3-miles and hour

I am so bummed out that I forgot my camera yesterday. We took a day trip to Tongue River Reservoir and even got to borrow a friend's boat. I turned out that it was just the 5 of us for the day, but we had a blast! The big girls were very helpful "flag girls," when mom or dad would fall in the water while skiing. The girls gave mom grief because she isn't as good as daddy skiing. And Aliya caught onto boat etiquette very quickly. She figured out where her spot was and when to stay sitting.

After lunch sometime, Madison said, "I'm gonna tube." And just like that, she wasn't scared or anything. We talked Breanne into tubbing with mom. We tried to do a little fishing and since I don't have a license, I was sitting on the back of the boat and Aliya was standing on the back platform, squatting down into the water when all of a sudden I started to slip and we both landed in the water. Aliya was a little shaken up, but it almost seemed to me after she settled down that she thought it was funny. I do love that about her personality. She is strong-willed but she's quick to get over a scratched up kneed and "brush it off," laugh about it and move on.

After we found some ice cream at the marina, Breanne decided that she would tube by herself. She did great! Then Madison decided that she would jump off the back of the boat and swim back in. After dinner, the two girls decided that they would double tube; Madi on the big tube and Breanne in the donut tube. It was so fun to watch them build their courage. It's officially began the season of 45-minute tube rides! When they were riding, Breanne gave the cue to slow down. She informed her dad that he was going a "little crazy, so..." To which Derrick replied, "Yea, we wouldn't want to break 3-miles an hour!"

Lakefront property

Funny thing, I was just wondering what I would blog about this week. Well, let me tell you... It's a bad feeling when you look out your window and wonder if you're on a houseboat.
We were relaxing and resting on a pleasant Father's Day Sunday. Derrick and I woke up about 4:15, a thunderstorm was brewing. As we watched the rain turn into hail, Derrick watching from the garage, I from the front porch, we heard sirens. We grab our sleeping girls and headed for cover. Derrick took along the laptop (back in the day, it was a radio). Online, we found out a tornado had been spotted in the Heights area. Later we found out that it hit a couple businesses about 3 miles from our house. After a prayer with the girls and explaination as to what the world a tornado is, Derrick headed upstairs to check things out. When he returned, his report was, "we got problems!" I think the pictures speak for themselves.
The window wells were all completely filled with water. The water washed down the street, into our front lawn and wrapped around the north side of our house.Can you say mudslide?Water was pouring in the window in the living room.First time I've seen hail in Billings.This is a picture of where the water crested in the creek in the backyard.After the dust settled, we bailed out the water from the girls' egress window well and started pulling up carpet. We feel so blessed as we look at these pictures tonight and realize how bad it really was! We had great friends that came to help us haul out sopping wet carpet pads, shopvac carpet, bring us fans, watch the girls and even brought us dinner so we could focus on clean up all day Monday! Praise the Lord, no one was hurt in the storm. The girls were a little shook up in the midst of everything on Sunday. They seem to have adjusted and even like their "new room" (the guest room). Madison told one of my friends today, "Yea, and we even got a TV in our new room (it's not even plugged in...)." God is so good! The backfill under the north window in our living room completely washed away....MUDDY!

Where's the snow?

What summer vacation? Since Madison's last day of school, it's been quite a rat race at our house. Now, this week, we hope to settle into a summer routine. First off, Madison's class celebrated their last day of school with a party. They sang songs, got a certificate and we got Mrs. Watson's famous punch and lots of sugary goodies!

After our last weekend of t-ball, it was time for summer to really begin. The girls and I began our week with a trip to Garrison, North Dakota to see our friends, the Giffey's from Tennessee (there visiting family.) We stopped off in the North Dakota Badlands at a rest area. Madison noticed the coal in the soil. I told her a little bit about how the coal is mined and pointed out the numerous mines and power plants in the area. She thought that was really cool. She's a sponge just waiting to soak up information. We enjoyed our time with the Giffey boys (they outnumber us now: Grady, Gavin, Gunnar and Gage.) The first thing Madison told Derrick was that Gage was so cute and she said he thought the DeWilde girls were his sisters.

The DeWilde ladies returned to Billings Thursday evening only to leave again Friday morning for our first weekend of camping. We were excited to explore a new area of Montana! We left early for the Lewis and Clark Caverns. On the guided tour, there were a lot of areas that were tight to say the least. Breanne was especially nervous on the first "butt-slide," but after that, she couldn't wait to be the first in the group to lead the way.

We headed down into gold mining country from there. Made a loop through several ghost towns that circle the Tobacco Root Mountains. We finally made our way to the campground (through lots of slip, sliding and mud!) in the heart of the mountains. We were the only people in the campground. All day we kept waiting to see the snow. For the past two years, our first expedition out has been with a little (or a lot) of snow. We didn't find any until we drove up further into the mountains. "Should you be concerned when all you see driving up past your campsite is snowmobiles?" Derrick wondered.

After parking the camper, Breanne breathed a sigh of relief, opened up the camper and pulled out her blankie, "She was so sad because she missed me so much on that LONG car ride." (Letting the thumbsucking begin!)

After "Linner" that evening, Breanne snuggled up next to Derrick at the campfire and said, "Ah, this is the best part of camping! Just sittin' by the fire." Time for s'mores, right? A half-hour into the roasting, Madison requests another oreo (she's a s'mOREO fan). Derrick asks, how many is that for you now? Madison shrugs her shoulders, "I don't know...."

Saturday morning, we headed out to explore the Tobacco Roots...mountains that is. I had packed 3 bandanas for the big girls and I. Until Aliya insisted that she sport the third one, not mom. Sure does make for a cute picture though!

I thought about entitling this entry, "Next year will be so easy!" I feel like I say this every year we go camping (in regards the girls). I have to admit while this year is different with Aliya camping (she's not crawling around in the dirt, sticking pine needles in her mouth) she is definitely trying in her own special way with the constant, "Mum...Mum...Mum...Mum....," skinning up her hands and knees, crying, whining, temper trantuming.... You get the point. Next year will be so much easier...

We enjoyed our time touring some ghost towns (Virginia City, Nevada City to name a few). And dad, just so you know, we read EVERY Historic Point sign along the road! Madison, Breanne and Aliya had their first run in with a buffalo at a museum. YIKES!

We loved the area mostly because in every direction you look, you're surrounded by a different mountain range. The first picture in the entry is the Tobacco Roots. Here you can see the Pioneer Mountains in the distance.

On Sunday, we clean up camp and headed for the Missouri Headwaters State Park. Madison and Breanne were educated. What three rivers make up the Missouri River? "The Madison, the Jefferson Rivers and the Gallatin." Speaking of Madison, here she is by HER river (and if you look close you can see Her mountain range in the background)!

We tried to learn more and see more and ended our time there with a picnic...and Aliya feeding Derrick chips!

Ah, summer is HERE!

Bottled Cokes, macchiatos, french fries & Kaldi's icrecream

I don't know where to begin unearthing the blog after a lifetime experience like the last 10-days spent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Derrick and I are both comforted by being home with our girls who we missed so dearly! We had an unexpected delay and came home 1-day later than we were scheduled. This was brutal to a mother who missed her babies.
I'd like to take you day by day through the highlights of my own personal experiences. I also urge you to experience Ethiopia through the minds of my teammates at our team's blog: http://www.ehworkteam.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 21

Arrived!

I have to admit, what I dreaded most about the trip to Ethiopia was the traveling: 8-10 hour flights, long layovers, restlessness, airline food, you name it! Honestly, the trip there was the least of my worries. Twenty-eight hours of travel and we made it to Addis. Thus begins the awaking of my five senses, especially the sense of smell. I had seen Ethiopia in many pictures from the trip Derrick took in November. Now, I add smell to what I've seen.

At the airport, my camera is nearly confiscated, by an official (of what, I do not know) of whom I unintentionally took a picture. It was a frightening confrontation, but one that I'm thankful for; it made me stop to realize that I need to respect those that live here and be sensitive to the fact they may not want me snapping pictures of everything.

Saturday, May 22

My nose is tired

My sense of smell is completely overwhelmed! The smell of exhaust is very strong. Roasting of sweet corn is a sweet, enticing smell. The eucalyptus is very powerful and pungent. There are other smells that I won't mention...

The culture here is one of touch! One native put it this way, "Ethiopians are poor financially, but we are so very rich socially!" Whenever you meet someone, you always shake their hand and if you met them even once before, you hug them along with the handshake.

We drove north out of Addis into the countryside. The countryside is not a far cry from Southwest Minnesota or Eastern South Dakota. Saw some of the sights here (Portuguese Bridge) and tasted my first bottled coke: Miranda (orange pop.) It’s better in a bottle. We should start a petition and bring the bottle back to the US.

Sunday, May 23

Communication…a foreign language

Communication is a constant struggle when you do not speak the same language! Today was the National Elections. We were told by some to stay in; it may be unsafe to venture outside the guest home. Others told us it was perfectly fine, go about travel, as you desire. We played it safe and enjoyed a day of rest. I got to meet one of Derrick's friends from his last trip: Aki. I was blown away by his demonstration of faith!

We've found the hotspot of Addis: Kaldi's Coffee. The equivalent to Starbucks! Some of the finest ice-cream ever and some good macchiatos!

Monday, May 24

Hodgepodge!

This might explain the day. I was anxious and excited for the first day of work on the security wall for Bright Hope School. The morning's work was very hard! Although I enjoyed working side-by-side, huffing boulders with Derrick on a project he's so passionate about, I was soon forming blisters on my hands from carrying the barilla (equivalent to a gurney used to carry rocks or cement).

I am amazed at the vastness of this wall project! The school grounds are HUGE and the wall will enclose all of it. At morning recess, I got to interact with some kids. I have realized that God game me three beautiful girls because I wouldn't know what to do with boys!

Shortly before lunch, I got in on some cement mixing action. Oh my stars, these women working here are so strong! I am eager to learn more about the women's place in society here but am frustrated that the women we are working with speak so little English and I speak 3 lines of Amharic. I am realizing that the women here are just like me. They have the same concerns and hopes for their children, responsibilities and relationships with other women. They just happen to be in a different setting.

After a HUGE downpour, our day shifted from physical labor, to a lesson in Amharic from Tewodros. This language overwhelms me. I need God's help to give me clarity of mind and to speak through me...in Amharic.

Tonight, we heard the amazing stories and vision from Sammy and his pastor, Antenah. Two men whose lives changed 180 after accepting Christ as Savior! The vision of the church is totally focused on others! And their focus on prayer and fasting as a vehicle to empower the church is one that I am personally challenged to adopt.

Tuesday, May 25

Drive like you stole it!

Never mind that our driver, Surafel, has a postcard hanging from his rearview mirror that says this, that's how most people drive here. The work at the school this morning was good. In a twisted sort of way, I enjoy the adrenaline rush of hoofing large rocks over to the wall.

During recess, I had the privilege of "jumping rope" with the girls. This consists of a long piece of what looks like cassette tape stretched out 2-wide and held about thigh high on both ends. You jump both feet in, then both feet out. Let's just say, I'm glad no cameras were present to record my attempt.

After lunch, we went to help serve lunch at a church in the heart of the Korah district. The poverty is extreme beyond anything else we had seen yet (excluding the hundreds of people we saw from the highway living and scavenging at the dump) and we had the gracious privilege of serving some of the poorest among them a meal. What may be the only meal they get all day! I am developing a relationship with Betty. She walks to and from church with me. She is 12 years old, like mathematics and teaching me Amharic. I've also taught some of the girls, "He's got the whole world in His hands." It's amazing to hear her sing it back to me with an Amharic accent.

Tonight, we had seriously the most amazing drink ever at the local Sister's Cafe: a macchiato. The "pizza" might have been disgusting, but the macchiato...indescribably wonderful! The fries were also a taste of yummy American goodness (actually better than American in my opinion). Which begs the questions, could we live on macchiatos and french fries?

Wednesday, May 26

What do I do?

Words can't express the mix of emotions I felt today. Beginning with missing my three beautiful girls, together with compassion for the least of these and wonder at what action Christ would tell me to take.

This morning, I got to visit a KG class (equivalent to Kindergarten). The students are smart, studious, smiley, respectful and neat.

Going to serve lunch at Sammy's church again rocked me to the core! While serving lunch I stopped to notice the respect and gratitude the children show. They have so little but their smiles are so big. We got a tour of the building they are using for transitioning kids from the dump and Summer Camp. The goal is to use the Summer Camp to socialize 150 kids from the dump before they leave for boarding school. They will also have 300 other children from the community there for summer camp. Here's compassion at it's best:

• Two orphans (ages 8 & 10) live 500 km north of Addis. Their parents die of malaria. They know their only chance at survival is to travel to Addis. They are found in front of a Greek Orthodox church and brought to the Protestant Church in the Korah district, taken in by a believing family and now sponsored by the church program.
• A sixteen-year old girl lives at the dump, is raped and pregnant. She gives birth. Through the church's connections, a family in the US both adopts the baby AND sponsors the girl to go to boarding school in the fall.

It truly blows my mind at how blessed my life is and I wonder, what can I do?

Thursday, May 27

Hot when I'm cold

http://www.ehworkteam.blogspot.com/

Thursday's post is written by me. Sorry, it's really LONG!

P.S. Don't even mention Injera to me!

Friday, May 28

Today is difficult for me. My Ethiopian strain of the common cold is at it's worst. I want so badly to interact and play with the kids one last day, but fear I will pass out if I don't rest.

I got to sit and talk with Betty one last time. My heart just loves her and I pray God's best for her! I gave her my pink bandana and tried to explain that if I do not see her again on this earth, that I will see her again in heaven.

As we leave Addis and I go through security, a national says, "You are safe." I reply by saying "Amasayganalu," (thank you.) In an instant, he respected my place in his culture. That's when cultural sensitivity went full-circle for me. How can I make a difference in someone else's live unless I live like them, learn like them, speak like them, try to understand them?

Sunday, May 30

Oh what a night!

Medical delays cause missing connecting flights and we're in Denver (1 1/2 hour flight from home) overnight. After waiting in line 3 hours after touching down in Denver, we finally get a hotel room. All I wanted to do was see my girls! This is the "heat" for me. I know God works all things out for the good of those who love Him, but it's tough for me to find comfort in that right now.

After 48-hours of travel, we land in Billings and I am united with my beautiful girls (who have entirely new wardrobes thanks to their grandmas!) It has been a sweet time reconnecting with our girls!

Graduation Trauma!

As we prepared for a busy weekend (complete with a lock-in, t-ball game, garden planting, 3 birthday parties, serving at church, a date and preschool graduation) I got a call that Breanne had face-planted in the gym at preschool and possibly chipped a tooth. When I arrived at preschool, she was no longer crying and I found out that she lost one of her front teeth and skinned up her nose. She seemed stable and not in too much pain. Later in the afternoon, she was playing and bumped her chin, which forced the other front tooth back into her mouth and it now was pushed straight back into her mouth. She cried from the blood but never complained about the pain. On Monday, I made a dentist appointment for her and they had to pull the tooth. She was so incredibly brave! She got to pick a pink treasure box for the tooth and has now been visited by the tooth fairy twice! She's gonna be rich.

After the chaos of three birthday parties in one day, we got to celebrate Breanne's preschool graduation. They played sticks to song and were given certificates. We got cake and punch (and skittles) and the kids got to play together. Yesterday, they got to have a water fight and tomorrow, they get a field trip to the zoo. Then, MY "favorite middle girl" is officially done with preschool.

Madison is on a field trip today to a farm. She's be very excited and I'm sure will have stories to share when she gets home.

Aliya has started saying 3-word sentences. You have to listen closely (and maybe only I understand her) but I've heard, "I do it," "I don't know," and "What he do?" She continues to be very independent. I just pray she's sweet and not too stubborn for her grandmas.

Derrick and I fly out of Billings at 6am on Thursday morning. We are making all the last minute preparations and feel excited overall for the experience that lies ahead (mixed with a bit of anxiety). New things to pray for...

• That the ash cloud from the Iceland volcanoes "behaves itself" (as Derrick puts it) and does disturb our connection in Frankfurt, Germany
• Dry weather in Addis while we work at the job site
• Good communication and relationships with a new contractors at the work site
• Stability in the country during the 4th national election on May 23
• Safe travel for the grandmas (and the grandpas who will be home without their wives)
• Safety for the girls and grandma here in Billings
• Last minute prepartions and sweet times with our girls before we leave

We are so blessed by your prayers. I can't wait to make communicate you all when we get back. This will probably be my last post until we return. I don't plan on blogging on our personal blog (here) while we're gone, but please follow the Work Team blog at http://ehworkteam.blogspot.com/

Spring? Musings of a silly girl

I double-checked the calendar this morning. It is really May 6th as far as I can tell. Funny thing is I told a friend earlier this spring that I'd love to take pictures of my tulips in the snow. I didn't think I'd get that wish this year, but... I'll be more careful with my wishes next time, promise!

Now, onto more serious topics than the weather. There's a constant tune being whistled in our house. Breanne outperforms both her parents in whistling. (She's quite proud of this!) The past couple weeks, Breanne has made me chuckle more than a dozen times... As she was eating some lifesavers, she says, "Mom, this is just healthy candy. Because it's watermelon, raspberry, cherry, and oranges." Well, maybe. But how can I contradict that reasoning? She also loves to say, "This is just going to be a disaster..." to explain a less than ideal situation. Where does she get this stuff from? And, after being told to do something or asked a question, she might say, "Well, (takes a deep breath/sigh) you see..." while she goes on to reason. This morning she told me, "Mom, Aliya really liked me yesterday." Good to know that card is no good today. And last but not least, "Mom, Natalie told me she wants to have me, Kelcey and Gracie over for a sleepover." I said that we'd need to talk to Natalie's mom about that. "Well, it was Natalie's choice." I'm sure that's all that matters.

Breanne has also met a pre-kindergarten milestones. She tied her shoes for the first time yesterday. She put on Madison's shoe actually and next thing I know she says, "Did I just tie my shoe?" She sure did. Today she realized she could also tie her own shoe. Next she says she's going to practice tying Aliya's shoes.

Two weeks from today, Derrick and I will be on a plane to Ethiopia! Although we're both excited, it doesn't even seem real to me yet. Seriously, another country? Across the globe? I haven't even been to Canada or Mexico. Well, if you're gonna go, you might as well go big, right? I've begun the "book" of instructions for the grandmas who are staying with the girls. Sorry, not to frighten you, I just want you to be equipped since we WON'T be just a call away.

I have to address those of you who have been praying for our preparations and those of you who have been able to support us financially. Thank you! I can't begin to explain how humbled Derrick and I are when each check comes in. And your notes and prayers sent as well. We are so blessed! I personally prayed in January that if God wanted me to go on this trip, He would open wide the doors and if He didn't have this trip in His plan for me, that He would close tight the doors. In every circumstance (from childcare, team bonding, airfaire, finances, immunizations...) He has flung the doors open! Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I am in prayer for the relationships God wants me to build in Ethiopia. I don't know what they will be, what it will feel like, look like. I am clueless. I have no power in this situation; nor do I know what to do; "but my eyes are upon You (God)." (2 Chor. 20:12) May whatever happens, may it all be done to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)

Go Pizzas!

Madison is in full swing and enjoying t-ball. The name of her team is The Pizzas (sponsored by Little Caesars). Go pizzas!