Mexico

Teotihuacan ruins

Project 750- We participated in a Mexican Independence Day celebration

Project 995- indigenous people group.  First home visit

Typical homes in this town

Project 995- kids praying at the Compassion center

Loved practicing English with these boys

Project 990- more urban project, can't tell from this home visit

Project 992- in the mountains.  Kids were SO excited to have visitors

Meeting Anibal and his Dad, Anibal Sr.

Such handsome boys

It's time to write about Mexico!  We had 14 people in our Compassion group.  Caleb and I flew down to Mexico City on Sep 13.  We had 3 flights! I was nervous about all of our luggage making it, but it did.  The next morning we left for Tulancingo.  As we drove out of Mexico City I was struck by how large it is and the amount of pollution.  My allergies were going crazy in Mexico City.  We did some sightseeing at the Teotihuacan ruins.  Ancient civilizations are fascinating.  That Sunday night we went to an urban church that has a Compassion center.  The church had a Mexican Independence Day celebration so we yelled Vive Mexico alot that night.  The crowd was large and many people wanted pictures with our Compassion group.  Even though none of us sponsored children in that center, the church was so thankful that we sponsor a child somewhere.

On Monday we drove to an indigenous Compassion project.  Every Compassion center is run by a local church.  This center was only 1 1/2 years old.  We were the first Compassion sponsors to visit and the people were so excited.  The church did not have working toilets so the pastor invited our group to use his home.  The pastor's home was nicer than most of the people in that town and it was still very meager.  Caleb and I went to visit the home of a sponsored child.  It was a cement room the size of our dining room.  There was nothing to cover the door.  The outhouse and kitchen were in separate buildings.  Mud was everywhere and 7 people slept in that little room.  It was obvious the mother we spoke with was struggling.  Her demeanor spoke of hopelessness.  She is a fairly new Christian and was happy her kids had a sponsor and could attend the center.  I pray that her local church continues to reach out to her and that she feels hope in Jesus more everyday.  When we were back at the center, a group of boys surrounded Caleb and I.  Caleb was more of a celebrity than I was.  We started a game with the boys of how to say things in English and Spanish.  The boys also spoke a local language so they were teaching us a couple words.

On Tuesday we stayed in Tulancingo and visited an urban Compassion project.  The church facilities were much nicer, but the kids served at the center had very real needs.  I was impressed by the church's pastor and wife.  They were very passionate and engaged in their local community.  Caleb found his groove and spent time playing soccer with the kids.  We went on another home visit.  The mother's demeanor was full of hope.  She had struggles, but she was happy with her family and wanted to provide a good life for her daughters.  Her daughters had latched on to me earlier in the day and were cuties.  They thought it was funny when I started singing 'Let It Go.'  Frozen is popular everywhere. We heard a moving testimony at the center.  A little boy's parents had both died.  His grandparents were raising him, but were despairing because he was so depressed and angry.  The little boy was sponsored and started receiving letters from his sponsors.  The grandparents told us those letters changed his life.  The little boy knew someone loved him enough to sponsor him and write to him.  The little boy started laughing and living again.  I was crying by the end of the testimony.

On Wednesday we drove into the mountains.  It was a bumpy, curvy road and Caleb and I were both carsick.  Caleb took alot of dramamine that week.  Thankfully he never threw up in the van!  When we arrived at the church we were greeted by children passing out flowers they had picked.  The flowers were gorgeous.  This center was about 1 1/2 years old and had never had Compassion visitors.  The children were very curious, but cautious.  We had a worship service with the children and they warmed up quickly.  They had us line up in the front.  The children then lined up and shook hands with us.  Only it was more like a mosh pit.  The kids were so excited to shake our hands, they were crowding around us and going thru the line multiple times.  There was one boy who latched onto Caleb.  He called him "my friend" and pulled Caleb outside for soccer the rest of the day.  This town was very poor, but they were excited to share what they had with us.  It was humbling.  At our group dinner that night, Caleb got sick and threw up.  We took a taxi back to the hotel and prayed it was a short-lived bug.  He woke up feeling fine the next morning.  We think it was a combination of tiredness and too many weird smelling foods.

Thursday was the big day, we met our sponsored child, Anibal!  We have sponsored Anibal since he was 3 years old.  (When each of our kids turn 3, we find a child with a similar birthday to sponsor.  That way the kids can kind of grow up together.)  I was so nervous to meet Anibal.  I don't think Caleb was very nervous.  Anibal was happy and gave me a big hug. He gave us gifts he made and his Dad was glad to meet us.  It was obvious his Dad had been practicing English before our arrival, so thoughtful.  We have been practicing our Spanish!  We had our own translator which helped tremendously.  Anibal and Caleb communicated through soccer.  Even Anibal's Dad and I played soccer with them for awhile.  Meeting us was a big adventure for them.  They rode a bus for 10 hours and stayed in a hotel for the first time. I wish we could have met the rest of Anibal's family and visited his home- maybe another time!

On Friday we met up with Anibal again and celebrated the boys' birthdays!  Caleb turned 10 on Friday and Anibal was turning 10 the next day.  I bought donuts and candles and we sang happy birthday in English and Spanish.  The boys played soccer again, then it was time to leave.  Anibal asked me if I liked him and would like to see him again? I almost cried.  I reassured him that we loved him and prayed that someday we would see him again.  As we drove away in the bus, Anibal was blowing me kisses and saying, I love you!  Such a bittersweet moment.

That afternoon we drove back to Mexico City.  Our group had our farewell dinner at an Italian restaurant- so good!  We had eaten a lot of chicken, rice, beans, tortillas and flan that week.  Caleb had even eaten pigeon eggs and cooked cactus.  On Saturday we got up early, took our 3 flights home and finally rolled into Holland around midnight.  Exhausted, but so thankful for this trip.  God is good!    

Caleb is 10

September 19, 2014- Caleb turned 10 years old!  How did a decade go by so quickly?  We were in Mexico on Caleb's birthday, how cool is that?  And we met Anibal, our sponsored child on Caleb's birthday!  And Anibal turned 10 the next day, even cooler!  We spent Caleb's 10th birthday with Anibal and his Dad.  We played games and the boys played soccer- almost all day.  I got donuts and candles for the boys and we sang happy birthday to them, in English and Spanish.  At lunch that day, the team played a traditional Mexican birthday song and brought a mini cake with trick candles for the boys.  They had fun spitting on, I mean blowing out the candles.  It is tradition for the birthday person to take a bite out of the corner of the cake, so Anibal and Caleb did that.  Caleb did not want to wear the sombrero during the birthday song, Anibal was game though.  The team also had ice cream for the boys, that was a treat Anibal does not get very often.  Anibal was wearing new clothes that day that our birthday gift through Compassion provided for him.

When we returned home we celebrated Caleb's birthday as a family.  The big 10 year old gift was a new, bigger bike!  Caleb was very excited.  Caleb is still growing well.  He is 5 ft tall and 90 lbs.  His feet are almost as big as mine.  Caleb is in 4th grade and we are so proud of him.  He always gets glowing reports from his teachers.  He is respectful, a hard worker and kind to other people.  Caleb's report cards show his hard work as well!  Caleb would say that math is a struggle, but he works hard and is doing well.  He still loves to read, which warms my heart. He likes Big Nate books and any books that are funny.  He is progressing in piano and loves playing sports.  Caleb is a great big brother.  He watches Stephen outside and is responsible.  Caleb and Isaac are still best buds and he can be patient with his younger sister.  He can now stay home by himself for short periods of time. Caleb is handsome, smart, funny and loving.  We love Caleb so much and look forward to many more birthdays!

September

Caleb and Abe's smiles are priceless

Sweet Nolbi

He still likes Enedina

Beautiful hike in the Rockies

Deb and Lucas got hitched!

High school friends- Robin and Deb

Someone learned how to unzip himself

Happy 35th Birthday apple pie

Enjoying a walk at Lake MI

Impromptu camping weekend

Soccer stars

August

Sprinkler fun

The 1 year olds and photobombing Isaac

Mom, do you see the beads I spilled?

Grandpa and his crew

Caleb mowing the cottage grass, a right of passage

Relaxing on the boat

Miss Amy with Keiry and Wendy

Keiry going after her pinata

First day of school

In August we picked blueberries in South Haven with the Morrisons.  The kids always eat more than they should.  We welcomed our new pastor at church.  I think it's going to be a really good fit.  I continued to learn more about being a deacon and how to count money, haha.  My cousin Renee, her husband Seth and son Gavin came for dinner.  They are beginning their time as missionaries in Honduras.  It was interesting to learn more about their ministry and for them to hear about our work with kids fleeing Central America.  It was fun to watch the 3 little boys play/beat each other up.  We all wished we had more time to catch up.

We had a new foster child move in, Keiry.  Her name is pronounced Katie.  She was 12 years old, no 13, no 15- I don't know we were all confused. She told our neighbor one age, us a different age, her birth certificate supposedly said she was 12.  But, she was a very mature looking 12 year old.  Honestly though, her age didn't matter.  She was a kid who needed help.  She was a sweet kid and very good at learning English.  She celebrated her 13th birthday while at our house.  We tried to make it special, because who wants to be away from family on their birthday?  We had friends over and ate pizza at her request.  Our neighbors made tres leches cake and we had a pinata.  We gave her a Bon Jovi CD that she asked for- we were belting out Bon Jovi together.  Keiry stayed with us two weeks before going to family.  Another kid that I pray for.

Nate and I celebrated our 13th anniversary.  We hired a sitter and went out for lunch, because our evening was too busy with soccer practices and council meetings.  We're living the good life and thankful for the privilege of doing this crazy life together.

The kids and I travelled to the cottage and met up with my Dad, sister, and brother's family.  We had a nice time, but it was weird being at the cottage without my grandparents.  Hopefully we can visit them sometime in October.

The end of August brought the beginning of soccer season and SCHOOL!  Hallelujah, Hallelujah.  I was ready for school to start.  We had a great summer, but by the end of break we were driving each other crazy. Caleb is in 4th, Isaac- 1st and Julia- kindergarten.  Julia is doing all day kindergarten, 5 days a week.  A big deal.  She was tired and crabby for a couple weeks, but doing well now.  And Stephen is the lost child at home who doesn't know what to do by himself.  For the first weeks he cried every morning when the kids left.  Caleb now rides his bike to school by himself, very cool.  Rebecca and I take turns riding bikes with the younger kids to school.  Julia prays for rain everyday.  "Riding bikes is too hard!"  She struggled in the beginning, but her legs have gotten stronger.  Now she just complains for the principle of it, haha.

The three older kids are playing soccer this fall.  CHAOS.  We have soccer practices 3 or 4 nights a week and 3 games on Saturday mornings.  Nate is coaching Isaac's team which is great, but that means I haven't seen Isaac play this season because I'm always at the other games.  Oh well, there are worse things in life.  This may be Julia's only time playing soccer.  She is doing well and likes the practices and games, but she has declared she does not like soccer.  "It's too hard!"  Do you sense a theme? :)  The boys are enjoying the season and will be disappointed when it is over.  And Stephen may grow up hating soccer after going to all these games.  

Isaac is 7 years old

Way back on August 15, Isaac turned 7 years old!  We celebrated as a family the night before his birthday since Nate had to work and the rest of us were going to the cottage.  This year we gave him rollerblades and a new Bible. He was excited to have his own rollerblades! The next day, we drove to the cottage on his birthday, what a great place to celebrate!   We got the traditional donut and Starbucks hot chocolate before heading out of town.  Isaac requested pizza for his birthday supper, Grandpa and Aunt Steph were kind enough to buy some frozen pizzas for the birthday boy.  Isaac also asked for a candy cottage birthday cake.  Fitting as he loves candy and we were at the cottage.  We had beautiful weather at the cottage and Isaac enjoyed swimming, riding on Aunt Beth's pontoon boat, getting ice cream at the ferry and playing outside.

Isaac is 4 ft, 2 inches tall and 57 pounds which puts him at the 75th percentile for weight and height.  He is done losing teeth for a couple years. He is silly and loves making people laugh.  Isaac is still a risk taker, and seems surprised when he gets hurt!  He is enjoying soccer again this fall and Nate says he is one of the best players on the team.  Isaac has become more aggressive and confident at soccer.  Isaac plays well with Stephen and can make him laugh.  Sometimes he forgets that he needs to be gentler with Stephen, but Stephen usually doesn't mind.  Isaac and Caleb are still best friends and enjoy each other's company.  Julia and Isaac can play well together sometimes.  Isaac and Julia are only one grade apart which makes for some interesting interactions.  At school Julia sometimes plays with Isaac's friends at recess, but Isaac doesn't seem to mind yet.  And at church they are in the same Children's Worship and Sunday School class. Isaac is in first grade this year and is loving it.  His teachers make learning fun and interesting.  He is working hard at reading and excelling at math.   Isaac's favorite friends at home are Patrick and Lydia.   Isaac has a tender heart and I love his prayers. It surprises me sometimes that he remembers to pray for people we haven't talked about in awhile.   Isaac is a sweet, kind, funny, and loving little boy.  We look forward to watching him grow another year older!

Pennsylvania

Dallas' Adoption Hearing

The new family

Cousins

Visiting the Gross family

Boys

Kid table

Having fun at the science museum

Hey trouble

DeJong/DeMaster cousins

When we returned from Colorado, we were home about 3 days.  Then we jumped back in the car and headed to Pittsburgh to visit Colleen's family.  The summer of road trips!  It was difficult for all of us to get back in the car.  But, we survived the journey.  We met up with the Gross family, friends of ours from South Haven.  Our kids played in the park while the adults caught up, a really nice time.  We then arrived at Mike and Colleen's house.  Grandpa and Grandma D were at the end of their visit and we were all glad for a chance to see them.  On Sunday we went to church and celebrated Mike's birthday. The kids LOVE the trampoline at their house.  The kids constantly bug us to buy a trampoline.  We say no, you can use it at Uncle Mike/Aunt Colleen's house.  The cousins had lots of fun together.  Jack is 5, Abby is 4, Ashley is 2 and Kate is 5 months.  So we had 8 kids under the age of 9 in the house-party!  The adults had some time to play games, after the kids went to bed.

On Monday Mike went to work and Nate, Colleen and I took the kids to the Pittsburgh Science Museum.  The sports area had lots of fun exhibits.  I kept having mini heart attacks because we had so many small children to keep an eye on.  We could have easily spent all day there, but naptime and little kid attention spans wasn't going to let that happen.  That evening we spent more time playing together outside and enjoying each other's company.  On Tuesday morning we packed up and headed home, grateful for the chance to visit.

In between our Colorado and Pennsylvania trips, our nephew Dallas was officially adopted!  Going to the adoption hearing was wonderful.  Tim and Jenny love Dallas so much and have endured much emotional upheaval in the journey to his adoption.  Witnessing the adoption proceedings reminded me of Julia's adoption day.  The judge called our kids up to his chair and was asking them questions about how they were related to Dallas.  Let's just say they did not wow the judge with their knowledge of how our family is related to Tim's family. The judge let each of them bang the gavel to declare the adoption was final.  Also reminded us of when Caleb banged the gavel so hard at Julia's adoption that he broke part of the gavel.  After the hearing Tim/Jenny took the family to Boatwerks restaurant to celebrate.  It will be fun to watch Stephen and Dallas grow up together.  They are starting to fight about sharing and they give adorable hugs when they say goodbye to each other.  Adoption is always a bittersweet process, but we thank God for allowing Tim/Jenny to be Dallas' parents.