The Waiting Game

It is uncanny how waiting for a baby to be born can unearth every imaginable (and un-imaginable) emotion in a human being.  

The mother to be is uncomfortable and irritable (which can lead to sudden outbursts of anger or laughter…depending on the situation) while the father to be is anxious (that the baby will be born in the car) yet eager for the baby to be born so his wife might possibly return to normal.

Of course both parents are excited, overjoyed and nervous about the birth of their coming child. 

If you have other children they are most likely confused about this smattering of emotions yet ecstatic over the presents they randomly get to keep them quite during those ‘stressful’ times.

So you can see that when my parents (Adam’s in-laws) arrived on October 3 (before the birth of the baby) we were all relieved and ready for her to arrive. 

FINALLY (although it really was only a few days after their arrival) on October 7^th Isabell Kate was born in Loja. 

We made it to the hospital in plenty of time, my parents were able to communicate in Spanish while taking care of Sophia and Samuel and we were released from the hospital the very next day to go home and enjoy our little girl. It couldn’t have gone any better!!

Getting ready for Isabell Kate!

You can't even imagine how long it took Adam and I to stick all of these stickers on the wall!!!

Finally finished - my little helpers are tuckered out!

She is here!! Yay for grandma's and sister's :)

I think they are excited!!

Grandpa and Isabell

Our 3 kids!! :)

 Our Family

Little Isabell is a great baby!! She just sleeps, eats and rarely cries - it's amazing!!

Sophia is trying to feed her....

One of the bridges near our house fell down!! 

Fortunately it wasn't one we crossed to go to the hospital :)

My dad and Adam were able to go up to Shakay and check on the house - they sprayed the house and weeds and cut the grass. They had a great time :)

My dad killing the jungle - trying to hold it back and from taking over the house :)

There wasn't a boat to bring them home so the kayaked down!

Grandma and Isabell

Since her birth we have continued to have all kinds of excitement and adventures (because learning to take care of 3 children just wasn’t enough for us J).  Sophia started school!! I know - she is only 3, but they have pre-school for 3-4 year olds here. She goes for a few hours everyday and is already making friends and learning Spanish. Adam has had several opportunities to become involved with other men here in Zamora (riding dirt bikes and kayaking) and has made quite a few new friends. They are all interested in why we are here and so Adam has been able to share with them while they put their lives in danger….he is obviously loving it!

Sophia in her school uniform...yes, she wears a uniform - yes it is ridiculously hard core....we are in for a serious cultural experience!! It actually took us 2 whole days just to buy her school supplies!!

Adam with his friends getting ready to drive on a 'new' road

.....and this is the road... 'new' isn't really the word I would have used!!

All the guys

Typical Adam picture :)

So Adam made friends with the guys who do the white water rafting trips - one is steering the large blue boat - they also have a couple of kayaks :)

The weather has been the hottest yet which has brought heaps of dust, bat poop raining from the ceiling and lots of sweat… we have tried to stay downstairs and at times have just driven around in the car to enjoy the a/c and cool off. Thankfully we have lots of rivers to swim in and several pools.

Samuel is fearless when it comes to the water - he will jump off anything!!

BUT our biggest news (besides the birth of our daughter) is that we have a MOTOR!! Several churches provide us with the funds to buy a 48 hp motor and after buying it last week we were able to go try it out for the first time a couple of days ago – what fun!! It is so remarkable to finally get to use our new boat and to have such a powerful motor to get us safely through the rapids/currents and rocks!!! It worked amazingly and we are eternally grateful to those churches that made it possible. We will now be able to do ministry unhindered and so much safer – it truly is a blessing and a miracle.

 The motor is under the tarp on the back of the car!!

 All put together and ready to try it out!

 Thank you so much for your prayers and generosity. We are excited about this new chapter in our lives as we begin spending quality time out in the community and as we learn from the Lord how to be good examples and parents to our growing family, physically and spiritually.