our family, August 2014

It's still winter, but the trees are beginning to flower. It's as if they have been just anxiously awaiting the time to appear again that they can't contain themselves. Spring won't be here for several more weeks, but please don't tell the trees.

In July, Ricky got to go to Cusco to receive a mission team from Washington. They planned to do the ground breaking on the church's land there; with tree cutting, digging and constructing a retaining wall. But we've discovered over the years that some things just don't go as planned, and the enemy likes to mess things up as much as he can. In the days before the team arrived, the trees were about to be cut and the hired workers were on site, when some men showed up and started throwing rocks at them, and soon physically pushed them off the land. These men are family of the previous land owner. While they have no legal rights over the land, they have gotten the previous owner and the land itself entangled in a little legal mess where it may take some time to get fixed. It's all somewhat frustrating but God is in control, and for that we are patient and waiting to see how this will get resolved.

So the team couldn't do construction, but they did a lot of other things and their trip was a blessing to the locals and the church there. Please keep praying for Jorge. The enemy has tried to get Jorge in a place of isolation and discouragement. We know the brothers and sisters in the church are growing, but there is a lack of service among the brethren, which leaves Jorge alone doing most of the work. Ricky and I know how hard that is because we spent many years alone in the work in Cusco as well. We prayed for help. We still pray. Please pray for a missionary couple to commit to serving in Cusco alongside of Jorge and Janet. They need it, really. And even more than we did because we were already experienced and both of us had more than a decade walking with God before leaving for the missions field. With physical, emotional and spiritual support on a daily basis, Jorge and Janet could grow and accomplish so much in their service. The church could get back to a place where it is flourishing. They could have all the tools they need to pastor and encourage growth in the church. Please pray for them and with us. And besides, who wouldn't want to serve God in an amazing place like Cusco? Why is it that it's so easy for others to abandon our brothers there?

While Ricky was in Peru, I was at home here in Chile with the three lil ones, wishing time would go by fast because we miss him when he's gone! We filled our days with school and keeping indoors during the cold, rainy days and even managed to spend a few days at the beach. I drove there for the first time alone with the kids and managed to not get lost or pulled over. I did have to take a detour because my exit was blocked by road construction. But with only 15 minutes out of my way, we got back in the right direction. It was a beautiful few days we could spend with my parents in law and sister in law and her two boys. 

Now that August is here, the 2nd semester of school has started. I can't believe Isabella is half way through first grade and I am fighting against feeling the pressure of completing certain things. I know learning in children is constant and that her schooling doesn't magically stop when the school year is over. She is doing really fantastic though. A few areas are harder than others for her, but I have to remember that she is learning everything in two languages. Reading has been the hardest. She is doing consistently better, reading in both English and Spanish. We are proud of her! Milan and Mateo are having fun in "school" too. Milan is starting to read and says it's his favorite part of school. 

I've been fighting loneliness and pressure (self-induced perhaps) of being "pastor's wife". It's different than it was in Cusco, where we brought Christ to people and led them spiritually. We were like parents to them. Whereas here, we are leading a church that is already founded and with believers who, many of which, have walked with God for decades already. Also, I'm learning about Chilean culture first hand. It may be hard to believe since Ricky is Chilean and we've visited numerous times before our move, but I am experiencing culture shock!

Thankfully Jesus is constant in His love and grace. He is still Lord whether in Peru or Chile, or whether in wealth or want. We can put our trust in him because He is trustworthy! 

When the devil hits you with a car

Isn't it ironic how when a believer in Jesus finally makes that decision to follow and serve Him that same time an attack of the enemy comes along, tries to plants seeds of doubt, cause pain and ultimately a scarred or severed relationship with Him?

Jasna, a woman who has been in our church for a long time and has participated with the women's group finally made the commitment to lead one of the nights of the women's Bible study. She mentioned she was nervous; not ready to speak in front of the group and even less lead it. But God gave her the power to say she'd give it a shot. She has a heart for the Lord and is ready to take a step of faith and get past the nervousness to share with the other women. Amazing, right?What a big step toward maturity in the faith!

But then the devil came along and tried to mess things up. Jasna and her two kids got hit by car today! I know, crazy. Her kids got little bumps, and Jasna may have a fractured wrist, but all in all, the Lord kept them safe.

Why does that always happen? When we are comfortable, not making much of a difference for the kingdom, he just leaves us alone. But when we start acting on our faith, making progress in our walk with God and start serving Him, the devil comes to wreak havoc. I'm not sure if Jasna will teach the class tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see. Pray she does! And that she doesn't get disheartened.

first day of school

Today was our first official day of homeschool! The kids were so excited! Even though Milan is only in preschool and isn't required to do anything except play, he joined us for the majority of our activities.I didn't do quite all I had expected and time went by way faster than what I thought it would, but overall I'm happy with our first day. We all woke up a little late and didn't get breakfast til 9am and school started til 9:30. My goal is to get us started at 8:30 or 9 so we can get in the 3 hours before lunch and be finished for the day.

3 hours a day doesn't seem like a lot but when lessons range from 20-30 minutes each, it's surprising how much materials you can cover. My homeschooling style is still developing, but as I read and research and gather lessons plans, books, online materials, worksheets, etc. I realize that my style is eclectic. I have Montessori hands on materials and love child-led learning. I am always attentive to what they talk about, what questions they ask and then I guide them into discovering more about those things. When one starts asking questions about animals that live in holes, we get a chance to read books about rabbits, foxes, moles, etc, watch documentaries and educational videos from national geographic, we talk about them, draw pictures or sing songs about them. All these kinds of things help cement learning. and it's fun. We've gotten to learn so much about science this way, and just this summer they have learned about nocturnal animals, herbivores, carnivors, hibernation, colonies of ants and so many other things.

They also love math. I think most kids learn a distaste for math by seeing their parents or peers dislike it. But when they can see that math is interesting, they just want to learn it all on their own. I have a list of numbers on the wall and every time Milan (when he was still only 3 year old) walked past, he would count. Now I hear him counting everything and sorting things into groups and patterns by number or color, biggest smallest.  Isabella loves numbers too and is already able to figure out word problems with addition and division. She is a problem solver and really is growing in her critical thinking skills.

But I'm not all Montessori either... I don't let them lead the way all the time. I plan to give them a routine, which I think give kids security in knowing what comes next. I also will challenge them to do the things they may not want to do that day. It is not child-led in those moments, but some day in the future when they are at a job where they just dont feel like going to work or don't want to do something their boss tells them to do, they will have the skills to submit in the correct moments to challenge themselves and do their best even when they don't like it.

There are some pieces of Charlotte Mason that I really like, too. The writing and literature. Other parts of my homeschooling style are classical, using workbooks and worksheets with quizes and tests. But on the opposite of this scale is the unschooling part of me. I know Isa will learn through the daily activities of life. Homemaking, cooking, cleaning, learning to take care of our garden or pets, visiting elderly, learning to talk to different people, at the store or a restaurant, or feeling confident to talk to a police officer or talk on the telephone. These types of social skills are not taught in schools. Children who sit all day with 40 other children their own age do not get as many opportunities to interact with older and younger people. In fact, the older kids are "too cool", it's not okay for interacction. And the younger kids are "babies", and also not cool to interact with them. Adults are "boring" and elderly are "scary and wrinkly". I'm glad my children have the opportunity to make relationships with all types of people. I would even say they are MORE socialized that schooled children.

Homeschooling gives me the chance to let my kids experience what they are learning. We learn about shapes by encountering shapes in our every day lives, we learn about nature by going out and touching it. Learn about number by counting how many tomatoes are on the bush.We learn geography when we get out a map to see the places we've been and will be going this year. We talk about history when we learn what the Bible says about the beginning of man, or when we want to know why some cultures dress, talk or do the things they do. When we talk about why they eat different foods than we do, instead of just talking about it, we get to visit places, museums, and cook and eat those foods to make it an entire experience.

More than anything, I think the importance of early education lies in character formation, developing a sense of the world around them, and encountering a love to learn. As they grow they will be able to teach themselves because they will know how to learn. And above all else is to teach an awareness of God who is all around us, that they will discover His interaction in their lives, and recognize His love for them and their own need for Him.

It is a lofty goal to homeschool but just as lofty to be a mom. I want to join in my children's learning. I hope to model the way, by showing them patience, love and respect and expect the same in return. The goal is not for them to be little adults, but rather to have an amazing childhood that lasts as long as possible. While growing up will happen naturally, so will all the other developmental aspects of learning. Having fun, loving live. Loving each other. That's what I want this year to be.

the real me: the truth about frienship

It's been really hard to make friends here. Honestly, it's been hard for me to make friends at all the last 10 years. Since I left the US, it's been a time of highs and lows, times when I've really felt the need for friendship and other times where I didn't feel that need. I've mourned the loss of friendships. Before I left the US I had some really "close" friends. At least that's what I thought. My heart has been heavy so many times, just wishing my friendships with those people could go back to what they once were. But then I realize 10 years have passed and I just may never regain them as friends. There are a small handful of people who have stuck with me through thick and thin, who have loved me despite all the things that are wrong, selfish, or misguided about me. Others have judged. Some stuck it though. I love those ones. But I can't just sit down with them over coffee and chat. I'm still thousands of miles away. My kids take up most of my time (which I wouldn't change), but it doesn't give me a quiet space condusive of having a meaningful Skype conversation either.

And although I love my husband for being so amazingly understanding, he's still a man and I still need a friend that is not him. We've been in Chile for almost a year and a half and it's been soooo hard to make friends. People don't just open their lives to a new person every day. They have lived their entire lives here in Chile without me and frankly don't need to add another person into their circle. ouch. But it's true. I understand people. And sometimes I feel the same way. I dont need to add more people into my circle. But that's just it, i DO need to add.. maybe for my kids sake, my sanity's sake, my marriage's sake. I need conversation with someone who is not on the other side of the computer screen and who I can share life's trial and struggles with.

But what I don't want are handouts. I don't want pity, nor superficial junk. I want real conversation about real topics that affect our lives. And in English would be preferred. Ok, I'll give up the English. Any language that I can understand is ok.

merry Christmas

Dear friends and loved ones,

It has been quite a year for us! From getting settled into our new home in Chile, Isabella turned 5 in January, she started (and finished) kindergarten; Milan turned 3 in January and is growing into an amazing little person who lights up our lives each day; to the birth of Mateo in February, and dealing with several months of bronchitis and pneumonia, from which we are very thankful that God has healed him of and now he is very healthy! To celebrating 8 years of marriage, and to us searching the ways God wants to use us in ministry here in Chile. We had a rough start with dealing with the illness in my (Tracie's) eyes and the sadness of having to leave our home in Peru, but with happiness in our hearts we see the church in Cusco grow and see how God's hand has been present in our lives throughout. 

A new chapter begins as we have been selected by the elders of our local church to take over as the new pastors. What came as an unexpected turn of events, we accept this new role with utmost gratitude and humility, knowing that God has wonderful things in store for our church, "Libertad" (which is the name of the community where it is located and also means "freedom" in Spanish). We are blessed to serve among some of the most amazing people and followers of Jesus. This new role is not a paid position and will begin in January of 2014. It Ricky will continue serving with Ambassadors in Sport. We ask that you pray for us continually. We thank God for you each time we remember you in our conversations and prayers. We hope to see you face to face in 2014.  

With joy in celebrating the birth of our Savior and King, Merry Christmas!