Baptism & Bad Things

This past weekend was a big celebration at La Gracia de Cristo. It marks the 11-year anniversary that our Argentine church (who we are partnering with in our work with the poor) has been ministering here in Córdoba Capital.

On Saturday night, all 5 of us went to the service that began at 8:00 pm. It was a beautiful time of worship, baptism, teaching, and prayer. It was one of our favorite yet.

After the service was over (11:00 pm), Chris stopped at the local, neighborhood Choripan truck and ordered our dinner. I proceeded to walk home with the boys (yes, they had already eaten). On the way home, we began talking about baptism. Here is part of the conversation:

Andrew: When we go home [meaning Santa Barbara], I would like to be baptized.

Krista: That's great, Andrew. Would you want to get baptized here?
Andrew: No! I want daddy to baptize me.

David: Me too. And I want to be able to understand the language when I am getting baptized.

Krista: That makes sense.

Throughout this conversation, Johnny is surprisingly quiet. Then,

Johnny: What is baptism? Why did they get all wet?

And before I could reply...
Andrew: Well, Johnny, it's a symbol. It's a promise of how you want to live your life. It's like telling everyone that you are choosing to make good choices and want to be done with the bad ones.

Johnny: Oh... [another time of rare silence, then he says,] I'm going to wait until I've done a lot of bad things and then I'm going to do the baptism.

Krista: Hmm, Johnny. What bad things are you planning on doing?
Johnny: I have no clue.

Have a great week.

Mother's Day #2

Since Mother's Day is celebrated in May in USA and October in Argentina, I got to enjoy 2 celebrations this year. How cute are these boys? David made me the necklace, Andrew made me the bracelet, and Johnny smiled nicely at school and I got a mug with his photo on it. I'm a lucky lady!

We went to Rubén & Graciela's house for a yummy lunch of homemade emanadas and here are all the mom's pictured. As if you didn't know, I'm the giant, 3rd from the left.

(Angelita (Karina's mom), Karina, Giant, Victoria (Graciela's mom), Ezequiel's mom, Graciela's niece, Graciela, Miriam)

My friend Sonia is a champion sewer (I'm not, and don't aim to be). She made 55 purses for the moms in the church. I told her that I could help somehow, maybe cutting or something? (I'm good with scissors.) She said she was making cards for the kids to give to their moms too and maybe I could help with those? Sure! I said envisioning a very small project.

Suffice it to say that after making a few of these, my cussing fast had to begin anew. I not a big "ribbons and bow" type of gal. I'd post the DIY instructions for these little diddies, but I'm not sure how to explain it using nice words.

I do know that many moms loved their gifts and I feel thankful to Sonia for her extreme dedication to making sure every mom felt celebrated, even though I prefer the homemade cards made by David, Andrew, & Johnny.

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On another note, did you know that today is "census-day" in Argentina? Everyone had to stay home - from school and work - in order to be available to answer all the questions from the government worker who comes directly to your house. It is very interesting and I think a very good way to make sure everyone is counted. There are approximately 40 million people living in this country, half of whom live in Buenos Aires. I'm glad we don't live there. We have about 1.5 million people living in Córdoba Capital and I think that is a much better number. Funny to think we'll be counted in this census. Do we get to be counted in USA too? Does that mean we are worth double??

Also, the president's husband died last night. (David asked me, "How would it be possible for him to have a husband?" I calmly informed him that WOMEN CAN BE PRESIDENTS too.) The current government, we've been told, is corrupt. Kristina, the president, is not truly Peronista and it was thought that her husband, who himself is a former president of Argentina, would become president when her term was over. Not so, now. Very interesting times.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Mamá!

I've got a great mom. And today is her birthday.

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I love her a lot and am thankful for the example she has been in my life.

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She is encouraging... thoughtful...

generous... passionate... loving... beautiful

affectionate... creative... funny.

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She has greatly influenced my life and I am blessed to have her as a mom and friend.

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She and Dick will be here in early December!!! I'm counting the days.

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Happy Birthday Mom!

I miss you so much and love you a whole lot more.

PS Your gift is in the mail.

In case any of you are wondering, she turns 62 today.

(She's also a little vain and doesn't like people knowing her age. hehehe.)

Fear Not

I'm not one who typically quotes Scripture - I'm not sure why as God's Word does happen to dictate my life. I guess I'd rather tell a joke. Or actually live the Words rather than just quote them....

However, the past few weeks I've had a lot of trouble sleeping as a result of some crazy fears. I won't share the specific fears out of fear I'll give you something to fear. [Um, WoW.] But suffice it to say that when the morning comes, I am aware of how irrational they are.

And while these thoughts in the dark of the night can seem very powerful I'm thankful that I can read (over 200 times) throughout the Bible God saying, "Fear not, for I am with you" in a number of different ways.

I'm determined to rest (even if I can't sleep) in this truth.

Here are some of Words of Truth that battle for my mind when I'm scared.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,

but of power, love, and of self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7

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"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

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"Do not be afraid or discouraged.

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Sleep well, friends.

PS I'm not sure why I picked the photo for this post. I guess I'm feeling like a caged monkey? Or needed to throw in a joke with the Scripture quotes?

Reflections on the Past 2 Months

It's hard for me to believe we've been here for 2 months.
Some days it feels like home and others days I struggle to get out of bed.

Here are some things I am learning and relearning, in no particular order:

I like my husband.
He's funny, reliable, strong, and a really good leader.
He has saved our sanity with his desire to explore,
his ability to read a map,
and his daily readings from the Bible during breakfast.
(Much to my dismay and the boys' delight, he is shaking a monkey's hand below.)

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We couldn't be here without the support of people all around the world.
It is good to be part of the Body of Christ.
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Mate is good when prepared with suave yerba.

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Duct tape is a semi-good replacement for my tool-box.
(Yes, I did say "my" toolbox. It was mine. And I miss it.)
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It is really hard to learn a new language when you're 37 years old.
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It's a lot easier, but still painful, to learn a language when you're 10, 8, or 5.
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God is on the move in Argentina.
I have seen great need and great joy and I have a sense of purpose for our being here.
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I am not in control of my life.

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My mind freezes when the weather is too cold.

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Argentine wine helps in language aquisition.

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The boys are very resiliant.

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I'm thankful for the way each kiddo communicates with me...

even Johnny's hissy fits since I can relate to them.

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Trader Joes really is the best grocery store. I miss organic peanut butter (but have a good supply thanks to generous package senders), well made (translated "low sugar") granola bars, healthy cereal, organic banilla yogurt, edamame, fresh hot salsa, and virtuoso lip balm.
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Sleep is very important for a healthy lifestyle. Sugar is not.
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I can find Tabasco Sauce in WalMart.
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I really miss my friends and family. And the beach.


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I'm making new friends and finding beauty here. God provides uniquely.
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Hail can be as big as golf or tennis balls and ruins plants and damages cars.
Taxis will not drive in hailstorms.
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Laxatives aid digestion after the consumption of a lot of meat.
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Bringing Buddy here was a very good choice.

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Fútbol is a universal language. So is math.
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Grieving is hard, takes time, and is different for each person. Tear Soup is a must read.
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The Psalms are a good way to draw me closer to the heart of God.

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Hang drying laundry isn't so bad. Jill's right: It's a good time to think and pray.

It also helps to have a really good lavaropa.
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Reading the Bible in Spanish opens up God's Word in a new and incredible way.
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Female hormones are very powerful.

(Sometimes I grow horns.) ~~

Chris's garage exercises and work-outs would make Chuck Norris proud. He's religious about doing them every single day and he's got the biceps to prove it.

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The ability to drive in Argentina signifies the ability to drive anywhere in the world.

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I still don't feel like I'm missing out by not having my own FaceBook page.

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We can always make good, new friends and still keep the old.

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Bidets are yucky.

Special Relationships

I can't help it.

I have to show you a unique pair of photos that I took during our time at the Granja Zoo.

It's a petting zoo located in the middle of Parque Sarmiento and the boys (all of them) were enchanted by it.

Anyway, here are the photos.

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T h i s . . . b u r r o

(there is another name for donkey that I'm SO tempted to type)

really bonded with Chris as you can see below.

I think the feeling was mutual.

Pray for us down here in Argentina.

Un beso (from me, not the burro)...