El Ferro

Most of the time, it is a great advantage to live right in front of the Ferro (its full name is Ferrocarril Futbol Club~F.C.C.). The kids can go right across the street to play basketball or to swim (in the summer), and Seth has even been out all hours at the chess club. It's a great family place. BUT....yesterday, the Ferro won (evidently) the Salto soccer championship. And boy, did they festejar (party!)! They had a ticker-tape parade all through Salto (all 30 blocks of it!!!!), and they stayed up all night partying. I kid you not, they were up all hours with loud music and happiness! Unfortunately, some of us would like to sleep... I tell you, and I know what I'm talking about, Venezuelan parties have NOTHING on these all-night Uruguayan parties! Having said all of that, ¡Felicitaciones, Ferro!

Starting a Church~Not Easy...

Starting a church...doesn't even SOUND easy. This is the fifth church plant in which I've had the privilege of participating, and the truth is...it is easier~only because you get used to it. I guess it's kind of like childbirth...the first one is a humdinger, you know! Everything about it is new~you have NO IDEA what to expect because people who tell you about it forget parts... So, the first Sunday of your first church plant makes you REALLY nervous...what if nobody shows? I guess that can happen, although I'm happy that it hasn't happened to us. Well, you work, you pray, you get the church building ready, get up on the first day...then WAIT. Really a nerve-wracking business. WAIT. Well, eventually, a person shows up, then another. It's REALLY exciting! When it's your first time, you actually expect them all back the next week. Doesn't happen. Then...what? Our first time we went through a really hard time. But if I haven't learned ANYTHING else (I'm not too smart), I've learned that WE work, WE pray, but GOD gives the increase! And you know what? He does, in HIS time. This is our first church plant in Uruguay, and it's slow going~it always is. But we really just have to remember...and trust.

Can You Believe It?~I'm Posting!

How long has gone by? I just haven't felt like blogging lately...that is the only truth. I do more facebook, which I find easier, these days. Lots and lots of things have happened since my family and I moved to Salto, Uruguay, in June. My husband and sons came before the rest of us to find a suitable home, and they found a very nice one, for which we are very thankful. We've found Uruguay to VERY DIFFERENT from Venezuela in many ways, and I think we are finally getting accustomed to it! Some friends of ours came in September, bearing schoolbooks and our other books, and with the purpose too of participating in the first service of Iglesia Bautista Camino de Fe. That has been wonderful, starting the church... It's a great privilege to serve GOD in this way. Anyway, the kids and I have started school and we find ourselves very busy again! We have also had company many times, for which we are thankful too! We have many friends here in Salto, for whose salvation we are praying. Four of the five children are participating in a sport, 3 in basketball and one in rugby. Can you guess which one is in Rugby? That is an interesting sport... Hopefully, I will be back on here more often...Sorry for the ausencia! God bless...

Cosas que son Diferentes

Esta entrada tiene que ser en español como el contenido tiene que ver con dos paises en América del Sur. Muchas cosas son diferentes entre Venezuela y Uruguay, y creo que me daré cuenta de muchas cosas más mientras va pasando el tiempo. Éstas son solamente algunas de las diferencias:

• las llaves son muy inusuales
• claro que uds. saben que la ll se dice sh en vez de y
• tocineta es panceta
• hay caballos por las calles
• hace frío
• no hay ni siquiera UNA montaña
• arequipe es dulce de leche y es muy abundante y económico (y delicioso!)
• las casas no tienen closets (armarios o roperos)
• hasta el sol de hoy no he visto a nadie tomar un ¨con leche¨
• chamos son gurices
• okey es ta
• los Uruguayos no hablan, ellos cantan
• no hay papas blancas
• sí hay mucha leche y muchos dulces ricos!!!!

Algo que no es diferente es que estoy muy contenta en cualquier lugar porque es el lugar donde Dios me puso!

*sorry, English-speakers

Pictures of Visit to Venezuela

Here are some pics of our visit here in Venezuela:

Aaron, exhausted after a long trip! (sleeping on Granna's couch)

My sweet friend, Erika, and her daughter, Kerem

My new haircut!

One of my very best friends, Angelica

Cute Maria Gabriela

My sweet friend, Yitza

The trio at our "Despedida"

Anthony & cute Yale

The flowers I received at the airport (Venezuela's colors)

Sophie the night we arrived (rojo rojito~heehee!)

Blog Friends!

The other night, I had the great privilege of speaking by phone to my "long-time" blog friend, a Liz, a delightful Caraquena! We spoke for over an hour, and we lacked nothing of which to speak. I am here in Caracas, and due to circumstances, we have not been able to get together~ALAS! it seems we won't be able to get together at all. However, I am grateful to have heard her voice and shared this phone call! It was so weird... we (I say we because I think we both felt this) felt like we'd known each other forever. What a blessing! A couple of years ago, I didn't even know WHAT A BLOG WAS....now here, I have awesome blog friends! On another note, my other blog friend, JM, is moving on to Paraguay today! I know that God will greatly use her there as HE did here in Venezuela...praying for you today, Vernoys! Have a safe trip!

Three "Despedidas"

In the last week, we have had 3 going-away parties! Our friends are so sweet, but these things are hard on the ole heart! The first one was given by our church family at Faith in Raymore. There was a lot of weeping as we had become very attached to all those sweet people and our teen group! We miss the opportunity to be involved in their lives... Next, there was a 3-church party on Saturday in Caracas. These were the three churches that God allowed us a part in starting, so there are many dear among them. There were testimonies, more tears... Sunday evening was one of the worst emotionally as it was at the baby church we left in La Victoria when we left Venezuela 8 months ago. They are thriving and it was awesome to see the love that God has given them as a church family. God continue to bless them... Anyway, 3 despedidas in one week is NOT cool, but we are reminded of Christ's words that if anyone leaves family, homes, lands, that they would be given family, homes, lands hundredfold (my version...couldn't find it just yet in the Bible). We have been given FAMILY everywhere~we are SO BLESSED!

Story of Faith...part 3

Well, we are here...in my beloved Caracas! We arrived on June 3 late at night. The LORD allowed us to arrive here with 20 pieces of checked luggage as well as 2 (rather large) carry-ons per person in our family~and some of our family members are rather small :} ! It is much easier to travel now that some of our children are young adults. They are so much help~and a LOT OF FUN too! While I am here in Caracas, I hope to meet a blog friend, Liz. I'll take the camara along and get a picture of us hopefully! Have a wonderful day...as usual, the weather here in Caracas is PERFECT!

To Pack...or Not to Pack

We are at a lovely phase of moving: the Uruguay pile, the Venezuela pile, the giveaway pile, the throwaway pile, the carry-on pile, make sure you take things out of your purse that you don't want taken away... It's sure an encouraging time~NOT! Next comes an even more encouraging phase: "Beth, are you sure you want to take this...we are going to have pay millions in overweight...yadayadayada...you get my drift... It's an awesome time for family unity....um, maybe not! Have a great evening! We're headed to a Royals baseball game, hoping they'll break their LONG losing streak...

Sonnet to Wint'ry Supplications

Awak'ning my soul one ice-bitten night,
(The wint'ry ghosts whipping with icy shards,)
Sleep eludes and taunts my groping sight~
And at the frosty doom I shrink~Coward!~
I rise to see the tempest thunder,
Terror is writ in my trembling ears~
But by the stair I hear a whisper,
A voice of satin, smoothed with prayer's tears,
To Christ in heav'n the weeping saint doth plead
For (O love undying,) for me; Her gist
Doth ask for peace, the King my life to lead,
And toil of her stricken years be kissed.
That dream (Tho' no dream it was) ne'er mine ears
Will forget~that spectral saint's love-show'red tears.

Dedicated to Beth Sanders by her firstborn son on Mothers' Day, 2008 *Do not copy*

Unalterable Typo

Evidently, you are not supposed to use the word "adult" on the web. I could not, however hard I tried, get 3 s to become 3 "adult"s. Sorry!

Worlds of Fun

This past weekend, we had a visit from college friends and their family. On Monday, we went to Worlds of Fun, a local amusement park. Boy, did Shell and I have fun~woo hoo, did we laugh! Of course, at our *ripe old age*, we didn't ride the scary coasters, but I'm fairly sure that noone laughed as hard as we did ALL.DAY.LONG! At one point, we crammed our *not-college-bodies* (all 4 of us s) into one log car for the log ride. It was hilarious! I'm sure that the next time I go to that ride it will say "LIMIT 3 S PER CAR". HEEHEE! Our children had a great time together also. Most of them were born within months of each other~that is, 3 of their children were born in the same year that ours were. As Seth put it, "We go together with them like peanut butter and jelly." Quite accurate.

Copyright Question

My son, the poet, dedicated a poem to me for Mother's Day. I would love to share it, but how do I keep some unscrupulous person from stealing it?

My Front Door~Cute!

What Your Front Door Says

You are intriguing and charming. People are naturally drawn to you, even if they don't know you. You are calm and wise. You are a true leader. You never feel isolated in a group. Somehow, you always belong.

The Front Door Test

Story of Faith, Part 2

God be praised! I know that you "faith"ful people will believe this, but God provided the passage money ALL THE WAY to Uruguay! We found out yesterday, and I was in tears at how great our God is! It looks like now we will all go to Venezuela first *pais de mis amores* and then Matt and 1 or 2 children will travel on to Uruguay the next week. I told you in my last post that Matt had found temporary housing for us...it seems that the owner is a leetle anxious about having a WHOLE FAMILY OF 7 stay there for a month as its use is mainly to sleep. Matt will find us a house, by the grace of God, and we will join them when that is found. So...that means I get to spend more time in Caracas! I always love my Caracas, and always will... Anyhoose, join me in praise to God "Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, I know that He will care for me!"

Story of Faith, Part 1

This title is really a misnomer...because I have had many stories of faith, and God has been performing miracles ALWAYS, but that's what it's called nevertheless. On June 3 or 10, we plan to fly to Venezuela on our way to Uruguay, our new place of ministry. There are some major obstacles, but we won't mention them because, after all, the title of this post is Story of FAITH! As a step of faith, Matt has found a possible, temporary while looking for a permanent house, house in Salto, Uruguay. It reminds me of a house we've often stayed in in Colonia Tovar, Venezuela. Being a missionary is definitely NOT boring, if you have ever thought so. I believe that in the coming days in our family you will see God do some awesome things that only He can do, and we will give Him all the glory, for He is a God Who made the Heaven and Earth, "is there anything impossible with Him?" Stay tuned...

Not a Pistachio...a Peanut!

You Are A Peanut

You are popular, even with people who tend to have picky taste. Kids love you, as do dogs. From rednecks to snobs, most people have a place for you in their hearts. As popular as you are, there are some people who can't be near you. Don't take it too personally. There's just a few people you rub the wrong way.

What Nut Are You?

Music to Enjoy

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

Morgan doing the long jump~she got 2nd place!

Aaron's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's with some great friends of his (and my helpers in the back!)

Our basketball player and cheerleader (aren't they adorable?!)

Ethan and I celebrating his 16th birthday at the KU-K State game~Rock Chalk JayHawk!

The Final Four winners~The Kansas Jayhawks! Oh yeah!

Sophie and Mommy with the "poochy lip disease"

At a basketball game~where else?

Sophie and Laurel at their sisters' soccer game

Seth and friends with Chuck E. Cheese on Seth's 12th birthday

E.J. in Bible Quiz stance (ready to hear the question read)

Aaron on his first day of T-ball...Aaron is awesome at baseball!

Sophie and Nana

Morgan playing soccer

Seth at the track meet~his 4x200 placed 3rd...Go Seth!

Our handsome baseball player

Stateside Time Coming to an End!

A friend of mine commented lately that my blog isn't updated (to say the least!!), and that she had previously enjoyed staying up with my life with it. Well, in a nutshell, my life has been such a blur that it would've been difficult (and boring for you) for me to recount it. My kids have had such a nice year at the school they've attended...they hate it to end. And end it will~in two weeks. Then there will be packing (actually, the packing and sorting will start before THAT) and on to visit Venezuela and on to set up residence in Uruguay. All of this depends on a God Who has never failed ever before~we trust in Him! Also, in these months that I was absent, Ethan won 1st place in nationals in Poetry Writing. Seth won regionals in Bible Sword Drill (the younger kids don't go on to nationals). Morgan played JV soccer~she really enjoyed it, and Ethan is at a baseball tournament right now. We had an awful storm last night~there is an uprooted TREE in our neighbor's yard. The kids are off to school, and I'm off to my day...have a good one!

**Next post: scenes from this year!

Got this at Jackie's

You Are Clogs

You are a solid and down to earth person. You seek – and almost always achieve – a really sound balance in your life. You are stylish yet comfortable. Mellow but driven. Excited yet calm. You are the perfect mesh of contradictions. No matter what happens, you have the ability to stay well grounded in your life. People know that they can truly depend on you. You should live: In Europe You should work: At a company dedicated to helping the world

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofshoeareyouquiz/">What Kind of Shoe Are You?

No Pasa ni un Dia...

No miento cuando digo que no pasa ni un dia, escasamente ni una hora pasa, que no pienso, que no extrano de una manera feroz, mi pais, el pais al cual quiero, que me abrazo, el pais de Venezuela. Siento la brisa, veo el Avila, siento el calor...lloro. Cuando llegara el dia en que no sienta que se me ha arrebatado algo? De Dios no dudo...El sabe todo, El ve todo, El ve mis lagrimas, El ve las caras que yo amo...alli en Venezuela. Confio en Dios en que algun dia pasara un dia en que no piense...en Venezuela.

*Sorry, English speakers, this was thought in Spanish, had to be written in Spanish.

My Son, a Sixteen-Year Old

When did time begin to fly? I don't think it was when he was little...time seemed to crawl then, the days sometimes very LOOOOOONG! When he started school? Don't think so. Probably it was when, well, it's really impossible to say, but it is hard for me to believe that someone so, AHEM, *young* can have such an OLD son! Ethan turned sixteen on February 17. He has grown, by the grace of God, into a friendly, handsome, smart, talkative, very competitive young man. Thank you, God! He received a very neat gift~tickets to a college basketball KU-K. State game! We're looking forward to it!

Never heard of a Canna~Have you?

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

Yes, this description is very like me, but who ever heard of a canna?

Uruguay...or Bust!

This is the first time that I've actually written about Uruguay...I think. It's been a while since I've WRITTEN anything at all. Happy New Year's, by the way... Anyway, Matt leaves for (our beloved) Venezuela and Uruguay on Friday. We are asking the Lord for two things on this trip: 1) that God would make it VERY CLEAR that we are proceeding correctly in going to Uruguay, and 2) WHERE in Uruguay to set up our home/ministry. I was going to go with Matt (that was our desire), but the logistics of care for FIVE children going to school, sports events, etc., etc. was too daunting. So... Mom holds down the fort while Dad seeks the Lord's will regarding Uruguay. These past days I've really, really MISSED Venezuela. It is really cold here...I miss warm, sunny Maracay. Venezuela is a warm, happy place. Four words I saw in my morning meditation in Psalm 37: 1) Trust ~ this is hard when things don't make sense. 2) Delight ~ in the Lord; not too hard after what He has done for me! 3) Commit (your way) ~ my way without the Lord is lost anyway! 4) Rest ~ simple; just rest. As I was meditating on the words of my "new" favorite song, "The Power of the Cross", I told the Lord, "After all you've done for me, is it too great a sacrifice for me to give up my will (Venezuela)?!" Pray for us, friends.