Happy Birthday, Nate!

Today is Nate's 5th birthday!

My, how time flies...

This morning Nate and I were in the kitchen making pancakes (his birthday breakfast request) and I was telling him all about the night he was born. He was fascinated and asked a lot of questions.

Nate, born at 9:20 pm on Aug 3rd

Sometimes he asks me why I had him at a hospital, with "bad" doctors, yet, had Abi and Kenny at home. I told him that it was not because of him (children seem to blame themselves for the most absurd things!) and that mommy and daddy are a lot smarter now because of him and his birth. He then asked me-- get this-- if the doctors tried to abort him! I told him, "no"and that he never had to worry about that. But there was something about his birth that holds a lot of meaning for us.

I remember the first time I set eyes on the delivery chair (or whatever they call that contraption) at the hospital where he was born. I recognized it since I'd seen it before at abortion clinics as same ones they used for abortions.

Next to the "chair" was a basin full of abortion tools-- curettes, pincers ( I can't remember the name in English! They look like mini forceps), etc. I noticed these were still there as Nate was being born. Funny how you see these things even in the throes of hard labor!

It was during a moment of respite from the contractions when I had a "thought", that I felt, was a prophetic one. I thought, wouldn't it be a hoot if the most powerful pro-lifer Mongolia were to ever know, were born on an abortionist's table into an abortionist's hands? (many Ob's double as abortionists) Only God could have thought that up!

Nate getting to know Grandpa

Today he's quite the pro-lifer. He's been to countless seminars and classes and could probably teach one by now. He's sat in on many birth classes and has been there for his sister's birth and actually assisted his little brother's birth. He knows babies are a gift from God and that they are alive from conception. He knows abortion is murder. He knows more than most adults.

With Abi, minutes after her birth

The other day, out of the blue, he said something that made me go "whoa". We were sitting in the car waiting for someone and he stated matter of factly that I hadn't done any pro-life seminars in a while. He then pointed out that babies are dying every day so, "Please hurry and tell as many people as you can".

Holding his brand new baby brother

The other day Nate and I were taking a walk outside and I was using the opportunity to instill some wisdom into him. I told him that life had 2 cycles--in the first cycle, mommy and daddy are responsible for him and his siblings. It is our job to feed, clothe, and provide for any needs they may have. But after they grow up, the second cycle begins and then it is their turn to care for mommy and daddy help us in any way we may need it.

Funny and lovable--that's Nate

He nodded his head in full agreement and told me eagerly that he "may have" changed his mind about being a rock star/astronaut and wanted instead to be an electrician. I think that he came to that decision as the reality of taking care of mommy and daddy sunk in. He then told me that he would be a very good electrician and would buy clothes and juice for us with his paychecks. I told him that was very generous of him.

So, my Nater Potater turns 5 today. I gave him a "grown up" New Testament, among a few other things. We started reading it today.

I made him a cake, decorated like a soccer ball and he was thrilled with it. I was disappointed that my icing didn't come out better, but I didn't let it ruin the fun!

The past 5 years of my life have been full of wonder, joy, frustration, tantrums, tears and change. I can only imagine what the next 5 years will bring!

God Bless you, Nate. Mommy loves you!

Prayers Please

I have almost completely recovered from my cough but just as I was getting better, the kids caught it. Nate wasn't so bad and he recovered quickly. Abi and Kenny have been sick for over 3 weeks now and, although Abi seems to be recovering, Kenny is still as sick as day 1.

I've been talking to the American Dr. in UB and we're both kind of baffled as to what it is. Kenny coughs until his little body looks like he's convulsing, gags, and almost always throws up. At night he has periods of apnea where he'll wake up blue and gasping for air. This has had us very worried and shaken up for some time and now I'm just plain exhausted. I wake up with him, sometimes up to 6 times a night. During the day he only sleeps for about 2o minute stretches then wakes up coughing and very cranky.

His nursing has picked up again so that's a relief. He's not much into eating but is drinking a lot.

I want to ask you to be praying for him and Abi to be completely healed. I also ask that you pray for me and Hetee, that we'll get the rest we need. My body is protesting the sleepless nights and added stress with headaches, weight loss and painful mouth ulcers. The tears come easily but I cling to Gods promise that He is our Healer.

Random thoughts...

Well, Abi and I are feeling better but Kenny is still coughing. Every now and then, like when he gets overheated or upset, he'll have a coughing episode where he coughs and can't breath. His lips turn blue and there's absolutely nothing I can do. We think it's bronchitis but Dr. Bradley (not THE Dr. Bradley) in Ulaan Baatar thinks it may be allergies, since there's no sign of infection, like fever, and cough suppressants aren't working. He said that the main complaint he's been getting from people this year suffering from allergies, including himself, is that cough suppressants don't seem to be doing their job. Hmmm. I sure hope it's not allergies 'cause if it is we'll be looking at it again next year.

So, whatever it is, Kenny needs healing. It breaks my heart to see him like this and not be able to do a single thing. Please keep praying for him, that God will do a miracle on his behalf. Thank you.

Apart from taking care of sick babies I've been taking advantage of more time spent at home. The other night Nate asked me to teach him how to read a face clock. Now he's learning to tell time!

I have also been making jam with the black currants we harvested from the 30 or so bushes in our yard. We didn't expect to have such a good harvest as most of the bushes were old but God totally gave us more than we could handle. We gave about 75% away just because I couldn't keep up with the fruit!

Besides making jam, I put together a recipe for bread using whole grains and seeds. It has things like bran, millet, oatmeal, poppy and sesame seeds, barley flour, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and anything else I think it should have at any given time. =) I bake 3 loaves at a time and I can't believe my family eats all 3 loaves in 2 days! Abi and Nate told me they like my bread more than the bread from the store. It was great to hear, especially since most children like the white stuff. Pb&j just got a whole lot healthier!

I'm also reading the book "Blue Like Jazz" and there was something I read recently that I wanted to share here. I don't have time to write a lengthy post so I'll quote the author and leave you to your thoughts:

"I don't think any church has ever been relevant to culture, the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel. If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing."