Roseola...

Does anybody know what the title word means? Because I'm really not sure what it is, what it does, or how it works, or spreads. I think that's what Chantal has, though. I thought (and my heart quailed) that she had the measles... but no, hallelujah, it's not measles, apparently. Nor German Measles. And in my quest to diagnose my baby's strange illness (four days of fever, followed by a great big rash on her face, which spread to her arms and back), I at last located something that seems to fit, and it's called roseola. Some sort of childhood disease, is it?

Hurrah, hurrah, she has no more fever. She's exceptionally clingy, though, and is very unhappy unless she's in my arms (or Papa's, or Julie's, or Mikey's). She's chewing on her finger, too, so she likely is teething as well. Poor lil' mite. Well, please do keep her in your prayers, y'all, and pray that the other kiddos in the home don't come down with anything either. Thanks!

Fevers N' Baby...

Alas, my little baby woosel has a fever. I didn't take it too seriously yesterday; but when the fever did not break all night, and fluctuated in regular fever-fashion between 38.5 and 39.5 all day today, with no other apparent physical symptoms, I am inclined to consider taking her to the local clinic tomorrow (horrors, shivers-down-my-spine). I am a firm believer in allowing the body to heal itself according to God's well-planned design, and follow its natural cycles and courses as much as possible, without jumping into the medicine cabinet or running to the medicine man every time someone says 'ouch'... but there are times when consulting a doctor is the wisest course of action, particularly when the symptoms are strange or variable. Whether or not to submit to chemical treatment is, in my firm opinion, a strictly personal choice, especially in little matters like common colds, fevers, and ordinary ailments--which tend to follow a natural course on their own, with or without chemical remedies. But I have also learned to be thankful for doctors and medication, in those rare occasions when something turns out to be serious enough to require a professional's advice, assistance and care. My family and friends know that I am a bit on the leery side of the medical profession and pharmaceutical companies in general, nevertheless I hope I have acquired sufficient humility to admit that I do not know very much, and so am grateful for the wise counsels of competent doctors.

Please keep Chantal in your prayers; as fevers are difficult for any child, and whether it just blows over and goes away naturally, or is a precursor to some childhood disease, or whatever other reason, I'm praying that she stays safe and healthy, and that this fever does not spread among the other children in our home. Thank you! I'll post updates as things progress. We love you, and thank you for your prayers!

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:15-16

WOOHOO ELDEEEEE!!!

This is Leila, affectionately called Eldee by her dear dear old cousine Praise. She resides in the exotic land of Madagascar, amid dancing lemurs and lost zoo animals, and is, incidentally, one of the youngest, most dedicated missionaries I have ever had the fortune of knowing. She's also my editor.

I want all of you to know, on occasion of her 21st birthday, how very highly I value her personship, friendship, and dedication to her chosen calling. Three cheers for Eldee!!! Hip hip, hurrah!! Hip hip, Hurrah! Hip hip, Hurrah!!! Love you Eldee! Greetings from ye ol' PZ.

Back to BA, back to BA, back to BA we go, Heigh-ho! ...

And so indeed, after a lovely year in Mar del Plata, we have returned to our previous location, same house, same in-laws (mine, heh); where Floppy was born and raised until just before her third birthday. First place I resided in Argentina... Ah, the memories these same walls and halls evoke...

Well, I've got my internet connection back, praise God, and so I shall be able to actually resume posting on this blog, for what it's worth. I hope y'all didn't miss me too much... wait, on second thought I hope you did miss me. I've got a pile of stuff waiting to be posted here, so much that I doubt I'll ever get around to all of it in the next weeks, as I've put myself on a strict internet ration, so as not to hog all my time, which I ought to be spending in worthwhile, home- and children-related endeavours. I will, asap, recommence violin lessons at the conservatory downtown, if all goes well. Wish me joy!

We had a good trip; the bus trip was comfortable and not too long; nobody got sick, and the lovely company provided us with an assortment of snacks and goodies in clever little boxes, which fascinated Floppy. Of course, I, the chief family packer, managed to forget a few simple and essential objects, such as our pajamas, bath toys, laundry receptacles, and an odd pair of tennis shoes (I packed one shoe of Floppy's and one of bebe's...). Thank goodness Luchi and Arcos haven't travelled yet; I hope they can bring us these artefacts in due course. If not, ... sniff ... well, I'm sure we'll manage somehow.
And here's the only family picture we managed to take of ourselves last year, and a few other ones for your enjoyment, namely of Christmas presents. Aren't the kids CUTE!!

Among all the gifts received, I got a big piece of orange polka-dot cloth, to do with as I wished. I'm in the process of making a swweeeeeet summer dress. HAHAH! An original gift, wouldn't you say?

Dec. 31: Happy Birthday Marc!

Yes, another birthday in December....
Marc, I wanted to highlight your birthday here and now for the benefit of my readers and loyal followers, and moreover I wanted to tell you that I'm really glad you're my little brother!
I wish I had a pic of you to post here... (HINT HINT: SEND PIX!!)
Wishing you a happy, marvellous birthday, with much, much love, and a renewed invitation to visit Argentina one day. Hugs and cheeeeers!!!
--Your (favourite) big ol' sister Praisee

Dec. 28, In honour of Gini's birthday

Again, I'm a few days late. My eldest sister, Gini, has been one of my role-models ever since I can remember. She decided early in life to follow our folks' career as a missionary, and so at age 17 she was on a plane all on her lonesome, making her way from Brazil (where we lived at the time) to Lithuania as a missionary. Her antics, adventures and tales would fill up a shelf-full of novels...
She presently lives with her husband, four children, and bazillion pets in a quaint little ramshackle, tumble-down, ancient, cute, bright red house in a little town in Norway. She is, as I believe I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the most industrious people I know. Her famous specialties are needlework, charting, and all sorts of delicate crafts.--I haven't seen her match yet when it comes to beautiful and ornate handmade jewellery and suchlike. Her needlework site: http://www.roland-designs.com
When her eldest son was diagnosed with autism some years ago, she began to deeply research the subject, and has written a pamphlet explaining autism in layman's terms, boiling it down to its essence, for the benefit of those who may not understand what autism is, or who find themselves faced with dealing with an autistic child. Gini writes, on the front page of her site:
"Autism covers a large spectrum of disabilities. From very severe cases, to genius, and people who just have a little harder time to be understood, and to fit into society. But, all are God's children. All are precious." Follow her site here: http://www.a-mothers-journal.com
And for those who, like some of us, enjoy reminiscing, check out her latest blog, In Days Gone By: http://www.in-days-gone-by.blogspot.com
Gini, I miss you tons, and pray that you have a marvellous birthday, New Year, and particularly that you and Eman can get a new house this year!--The ideal house, which suits your needs and desires exactly, and which offers every convenience to your family. I love you lots! Three cheers for Gini!!!

Dec. 26: Joyeux Annive, maman...

This post is quite belated; for reasons which I shall explain in another post, I have not been able to access the internet on my own computer for some weeks now. But hallelujah for husbands, and more specifically, for husbands' computers--particularly when said husbands lend aforementioned computers to their computer-less wives. :-)
As you may or may not have noticed, there is a picture of a stunningly beautiful lady immediately to the right of this post: it's my mother, Christine, otherwise known to many as Faithy. She, besides being my favourite mumsy, is an AWESOME person. With her we five kids travelled the world, added hundreds of stamps to our passports, narrowly escaped perils during our many adventures, and somehow, though she never received a paycheck since the day she became a missionary 33 years ago, we never lacked for anything we needed. This was due, in great part, no doubt, to her great faith, determination, stamina, and craziness.
Now that I've grown up, sort of, and returned to her beloved South America, I've met many people who once knew her. They never fail to remember her, and for some reason, most of them remember my little brother and sister, though most admit to not remembering me. Hmmmmm.
Well anyway, they all break out into similar smiles when mom is mentioned, and immediately pull out some long account of some nutsy, crazy, and downright eyebrow-raising harum-scarum antic of mom's, that unbelievably met with resounding success. And they go on reminiscing, and not a single one of them has failed to list "dynamic" among the adjectives used to describe her. I can't help but agree, wryly. Mom is certainly very dynamic.
I bet I could write an ode or two about her, and there are so many memories that the thought of her conjures.
One thing about mom, though, that I wish to say here, is that I always knew that she had faith in me. In all of us, really. I went through some pretty difficult phases in my youth--I suppose most kids do--but in my mind, even when I felt I was reaching the limits of negativity and hideous emotions, I had this subliminal feeling that mom would weather it alright--she could take whatever I went through, and she'd still be the same. She never gave me the impression that I was causing her anguish or fear. She seemed to know that God would keep his hand in my life, no matter what ridiculous and stupid thing I would do, and that eventually God would bring me through whatever I got into, and help me glorify him through it all.
Not perfect, of course, but then--who could possibly stand to have perfect folks? Mom invited me into her confidence when I was young, and trusted me with some of her burdens, which made me feel needed and as though I really mattered. We prayed together, counseled together, she trusted me, and she never stood in my way when I wanted to try something different--she even helped pay for some of my crazy endeavours, ha!
Without her support and encouragement I probably wouldn't be here today. Yes mom, you're the best!
And by the way, mom's in Madagascar with a team of great people--meaning that they are simply awesome. And they need all the help they can get to reach the big red shoe-shaped island off the East coast of Africa! Remember that the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few, and so is the cash, internet connection, fuel reserves, and postal system! Pray that they can all get their visa situations cleared up, because last I heard a couple of the heads there will need to leave their chosen place of service due to visa shortages. Pray those obstacles away, y'all--the souls of Madagascar are hanging in the balances.
Love you, mom! Happy Birthday!