Milestones

Maia hit a major milestone recently. She is beginning to read unaided. This is a big step for her, not because she is delayed, but because it didn't automatically happen for her as it did for Avril. I think she expected to just start reading like Avril did. Maia doesn't have the attention span or desire to work it out as Avril did. She gets bored quickly and wants to stop. But now that she is making headway the excitment is building and she is eager to try. We are so proud of her. Maia is a very bright, very logical little girl. Before long this will be a distant memory. But for now it is big news that we are excited to celebrate.

On another note, I was talking with Avril tonight about an issue in school. One of the points was her concern that some people might be angry with her. So I tried to help her to understand that regardless of her actions--sinful or not--she is not responsible for others' reactions (especially sinful ones.) So I said, "Do you remember when Mommy has been angry with you?" ready to explain how my anger was not her responsibility. But she said, "No." VICTORY!! I'm still in the clear. :) That's really no excuse for those times when I've been angry, but I was thrilled that my rage is not what sticks in her mind. YAY!

Becoming like Jesus

Earlier this morning, we learned that a friend would be coming to stay with us for a time. It was sudden, but it is our delight to open our home to a friend in need. But that's not what I am writing about right now. After Adrian got the phone call, he told the girls that our friend was in great need of a place to stay and would be coming over this afternoon. A few minutes later Avril asked for a bag. Eventually, she came into the kitchen with a zip-lock filled with little things--some band-aids, fruit, peppermints, among other things. I asked what she was doing and she replied, "You'll see." Adrian thought it might be a survival pack. Avril regularly does things like this, especially after reading something in one of her Ranger Rick magazines. Another 10 minutes later, Avril came into the kitchen again and asked for a few more things. By now the bag had more stuff--some pencils, sticks of gum and her $10 bill. I asked if she was leaving. "No." Finally, I asked, "Is this bag for our friend?" "Yes." I started to cry. I said, "You're giving him $10?" "$11--I put my quarters in there." I was so moved that Avril would immediately seek to bless someone that she had learned was in need. All of the little things were so thougtful, but her $10 bill was a treasure for her. Avril can really struggle (like most of us) to put others before herself. I grabbed her and hugged her and told her how proud I was. But more importantly that seeking to bless someone (especially at a cost to her) was very pleasing to God and that God would bless her in return. When I looked at her I could see the Lord. She was so beautiful. I emphasized that I was seeing Jesus in her at that moment and that she is becoming more like him through this act of love. It is such an enormous blessing to me to see Avril demonstrate Christ to others. I was also convicted to look for ways to bless those around me even when it cost me something. It is a great reminder that He is always working in us even if we don't see the results for a period of time.

Happy Birthday, Avril!

Avril turned seven years old on Sunday, October 28. I can't belive it. This has been a hard round of birthdays for me. I suppose it's because it's the first time that we've had successive birthdays with no newborn to repeat all the earlier milestones. So I am having a hard time coming to terms with how quickly my girls are growing. Avril has matured a lot over the last year. She speaks with adult language, understands on a high level so that adults can hold normal types of conversations with her. Her face is clearly maturing and she just isn't a little girl anymore. She is solidly in the "girl" stage. Avril is a voracious reader and rejoices over a trip to the library. She is especially enjoying the Garfield comics right now. Our gifts to her were two Garfield compilation comic books, and a real Bible. She was thrilled and has been spending almost all of her free time reading.

We are so blessed to have Avril. She is still a challenge in that she is very moody and can really test your patience. It's astonishing how much she is like Adrian in her personality. She even has his ability to block out all sound when she is focused. She honestly doesn't hear you even though you may be inches away. It is a delight to think about what she may be like in the future. It will most definitely be here before I am ready.

Due to scheduling, Avril's party was slightly different this year. We had one school friend, Madi, come and spend the day with us. Avril and I had talked several weeks earlier about her cake. She wanted a beach cake that was decorated as a beach scene. Because it was so small, I let the girls decorate the cake themselves. So just after Madi arrived they got to decorating. It was so fun. The girls really enjoyed themselves. Most of the afternoon the girls just played together. Madi was so generous to bless Avril with a gift card to Barnes & Noble. She couldn't have picked a better gift. (In fact, Avril went to the bookstore yesterday and spent it on new treasures.) For dinner, Avril decided on Uno's Pizza. The girls ordered make-your-own-pizzas. Just as dinner was finishing, the waitstaff came out to sing Happy Birthday to a customer. My girls had never witnessed this before (as we rarely eat out in a sit-down restaurant with them). When our waitress came to bring the check Avril proudly announced that this was her birthday too. So the waitstaff surprised her with a song and freshly baked, (it was still hot, YUM!) huge chocolate chip cookie. What a wonderful evening. After dinner, we took Madi home. Avril thoroughly enjoyed her day and I'm sure is already formulating plans for next year.




































































































**Regarding the picures: 1. Avril and Madi getting the "ocean" frosting ready. 2. Putting on the ocean water. 3. Adding the "sand." 4. All finished. 5. Make a wish. 6. Enjoying the fruits of their labor. 7. At Uno's Pizza. 8. Making pizzas. 9. Mmm, pizza. 10. Is that embarrasment at being the center of attention???? 11. Sweet reward.

Rain, Rain

There is a special tradition in our house. Ever since Avril was a very small toddler, Adrian would take her out to play in the rain. Adrian's favorite weather is rain so it was natural for him to implement this event. Over the years, the other girls joined the playtime as they became old enough to walk. Usually they will walk over to the tennis courts and splash in the huge puddles for a while. Then the will swing and slide on the small playground right next to the house. It's best in the summer when it's warm out, but they even go in the winter. When they come home soaked to the bone and covered in mud, they take warm baths and drink hot chocolate. This has become one of the girls' most cherished activities. We've been in a drought for a while now, and they did ask occasionally through the summer when it might rain that they could go out and play. We were finally blessed with some rain at the end of October. It was a perfect playing rain too--steady and gentle and long lasting (and warm). The girls were so excited to get to go and play in the rain with dad. Watching all of them walk off together into the rain has become one of my most cherished activities. What a treasure to have such sweet memories to hold.

Tea Time

My mom takes care of Eowyn on Fridays while I am teaching Spanish. This week she planned a rather elaborate tea party for which fancy dresses were required. Eowyn had a BLAST. She very carefully poured the tea, cream and sugar. In fact, she even had a second tea party at lunch time. Perhaps she'll marry into royalty someday and then she'll be ready for high tea.

Ballet

This year the girls are taking ballet lessons. They were so excited when we told them that they would learn ballet and perform on the stage at the end of the year. Eowyn is also in ballet and nearly exploded from joy when she learned that she would finally get to participate in the athletic activities. We are at the studio on Friday nights from 5-7. Eowyn is first at 5pm and then Avril and Maia are in class together at 6pm. They are so cute in their leotards and pink tights. But mostly, I think they are just biding their time to get on the stage in costume. It's exciting to give them this opportunity and watch to see what choices they make as they grow.

School Days!

Avril started First Grade this week at Norfolk Christian. I can't believe how big my first baby is. She is definitely not a little girl anymore. Her features have really matured and the way she speaks is noticeably mature. She is so excited to be back in school and has loved it. She has a new teacher, and I hope that she will be able to challenge Avril.

Maia also started school this week as NCS. We decided to put her back into Pre-K this year mostly to allow her to be older as she moves through school instead of always being the youngest in her class. She really wanted to go into Kindergarten (because that's what Avril did last year), but I think she will enjoy this year. There are nine girls in her class and that is very exciting. I hope that her teacher will also provide her extra work to challenge her. The difference for her this year is that she is going to school the full week. She LOVED IT. She gets to ride the bus both ways and everything. I am happy for her. I asked her yesterday if she fell asleep at rest time (on a red and blue mat!). She said, "Well, I did yawn three times." :) I love it! So whether she actually slept remains a mystery.

Eowyn is home with me this year. I don't really have a memory of just having one child at home. It's been different (by that I mean much quieter) already. I am looking forward to spending special time with her this year.

I also am going to school this fall. I am teaching two Spanish classes at our church's Home School Enrichment Program. At the moment I am very overwhelmed trying to learn how to make lesson plans. But I am really excited about the year, and I think this will be something I really enjoy (and become my hobby) as the years progress. It's only two days a week which makes it possible to do and still manage our home. So I start this coming Tuesday and can't believe how much I still have to do. But "Grace enough for the day" is my battle cry. It'll get there.

Below are pictures from the girls' first days of school. Maia actually started the day after Avril. If you notice, there is a photo of Avril in the background when she's one day old--still at the hospital. Could she really have been so tiny? And, no, I do not intend to take a picture of myself next Tuesday for my first day of school.

Happy Birthday, Maia!!

Maia turned five years old on Friday. This astounds me because I always think of her as so tiny with a little mousy voice. But she is growing quickly. This summer Maia decided that she wanted to wear dresses almost exclusively. Fortunately, we have a lot of dresses for her to wear. We have seen this very girly side of her for a while now and I think it's here to stay. Maia loves shoes, to do her nails, and bows in her hair. It is not hard for me to imagine that she will be the girl who is a killer on the field (because she actually is quite athletic) and comes out of the locker room dressed to the nines. Maia can be very determined to get what she wants, but she is very gracious and quick to share her things with her sisters. On several occasions, Eowyn has messed up, broken or in someway ruined something of Maia's (even brand new) and she has responded in love and without complaint. What an evidence of grace!! Maia will be in school full days this year--a clear sign that she's growing up. We are quickly moving into a new season of life. Our family is so blessed to have Maia. Thank you Lord for giving her to us.

This year was special because Maia got to have her first "friends party." Our plan (at least for now) is beginning at 5 the girls can have a "friends party" every other year. So about a week prior we planned out her party. Maia knew exactly what she wanted and didn't hesitate to lay out the menu and guest list. We invited five friends--four of whom were able to attend. The party was on Friday. For breakfast we had chocolate glazed donuts. Our friends came over at 11am. We played some games, ate chicken nuggets, fries, ridge chips, grapes and soda for lunch. We had a pink heart cake and rainbow sherbet. She was blessed to receive some fun gifts from her friends--very fancy hair bows, new art supplies, and a fun bouncing ball that you sit on. The girls left about 1:30, and we were able to relax before dinner. Maia's birthday dinner was barbecued pork chops, mashed potatoes, plums and biscuits. Everyone loved it.

Saturday our family came over again at 11. It was a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Even her cousins were able to come. We had some heavy hors d'oeuvers for lunch. This time we had an aquarium cake and raspberry sherbet. Then Maia opened her gifts. She got more nail polish and make up, some art supplies, a wooden box that comprised several games (very cool), money (very exciting!) and the big finale was to get her ears pierced--which didn't actually happen until today (Monday). This little outing was very exciting actually. Maia has been asking to do this for a while. So we went to the mall this morning with my mom and got haircuts-- something everyone was eager to do, then got Maia's ears pierced after lunch. She has a really high pain tolerance and didn't even flinch or take in a breath. I didn't even realize it was over. So she is very happy and we had another wonderful day celebrating Maia's birthday.

Concerning the pictures L-R: Little party girls; Maia and Kaleigh; Maia and Lily; Maia and Lydia; Maia and Natalie; blowing out the candles; all the cousins; more hairbows!

To the village and back again

On Sunday, the Americans gathered together for a time of worship. There was an opportunity for people to share. I shared about how thankful I was to even be in attendance and highlighted God's sovereignty that orchestrates every detail of life. I recalled that it was in Peru that the Lord saved me. It was humbling to remember where I had been and that He should save one such as I. It was really coming full circle to be back.
But really I want to share another's story from that time. Al Shannon (who has worked in Peru with his wife, Barb, for more than 30 years and was in Huaraz when I lived there) spoke of a memory of Pushpi. Pushpi is one of Mike's co-translators. He is an extraordinary man who loves that Lord and works tirelessly in His service. Al spoke of a day when Pushpi came into the center(where offices, etc. were located) for a conference. He noticed that Pushpi's feet and pants were covered in mud. While speaking with him, Pushpi told Al that he'd just gotten back from one of the villages where he'd been reading a passage of the Gospel to a group of Quechuas for a comprehension check. Comprehension checks are obviously one of the most critical parts of translation work. He read of the woman who'd been hemorrhaging for 12 years and Jesus' response to her. After Pushpi finished reading a woman began groaning and said, "If only Jesus were here, He could heal me." Pushpi responded that Jesus was with them right then and could heal her if she believed. Al didn't know the outcome of that woman, but he said as Pushpi shared all of this he looked back again at his mud-stained feet and pants and thought "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who bring good news." I love that story and I still cry when I think of it. What a beautiful example of the Lord using the lowly to further His Kingdom.



After our worship service was done a large group of us travelled out to see the village where Mike and Cheryl lived the first 5 years in Peru. It's called Shellia (but I never did find out the correct spelling) and actually is not far from Huaraz. It's at the base of Huascaran and just beautiful. We saw the Miller's old house. Ben was only 2 at the time and they were there until he was 7. Kaitlyn was only a baby and was three by the time they left and moved into Huaraz. I had never gone to Shellia during my entire year in Huaraz. I did spend one night in a village called Wino ("we know"), but that's fantastic story for another time. So it was great to see where they had orginally lived. In the pictures below there is a small, very old Quechua woman that Mike knew--Senora Victoria. He spoke with her for a few minutes and it was sweet to watch them interact. You can see how small she is next to Mike (who's not overly tall). She reminded me of a hobbit, actually. Mike introduced her to his brother David--who is significantly taller than Mike. She looked at him and said, "what a giant man!" Mike translated from Quechua for the rest of us of course. Then he pointed out Benjamin to her. In one picture, he's describing Ben being a small boy and then look at him now. She did remember him. There are not many white-haired, white-skinned boys in a Quechua village as you might guess. She was amazed at how tall he is now. It was for dear souls such as she that God sent the Millers to put His word into Huaylas Quechua. We walked around a bit more and then headed back home.

Regarding the pictures: #1 Walking down the path to the Miller's old house in Shellia. #2 The Millers in front of the old house--Heather, Ben, Kaitlyn, Mike, Carly, Jon #3 Senora Victoria #4 & 5 Talking about Ben as a toddler and then looking to him now as a grown man. #6 Shellia countryside #7 Leaving the village #8 Meat hanging in someone's courtyard, mmm...pig #9 Nothing says clean laundry like free-roaming chickens


















Later that night many people (including all the Miller clan who were heading north to a beach house for a few days) loaded onto buses bound for Lima and then home. I spent Monday in Huaraz and was able to visit with some Peruvian friends that I lived with for a few weeks back in1995. Their daughter is a few years younger than me and we were close friends. Paola lives in Switzerland now with her Swiss husband. I was very sad not to see her, but it was a delight to visit with her parents. Being alone a good portion of the day was very good for me though. Without so many dear friends to visit with and so many activities to be running off to, I felt a great desire to go home. I really missed Adrian and my daughters. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to remember that my life is with my family. I love Peru--especially Huaraz, but without the people I love there, I cannot stay. It was a good time of closure. I don't know if I will ever return to Peru. I hope that one day I can return with my whole family, but if not, I am content. God has given me so much and I am so thankful. On Monday night I rode the bus down to Lima for my flight on Tuesday afternoon. Everything was smooth and painless. As an added gift, it was clear as we flew up the coastline of Peru. I got to see the whole Cordillera Blanca as I left. I arrived in D.C. at 2:30am and was met by my cousin, Elaine. What a woman to pick me up at such an inconvenient time! We went back to her home for about two hours before I left for the train station. I didn't actually get out of the airport until closer to 4 with customs, etc. I got on the train and left at 7:30. Adrian picked me up at noon in Newport News and I was home. How sweet to see him again. What an amazing husband to let me go so far for so long while he stayed home with the girls! I cannot tell you how many people said to me, "You're husband is staying home with the girls for a ten days!" They were beyond amazed and told me how great he is. I agree 100%. I left again at 7pm and headed to Nags Head where the girls were with my mom's family at a cottage. It was a joy to see them too. I am glad to be home.



Me with Marco and Marlene Monday evening

So ends my ramblings of my trip to Peru. Thank you to so many of you that helped me get there. Every prayer was answered with abundant blessing. There were no problems of any kind. It was a opportunity of a lifetime for me.