

She is a great help to us and we appreciate her immensely.

She's great with our girls and is affording Jonathan and me occasional date nights and opportunities to take Hindi and run errands. Oh that third pair of hands is invaluable when you add a third little person into the mix!

She bakes cookies

And even makes peanut butter play-doh!

This is Annie's...I'm not sure what it is.

This is Gabriela's cow.

And this is Lily's "nake" (snake.)

We get her for two more months and then she heads North to a children's home to volunteer for three months! The Lord knows what we need!! Praise Him for Bagilella!

This is what happens when you're the third child...

2011-11-04T12:06:00.002-04:00

...and your big sisters get halloween stickers in the mail.

At least she doesn't seem to mind.

Ada 8 weeks old

2011-11-04T11:53:00.002-04:00

9 Months Ago, Lily Rejoicing

2011-11-04T11:52:00.001-04:00

This was my baby, now my middle child, rejoicing at family devotions. She is growing up too fast!!

Today, A Little Teapot

2011-11-03T23:25:00.002-04:00

It's pretty cute if I do say so myself. Listen for "here is my pout," my personal favorite. And yes, I did bribe her with candy.

Josh Garrels

2011-10-23T12:18:00.005-04:00

PLEASE check him out if you haven't already. His lyrics and music rock. Does that last sentence date me? Probably. I digress. His new album "Love & War & The Sea In Between" is amazing. And it's a free download with the option to give a donation! In other words, his album is FREE! Who can resist that? Seriously. Amazing. PLEASE. Check him out.

"Cause I been changed by what I been shown,

it's more glory than the world has known,

keeps me rambling on"

"...I wonder why

the good man dies, the bad man thrives

and Jesus cries because he loves em both,

we're all castaways in need of rope."

"No one comes unless they're drawn

By the voice of desire that leads 'em along

To the redemption of what went wrong

By the blood that covers the innocent one

No more separation

Between us."

Gratitude #807-830

2011-10-21T02:07:00.003-04:00

807. Home

808. Ada 6 weeks old on Wednesday

809. Less than a month until Granne and Gee-daddy come to visit

810. Callie Doggy, who lived a good life and loved her family until the end.

811. Lily's fever is over!

812. Nurses who live upstairs and can tell when I need to (and when I don't need to) take my baby to the doctor.

813. A week of showers with strong water pressure and water that didn't smell like fecal matter. Sigh.

814. A week with family!

815. A week where lots of people held my babies and loved them and gave me a little break.

816. A week of phenomenal talks and teaching

817. Worshiping in English.

818. A trip to the zoo!

819. Lots of conversations and connection time for this extrovert

820. Energy

821. Starbucks in the airport

822. Burger King in the airport

823. Singapore Airlines...can we say, AH-mazing

824. The Holy Spirit who shows me my sins,

825. But not all of them at once

826. Jesus, who stands before a Holy God so that I can be His child,

827. so that we can be His children.

828. Grace

829. CMI

830. Creamed Chicken Over Confetti Rice Squares (MWL, p. 187)

Some Randoms...

2011-09-29T08:14:00.004-04:00

Lilsy--27 months

2011-09-29T08:06:00.001-04:00

Ada Baeda, 3 weeks old

2011-09-28T23:47:00.002-04:00

And baby girl just outgrew her nb footy pjs.

Sniff Sniff.

Bittersweet, this baby thing.

Or maybe just sweet.

Ada Baby 2 weeks old

2011-09-25T07:45:00.000-04:00

last Wednesday...

When BaBa Came...

2011-09-24T07:59:00.008-04:00

Truth be told, I was more than a little nervous about having a baby far from home in a foreign country. Both Annie and Lils were born in Orlando. My mom was there to watch Annie's birth and she and our church family were so incredibly supportive and helpful. My mom would come over every day to clean, cook, straighten, do laundry and just help. What a gift! We have very precious friends here, in S. Asia, as well, but they are fewer and I was worried about the burden of our family falling on a few to help out. So it was an incredible comfort and blessing when one of our favorite people offered his frequent flier miles to fly one of our other favorite people, to come help us when I gave birth to #3.

Our BaBa.

BaBa is Jonathan's precious mamma.

We call her the traveling doula, and truly, there is not much she doesn't do.

We were all confident Ada would come early, so BaBa arrived a day or two before my due date to help. Of course Ada didn't come early. She came a week late. But BaBa came with a great attitude, and took a break from her day job, school headmistress, to jump into the rhythm of our home. She cooked meals, diminished the piles of laundry in no time, sang silly songs ("5 little monkeys sitting in a tree, laughing at the crocodile 'you can't catch me!'") and songs long-forgotten ("Only a boy named david..."), played imagination games, indulged, gave too much gum, remained firm and consistent, disciplined graciously, cleaned crayon off the walls...

babysat the girls so Jonathan and I could go on one last date (for awhile, at least)

(BLISS!)

read books ad nauseum,

made her grand girls fall in LOVE with her,

and even squeezed in workouts and showers.

She was truly inspiring.

And watching BaBa with a newborn is like watching someone do what they were made to do.

She is a baby whisperer.

Beautiful BaBa.

Sadly, I was not very good about snapping pictures (SB, where were you when I needed you!?) and these hardly do justice to all BaBa did and all she was to us during a crazy time of transition. She made a potentially stressful time absolutely wonderful and it was such a gift to know the girls were with their grandma who loves them and nurtures them so well.

Ada was born on Wednesday the 7th and BaBa left us on Saturday night to spend less than 24 hours in her home with her own husband and children, only to hop on a plane to the USA to be with her daughter who just had her first babe yesterday! She really is an amazing lady and she left me full of energy and inspiration to be a better mamma and wife and servant of Jesus.

We love you so much BaBa.

Thank you.

Catch Up Post

2011-09-24T07:48:00.005-04:00

One last photo of the three Iverson girls pre-Ada

Annie and Lily sport the new outfits their Daddy got them on a recent trip.

Taking A Passport Photo For a Five Day Old=

2011-09-24T07:21:00.005-04:00

Challenging.

Mind you,

1. Mouth Shut

2. Head straight

3. Both ears showing

(Q. What if you don't have ears? Or they are very small? Can you still leave the country?)

4. Eyes Open

5. White Background

6. Check.

Check.

7. Fly to city with our US Consulate at 7am with lots of paper work including our original marriage certificate, swear some oaths, back by dinner.

Great is His faithfulness!

Sisters

2011-09-24T07:12:00.002-04:00

Upcoming Challenge: A photo of all three at once

Any tips/tricks to help Baby Ada survive the experience?

Wahoo Wa

2011-09-24T07:05:00.004-04:00

It's hard to see, but Ada is sporting her UVA onesie from Uncle Joel and Aunt Mary Stuart...

Lily wore it too.

1 week old

Ada Ellisif Iverson

2011-09-11T02:40:00.006-04:00

We are proud to announce the birth of our third (you read that right, 3rd) daughter, Ada Ellisif Iverson. Here are the much anticipated pictures of her first few days of life.

Worst Countries for Women

2011-08-30T02:04:00.004-04:00

Here

1. Afghanistan

2. Congo

3. Pakistan

4. India

5. Somalia

Did you know that if you are a girl in Afghanistan and you try to go to school, you have a high probability of having acid thrown in your face to deter you from trying to get an education?

Did you know that in Congo, they rape little girls, some as little as 1 year old, with the bayonet end of a gun as a daily part of warfare?

Did you know that in India, it is illegal to tell a woman the sex of her baby? Too many mothers and fathers abort baby girls in favor of the baby boy they will try for the next time. A baby girl is an expense, a liability, a waste.

My neighbor, D, has one daughter. She and her husband are well-to-do, educated, sophisticated and smart. They wanted their beautiful little girl. She tells me that her mother-in-law was so disappointed when their daughter was born she rebuked her in the hospital. "Why did you have to have a daughter? I had three sons." Deepakshi tried to tell her that it is actually the male who determines the sex of the baby. "Don't give me that educated bullsh*t," she said, "YOU figure out how to have a boy."

It is 2011. We are scheduled to have our third daughter in the next few days in a country that ranks the top five list of Worst Countries for Women. I would love to have a son one day, but if God gives me fifty daughters, I would be honored to usher them into this world, to celebrate their lives, their gifts, their everything. My daughters are a constant source of joy and awe, every bit as valuable as sons. I am so blessed to be married to a man who gets it, who cherishes and protects his daughters and treats them as dignified princesses worthy of his time and attention and adoration. Please labor with me to celebrate the daughters all over the world who fight every day to learn, to grow, to breath. Please read this, if only just to know what we so easily take for granted.

Lily Turns Two!!

2011-08-29T03:39:00.009-04:00

er...two months ago. Sorry Lils.

Lily actually turned two somewhere around the International dateline. We were flying to Japan at the time and basically, she spent her birthday on an airplane. We celebrated with our beloved grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles on the 25th, rather than the 27th, and Lily was none the wiser. Maybe because she wasn't technically older yet. Maybe.

Granne and Gee-Daddy graciously hosted the party.

These are our swanky goodie bags for the kids.

The theme of the party was: we're-leaving-the-country-in-2-days-and-I-didn't-get-goodie-bags.

When asked what kind of cake she wanted, Lily said, "A Liney Cake,"

which is, of course, a lion cake.

Don't say it doesn't look like a lion.

It totally looks like a lion.

My awesome little brother and his beautiful wife were a BIG hit at the par-tay.

I look REALLY pregnant in this pic. I think part of it is because Aunt Ray is so slender and svelte. Thanks a lot, Aunt Ray, for making the rest of us look so...pregnant.

Munching pretzels around the pool.

And drinking juice boxes. Because what's a party without a juice box?

The brothers, the daddies talk deep stuff by the pool.

But who steals the show and GETS IN the pool with the kiddos!?

That would be uncle Jimmy.

There is a picture somewhere of Uncle Jimmy in Annie's pink goggles...

but I'm not sure where. Check Ray's facebook page...

Jimmy saves children from the pool dog pipe that seems to so easily entangle them.

Gee-Daddy hard at work at the grill. Tireless. selfless. Grill-master.

My beautiful sister-in-law Kimberly, who also saved a particular child from the pool dog pipe. Annie got tangled up and really was panicking. Before I could say "Mommy's coming!" Kimberly jumped in the pool with all her clothes on and saved Annie from drowning. Annie was hysterical. Kimberly was stinking AMAZING. She had to do a costume change and wear my clothes for the rest of the night.

Thank you, Kimberly, for saving Annie's life.

We love and appreciate you and your brood more than you know.

Aaaaaaaaand this is about the best family photo we got before the kids changed into swim suits. I pride myself on really bad family photos. Or, I should.

Then I might be able to be prideful about something.

Cousins

And friends

(We missed you, Nolls!)

Lily,

You are a beautiful, spunky, feminine, tough, hilarious, articulate little lady. You have an incredibly sensitive spirit. You notice when people are sad or hurting and you always try to comfort them (unless you are stealing their toys). Every night you thank me for making dinner. In fact, you thank people for things often and say, "You're welcome!" when thanked. You say "Ha-poh-doo" instead of hippopotamus, "tigey" instead of tiger, "liney" instead of lion, and "Gloly" instead of Gloria, but you're pretty dead on for most words in the English language. You can count to ten in tamil and say a few phrases in Hindi and Japanese. You adore Annie and copy a lot of what she does, but you're your own little chick, too, and you are NOT one to be pushed around. You're a drama queen (that would be your mamma), but surprisingly mellow (and that would be your daddy). You're not really that into chocolate or even sweets, but you love a good cinnamon roll. You crack yourself up and you make the rest of us laugh while you do it. You have been a really gentle transition and you teach me to love and cherish motherhood in new ways. You already drink life pretty dry and I can't wait to see what you'll do in the world. You are a treasure, my little one. And I am so glad you're two!

Can't wait to see what this next year brings.

p.s. Video of present opening/candle blowing out coming soon.

Maybe.

A Month and A Half (Now Accounted For): Part IV Orlando, again

2011-08-28T08:21:00.004-04:00

Wednesday June 15-Friday June 24, 2011

In this short amount of time, all four Iversons had physicals, I saw an awesome midwife, Jonathan and I combined our fifth anniversary getaway with a speaking engagement at the beach nearby and got a night away while my parents kept the girls, we saw a precious few friends, took some walks, swam almost every day, and saw our Oviedo-Iverson cousins every possible chance we had, visited the library and the science center, had another date with Jim and Ray, and even sold our beloved Pathfinder.

It was wonderful, albeit, not so relaxing. :)

The girls help Gee-Daddy walk Callie-doggy.

(Because everyone needs two names...)

The girls joined us for the second evening of our beach getaway.

It was a sweet reminder of our marriage and lives not being our own.

And that is a really really good thing.

My precious, beautiful daughters.

Lily DID have on goggles too, and the picture was a lot funnier.

But she tired of them quickly and ripped them off.

My dear friend from high school who came over one afternoon and just hung out, no agenda, just a listening ear and playing sweetly with Annie while Lily napped. Katie was an incredible Monkey Tree and Annie (and Lily!) warmed to her almost immediately. That's saying a lot for these two third culture kids...

With Granne before Lily's 2nd Birthday Party.

We were incredibly blessed to sell this faithful car for almost exactly what we asked for it just days before we left to return to S. Asia. But it really was bittersweet. We have clocked so many miles up and down the Southeast visiting friends and family. We traveled through our honeymoon itinerary in the Pathfinder. This car brought home both our babies.

It's just a car, I know, but there are so many memories we've made together. :) I'm a sentimental dork, I know. But we'll miss our little car.

On to the next chapters...

Noa's Red Purse

2011-08-28T07:59:00.003-04:00

Do you remember my little niece, Noa?

Her name is Japanese.

The kanji, No and Ai together, mean "Beautiful Love."

Remember that red purse I wrote about a few weeks ago?

Here, Annie holds it back in October of 2010.

It's really Noa's red purse.

Here in May of 2011, it is still one of her favorite things, a beloved and beautiful accessory.

She always had it on Sundays at church, packed with her ever-rotating arsenal of treasures.

She was a such a little lady as she carried it.

Noa's mamma, Jonathan's sister, Sara-Beth and her husband Eric are always such a wonderful example to me as we have raised our children side-by-side for nearly two years in Orlando. While my first instinct is to defend and guard my children's possessions, Sara-Beth and Eric were always encouraging their children to give away their belongings or to let Annie or Lily borrow them. Annie has borrowed countless books, clothing items, favorite dresses, toys and more from Martha and Noa over our months together, and learned to be better at sharing because of it. At first, I didn't get it. Sure, you can borrow one of our toys, if we can borrow one of yours. But these sisters (because, come to think of it, ALL my sisters-in-law do this well!) of mine are incredibly generous not only with their own things, but the things that belong to their children. And they encourage their children to have an eternal, kingdom perspective on everything that is "ours," because really...it's not ours. It's on loan from a generous Father who reminds us that life itself is but a breath, let alone a doll or a purse or a princess dress-up dress that moth and rust will surely destroy long before the end of time.

Like I said, I learn a lot from my sisters.

So we found ourselves on the receiving end of generosity yet again, as Annie cried and coveted Noa's red purse while we were in the states. And I watched as Eric called Noa into his lap and whispered in her ear and her little face grew serious. Annie was crying and totally unaware of the gift she was about to receive. And as her daddy finished whispering in her ear, on our last night together in the mountains, Noa emptied her purse into a plastic bag, walked over to her younger cousin and gave her the purse I've never seen her without.

I know this seems dramatic, but it spoke such volumes to me, this four year old CHILD giving away, perhaps, her most treasured possession because she got it. She gets it. She knew it wasn't hers to cling to. And she knew it would bless her cousin. And there were probably a million other things going on in that little mind that understood the coming of the kingdom a lot more than her Aunt Maggie.

But I get it more now, Noa. Thanks to you. And I'll keep trying to get my feeble, self-protecting, not-trusting, foolish, selfish mind around it every day. Thanks to you.

A Month and a Half (Now Accounted For): Part III North Carolina

2011-08-25T09:48:00.010-04:00

Wednesday June 8-Wednesday June 15, 2011

On Wednesday morning, my mom and I left VA in our Pathfinder so the fellows could attend the conference there sans distractions and headed for one of my favorite places in the world: Hound Ears, NC.

Sara-Beth (my lovely sister-in-law) met us on the way and brought her three little girls, close in age to Annie and Lils to spend a few days with us there.

The fellows planned to arrive late the following eve.

We had lots of fun cooking together, talking, going to the park...

Martha, born three months after Annie

Gloria (Gloly) born three months after Lily

We did nails and make-up on the porch of my family's cabin.

I've been coming here since I was about Noa's age (Noa, on my left).

Beautiful Aunt Sara-Beth and two of her precious three.

The men arrived Thursday night

And Friday we filled the day with fun in the beautiful sunshine and natural beauty of NC.

Here, a walk around Bass Lake.

Gloria was very gracious and let Lily sit in her stroller

(an anomaly since we don't use one here in S. Asia--due to the lack of sidewalks and uneven streets and wild dogs and rats and...well...it's easier to pick up the child and run from danger when they're not strapped into the stroller. I digress).

but when she wasn't sitting in it, Lily wanted to "help" push it.

Picnic lunch.

No trash to be found ANYWHERE!

The five little girls

(We missed our Trinity and KG, but we know Danny's allergies were glad to be elsewhere...)

That night we went to Price Lake Park,

Another memory from my childhood,

cooked out, played in the creek...

and of course had a photo shoot.

Because that's what you do when Aunt Sara-Beth is around. She is the best photo shoot planner and accomplisher!

She let Lilsy borrow Glo's tutu (that Aunt Sara crafted from elastic and tule) and make the creek look like a fairy land.

Friends and cousins

The McDougalls and Iversons

An Iverson effort at a family photo.

Take 25

(That baby you see in there is coming out any day now!!!)

The Nolls left us on Saturday morning and we haven't see them since.

sniff.

pause.

compose.

okay.

The following Monday, my parents went with us to Grandfather Mountain!

I haven't been since I was little and it was so fun and (almost) like I remembered it.

Duke sweatshirt=only warm thing I could find in the house.

NOT a change of allegiance.

Not Mildred. But a nice bear, anyway.

Our lunch spot had me praying almost ceaselessly that none of my family would fall over the edge with their wildman father.

Ceaselessly.

When we got up to the mile high suspension bridge, I made Jonathan strap in the Lilster.

She has poor judgement.

Enjoying Ice Cream after a hard day.

J and the girls hiked down the mountain together while the rest of us wimps drove.

Last breakfast on the porch on Wednesday morning.

Lily by the Hydrangeas. They bloom so effortlessly, here.

Sweet time in the beautiful country.

A Month in the Life (Now Accounted For): Part II Virginia

2011-08-24T11:43:00.008-04:00

Wednesday May 1-Wednesday May 8, 2011

In an effort to give a little shout out to VA as she recovers from the recent quake (WHAT!?), I'm trying desperately to catch up on May, June and July to get ready for this baby who is coming any day now at the end of August!

Our time in VA was, as usual, enchanted, precious, beautiful and far too short.

Sitting around Grandma's beautiful dining table for one of her many delicious meals.

This house really has been a home to me as Jonathan and I began much of our relationship here and this is where I met most of my Iversons/Chases at one time or another.

Here Lils wears one of Grandma's hats to help her garden. Not sure why she's topless...Grandma definitely doesn't garden like that.

See...

Both my girls take quite easily and naturally to our wonderful Grandma Chase,

a real down-to-earth lady,

"Ruppity Dup! Ruppity Dup!"

In the car, ready to go again.

Now we're headed to Richmond for Eeent Heenah's Birthday extravaganza!

A Bali-wood Bash!

Don't Martha and Hannah look beautiful in their saris?

Blowing out the candles on the STUNNING cake Aunt Martha decorated.

I wish I were an artist.

Helping her Aunt Hannah blow out the candles was possibly the highlight of Annie's month.

Love being one of their sisters.

Annie and Godric, whom Lily called "Gotcha" the whole time.

He was rather a patient dog as Lily followed him around the house yelling, "No Gotcha, Go away Gotcha, Not STAY Gotcha" throughout our time in Richmond.

Aunt Martha has a little girl in her tummy due a week after ours!

We are SO excited to meet our first Robinson cousin and for her to be so close in age to our our little 2011 babe.

Oh. And JiJi was there too.

He's a pretty great dad.

And grandpa.

And father-in-law.

Sorry JiJi...couldn't find one without your eyes closed.

And we even got to visit with our dear friends the Worthingtons (where are the rest of the pictures!? I am so bad at this...) Annie got to practice holding baby Holland who is SO gorgeous (like her beautiful mama) and we got to spend time with this precious family. We were only sad to miss Philip, who was in Haiti doing dental work. Noble Cause Philip. We'll excuse you this time. :)

Big VA Beach Conference.

Three Generations of Iverson Men...

and a Little Lady Lily.

Some of the girl cousins (isn't this photo awesome?) where we picnicked in the hotel hallway. It was classy, I'm not gonna lie.

Playing at a park on the beach.

in between hospital visits* and conference meetings and travel...

*So. While we were in Richmond, Lily put her precious little right hand down on the stove at Aunt Martha's while they were making a delicious breakfast. It was a tough lesson learned and it looked REALLY bad. And she cried for a long time. Martha's friend brought by some natural salve to put on it. Then we drove to Norfolk/VA Beach to stay with some friends. And there, a dog nipped Lily. On her right hand. And reopened her burn. Which was completely my fault, because they told us the dog nipped small children. And that was really sad. THEN, we were at a conference in VA Beach and Lily's face started to swell and she started gagging and I was pretty sure she was in anaphalactic shock, which is, of course, the most reasonable conclusion at which one can arrive in a moment like that one. We rushed her to the ER and there, after hours (seriously, HOURS) and over a thousand dollars and a 15 minute visit with the doctor, we were told what Jonathan's i-phone and Aunt Martha diagnosed about 2 1/2 hours prior, which was "Lily has foot, hand and mouth disease." Nice. Tylenol and TLC should put her right in a few days. Thanks VA Beach ER. You're awesome. Really.

Lost in Translation

2011-08-01T04:43:00.003-04:00

"What are those?" you ask.

They are baby chickens, chicks, died multiple colors, running around a cardboard pen.

Never saw them before.

Haven't seen 'em since...

One of the swankier parks in town

2011-08-01T04:39:00.001-04:00

Something's missing on this slide...

Gratitude #806

2011-07-27T23:46:00.001-04:00

806. Rain all through the night two nights ago to cool things off, quiet the dogs and lull us in and out of sleep.

A Month and a Half (Now Accounted For): Part I Orlando, Family, Jupiter, etc

2011-07-24T03:56:00.014-04:00

Thursday May 19-Tuesday May 31, 2011

The beginning of a long flight home.

I think this might have been 2 am?

Not sure.

Trying not to remember all the details.

It's better that way.

My babes are always bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for these long, cross-continental plan rides

A & L are mesmerized by the illuminated ancient statue...

I hope that's all that's mesmerizing them.

We flew through Qatar, which is a lovely airport, by the way, and then embarked on the 14 hour flight to Dulles. Qatar Air=AWESOME airline. Think Emerits, but cheaper. ANYWAY, we arrived in D.C. in the afternoon and our flight was delayed and delayed and delayed some more until finally, in the final hour, with our exhausted but amazing-trooper kiddos, we got on a plane to Orlando. That was a sweet homecoming. I kept thinking, "Jesus loves me!" The last time we flew into Dulles was during those wicked snow storms in Feb 2010 and we had to spend a night and there was no food or diapers and well...anyway, Jesus loved me then too. I just had a different sanctification opportunity, I guess.

When we got back to Granne and Gee-Daddy's house, we slept, a lot.

And Granne read lots of books with the girlies.
We spent lots of time with our beloved Oviedo cousins...

Noa with her red purse.

Remember that red purse. It will be important later.
Oh Ay-Saya, how we missed you.

We were in Orlando for about 5 days, J traveled on Sunday, and then we headed to...

Jupiter Island.

It speaks for itself.

It is paradise.

Thank you SO much Atlantans.

Beautiful mamma and precious Oliver.

So fun to eat yummy, home-cooked food! And salad! Oh salad, how I miss thee.

Annie's fast friend, Hugh D. We love their sweet family.

*btw, Kirsten, you got WAY better photos than I did of this vacation.

Would you send some my way?

Somewhere in the middle of Jupiter, we ran back to Orlando for a precious rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and wedding with our dear friends the Hauks. We were so honored and blessed to participate in their special day. Jonathan gave one of the best homilies I've heard (if I do say so myself). Then it was back to Jupiter for more Wahoo fun in the sun.

Monday we headed back in O-town. We got to see old friends Tee and Catch. Annie and Catch basically have the same birthday.

Love those Cunninghams.

We left early Wednesday morning for a trip to VA and NC.

A & L play checkers at a Cracker Barrel on the trek up "north."

Next installment coming soon!

Part II: Virginia

Linguistic Defiance

2011-07-20T10:41:00.003-04:00

Lily: Go away, Annie

Annie: Mommy! Lily telled me to go away! It hurt my feelings

Me: Lily, please do not tell Annie to go away.

Lily: GO AWAY, ANNIE!

Annie: Mommy!

Me: Lily, those are not kind words. We do not use unkind words in our home. Please do not say "Go away," anymore. If you continue to say "Go away," there will be a consequence.

Lily (looking me straight in the eye): Not stay, Annie

Eavesdropping

2011-07-20T10:36:00.002-04:00

Lately, "7" is the perfect number in our home. Annie is constantly heard saying, "Maybe when I'm seven I can...hold babies/drive/carry breakable plates/you fill in the blank." While we were doing family devotions and reading the story of the crucifixion, Jonathan was explaining the picture in our "Jesus Storybook Bible" of the "bad men who hurt Jesus," while he was walking up the hill to be crucified.

Annie: Daddy, I will throw stones at those bad men and kill them.

Jonathan: Annie, I don't like to hear or think of you throwing stones to kill anyone. Please don't talk about killing people.

A: (Looks perplexed and thinks for a moment) Maybe when I am seven I can throw stones and kill the bad men.

Another Bat Story

2011-07-09T10:48:00.002-04:00

We arrived back in S. Asia around 1 AM on Thursday this past week. On Thursday night, I thought I would do a little tidying up on the porch. The plants were catywampus and a few things were strewn that should have been stacked. I walked out the door and bent over to pick up a bucket when I heard the intense flapping of wings and felt something warm and furry fly, full force into the side of my neck and then heard it fly away into the darkness. I SCREAMED (loudly, to be sure) and ran back inside and slammed the door and waited for my husband to come running to my side. Thanks to loud music in the back of the house, he did not come. So I went back to our room, clutching my neck, looking shocked. We looked at each other and I said, "A bat just flew into the side of my neck." After checking my neck for open wounds or fang marks, Jonathan told me to lie down, and I did, in the fetal position, for over half an hour, moaning, "I hate this country." I know. I know. There are bats in America. But I did not feel very welcome by this homecoming display of batty affection. Not cool, bats. Not cool.

Confession: Not. Ruined. Enough.

2011-07-09T01:16:00.006-04:00

It's embarrassing, really. I thought we would return to the states and I would be crying in the peanut butter aisle, overwhelmed by all the plenty in the wake of the wanting I've seen during our 6 months in Asia. Instead I was practically prancing through the produce section throwing things that are definitely not in season but so beloved and so missed into my cart: GRAPES! Cherries! Berries! Fresh lettuces! Watermelon WITHOUT seeds!? What is this glory? We went to clean parks and frolicked on pristine beaches and swam in my parents' pool in the backyard. Every time it rained, Annie asked, "Is the pool going to turn green now?" (because that's what our pool does at the apartment in s. asia) And I could say, "No. We can play in it again after the rain."

Our time was busy, to be sure. We hardly stopped for air, but we were so blessed, just nothing but blessed to see the many friends and family members we were able to see. There were so many we missed seeing, too, and my throat aches when I think it may be 3 1/2 years (or more) until we see them again.

Even in the midst of the business, there was a comfort about just being in a place so familiar, with so many luxuries to make life easier: clean ice in the ice machine, clean water from the tap, a grocery store in every direction with all of our favorite foods, good Mexican restaurants and sushi and so many friends to talk to and laugh with and cry with and a car to drive and...but enough. The point is, I was far too quick, too eager, too thrilled to move back into the comfortable life I left last year.

And so I realize, I am not nearly ruined enough. Sorry for the melodrama. Hopefully God will continue to change me and break my heart for this world and ruin me for it. Until then, keep with me through this process and pray for me. I could use it as I return to S. Asia, not nearly grateful enough for the gift of living life cross-culturally in this incredible place.

Ruined For Life

2011-05-13T12:43:00.005-04:00

What began as an email response to my sister-in-law, Kimberly’s, thoughts on life in the American suburbs, has turned into several days of soul-searching and processing my own experience here. Often, I try to push the following thoughts out of my head. I think if I stopped and considered them for too long or too often, I might lie down and never get up. These have been incredible, life-changing, soul-altering, but dark, lonely days. I thought I would share this process with y’all, friends and family, but please keep in mind it is a process and I am still working through so many things right now. Please give me grace as I process through all that I have seen and now, frankly, don’t know what on earth to do with.

Sometimes I feel like I have been ruined for life on earth by these last six months in S. Asia.Sometimes I find myself longing so desperately to go home (as in heaven) that it is an ache in my throat that rises and manifests itself as tears in my eyes. It is an emptiness that I have never known. I want to escape in ways I have never experienced. I’m not suicidal. I just don’t know what to do with reality.

I grew up in a fairly affluent, upper-middle class home in the suburbs of the USA. I loved my childhood for the most part and have nothing but fond memories of my private college experience. I went to summer camp. I knew Jesus well. My parents loved me and protected me and took care of me. I had an idealic growing up. No, it was not perfect, but it was lovely. And I loved it. I found it easy to enjoy experiences and life and vacations and walking down the street and taking a shower and even going to the grocery store or doing yard work or people watching…

It’s harder to find things to enjoy here. Of course I delight in my marriage, my husband, my precious, beautiful wonderful children. I still love to read. I love to eat good food. I love to drink a glass of wine every now and then. I love to go to the mall and get a $5.00 (yes, you read that right) manicure. But I don’t enjoy these things, or many other things for that matter, the way I used to enjoy them. I can’t relax and indulge, because, for lack of better terms, the things I have seen in these last six months have ruined me. Honestly. I don’t know what to do with them. For the first time in my life, I have questioned what I know to be true of a loving God. I have questioned why me and not them? I have questioned why He would bring me here, because WHAT on EARTH can I do?

These people. These people. These beautiful, human beings crippled by disease, by poverty, by caste, by life, by hunger, by slavery…they confront the foundation on which I stand and I’m watching it crumble. No. I’m not questioning my faith. I’m just saying, things that I could have once easily articulated as true, are harder to articulate now. I see human beings debilitated by polio who walk around on their hands. I see hungry children with outstretched palms whenever I go out. I feel bitter, “are they taking advantage of me?” I feel guilty, “How could you think that, Maggie!? You wouldn’t trade places with them for anything, even if they are taking advantage of you, they are surviving!” I see young women holding babies that look half dead from heat and hunger with empty, dirty baby bottles. It is likely, I am told by locals, the babies aren’t even theirs and any money I give them will go to a pimp. I feel self-righteous and critical and ashamed and powerless.

I have no idea what to do with these things. I feel both panicked and desperate to go back to America. Sure, we have PLENTY of our own problems in that nation under God, but they are easier to hide from. They slink behind windows with drawn, quiet curtains. They lurk in back of well-kept parks and litterless yards and multi-car garages. They don’t accost you in the daylight like dark apparitions hungry-eyed and expectant, looking for a hand-out, looking for your help.When I read my sister-in-law’s account of her brunch crisis, all I could think was, “I so get you.”It’s not brunch you hate. It’s not women you hate. It’s not fellowship you hate. It’s a disparity that you have seen with your eyes and that you cannot reconcile. It is the utter, apparent absence of grace in one place and the seeming abundance of blessing in another. Oh, but don’t mistake your happiness for blessing, dear ones. I do that all the time. And these months of darkness, of questions, of sorrow, of grief before unfelt, of absolute silence, of not knowing what to say or do with these things that I have seen, have been some of the best and most profound in my life.

Sure. I’m ruined for brunch. I will never go to one without squirming a little. I will never be in the midst of opulence or comfort or excess without thinking of the least of these whose lives would be so improved by the overflow. I pray to GOD I don’t stop here, at thinking, and that it moves into doing something. Please pray for me as I struggle with a critical spirit, a self-righteous ego, a feeling of helplessness, a heart that has no idea what to do with what I have seen. And please pray with me for S. Asia, and Newark, and the other broken places, that people will go and love and be ruined, even when it hurts.

I Saw What I Saw by Sara Groves

A Fading Voice

2011-05-11T22:28:00.000-04:00

Generally, I can't get through one of his works; his arrogance and sarcasm accost my senses. But this was different. It is soulful, honest, almost apologetic. Every man has a heart, a story, and Christopher Hitchens is no different. I thought this article worth the read.

Pockets

2011-05-11T11:49:00.001-04:00

Annie's First Bicycle

2011-05-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

In the evenings we often go down to the park to play with the other children in our apartment complex. While at first, Annie was content to play on the park equipment or explore the grounds, lately she has been staring wistfully at other chidrens' bicycles. Sometimes, when they get off their bikes, she casually saunters over and steals the bike to go joy riding on her own. Since her birthday is in December, there was little hope of Annie getting a bike of her own until she turned 4.

But then.

But then I thought, "I really want this kid to have something that ties her to this place when we leave for the states (IN A WEEK!). I want her to WANT to come back here. Of course, she doesn't have to have this incredible luxury...but man, it would make her want to return.

Furthermore, I realized Annie and I were in a relationship rut. It was not a good place. Basically, Annie is a really creative time-passer and often finds herself in trouble.

i.e. dumping out all the soap in the bathroom onto the bathroom floor/sink/toilet and then spraying it with the toilet sprayer (they have these in lots of places around the world...but not usually America, it looks like the sprayer in your kitchen sink but you use it...um...on the toilet.) to make bubbles. Yes she gets consequences and reminders when she does this. No. They do not work. And that is really just one of many many examples that drive me crazy and lead to conversations like the following:

Me: ANNIE!?!?! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU THINKING!?

A: silence

M: Seriously, WHY did you do that!?

A: I don't know.

M: That's not an answer, that does not count as an answer!!!

A: silence

M: blah blah blah (at least I think that is what annie hears) with a barrage of negative words launched at my creative three year old.

Anyway.

Our relationships was in a rut.

So, to kill several birds at once, we introduced the Bicycle star chart.

a.k.a. The positive affirmation chart

(or as our friend David calls it) "the works righteousness chart"

Call it what you want, but it has done WONDERS for Annie's and my relationship and her perspective on life. No longer does she wonder, "How can I find creative ways to pass the time?" Now she wonders, "How can I get more stars for my star chart!?"

Here is a completed star chart.

And of course, Lily had to have one too.

Hers is a bit more organic in terms of where we actually place the stars.

But the same idea applies: POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

And so. After about a month and a half of striving and succeeding and failing and trying again and working her little hiney off, Annie earned her first bicycle.

All she wanted was "purple and white."

It was love at first sight for this purple and white bicycle with a bell and a convenient sitting place in the back for sisters.

It is also covered with Hannah Montana, but Annie doesn't know who that is.

She went with Jonathan to the store to pick it out and when they got home, she said, "Mommy! I got a bicycle that is purple and white!" Then she pointed to Hannah and said, "This is Annie."

"Time to Shine," Annie.

Shine on.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T06:28:00.006-04:00

Anne Oliver Iverson

December 9 2007

Lillian Emeth Iverson

June 27 2009

Iverling #3

???

A friend posted this video on her blog this morning. I just love the picture of sewing seeds whose roots run deep and then become trees that rise up, spread out their branches and bless the dawn. I want my own precious little trees to rise up strong and sure of what they believe to bless and not harm, to shade and not scorch, to praise and glorify.

I mentioned recently that I am not a sacrificer. It is an ugly truth I have been able to avoid all my life. How sweet, though, that it was my very own children who most effectively revealed these realities about their mamma and then taught me to sacrifice, to die, to give that they might have life. Because of my babes, I know my Savior more fully. What a gift that the ones I love so deeply, so inexplicably...the ones I cannot escape and don't want to escape are the ones who teach me to do a thing so unnatural to this self-preserving human body and mind:

Give fully of MYSELF.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped wondering: "Who am I?" "What do I like?" "What do I want to be?" and instead started wondering: "How can I bless and not curse?" "How can I learn to be more patient?" "How can I learn to have more self-control with my temper?" "How can I learn to bless and not hurt?" "How can I tender these precious seeds, these now saplings so that they rise up strong to bless others?"

Thank you, Father, for this gift. I truly truly had NO idea what I was getting myself into when I started on this journey almost 3 1/2 years ago with Annie.

(4 if you count pregnancy...which I DO!)

But it has been a sweet, gut-wrenching, heart-rending, amazing, unexpected, painful, terrifying, out-of-my-control-but-realizing-that-might-be-the-best-part ride.

Praying it goes on and on...

I love you my precious children.

Annie

3 years old

Lily

1 1/2

Little Lady Lily and the Hospitree

2011-05-08T06:18:00.002-04:00

Hospitree=tamil for "Hospital"

On Saturday we were swimming with friends. We had a lovely afternoon in the pool in their housing community and had just eaten lunch after about an hour of swimming. I was putting on Lily's water wings so she could go back in the pool and all of a sudden she arched in pain and cried (one of those long silent cries where they don't breath) and crumbled into my lap. She just lay there and cried and wouldn't move and every time I moved her she cried harder. Our friends' mom is a doc so she felt lily's arm and said it wasn't fractured but recommended we go to the hospital.

Awesome.

So we left Annie with the husband and house helper and their three year old while Jonathan, Lily, the wife, their driver and I all headed to the hospital. It was so sad. Lily never stopped whimpering. When we go to the hospital they saw us right away and everyone was incredibly compassionate and kind. They felt Lily's arm and did a gentle movement on it (during which she screamed bloody murder) and then suddenly, she was like a different child. She was fine. She was moving her arm again and pointing at things. I think it must have popped out a bit at the elbow. They gave her some pain meds and she has been fine ever since. The whole experience truly couldn't have gone more perfectly and it was a total blessing all the way around. We are being careful with that arm, but the girl is a trooper and she made a lot of friends at the hospital!

Grandma's Fan

2011-05-06T05:32:00.003-04:00

There is a quiet cafe in the north of our country that sits nestled among some pretty famous mountains. They serve cream of tomato soup like it should be served. And they have homemade breads and bagels and salads from veggies grown in their sustainable organic garden. It's a lovely place. And the women who work there, the women who are trained there, are those "challenged by life." I have never faced the kind of challenges they face: born into scheduled castes, born into families who have nothing, born into poverty, born into hopelessness. But the woman who runs this cafe teaches these women how to sew, how to cook, and how to hope.

Since we moved here, I have been wanting to get quilts for the girls' beds and I was hoping I would find some up North when we traveled there. Alas, I didn't find what I was looking for, so they made them for me: custom order.

When I was growing up, I had a handmade quilt from NC called "Grandma's Fans" and it had that beautiful quilting fan pattern all over it. In an effort to nod to my own childhood quilt (which I still have), I designed the quilts to have fans throughout. But we used bolder colors (shocking) than they typically do in the quilting world.

I just got them a week ago and we all love them.

Annie wanted blue and red and pink.

Lily got green.

They make my heart sing.

And one of the best, unexpected parts: a matching flip side!

Heart singing right now.

Afternoon Picnic on the Porch

2011-05-04T02:05:00.003-04:00

Family Hike

2011-05-03T08:16:00.003-04:00

My husband is an adventurer.

If he is not moving, he is thinking about moving.

He is thinking about what his next move will be.

So on a Saturday morning, we filled our water bottles, packed up a lunch, loaded a backpackand headed out to a trail outside of our city.

It was hot. There wasn't a lot of shade. There wasn't much of a trail. And frankly, the hike we had hoped to do, we didn't do with two small children and a pregnant wife...

BUT

it was one of my favorite memories made as a family thus far.

I love being married to this adventuring wanderer and I love the way he leads us through life.

Sometimes it's not comfortable and there is rarely a trail to follow, and usually the thing we set out to do is replaced by something else...but it's something better. And by the grace of the holy spirit, this life Jonathan leads me on makes me better and refines me. I am learning to be flexible and trusting and I am learning to be a supporter. (It's only taken five years...right?) I am learning to sing songs and tell stories even when I'm hot and tired.

I am learning how to be a sacrificer.

I am not a sacrificer.

But I am learning.

So goes the metaphor of our family hike.

Enjoy the photos.

Eavesdropping

2011-05-02T11:38:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (According to Lillian)

Me: Trust in the

Lils: Lohd

M: With all your

L: Howt

M: And leeeeean not on your own

L: Money!

Where on earth did that come from!?

(FYI: it's supposed to say, "understanding" on that last one...)

Pontytails!

2011-05-01T12:02:00.001-04:00

A new post for Jenny C. and welcome welcome welcome sweet Attie.

Two Iverson girls can't wait to meet you!

Tying a Sari

2011-04-27T11:08:00.005-04:00

Frankly, this is actually far more graceful than I look when trying to tie my saris. I think Annie has watched me wrestle with them a few times and took to tying one herself.

not a bad job!

Lookin' good Annie.

Not bad, little ladke, not bad!

More often than not,

2011-04-27T10:55:00.007-04:00

it turns out rather well when they dress themselves.

And then other times it turns out better than rather well...

Easter 2011

2011-04-27T10:32:00.005-04:00

Easter in 2011 felt quite normal, actually. It began with keeping 2 girls in their bedroom so that I could take photos of the Easter Basket moment.

I ran down to a market and found these cute baskets and Annie helped me decorate them one afternoon. It was such fun. All the sweet treats and reminders of home from friends that came the weeks before Easter also made it really special. Thank you so much, friends!

They emerge...

Joy!

Family photo attempt I--Annie's mouth full of candy.

Family Photo attempt II--Annie attempts a smile with her mouth full of candy

He is risen, indeed. Hallelujah!

Catch Up Post: Annie's Last Day of School

2011-04-26T12:15:00.002-04:00

The weekend before Annie's last week of school, Little Elly had an open house where we could come see all the amazing things the kids have been creating and learning.

Here the girls wait outside our apartment in their adorable dresses from Mer and her mamma (thanks Sherlin ladies!) for the short trip to Little Elly.

This is all Annie's artwork!

Don't be jealous of Annie's talent...all of the children's artwork looked strangely similar. I think when she doesn't do it perfectly (or at all) the teachers just do it for her. (Something I DON'T love about here.) I think it is because parents put a lot of pressure on teachers to see results and performance from their kids. Pity for these teachers, I LOVE it when my kids color outside the lines...

A few of Annie's classmates

(Harshith (Annie calls him Hah-shit), Vedah, Abeer and Parvathi)

Annie's pronunciation on most of these is actually quite good. :)

Lilsy and me chilling on the mats in the classroom.

They were very upset to see me sitting on the floor.

Music and Light

2011-04-25T07:22:00.003-04:00

It has been playing for five full days now, and our house helper tells me it will continue for five days more. It started a few days before Sunday but reached a climax on Easter afternoon and with our myopic eyes, we thought it might be an effort to kill our Easter joy. Or maybe to honor Sai Baba, who died recently. But no. They say it is to honor Ganesha.

There is a temple nestled back behind buildings just behind our apartment that is 600 years old. People make pilgrimages there. It is so close and I hear it every day, but never at this height and frenzy. I imagine what it must have been like 30 years ago in the middle of the jungle that is now our neighborhood. It was all undeveloped.

I went out this evening to take photos (coming soon) of the festivities. The women in bright saris carrying offerings of flowers, coconuts, ghee and incense in bowls and on their heads. Bands and drums playing. They are celebrating, dancing in the setting sun. The drummers aren't so bad. But the blasting music that I can't understand from 5 am until well after 10 pm is almost suffocating.

I think this might be what part of hell will be like. Music so loud, blaring, garish, ugly, unintelligible. I know most everyone else understands the words, but for me it is noise. Noise with shrill voices and loud drums and electric guitars (no, it's not 80s rock...). It is noise so loud that closed windows and fans whirring on their highest setting and washing machines and my own blaring efforts to drown it out do nothing to block the unending barrage that plays constantly.

I have always thought myself a visual learner. Perhaps a kinesthetic learner. Never an auditory learner. But I find I am far more sensitive to the noises around me than I used to be--maybe because there are so many noises here in this big city of millions.

It is so funny to end a sweet week of VBS where he provided all and more than our needs; to celebrate his resurrection and the way it turned death and a fallen world into a place worthy of renewal and able to receive redemption and to begin turning back that entropic clock that has been running it into ruins practically since time began. It's funny to come off a high like that and be so incredibly negatively affected by...music, of all things. Music. Even the dogs howl more pathetically than usual. We are all afflicted. We are all affected by this darkness. Even if it seems like we're dancing in the light.

Mornings

2011-04-15T04:34:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my brilliant sister-in-law and her incredible idea to make her kids stay in their rooms in the morning until 8:00, we've started our own efforts at early morning kid control. Our girls wake up around 6 or 6:30 (PAINFUL) and Jonathan has started telling them to stay in their room quietly until 7:30!! And while it was rather a rocky start...they've started doing it! Okay, sometimes they fight and we have to break it up, and sometimes I go in there at 7:30 and everything is EVERYWHERE, but sometimes it ends up like this:

(It's a tea party, duh!)

a messy tea party.

And this morning I came in and Annie was reading Lily Noah's Ark.

In matching "Hello Kitty" pajamas.

Life is pretty sweet.

Thank You So Much!

2011-04-15T04:03:00.006-04:00

Thank you so much to all who volunteered to take a meal!

At present, we have two church members supporting one meal each, another couple that we know here, and three of y'all to cover the six days of meals. We are so grateful and overwhelmed by how quickly people jumped to take on meal sponsorships. Thank you all for your open hearts and open hands and thank you for caring about these precious kids.

Enjoy a few photos from our time so far!

Can you find Annie in this photo?

Lily enduring her LEAST favorite activity: cheek pinching

Playing a game

Coloring quietly

VBS

2011-04-14T04:35:00.003-04:00

Imagine one room, tile floors, 20'x15', two ceiling fans, no furniture. Now imagine 50 to 60 children, ages 2 to 16, (many from Hindu backgrounds) and about 5 adults...sometimes more, sometimes less. Plus Annie and Lily. Who make everything more, shall we say, eventful.

That is our VBS program. I'm not sure how all these kids heard about the program, because the majority of them don't attend Agape, but they are all precious and they come faithfully and participate so diligently. Many of them walk by themselves and arrive early to sit and wait. Yesterday, one little girl showed up (she couldn't have been more than 6) with two small children on each hip, one about Lily's age and one not quite walking. One of them was her sister, the other not even a relation. Whenever they cried, she got up and whisked them out of the room. She had a precious spirit and a servant's heart that I would love to emulate, this 6 year old who did her "duties" cheerfully and without complaint.

We spend the first 30 minutes of each morning singing some songs in Tamil. They are beautiful. Some are hilarious. Like the one with the chorus: "Boom Boom Chacalacka Boom Boom Chac." Seriously. Then we have an hour-long lesson followed by an hour of games, then review, then lunch. I teach the little ones: ages 2ish through 10ish. Yes. 2 through 10 years old, same room, same program, same games, same activities. They all listen like I were telling them where to find barrels of candy and chocolate. They answer my questions with such enthusiasm and respect. And they memorize a new verse each day. Happily. And are thrilled to recite it on their own. When we are finished with the lesson, we play a game, which they love, and then usually do some sort of coloring project. For 20 to 30 minutes, 2 year olds through 10 year olds sit quietly and color without complaint, without fighting over crayons or getting into trouble. And then they show me their work with the most sheepish smiles, smiles that beg for encouragement and affirmation; smiles that hope for a compliment. And of course I tell them they are all beautiful and they did a wonderful job and they go away so happy.

It's so rewarding, it's almost easy.

But it's not easy.

It's exhausting.

My kids are super crazy the entire morning. Often crying hysterically while I try to teach the lesson because they have to hand out crayons and they don't want to share them or because they just want me to "whole-nee" ("hold me" in Lillianese) and they cling to my knees and go through my carefully organized bags and cry and well...it's not easy. It's rewarding. I'm glad these little girls are learning to be a part of the team. (emphasis on "are learning"...present progressive) but please pray for us if you think of it. This is day two. We still have Friday, Saturday (yep, Saturday), Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday left! HOW!? He provides. And the time each day is sweet, albeit hard. Like Tom Hanks said in "A League of Their Own": "It's the hard that makes it great!" I don't know about that, but the hard (the impossible) sure does make it more evident when the Lord fills you with his power instead of your own. I cannot believe I've already done two days!? This weak vessel has been used by Him--but only by his grace. And I feel that if I think too long about the next 5 days. :)

One more thing: If you are interested in supporting this ministry, we have two dear ladies who come each day to cook the lunch for these little ones, some of whom might not have lunch waiting for them at home. It's a simple meal of vegetables and rice. But it is filling. And for 1500 (about $30 U.S.) we can feed all the children (usually between 50 and 60) and the adults with some left over. Let me know if you're interested. So far, we have three meals supported, but 1500 is a sizeable sum in this community.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for praying. Thanks for caring.

For His glory.

Gratitude #785-805

2011-04-11T21:53:00.002-04:00

785. Two little girls who slept through (almost) through the night! You have no idea what an accomplishment this is in our home these days.

786. Also slept until 6:30 am and stayed in their bedrooms. (again, PTL)

787. They played in there until about 7:30 am and had a picnic with all their dolls.

788. Quiet morning time with my earthly love and my heavenly father.

789. Day 2 of VBS at our little church plant: survived!

790. Friends who came with us and encouraged us by their presence

791. A girls' day yesterday

792. Christmas ornaments that double as Easter egg ornaments for our palm tree-ferny-looking thingy

793. A beautiful scarf, a b-day gift for a friend, haggled down to a reasonable price

794. Beautiful cotton fabric to make shorts for the girls in this hot weather.

795. And maybe some left over for pj pants for their growing mamma

796. Imagining Martha in Paris

797. Annie Pie I. has dressed herself (first thing!) every single morning for the past 2 weeks!

798. And she usually matches

799. But it's extra cute when she doesn't.

800. Maybe time for a nap today

801. Goldfish and skittles and larabars and coffee in the mail: THANK YOU!!

802. Planning Easter festivities

803. Movie night with our pastor's kids

804. A fun kid date tomorrow night with Amie and Judah

805. Anticipating Easter

The Mystery of Godliness

2011-04-07T22:19:00.002-04:00

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up into glory."

1 Tim 3:16

Woah Baby...

2011-04-02T11:58:00.002-04:00

Not quite sure why it happened so fast with this one, but it's poppin'.

I was 18 weeks on Friday and feeling more like more-than-18-weeks.

And this little one flips around and butterfly kicks all day long! It is so fun. I love my little live-in friend. I've never been good at chronicling the growth of my belly--I find it rather embarrassing--but people have been asking (asking, I tell you!) for photos of the baby growth and since I am almost always in fairly loose-fitting, modest clothing in this culture, you don't really get the full effect in most every-day photos.

Plus, let's be honest, most photos that go up here are of my children.

They are the cutest.

Sorry the photo is a little blurry.

Maggie and Iverling #3

18 weeks 1 day

April 2, 2011

Gratitude #750-784

2011-03-30T00:37:00.003-04:00

750. My girls, after years of fidgitting, LOVE to cuddle and read!

751. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (I actually think I stole this from Jimmy...I'll bring it back, I promise...)

752. Dr. Suess's ABC

753. The Relatives Came (thanks Auntie Martha)

754. The Maggie B. (given to Maggie in 1985, still good as new!)

755. Farm Peekaboo

756. "What is That?" Said the Cat (thanks Granne)

757. The Very Hungry Catapillar (Cadadapoo)

758. Angelina Ballerina

759. The Little Pea, Little Hoot and Little Oink Series (thanks Atlanta Iversons)

760. "Bead! Bead!" --Lillian (read! read!)

761. "Bap? Bap?" --Lillian (may I sit on your lap?)

762. "Gen? Gen?" --Lillian (Will you read it again, please?)

763. Filling in the blanks when mommy reads

764. This love of mine passed on to my children

765. Feeling Baby #3 flutter around inside...

766. Bon Iver

767. Newly framed art on the walls!

768. Feeling a bit more like "home" every day.

769. Grupa

770. Basha

771. phone dates

772. Annie's last day of school tomorrow!

773. planning a last day of school breakfast

774. hot enough to swim

775. Annie loves "cuencumbers" (cukes)

776. Got the post-first-trimester cooking groove back, ptl

777. allrecipes.com

778. Playing with Annie while Lily naps

779. Red Rasberry Tea, brought from the states

780. Cricket! Biggest game of the year tonight. (Still don't understand a darn thing that goes on, but it's fun to watch...)

781. My new laundry thingy that hangs from the roof and dries twice as much laundry as my old drying rack!

782. It also moves up and down on a pulley so I can "hide" it.

783. Space efficiency

784. a good playlist

Holi

2011-03-26T11:54:00.003-04:00

These delightful little beauties/beasties knocked on my door last Saturday

and barged their way in with colored chalk and raucous laughter

and made sure we participated/aculturated into this lovely holiday-festival:

Holi.

I Wore A Sari!!!

2011-03-26T11:29:00.003-04:00

We were invited to a wedding, so I enlisted my dear friend Maria who went with me to buy my first sari. Basically it's a long, gorgeous piece of fabric. You have to buy a separate petticoat in the same color (an inexpensive, one-size-fits-all skirt with a draw string). Then she took me to a tailor who made the top (which actually is part of the long piece of sari fabric) And yes, it shows your midriff--which makes me incredibly uncomfortable/mortified/embarrassed/humiliated--but then you wrap the long piece around yourself and you can kind of drape and hide everything and it ends up being pretty forgiving!

PTL.

The lovely Maria, without whom I could not have done ANY of this.

When the Cat's Away...

2011-03-26T11:18:00.006-04:00

Here are a few photos of what these three little mice did while daddy was away a few weeks ago. We missed him, but we had so much fun, by the sweet grace of God who gave mamma a good attitude.

Annie wore her socks pulled high to honor Daddy's Japanese heritage from the eighties and early nineties.

Lily thought it was funny.

This might have been Lily's last day with a paci.

Not because I meant to, but because we lost it.

And then we ate doughnuts.

These need little explanation.

We missed our daddy and we're glad he's home.

We had fun without him, but we have a LOT more fun with him.

Homeland

2011-03-22T00:18:00.002-04:00

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Hebrews 11:13-16

The Land of the Rising Sun

2011-03-16T10:34:00.004-04:00

My heart breaks for this tiny island with such rich history, such beautiful culture, and so many broken lives in the wake of this horrible disaster. May the ones who sleep "rise up" and awake! The Light of the dawn is upon you, in the land of the rising sun!

This is one way you can help, if you are so inclined.

My father-in-law, who lives in Japan and pastors several churches there and has given his life and career and heart to that precious country has been organizing relief efforts (with LOTS of help from other folks in their church) since the tsunami rolled in. He and my mother-in-law have used thousands of their own dollars to rent trucks and buy supplies. Every night they leave after midnight to avoid traffic, take back roads and brave aftershocks and radiation poisoning (some of the places they go are within 15 and 30 miles of the nuclear reactors in question) to deliver supplies, mostly water, gasoline, food, blankets and clothing to people, suffering people, many of whom have yet to see help or aid. The situation is dire. The country may never recover. These people are desperate for water. And food. And they are in bitterly cold situations with no heat and no electricity. Few have seen a government official to aid them.

If you have a heart for Japan or have any desire to help, this is a direct way to give to Dan's church and their efforts (which are going on right now and helping people!) without having to pay admin costs, but still receive a tax deduction (I think...). The money will go to supplies, water purification systems that Jonathan's uncle developed (he helped out doing water purification in the relief effort in Sri Lanka in 2004, too) that can purify up to 15 gall/minute!

I know some of y'all are wary of religion in general, and there is no doubt this family is a big ole group of evangelical Christians motivated entirely by the love our savior shows them. They will be sharing the gospel along with physical relief, because we believe with all our hearts, soul relief is just as important as body relief; living water saves, even more than H2O. HOWEVER, this website and this relief effort from the states linked above, spendyourself.org, is organized by Jonathan's brother. In other words, I can vouch for him. He will use every cent of that money on the Japanese people and their good. No money will go to his twizzler addiction. I promise. And again, 100% of checks given through this org. will be used for Japanese aid.

Okay. That's all I got. If you're frustrated by feeling like there is nothing you can do, here is something you can do.

In The Name of Love

2011-03-15T12:15:00.012-04:00

She rises like a white marble mountain from the flat lands that surround her, and by every account, she is nothing if not magnificent. He built her in the name of mortal love for his favorite wife. He started its construction the year after her death.

She never saw it.

Accounts vary, but according to our guide, it took 20,000 people 22 years to build it, this mausoleum commemorating the dead. She is entombed in its perfect symmetry, surrounded by the pristine gardens and high minarets that make it look like a crown. Because after all, that's what it means: The Crown Palace.

He was supposed to have been buried here, in an identical crown, only black marble. They were to have been joined over this second most sacred river by a silver bridge: The ultimate emblem of eternal love.

Can someone tell me why in the middle of my poetic efforts a line has appeared under the text? Totally makes me look like a moron.

Sigh.

The day was perfect.

It could not have been more beautiful weather.

This happened to us a lot.

And this.

The girls are learning to take it all in stride.

They barely look up when the crowds gather and the cameras start rolling.

(All these flowers are inlaid semi-precious and precious stones, and the black koranic verses are all inlaid imported onyx from Belgium. I don't care if you're not a Muslim. This thing is SPECTACULAR.

Probably running from an approaching crowd of paparazzi

Following suit

No words.

Even today, almost 400 years later, the descendants of the original artisans who built and labored over this beauty come in every Friday and repair and care for the grounds and the building itself.

Do we look like Lady Di?

It is sobering to drive up to all the glory and see the poverty that lies all around her. Lives lived in ruins. She has a pretty thick barricade, but all around her there is a life that is the kind of hard I have never known being lived out amidst the beauty here. There is even a leper colony in her shadow. She basks in her own beauty and she does not care.

Even so, it makes me think of another kind of "Love [that] pitched its mansion in a place of excrement..." But that Love came to live the hard life, not be separated from it. That Love came to touch the lepers, not turn a blind eye to them. That Love came for the impoverished, not in spite of them. That Love came to know suffering, that he might save the ones who suffer. And that Love was not left incomplete, but finished what it came to do. Because despite the beauty and spectacular, seeming perfection of this wonder, I couldn't help but feel a little saddened by it all: a king, heart and will set to finish something wonderful, in the name of love no less, but thwarted in the end by his own son. That's the earthly version. The story that failed. But I know a King who set out to do something wonderful, too, also in the name of love. And not only did he finish it, His Son finished it for Him. In a manner most painful and most giving. And most most beautiful.

"...For nothing can be sole or whole that has not been rent."

Just to Tide You Over

2011-03-14T12:35:00.003-04:00

Jonathan is away for three days and three nights. I'm hoping to get some major catch up work done on this ole blog thing. Until then, enjoy a few photos of our Sunday afternoon. Spring is in the air and the girls broke out the spring dresses. Annie's is from our dear friend Brianna...it was so fun to tell her she was wearing a dress Bella used to wear. And Lily's I bought this past week in a small shop that sells beautiful things, made by "women challenged by life." It was an honor to support what they are doing there. And Lily looks pretty cute in her little blue dress. Enjoy!

Gratitude #701-749

2011-03-13T05:00:00.004-04:00

701. That the ones we know and love are safe and well after the earthquake on Friday

702. That there is hope for Japan.

703. HE is faithful

704. Spring is in our city!

705. The Tamarind tree outside our window has pink buds

706. So many familiar plants, even the big yellow blossoms that bloom in Spring in Winter Park--there are several on Via Tuscany. Anyone know which ones I mean?

707. Soft breezes

708. A wonderful trip up north

709. 2 packages and a suitcase full of special treats and lots of love from abroad

710. Japanese food for lunch today

711. Jonathan found SUSHI RICE at Toms!!!

712. sushi rice.

713. energizing apricot oil with yummy essential oils--a thoughtful gift from a friend.

714. 15+ weeks and the nausea is subsiding...

715. Um...I am definitely showing. What is up with the third baby?

716. My good friend who is going to have twins!!!

717. Another good friend who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy...

718. ...she says the transition from two to three isn't so bad.

719. vonage

720. Martha Noll and Joel (not Noll) who were born this last week, 3 years ago and 30 years ago, respectively.

721. My new nephews

722. Mountains

723. that I still have not seen a wild cobra

724. fresh watermelon

725. Mangos are coming

726. the anticipation and joy that comes with waiting on seasons and cycles to provide our food

727. Phone dates

728. Thoughtful friends and family

729. Wise and godly and thoughtful sisters [in-law and in heart!)

730. origami paper!

731. goldfish from America

732. the cracker, not the pet

733. hand-made quilts coming soon, made by "women challenged by life." (What is about a challenging life that makes their quilts so spectacularly beautiful?)

734. Joy mingled with grief

735. hand sanitizer

736. That I have a brain that jumps readily from "joy mingled with grief" to "hand sanitizer."

737. I mean isn't that just weird!?

738. My optimistic, adventurous, loving, wonderful husband

739. who is also a wonderful father

740. and faithful servant

741. seeing one of the world's seven wonders this past week

742. love

743. dried cherries

744. the clothing here is very forgiving to a pregnant body

745. the green that is everywhere, all of a sudden

746. occasional power outages

747. An easy bagel recipe that requires no malt

748. sunshine

749. life