THANK YOU!

For Aunt Leah...

For Aunt Lydia...

For Aunt Lydia and Aunt Sara...

Thank you all for the lovely surprises!

(I wish I could have gotten some better shots but the kids were cooperating about as good as a small herd of goats. But I knew you guys wouldn't mind.)

Therapy

For me sadness and grief have always been a funny thing, if you'll forgive my choice of word there. There are a few things that stand out in my memory as truly sad events in my life. The memories of these things sneak up on me at the strangest times and I usually feel better if I give in and cry a little.

Today, melancholia snuck up and hit me over the head so I've put the kids to bed, put some Celine on real low and sat down for a date with my blog.

When I was about 10 I met one of the best friends I'd ever have. Her name was Dalia and she was everything you ever wanted in a friend. I remember the first day we met. I had heard about her from my dad and he wondered if she and I might like to meet.

Dalia and I hit it off immediately and we were soon as close as sisters. For about 3 years we were inseparable. We'd have sleepovers and talk all night long about things we'd be when we grew up, about our wedings and about where we would live. We would be neighbors. We promised we'd name our daughers after each other.

But in one night everything changed forever. Dalia's parents were driving home one night and passed through a small river they'd crossed, that we'd crossed, by car many times before and without warning a flash flood from the mountians washed down and swept their car away. They both drowned and Dalia and her brothers went to live with a close family friend of theirs in another city and I never saw her again. Just like that.

If I had known it was the last time I'd see her I would have held her longer when we parted. But how could I have known? Now a desperate sob wells up in my throat every time I think about her.

Losing my niece 7 years ago is another thing that covers me in a dark cloud. She was 12. She was abducted and made to suffer. She was murdered. Just like that. So cruel and unforgiving is man and his sin and selfishness.

In the summer of 2005 I lost my baby to miscarriage. It was a hard blow and made me spin in ways I never imagined.

Then 2 summers ago we burried our friends' baby. He had fallen 5 stories to his death. As I looked at the tiny white coffin I couldn't help but wonder if he was scared as he fell. I tried not to let the image play in my mind. It was hard not to. It's still so overwhelmingly sad and I think about it every day.

As sad as these things are for me I know that God still loves me and those people involved in the stories I shared and not once did He turn His back on us.

Everybody suffers. It's part of the world we live in. Bad things happen and we can't undo them. Whether the suffering comes through an act of nature or an act of aggression from another human being, we've all been there and have felt sorrow and deep sadness.

People say that time heals all wounds. That's not true at all. It's Jesus and His work on the cross that heals our wounds. When we see things in the light of eternity we can feel the hope and the peace that comes from Him alone.

Here, Hetee, Nate and Caleb are getting ready to take the first ride down the hill. As you can see behind them the hill was really busy. The weather was beautiful and lots of kids were out playing and sledding. Caleb's younger sister, Leah took a nasty spill when a boy on a sled ran into her. She was pretty shaken up but not hurt too badly, thank God!

Abi and Kenny with New Darkhan, Old District backdropped behind them.

Making a fort!

Back home with hot chocolate, red cheeks and hopefully warm memories that will last a lifetime.

Every Good and Perfect Gift

Many of you remember Bogi and Enkhmaa and the loss they experienced almost 2 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long since Yalalt was here with us. I sure do miss him.

Bogi and Enkhmaa would like to let you all know that they have been blessed with another baby boy, Tuguldur (which means "good and perfect"), who was born 1 week ago. He was 12 lbs 1 oz and oh my, what a handsome big fellow he is! He and his big sister have brought so much joy to their mommy and daddy and to the rest of us, too.

Sara and Brad, thank you again for your generosity in blessing this family! Please tell all who gave that we are very grateful for their generosity as well.

Due to some health issues Enkhmaa has not been able to breastfeed. So with the help of my friend Sara, the baby has been supplied with formula from the US. I am also breastfeeding him occasionally and pumping milk to supplement.

He is a big boy and it takes a lot to keep him full =).

Thank God for baby blessings, for healing from pain and loss, and for life that goes on.

Tempting...

I feel tempted to write "Let everything that has breasts praise the Lord" as the title of this post. I still might do it. It's after 1 am and my judgment is a little clouded by a serious need for sleep...

This little girl was an infant when I first met her. She was very sick, being diagnosed with pneumonia and severely malnourished. During the time she spent in the hospital her mother's milk dried up and she was unable to nurse her. I offered to step in and take the baby and nurse her for a few hours every day. I tried to have a meal prepared for the mother (Altaa, pictured here, too) as she needed some nourishment as well. The father wanted nothing to do with the gospel at the time but the grandmother and grandfather started coming to church.

A few weeks ago, at church, Altaa introduced me to her husband. He has been coming to church and is now a new believer! All thanks to breastmilk! (See, the reall stuff IS better than formula! heehee)



This not the first or the last baby I've breastfed that doesn't belong to me. In Mongolia it's not uncommon to do this sort of thing and I'm glad because it just makes so much sense. I've breastfed at least 4 babies that I can remember including one just today. It's a practical way to ensure their health, especially in such harsh weather conditions and when you look at the other option (cow's milk because formula is SO expensive or is simply unavailable) this is just so much better.

So there you have it. I was doing it before she was but good for her just the same. =)

Got milk?

Or as they say in Mongolia:

Sootai yu?