Project 365, Weeks 23 & 24

Many are already aware that Mike and Rita's house burned yesterday; Rita shares their story on her blog today. Please continue to pray for them.

As has been the case too often of late, I am again posting two-weeks-in-one for Project 365. And with all the weekend traveling we'll be doing in the coming months, this is likely to continue happening unless I get on the ball and start posting on Fridays.

Memorial Day found us at one of our favorite places: Wally and Katie's front porch.

We enjoyed a fabulous brunch and went back later in the day for barbecue. Despite not having power for about 24 hours, they were welcoming and gracious as always.

Ivan's mom really enjoys playing "Words With Friends" on her iPad. She always has a number games ongoing with various children and grandchildren. While we were there a few days, she and Ivan played a few rounds. Ivan totally creamed her in one game, by scoring words like this one:

The very next round he scored a word worth over 60 points. But mom doesn't get too discouraged and just challenges him to another game!

Near my BIL's shop there's a car wash with this interesting side business:

Ever seen anything like this before? Cracked me up the first time I saw it :)

We stayed with Mike and Rita the night before I went in for the trial treatment. I don't know what was making Ivan laugh so hard, but it might have been one of his puns (he loves 'em!).

In looking at this photo I see things that have value; some monetary but even more that have sentimental value. I'm praying they are able to salvage the things most precious to them.

After going to the doctor's office, I had to go over to St. Vincent's for my pre-op interview. In the lobby were these gorgeous art quilts hanging above the information desk.

The trial treatment consisted of temporary wires being inserted into my back that touched the nerve which communicates between my brain and my bladder.

The wires you see were connected to an external battery pack that clipped to my waistband. My surgery this coming Tuesday will involve the permanent implantation of wires and a small battery into my back. I'll have a remote device to control the battery. Isn't it amazing what they can do these days?! Although Interstim was designed primarily for those suffering from overactive bladder, it has also proven effective to treat those with my condition: painful bladder syndrome.

On a walk we passed this sign. Can you spot the mistakes?

We're guessing that English is not their first language.

Last Sunday we presented our ministry at a supporting church in Charlotte, Michigan, but we spent the whole weekend with dear friends there. Saturday they took us over to Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful day!

He's one of the associate pastors at the church, but we've known them since he pastored the very first church we went to when we started deputation...waaaaay back in 2004.

Monday I decided to make granola. I had too much fun going to the local health food store and getting a variety of grains to use (in Argentina I can only find oatmeal) BUT I learned the hard way that some things are best NOT added to the mixture...

...like wheat berries. Those puppies are so hard you could break a tooth on them!

I'm missing a couple days when I had a migraine and didn't do anything beyond what was necessary.

Thursday we were able to connect with old friends from our homeschooling days. Erv and Sally are also missionaries now, serving in Guatemala so it was a HUGE treat to find out they were in town.

We had a blast...in fact, we talked until about 3:30 a.m.!  If you know me, you know I like to talk, and so does Sally :)  It wasn't only catching up on each other's lives, but also sharing about our ministries... it's hard to explain but there's just a special connection with other missionaries -- we understand what they're going through and vice-versa. They head back to Guatemala on Tuesday and who knows if we'll manage to be back in Hillsdale County at the same time in the future? We're just thankful we were able to get together this time!

I promised photos of the house we're staying in. Once again, I just have to say how GRATEFUL we are that God provided so abundantly through His people! Mike and Jami worked long and hard to get the house ready for us, and folks from church stepped up to help with furniture, appliances, etc. We did nothing except unpack our suitcases.

Anyway, here's a picture of the living room taken by the front door (the sofa folds out into a queen-size bed when we have guests):

Right by the front door I've placed this lovely aqua vase I found at Goodwill for $6. It stands about 16" high and I snitched some straw thingies that Tina left in her old apartment to put in it.

And from the other corner of the living room, you can see right into the kitchen:

You saw the dining part of the kitchen in the photo with Erv and Sally, but here's a close-up of the kitchen work area:

The house has three bedrooms. The first has a twin bed and will be great when we have just one person visiting:

The middle room is serving as a study right now (and a catch-all for things we'll be taking back to Argentina):

It's hard to tell by the picture, but our room has luscious chocolate brown walls and shimmery gold curtains that look lovely with the bedding:

(Ignore the messy side tables.)
And we've heard the bathroom transformation is quite amazing. I'm hoping Jami will show me the "before" pictures sometime, but here's the lovely after:

So there you have it, a tour of our home-until-November. And may I just say, one of the best things about it? IT HAS CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING!!! This is the first time since 1997 that we've had a.c. and I am REVELING in it :)