During this last week, we've definitely had ups and downs. On the 13th, the girls celebrated performed a short duet in our new ch*rch's Christmas program. They were so beautiful and sounded just wonderful-many tears in Daddy's eyes!
The next day, we celebrated VJ's birthday. Nothing overly special; I gave her a break from the boys by taking them on a bus ride around the city which they loved. Following this, we had a friend watch the children while we went out with other friends. We enjoyed some simple shopping and some nice dining. A few days later, I found a flower vendor from whom I was able to purchase 25 roses (VJ's favorite flower). The vendor was awesome in he preparation of the bouquet and charging the unbeatable price of $4! Though this wasn't a planned present, how could one pass up such a nicety for such a special lady whose worth so much more?
The girls had their first violin lesson since arriving. We found a woman who teaches at an international school. She is from Germany, but has been here for 30 years. She's a delight and the girls enjoyed the time. (An hour of lessons costs around $10...nice, but the girls would still much rather have Mrs. Warner back!)
As the holiday season surrounds us, we find ourselves missing family a great deal. Our comfort comes in enjoying time celebrating Advent, reading about our Sav!or, sharing the Good News with others, opening packages from family and friends, seeing snow on Skype and listening to familiar tunes. We work together as a family to remember that all of these good things were provided to us by our Father above.
Saturday, after we finished our Christmas shopping, we were playing at the playground and enjoying talking with more new people. I had just gone to meet with a new friend who is helping me with language when A comes in saying that I need to come right away, that E is hurt. Just standing talking with some new friends E turns to walk away and slips to hit her head on a small concrete edging along the sidewalk.
The accident left quite a mark on her forehead, large enough so that we had to take her to the hospital quickly for stitches. With the help of a neighbor, a local friend, a security guard, a bewildered auto driver, kind ER nurses and doctors, and much pr*yer, we had E back at home in only four hours with stitches (how many we don't know-we didn't ask...We were just so happy she was safe.). We have a follow-up visit on Christmas Eve when the doc will check out his handiwork. We paid the $260 out of pocket as they require persons to stay 24 hours if paying with insurance. We certainly couldn't ask that burden to be shared with our friends and definitely not of our little girl who had already gone through so much!
This incident was hard on everyone. Siblings were so shaken having seen the accident and seeing Mommy and Daddy rush out of the house so quickly with a neighbor they not as familiar with as V and I were. VJ was rushing around, trying to move as if she wasn't pregnant. Daddy was trying to be strong, but there's just something about seeing your little girl in such as state. Elizabeth is amazing; one could see the worried look on her face as they wheeled her back for the surgery, but she came home talking about the positives of the experience.
The L*rd is good, though. Today, we welcomed a gentleman who has just returned from a business trip to the States. During his time he worked with my mom. He agreed to serve as a pack mule of sorts and bring a piece of luggage that contained many goodies. Inside, we found presents to put under our tree, candy, books, and an assortment of other items. Just as the man was getting ready to leave, my mom called, via Skype. She got to watch as the children jumped, squealed and gave any number of reactions one could hope for during such an occasion. Honestly, we couldn't have prepped them any better!
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