Yup, France is awesome. We are in the Dordogne region, staying in a beautifully renovated barn, on the grounds of a lovely private, country area. I am so happy to be here.
I hadn't realized how exhausting living in a big city could be. We like Madrid, certainly. It has a lot of great things:the metro, Retiro park, amazing museums... But, living in such a busy place is very tiring for people from Wisconsin. The simple act of driving through the countryside was the beginning of what I'm calling my rural therapy. Add French cooking, cooler weather, the Olympics, crafting time, more French cooking, and time with friends ...well, the rural therapy continues.
We have had duck twice, an amazing gluten-free dessert at a bed and breakfast along the way driving to our destination, and discovered why creme-fraiche makes anything better.
The best part of our time so far, however, is how happy Andy is here. Sure, he's had some meltdowns, but he is so happy to have a few little friends to play with all the time, and more so to be in a really safe place around which he can wander freely. No metro. No cars. No stop lights. Lots of grass. a big front porch. even a pony, though we haven't taken him for a ride quite yet. All in all, we love France and are glad that we have many days left on vacation here.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Update on Andy
We have some news on Andy. Last time I wrote, we'd just met with the speech therapist to set up his assessment. We went again the following week for that assessment, then, with Ben away at camp, I went for the follow-up report. Long story short, she had some serious concerns about Andy's lack of receptive language, limited gesturing, and general state of development, putting aside his basically non-existent speaking.
We have followed her advice and already had an appointment with a pediatric neurologist. In late August, early September, Andy will have bloodwork, an EEG, and an MRI. Yikes, right? It's a little scary. But, we're doing what we think is best for him. We are still planning to try preschool for him in the mornings starting in September. If it doesn't go well, we can bail. We have also had a few speech therapy sessions as well, focusing on eye contact with Andy and interactive play.
Please keep Andy in your prayers, and we will keep you updated on how he is doing.
We have followed her advice and already had an appointment with a pediatric neurologist. In late August, early September, Andy will have bloodwork, an EEG, and an MRI. Yikes, right? It's a little scary. But, we're doing what we think is best for him. We are still planning to try preschool for him in the mornings starting in September. If it doesn't go well, we can bail. We have also had a few speech therapy sessions as well, focusing on eye contact with Andy and interactive play.
Please keep Andy in your prayers, and we will keep you updated on how he is doing.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ben Away at Camp!
At about 11:30 this morning, Ben left for 9 days of camp at a place called Pinos Reales (Royal Pines). It was really tough to say goodbye, even though I know that Andy and I are going to be just fine. We have lots of supportive teammates and friends here. But, it's hard being without an extra set of hands around the house with Andy, not to mention my best friend and source of conversation.
This morning, I also noticed a stain on one of our walls...right in front of the bathroom. Yikes. We have a very slow leak from the tube that connects the toilet to the plumbing inside the wall. I have a bucket there now, catching the slow drip, but it's just another thing to take care of by myself tomorrow. Our lifeguard's dad is a plumber, so I'll ask him to come over if he can.
Well, Andy's almost done eating Cheetos and yogurt for lunch, so I'd better go. Prayers for patience for me, a sweet temperament for Andy, and safety and blessing for Ben while he serves at camp are greatly appreciated!
This morning, I also noticed a stain on one of our walls...right in front of the bathroom. Yikes. We have a very slow leak from the tube that connects the toilet to the plumbing inside the wall. I have a bucket there now, catching the slow drip, but it's just another thing to take care of by myself tomorrow. Our lifeguard's dad is a plumber, so I'll ask him to come over if he can.
Well, Andy's almost done eating Cheetos and yogurt for lunch, so I'd better go. Prayers for patience for me, a sweet temperament for Andy, and safety and blessing for Ben while he serves at camp are greatly appreciated!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Speech Therapy
Ben and I went for an initial session with a British speech therapist today. The center was in a really lovely, upscale area of the city. We walked in to the waiting room and were pleasantly surprised to find English magazines there. After reading Time for a few minutes, we met Cathy.
We spoke for about 45 minutes, filling her in on Andy (who was at home, hanging out with a few teammates who graciously watched him so we could be at this appointment). She asked about his birth, his early speech habits, etc.
Near the end, she confirmed that she would like to assess Andy and definitely felt that he could benefit from some treatment sessions with her. It was a bittersweet moment. Bitter because hearing that your child does in fact have a need for help is tough. I didn't cry, but my heart was sad. Had we done something wrong? Did we take too long to come here? However, it was sweet as well. Here is someone that can potentially really help Andy to communicate! And she speaks English as her first language.
Next Thursday, we'll take Andy in for his evaluation with Cathy. Please join us in prayer that Andy would be calm and comfortable with her (we won't be in the room). A crying Andy would be very hard to evaluate. Step by step, we're still learning how to parent, love, and care for Andy.
We spoke for about 45 minutes, filling her in on Andy (who was at home, hanging out with a few teammates who graciously watched him so we could be at this appointment). She asked about his birth, his early speech habits, etc.
Near the end, she confirmed that she would like to assess Andy and definitely felt that he could benefit from some treatment sessions with her. It was a bittersweet moment. Bitter because hearing that your child does in fact have a need for help is tough. I didn't cry, but my heart was sad. Had we done something wrong? Did we take too long to come here? However, it was sweet as well. Here is someone that can potentially really help Andy to communicate! And she speaks English as her first language.
Next Thursday, we'll take Andy in for his evaluation with Cathy. Please join us in prayer that Andy would be calm and comfortable with her (we won't be in the room). A crying Andy would be very hard to evaluate. Step by step, we're still learning how to parent, love, and care for Andy.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Return of the Gudes - airport photos
Andrea, Miriam, and Meggan
Manuel, Julie, and Chad
The youngest of the welcoming committee! (Later we entertained ourselves at the escalators.)
Génesis and Aarón hold the sign Meggan made for Niki
Here they come!!!
These are a few of "our kids." Life in ministry has its perks.
Meggan, Julie, Niki, and Chad
Ben, Ed, and Manuel
Angel opens a gift from the youth group (a poster of photos)
Friday, June 22, 2012
Baptisms
Tomorrow is a special day for our church - Baptism Sunday Saturday! Every year, the congregation heads up to a camp called Aguas Vivas (Living Waters) to have an outdoor baptism celebration. Last year, several members of the youth group were baptized, and this year there are several as well, though they are from our sister church (with which La Elipa just merged), so we don't know them too well yet.
Aguas Vivas is a special place for Ben and me because during our vision trip to Spain in 2008, we were counselors for the annual week-long kids' camp there. It was by far the best week of that summer. It is incredible to me when I think about Ben not speaking any Spanish, and how much he still engaged with the kids that week. Baptisms are also really special to Ben and me. We usually attended the baptism services at Blackhawk (our church while in college and raising support), even if we didn't know anyone. It's a really moving experience to listen as people publicly devote their lives to Christ. I always get teary, in a good way.
Ben went up to Aguas Vivas today to help set up the portable pool for the event. I will follow tomorrow with Andy. I'm so happy that our teammates/bosses/friends the Gudemans are back from a year in the US. I get to ride to the camp with Sheryl. It will be great to get out of the city, have a picnic, enjoy the scenery, and be a witness to lives being dedicated to the Lord. The Lord is at work in Spain, completely apart from the small part that we are playing here.
Aguas Vivas is a special place for Ben and me because during our vision trip to Spain in 2008, we were counselors for the annual week-long kids' camp there. It was by far the best week of that summer. It is incredible to me when I think about Ben not speaking any Spanish, and how much he still engaged with the kids that week. Baptisms are also really special to Ben and me. We usually attended the baptism services at Blackhawk (our church while in college and raising support), even if we didn't know anyone. It's a really moving experience to listen as people publicly devote their lives to Christ. I always get teary, in a good way.
Ben went up to Aguas Vivas today to help set up the portable pool for the event. I will follow tomorrow with Andy. I'm so happy that our teammates/bosses/friends the Gudemans are back from a year in the US. I get to ride to the camp with Sheryl. It will be great to get out of the city, have a picnic, enjoy the scenery, and be a witness to lives being dedicated to the Lord. The Lord is at work in Spain, completely apart from the small part that we are playing here.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
He's Never Failed Me Yet
It's been a rough few weeks in Madrid.
About two weeks ago, I really hurt my back. Sort of a long story. Short version: I'm on a quest to be a healthier, more active person. After about 2 months of diet and exercise, I decided to kick it up a notch and went too far. I sneezed while changing the sheets on the bed and suddenly fell to my knees in pain. For the next 72 hours, I could barely walk, went to have 2 massages, and made a new best friend (the ice pack). Thankfully, I am about 95% back (ha!) to normal.
On Monday, it was Ben's day off. We decided to go to a park in the afternoon. On the way there, our car failed (again!) on an off-ramp. Praise the Lord, we were in an okay position to set out the orange triangles and wait a few minutes before starting the car again (Safety precautions in Spain are actually very...well...safe. You even have to wear a reflective vest before setting out the triangles). Called our car dealer (again!) to report the accident. On the way home, our car failed while we were accelerating in the midst of a highway transfer. Very scary, unlike any of the other times our car has done this. Again, praise the Lord we were okay, but this car thing... Yikes. Needless to say, we are having conversations of a different nature with our car dealer.
We've been taking care of a team member's car in their absence. For their return, we took the car to be washed and vacuumed. When we came back to pick it up, the person working on it had broken off the interior rearview mirror by accident. He assured us that it was fixable. Nope. Went on a wild-goose chase to buy a new one, but we did find one.
Andy's been tough lately, really testing the boundaries with us, not wanting to nap or sleep at night. He's also moved from slapping me to punching me when he's having a tantrum and can't express what he's feeling (P.S. We have our first appointment with a British speech therapist next week). I'm trying to convince Ben to get some contacts so that his glasses don't get destroyed by Andy during a tantrum. I've been wearing contacts exclusively lately because of this pattern. Last night, Andy started crying really loudly (every parent's nightmare when you live in an apartment). I jumped out of bed and flipped on the light to the bathroom in the hallway...
And KNOCKED the power out in the entire apartment. Tried the breakers. Nada. So, we called an emergency-after-hours electrician, this really nice Bulgarian guy who spoke rather broken Spanish. A few hours (and many many euros) later, we had power again (meaning all the food I'd bought for our friends returning to Spain TODAY didn't spoil). And it looks like our insurance will cover this.
So, I'm thinking of all these incidents while washing the dishes. Part of me just wanted to sit down and cry and say "Okay, Spain, you've won! What else do you want from me?" But, immediately, I felt the Lord reminding me that He was there in every circumstance, providing and protecting us.
So, glory to God, He is here with us! To Him be the glory in EVERY circumstance. Help me, Lord, to fix my eyes on You and praise you in everything.
About two weeks ago, I really hurt my back. Sort of a long story. Short version: I'm on a quest to be a healthier, more active person. After about 2 months of diet and exercise, I decided to kick it up a notch and went too far. I sneezed while changing the sheets on the bed and suddenly fell to my knees in pain. For the next 72 hours, I could barely walk, went to have 2 massages, and made a new best friend (the ice pack). Thankfully, I am about 95% back (ha!) to normal.
On Monday, it was Ben's day off. We decided to go to a park in the afternoon. On the way there, our car failed (again!) on an off-ramp. Praise the Lord, we were in an okay position to set out the orange triangles and wait a few minutes before starting the car again (Safety precautions in Spain are actually very...well...safe. You even have to wear a reflective vest before setting out the triangles). Called our car dealer (again!) to report the accident. On the way home, our car failed while we were accelerating in the midst of a highway transfer. Very scary, unlike any of the other times our car has done this. Again, praise the Lord we were okay, but this car thing... Yikes. Needless to say, we are having conversations of a different nature with our car dealer.
We've been taking care of a team member's car in their absence. For their return, we took the car to be washed and vacuumed. When we came back to pick it up, the person working on it had broken off the interior rearview mirror by accident. He assured us that it was fixable. Nope. Went on a wild-goose chase to buy a new one, but we did find one.
Andy's been tough lately, really testing the boundaries with us, not wanting to nap or sleep at night. He's also moved from slapping me to punching me when he's having a tantrum and can't express what he's feeling (P.S. We have our first appointment with a British speech therapist next week). I'm trying to convince Ben to get some contacts so that his glasses don't get destroyed by Andy during a tantrum. I've been wearing contacts exclusively lately because of this pattern. Last night, Andy started crying really loudly (every parent's nightmare when you live in an apartment). I jumped out of bed and flipped on the light to the bathroom in the hallway...
And KNOCKED the power out in the entire apartment. Tried the breakers. Nada. So, we called an emergency-after-hours electrician, this really nice Bulgarian guy who spoke rather broken Spanish. A few hours (and many many euros) later, we had power again (meaning all the food I'd bought for our friends returning to Spain TODAY didn't spoil). And it looks like our insurance will cover this.
So, I'm thinking of all these incidents while washing the dishes. Part of me just wanted to sit down and cry and say "Okay, Spain, you've won! What else do you want from me?" But, immediately, I felt the Lord reminding me that He was there in every circumstance, providing and protecting us.
So, glory to God, He is here with us! To Him be the glory in EVERY circumstance. Help me, Lord, to fix my eyes on You and praise you in everything.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Meggan's Day Off
If you've been reading our email newsletters, you saw last month that we've realized our stress levels have been too high. We have been overwhelmed by your support through emails - Thank you!
One of the practical things that we're doing to help us in our quest for lower stress is to each have a day off. Ben had started practicing a day off regularly a few months ago, but we both suddenly realized that even when he was off, I wasn't. My day was basically the same, except that Andy had a playmate when I was cooking when Ben had off. So, Meggan's Day Off began. It's typically every Thursday and means no cooking or cleaning for me. Sure, we still have Andy to take care of, but it is a big improvement.
Ben, you are awesome! Thank you for making these days possible!
Something that I really miss about life in the US is paper-crafting. While I LOVE using Shutterfly to make digital scrapbooks (thanks to my sister-in-law, Kim, for inspiring me), I still like to make cards, chip-board books, etc with real, hands-on paper and materials. Too bad that stuff is rather rare (read "ridiculously expensive and hard to get to") in Spain.
Thanks to my lovely parents, their neighbor, Holly (a Stampin' Up rep), and Kim, I now have a bunch of crafting supplies. Our church in Denver, Bethany Evangelical Free, also sent me some wonderful crafting supplies for Christmas. Thank you all!
Anyways, on the past two Thursdays, I've been putting my paper-crafting skills to the test in making cards. Here are a few that I've done. The lighting isn't great, but oh well. And as soon as I mail out Rick and Anne Groves' wedding card, I'll post that one up, too. Can't let them see it here before they open it, can I?
One of the practical things that we're doing to help us in our quest for lower stress is to each have a day off. Ben had started practicing a day off regularly a few months ago, but we both suddenly realized that even when he was off, I wasn't. My day was basically the same, except that Andy had a playmate when I was cooking when Ben had off. So, Meggan's Day Off began. It's typically every Thursday and means no cooking or cleaning for me. Sure, we still have Andy to take care of, but it is a big improvement.
Ben, you are awesome! Thank you for making these days possible!
Something that I really miss about life in the US is paper-crafting. While I LOVE using Shutterfly to make digital scrapbooks (thanks to my sister-in-law, Kim, for inspiring me), I still like to make cards, chip-board books, etc with real, hands-on paper and materials. Too bad that stuff is rather rare (read "ridiculously expensive and hard to get to") in Spain.
Thanks to my lovely parents, their neighbor, Holly (a Stampin' Up rep), and Kim, I now have a bunch of crafting supplies. Our church in Denver, Bethany Evangelical Free, also sent me some wonderful crafting supplies for Christmas. Thank you all!
Anyways, on the past two Thursdays, I've been putting my paper-crafting skills to the test in making cards. Here are a few that I've done. The lighting isn't great, but oh well. And as soon as I mail out Rick and Anne Groves' wedding card, I'll post that one up, too. Can't let them see it here before they open it, can I?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The Omelet
I have been overcooking scrambled eggs for as long as I can remember. I am always paranoid that they're undercooked, and despite enjoying an egg over-easy every once in a great while, undercooked scrambled eggs really freak me out.
The last full day of Mima (Ben's mom's) visit, however, I woke up and had the thought Today is a good omelet day. Let me be clear. I have never made a successful omelet before, so I have no idea what prompted this sudden assurance that I would be able to on Thursday. But, it worked!
Okay - maybe I know.
A spatula that looks like a scimitar!
It's made by the brand Orca, but I couldn't find a picture of it online. My mom bought if for me from the Wire Whisk in Appleton, a kitchen-gadgety store. It's made of flexible plastic and is GREAT for flipping Swedish Pancakes and apparently really helpful when making omelets.
So, make sure there's enough butter or oil so that the eggs won't stick to the pan.
As the eggs heat, skim around the sides with the scimitar spatula. This helps the omelet get ready to flip.
When the eggs start to bubble and almost all of the liquidy part of the eggs on the top is gone, remove pan from heat and shake it around a bit. If you've greased the pan enough, the omelet should slide around.
Then...confidence, Atreyu. Flip it!
It's scary, I know! Or, you could slide the omelet onto a plate and then flip the plate over onto the skillet. Or try with the spatula. But flipping it is fun (here I am flipping a Swedish pancake on New Year's Day...yes, in pajamas).
Once flipped, add ham or cheese or whatever to one side, then fold the other side over. Ta-Da! You're an omelet chef.
The last full day of Mima (Ben's mom's) visit, however, I woke up and had the thought Today is a good omelet day. Let me be clear. I have never made a successful omelet before, so I have no idea what prompted this sudden assurance that I would be able to on Thursday. But, it worked!
Okay - maybe I know.
A spatula that looks like a scimitar!
It's made by the brand Orca, but I couldn't find a picture of it online. My mom bought if for me from the Wire Whisk in Appleton, a kitchen-gadgety store. It's made of flexible plastic and is GREAT for flipping Swedish Pancakes and apparently really helpful when making omelets.
So, make sure there's enough butter or oil so that the eggs won't stick to the pan.
As the eggs heat, skim around the sides with the scimitar spatula. This helps the omelet get ready to flip.
When the eggs start to bubble and almost all of the liquidy part of the eggs on the top is gone, remove pan from heat and shake it around a bit. If you've greased the pan enough, the omelet should slide around.
Then...confidence, Atreyu. Flip it!
Once flipped, add ham or cheese or whatever to one side, then fold the other side over. Ta-Da! You're an omelet chef.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Blessed to have a Visitor
It's Friday afternoon. The house seems rather quiet after taking Mima (the name our oldest niece, Emily gave Carol, my mother-in-law, several years ago) to the airport this morning.
Having visitors while living in Spain is so great. We get to share our lives with people: show them around the neighborhood, introduce them to Spanish food (well...the few Spanish foods that we eat), take them to some cool parts of Madrid, and introduce them to our small group of friends here. We do life together. And we usually spend a lot of time playing games together, too. (Unfortunately, we have concluded after this visit that Bohnanza (the Bean Game) requires a minimum of 4 players to be interesting.) Ben and I even got to go on a date for the first time since...oh boy...when did Harry Potter 7 part 2 come to theaters in Madrid?
The tough thing about visitors is that the visit inevitably ends. It doesn't matter how long or short the time period; at some point, it's over. Life goes back to normal within a few days, but that first day (or days) after they leave, things are in limbo. The airport always does this to me. I'm so close to home when I'm there, waiting for Mima while she checks in near a sign that says New York on it. I could get on plane and within hours could cross an entire ocean and re-enter the country that I know, the culture that I understand through and through, the language that I can articulate freely. I could hug the family members that I love and enjoy the deliciousness of Chipotle (okay, burritos are not really THAT important).
I have to be careful sometimes when I think about life in the United States. If I lived there, I would still have days when I wanted to pull my hair out because of Andy's tantrums. Well, actually he pulls my hair out, so I'll have to find a new metaphor for frustration. That's been one of the advantages of accidentally getting my hair cut really short several weeks ago - there's less for him to grab onto! I digress. If I lived in the US, I'd still have lonely moments, moments when I couldn't just go hang out with friends and family, moments when I'd be overwhelmed with cooking or laundry. Moments when I'd feel disconnected with the Lord. I'd miss taking ballet for 5 hours a week, because that's just not realistic when you have a toddler. I'd still be stressing about enrolling Andy in pre-school or not in the fall.
So, living overseas doesn't really change a lot of my day to day wear-me-out factors. But, saying goodbye to someone at the airport without really knowing when you'll see them face to face (not on Skype, but thank you, Lord, for Skype) again is tough. It's the other side of having visitors. It's great to have them, but it's always a short-term thing. Granted, in our little apartment, I might kick out even the best visitor after a certain point.
Longing for reunion, for no more goodbyes is a sign that we long for eternity with the Lord. I find comfort in knowing that one day that reunion will take place forever. No more airport goodbyes. Or a lot of other much more painful goodbyes where Skype can't reach the person you love. Those goodbyes will come one day, regardless if I live in Spain or the US. The good news...the ONLY news I have to hold onto in those sad moments is that the Lord Jesus will return. He longs to return. Do I dare say that he longs to be united with us as much as he longed to be reunited with the Father while he was on Earth? That's a very powerful thought.
So, in light of that, I'm trying to look at having visitors as a little taste of that reunion. The goodbye will come, certainly, but the blessing of a visitor will outweigh the bitterness of that goodbye...until all is overshadowed (in a good sense) by the ultimate reunion at the Lord's return.
Having visitors while living in Spain is so great. We get to share our lives with people: show them around the neighborhood, introduce them to Spanish food (well...the few Spanish foods that we eat), take them to some cool parts of Madrid, and introduce them to our small group of friends here. We do life together. And we usually spend a lot of time playing games together, too. (Unfortunately, we have concluded after this visit that Bohnanza (the Bean Game) requires a minimum of 4 players to be interesting.) Ben and I even got to go on a date for the first time since...oh boy...when did Harry Potter 7 part 2 come to theaters in Madrid?
The tough thing about visitors is that the visit inevitably ends. It doesn't matter how long or short the time period; at some point, it's over. Life goes back to normal within a few days, but that first day (or days) after they leave, things are in limbo. The airport always does this to me. I'm so close to home when I'm there, waiting for Mima while she checks in near a sign that says New York on it. I could get on plane and within hours could cross an entire ocean and re-enter the country that I know, the culture that I understand through and through, the language that I can articulate freely. I could hug the family members that I love and enjoy the deliciousness of Chipotle (okay, burritos are not really THAT important).
I have to be careful sometimes when I think about life in the United States. If I lived there, I would still have days when I wanted to pull my hair out because of Andy's tantrums. Well, actually he pulls my hair out, so I'll have to find a new metaphor for frustration. That's been one of the advantages of accidentally getting my hair cut really short several weeks ago - there's less for him to grab onto! I digress. If I lived in the US, I'd still have lonely moments, moments when I couldn't just go hang out with friends and family, moments when I'd be overwhelmed with cooking or laundry. Moments when I'd feel disconnected with the Lord. I'd miss taking ballet for 5 hours a week, because that's just not realistic when you have a toddler. I'd still be stressing about enrolling Andy in pre-school or not in the fall.
So, living overseas doesn't really change a lot of my day to day wear-me-out factors. But, saying goodbye to someone at the airport without really knowing when you'll see them face to face (not on Skype, but thank you, Lord, for Skype) again is tough. It's the other side of having visitors. It's great to have them, but it's always a short-term thing. Granted, in our little apartment, I might kick out even the best visitor after a certain point.
Longing for reunion, for no more goodbyes is a sign that we long for eternity with the Lord. I find comfort in knowing that one day that reunion will take place forever. No more airport goodbyes. Or a lot of other much more painful goodbyes where Skype can't reach the person you love. Those goodbyes will come one day, regardless if I live in Spain or the US. The good news...the ONLY news I have to hold onto in those sad moments is that the Lord Jesus will return. He longs to return. Do I dare say that he longs to be united with us as much as he longed to be reunited with the Father while he was on Earth? That's a very powerful thought.
So, in light of that, I'm trying to look at having visitors as a little taste of that reunion. The goodbye will come, certainly, but the blessing of a visitor will outweigh the bitterness of that goodbye...until all is overshadowed (in a good sense) by the ultimate reunion at the Lord's return.
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