My Sponsored Kids

Here are some updated pictures of the children we sponsor through Compassion International.  (Revathi, from India, now has a new correspondence sponsor, and Pued, from Thailand, left the program, but we do have one new addition, little Yordan from Peru.)

 Fogan Daniel, from Togo, will be 11 on December 11th.

 Monica, from Peru, turned 8 on June 10th.

 Karen Yanira, from El Salvador, was 8 on March 19th.

Yordan Nicolas, from Peru, turned 4 on August 2nd.

And we're off!

It's official, Max and I will be moving into our first apartment together on Saturday! We can't wait to be in New Hampshire's capital city and to live close to the mall, grocery stores, and of course, Walmart! I have an entire week of school vacation starting Saturday as well, and I will be enjoying my time to just chillax in my own place!

My dad suprised me today with not just one, but FOUR grocery bags full of homewarming gifts including things like paper towels, spices, ketchup, and dishwasher detergent! Thanks Dad, you're the best!

Max has been busy with his new engineering job, and doesn't usually get home until sometime after six, so I have been in charge of most of the packing, but it's mainly my stuff anyhow. I'll pack it, if he'll help move it on Saturday! My mom will be "manning the fort" at our new place and helping to unpack while the rest of us lug everything up the three half flights of stairs.

Also my pets have found happy new homes where they will get lots of TLC and won't be cramped in our apartment. I'll miss them, but I am thankful for the joy they have been during the long process of bringing Max to the US.

So, that's our life right now. We're off to new adventures in our new home!

I'm Thankful For You!

Max,
This blog is for you! Happy First Thanksgiving in the United States! Max you are the most incredible man that I have ever met! On this special day, I want to say thank you with all of my heart for who you are and for all your love.

Thank you for leaving everything and everyone you knew to come to the "jungle" of Sandown, NH. Thank you for making our wedding in Peru so perfect and for all the fun memories at our Calef's Country Store wedding #2! Thank you for being such a good sport and trying all our American food, like roasted marshmallows and my dinner inventions. Thank you for your patience with me as your driver's ed instructor. Thank you for helping me correct papers for my Spanish classes. Thank you for all our fun date nights watching adventure movies, eating Chinese food, and exploring the big cities of Manchester and Concord.

And most of all thank you for being the loving, patient, fun, and encouraging man that you are! Of everything I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving, above all, I'm thankful for you!

xoxo
~Emily

Tradition! Tradition!

It is after midnight, but I can not not blog about my most exciting, most recent purchase.....

A FLIGHT TICKET TO PERU!!


After 9 months apart, I can not wait to be with my Max! (and also his family!) I will be leaving Boston at 10:35 a.m. August 2nd and returning at 12:16 p.m. August 22nd. My father-in-law told me we'd be sure to have lots of "cuy" to celebrate my arrival.

So why the "tradition" title? Ha! My life has been far from following any sort of routine, let alone tradition, but this may be the start! I flew Continental Airlines last Sept, and now I have my first frequent flyer mile account with them. A start to a new tradition! Also, now that I will be a middle school World Language Teacher, August may remain the best time to visit relatives in my favorite land of Inca Kola. I hear the world tradition!



On the other hand, if there is one thing I have learned the past few years, it is that life is full of changes. As Rachel Lynde from "Anne of Green Gables" put it, "You're never free from surprise 'till your dead!" There are so many things in life that are out of our control, which I for one, find very frustrating.

BUT, as my boss consoled me on a particularly "down" day, there are certain things in our lives we CAN control, and we need to! Yes, my airline and flight dates were two things I could control, but perhaps there are things even more important in my life to take charge over as well. Things like: my attitude, the words that I say, how often I visit my family, the respect I show to strangers, the encouragement I give to my friends, my use of free time (gotta love those documentaries!), and so many other seemingly inconsequential day-to-day habits. Those mini-traditions can make up a person and even a life!

My previous blog had the words to, "How You Live," by Point of Grace, which gives a list of several simple but special daily traditions to cherish. Another song I was encouraged by this week was, "My Next 30 Years" by Tim McGraw. Tim sings about "turning a page" in his life when he reaches his 30 year milestone. He sings, "Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here," and whether we're 13, 30 or 93, I think it is always a good time to stop and take a look at our lives and the traditions we want to live by.



And while the song is still stuck in your head, feel free to sing along to Fiddler on the Roof's "Tradition", and maybe it will help us both remember to start and keep those traditions in our lives that matter the most.

How You Live

This is a song that always inspires me!

"How You Live"
Point Of Grace



Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want, but want what you have
And don't spend you life looking back

CHORUS:
Turn up the music; Turn it up Loud
Take a few chances; Let it all out
Because you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
Because it's not who you knew and it's not what you did
It's how you Live


So go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children; Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth cause you can't get away
Oh no
Just face it and you'll be ok

CHORUS

Where ever you are and wherever you've been
Now is a time to begin

So give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
And make peace with God and Make peace with yourself
Oh yeah
Cause in the end there's nobody else

CHORUS

Early Spring Morning on the Homestead

Flowers From My Husband!

Locking Your Keys in the Car DOES Have its Benefits!

After 5, or perhaps more, times of locking my keys in my car this year. I have discovered the wonderful advantages to such a circumstance:

-The glow from the extra color in your cheeks.
-A whole extra hour to hangout with your manager after work.
-A free ride in a tow truck.
-Time to sit and read the funnies from the newspaper recycling rack.
-The opportunity to meet elderly men at the local hardware store who also recently locked their keys in their car.
-A very educational, "How to Break into a Locked Car for Dummies" lesson.
-Information all about useful tools such as wire, plastic-lock-undooer-thingamagiggers, and blood-pressure-taker-car-door-prop-openers.
-An extra 30 minutes of strength training at the gym.
-Knowing your car insurance with Geico works.
-Quality "Mom-time" in Hannaford's to dig through the book bin.
-Friendships with nearly all mechanics in Southern, NH!


Really? Who wouldn't want to lock their keys in the car?!

Finding Joy in the Pressing On!

Max and I are still waiting for news on the visa, but not worried, as July 22nd is the projected date for contact after the initial review process. Now is our time to hurry up and wait - but not without purpose! Not only is our marriage relationship growing steadily - though Skype, snail mail, texts, and phone calls - but the time apart has opened doors to opportunities we wouldn't have otherwise had.

I have always loved working with children. From babysitting and being a camp counselor, to teaching and just chatting with kids who come to visit Calef's Candy Land - nothing makes my day like a kid's smile and hello! Since the weather has warmed up, I've also enjoyed getting to know the children from my apartment a little better, and whenever I bring my rabbit, Peanut Butter Cup, out to play - out they come too! We all work together to make sure she doesn't sneak through the fence and into the neighbor's garden! Wascally Wabbit!

A post I did this past winter was the pictures of my four Compassion sponsored children. Since I was 16 and sponsored my first girl, Pamela from Uganda, I have had a growing love for children around the world who are in need - especially in need of someone who believes in them!

Recently, Max and I learned about two boys in Alto Trujillo, a very poor suburb of the city where Max lives, who are in need of hope. Samuel, 12, and Isai, 8, lost their mother to breast cancer two months ago. They are living with their father and grandmother, but miss their mom terribly. Whenever it is cloudy, Isai is afraid that his mother can't see him from the sky. Isai, who earlier this year was at the top of his class, now is refusing to do his school work and he says he wants to go far away from home.

When Max and I learned about the situation of these two boys, we decided that we wanted to help, however much or little we can. For Mother's Day Max stopped by to bring a new soccer ball to the boys. Only the older brother was home, and a picture of him with the new ball and another of him and his grandmother are below. Soon we hope to begin selling Peruvian made products to raise money to help the boys' father pay for the debts the family has incurred due to hospital and funeral costs.

It made me so happy to hear that when Samuel saw my husband getting off the bus this morning, he immediately had a huge grin on his face and raced over to greet his friend (they previously had know each other from a school building project Max completed in their area a year ago). I'm so glad his heart is open to receive his and our friendship, and I hope and pray that with time, little Isai, will be able to know that the clouds don't keep him from being seen by people who love him.

Those aren't hiking shoes, ya know!

Spring has sprung in New Hampshire! Today I went hiking in Pawtuckaway State Park and wore my beautiful new and blue criss-cross Tevas. My hiking book said it was a level 1 hiking area, and since I didn't bring my sneakers along for the weekend visit at my dad's, I decided to give the hike a shot without the best footwear. It turned out just fine, except for the fact that more than one person commented on my sandals. Oh well!

So here's the update on the visa:






Did you catch that? Yeah, no news yet, but we're waiting with eager anticipation and expectation for Max to make it to the US before I get my first gray hair! In the meantime, Max has begun to contact individuals and companies about engineer work in New England. One particular professor at UNH has been really helpful. Even though I'd love to say on the NH seacoast area, looks like we might be in VT or even ME next year. I can sense adventures ahead!

Max's Visa

It's been four long months seeing Max! Fortunately, we've been able to stay in close communication through email, phone, and Skype. Recently, though, Max accepted a new job position working for a company in the Andes mountains (about 12,000 feet above sea-level!), and our communication has been limited because of his rural setting. It's been tough not being able to see his face on Skype and call him when I want to, but at least we can keep sending text messages (I think we're keeping Verizon in business!).

The most recent development in the whole visa process is that we hired a lawyer! What a relief for me, now that I don't have to worry about misinterpreting forms or forgetting to complete certain paperwork. Our lawyer is a full-fledged immigration attorney. You can see his profile and website at http://www.foleylawoffices.com/Attorneys . He's incredibly knowledgeable and personable too. My dad went along with me to our consultation on Monday, and we both were impressed with his character, work, and multitude of interesting immigration stories. The entire process is predicted to be about 8 months. I don't really care how long it takes, just as long as I know Max will be here with me!

Snow Day Discoveries

I'm chilling (literally) on the Maine seacoast. Snow has been gracefully and steadily falling since 7 o'clock this morning. Though I made it to the post office to mail out a job application, I don't dare make the 1/2 hour trek to work with the responsibility of caring for my boss' beloved black lab. Instead, here I am watching startling and life-changing documentaries on Netflix.

The first documentary I viewed is by National Geographic, entitled "Stress: Portrait of a Killer," by Robert Sapolsky. Earlier in my blogs I mused about the benefits and consequences of stress. This video suggests that stress, especially chronic, has multiple consequences on us physically, even to the point that brain cells that control memory can be lost. A lot of stress to do with status or social class. Dr. Sapolsky, the researcher behind this project, studied baboons in Kenya. He found that the males in the lower end of the social spectrum had increased stress, felt less happiness, and showed beginning signs of blocked arteries. The leaders of the pack did not have these struggles. Interestingly, though, when TB became spread to throughout the troop, it was the ones on the bottom of the totem pole that survived because of their strong relationships with the others.

Sometimes, or perhaps often, we find ourselves in continually stressful situations. The studies from this video showed that to combat stress we need the support of friends and loved ones. When we can talk about the things that cause us stress, especially with others that understand us and accept us, incredible healing can occur. As far as social status goes, the film suggests that it is important to find a job, or avenue where we can feel significant, and consciously choose not to allow societies judgement of us, how we perform, or what we have to give the final "say so" of our personal value.

The second video, I'm still in the process of watching is entitled "Food, Inc.," directed by Robert Kenner. Did you know that there are only FOUR major companies who produce about 80% of the meat we consume in the US? To find out more, I suggest you watch this video for yourself. Another video I plan on seeing this afternoon is "The Future of Food" by Filmmaker Deborah Koons Garcia. Let's just say I'm thinking about buying local meat and produce and maybe starting gardening as a hobby again.

Love My Sponsored Kids!

...............................Monica Vilca, Age 7, from PERU!!...............................



...............................Karen Yanira, Age 7, from El Salvador...............................



................................Revathi, Age 11, from India...............................



...............................Pued, Age 7, from Thailand...............................



...............................Fogan Daniel, Age 9, from Togo...............................

An Uncertain Future

It's been a couple of months since I've blogged. I have been wanting to share an edited excerpt of a journal entry I wrote on the plane on the way to Peru this September. I wrote it with the jitters of a bride-to-be, yet also as an individual reflecting on the ageless question of the "problem of pain" and the fear of it.

"I don't even have words to describe. Two and a half hours until my whole world, my whole life, my whole future changes. I have begun a story with an uncertain ending.

I just watched a powerful movie called the "Shawshank Redemption" which addressed my deepest fear - What if bad things, horrible, unspeakable, life-destroying things happen to good or innocent or God-serving people for no reason? In the video it did - over and over and over. Guess what? In life it does too - the Holocaust and the horrific stories we hear about people like Corrie ten Boom and Eli Weisel, the mistreatment of the Native Americans when our country was first settled, the slavery and social injustices endured by African Americans later on, and a million individual stories of pain, injustice and loss that have occurred in the past and still occur every day.

What I realized from watching this film is that in every situation I have the choice to "start living or start dying," as stated by Andy Dufresne, the movie's main character. This man was falsely convicted of the murder of his wife and unjustly imprisoned for over 20 years. In the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation, Andy started a library for the inmates, slowly became the overseer of the entire prison's finances, and when the exact moment was right found his way to freedom. Year after year passed while this man was forced to live behind bars, with an uncertain future ahead of him. Silently and stoically chose to live and chose to hope.

I am afraid. I am afraid of loosing my luggage, with my gifts for my soon-to-be Peruvian in-laws. Afraid of Max's visa being denied. Afraid of not earning enough money to pay the rent. Afraid of failure at work and in relationships. I am afraid of so many things... Yes, I have lived with fear. I suppose we all have. But now I have begun to ask myself, today will I begin living or begin dying? Hope or despair, life or death. My choice today can't change what has happened, but it could make a world of a difference on what does happen in the future. Choosing to be afraid, to let fear, worry, and "what-ifs" clench at my heart is like choosing to walk around with death growing inside of me. Life is uncertain, but perhaps my response doesn't need to be."

1 Peter 1:3, 4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you..."

John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

New Life, New Home!

As of Wednesday, July 21st, I will be living at McDuffee Brook Place in Gonic, NH. It is funny to me to be moving to a town in New Hampshire that I never even knew existed! The 2000 NH Demographic Report said the population was 4000 :) Perfect! There is a town school and pool within walking distance! A couple miles down the road in one direction is the Rochester Golf Course - maybe I'll learn how to golf (ok, probably not, but maybe!) - and a few miles down the road in the other direction are 3 real farms that are up and running, and one even sells fresh veggies and 4 different varieties of home-grown popcorn! Yummy! I hope Max likes it because it is in a bit of a neighborhood area, but also with a nice balance of country. It's only 5 min from work, which I love, and about 30 min from Portsmouth.

Engaged! (Take Two)

Dearest family and friends,
I wanted to write today to share the exciting news that I'm engaged (again)! It took a year to work through some questions about culture, language, and our individual dreams for the future, but today I can say with confidence that I believe that Max Vilca is the one for me! Let me clarify by sharing that I don't think that there is just one person who can make any of us happy, but that Max and I have both made the choice to do this "life thing" together come what may. With our love for each other, our families beside us, and our faith to help carry us along, we are eager press on, hand in hand, to what the future can hold.

It seems that with Max and I everything comes in twos - two countries, two cultures, two engagements, and we are also planning two weddings! Our first celebration will be held on September 18th, 2010 in Trujillo, Peru and we are looking at June 18th, 2011, somewhere in New Hampshire, as being our second special day....so you can tentively save the date, though a lot depends on small details...*cough*...like visas. :)

Continuing with the them of two's, I'll share the quote on our Peruvian wedding inviations, which reads reads:

"Two hearts, one love.
Two promises, one covenant.
Two lives made one in Christ."



~~~~~Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~Simone Signoret~~~~~

Just like the quote above, I feel that it was many little threads that wove my heart with Max's and his to mine. Long before I ever visited Peru, I can see that my travels and studies had been preparing me for the international marriage I would one day choose for myself. Max also had joined with many American service teams who came to his country and found himself forming special friendships with these people. Back then, if someone told either of us that we would actually marry someone from another country, and if they had explained all the work it would involve, we would probably have told them that they were crazy. Today, though, my heart has become woven into the fabric of a society, a family, and most of all my truest love and friend. Even though there are many uncertainties and challenges ahead, I am happy about embracing the tapestry of my life and the many threads that have woven me together with Max today.

Peanut Butter Cup

Not only are peanut butter cups my all-time favorite candy, but they are now my all-time favorite bunny! Today got a new 8 week-old bunny that is a cross between a Holland Lop and a Fuzzy Lop - both small breed bunnies (3-4 lbs full-grown) that are very tranquil and super-cute with their loppy, floopy ears! My rabbit is named Peanut Butter Cup because of her pretty peanut butter brown and milk chocolate colored fur.

My bunny is so friendly and such a love bug that she sat completely contented on my lap during the drive home from her first home in Rochester. This is a HUGE change from my last bunny a Creme d'Argent bunny who definately couldn't sit still.

Here are a couple a bunny jokes I found today...(get it bunny/funny :) hehe)

---How do you know carrots are good for your eyes?....Have you ever seen a rabbit with glasses?

---What did the bunnies say when the farmer caught them kissing in the gardent?.....Lettuce alone!

---Why was the bunny crying?....He was having a bad hare day.


Ok, now that I've completely made your day with my jokes...this is Emilerts signing off to go play with her new bunny buddy!

A Walk Down Memory Lane and Some Refections on Stress

Going through old papers and letters can be both an enjoyable and bittersweet experience. Today I started tackling some boxes of high school notebooks and binders. (Yes I have kept every note and test I've ever taken!) Finally I was able to toss several of Mrs. Spencer's LOOOOONGG history study guides, Ike's chemistry lab reports, and even most of the French book exercises Miss Davis assigned. It was sad to say good-bye, but sweet to be reminded of all the good times I had in high school. I'm saving just a couple memories, an important test or paper from each class, so I can show my kids someday...and I suppose partly for myself to prove, yes, I have been there, done that, and I made it through!



While I was cleaning out I started refelcting on stress and how our society puts so much pressure on performance - for not only adults in the work world but also teenagers in their schools. I particularly remember being very stressed over history...way TMI! and Chinese...how in the world do you study an random grouping of lines that make up the characters? A lot depends on the person, and I suppose other classes I found easy, some students may have been intensely stressed over. I just wonder, do we need to be placed under stress or is it ok to avoid it? I see so many times stress has helped me achieve what I would have otherwise thought as impossible...other times it has deabilitated me. Where is the balance?

I have always been a person who can get caught up in performance and achievement, and I am now reminded of my college French professor's favorite verse:

Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

and I also like the Message translation:

8But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

I guess what it comes down to, isn't performance and achievement, but who I am with the little choices I make along the way. Should I welcome or avoid stress, well, I don't know, but I do know that the most important thing is to humbly walk with God through whatever comes my way.

Calef's Crack-ups

There are many amusing moments at Calef's Country Store where I work. Some I get to share with the customer, some with my co-workers, and some it's best if I just keep to myself.

I worked at the cash register most of the day today and started noticing people's names on their ID's and credit cards. One woman had the last name "Resta." It was tough, but I kept myself from asking, "Where is the "Resta" the family?"

Another name I saw was "Joan Wade." Do you think she ever gets confused with the famous cowboy?

The First of Emilerts

So I'm finally starting a real blog. I have been a blog admirer for years and never quite understood how people did such an incredible job writing witty posts and including dazzling pictures. I doubt that my blog will be as captivating as others, but I hope to be real and honest in my reflective posts and as fun as possible in all my others!

Thanks for visiting!