The Business of Motherhood

I found this article:

Excused Absence: Surgery. Or a full-body cast. Otherwise you're pretty much on call all the time.

Downsize: When you finally fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans again.

Environmental Protection Compliance: A Diaper Genie and a can of Lysol.

Performance Review: Annually, in bed, on Mother's Day. You can tell you've done a good job by the homemade greeting cards, flowers, and what appear to be Froot Loops mixed with grapes and chocolate chips.

Equal Opportunity Policy: Everyone is given the opportunity to fold the laundry, but you're the only one who ever takes it.

Sick Day: Doing the same thing you do every day, only you feel worse than you normally do.

Multitasking: Emptying the dishwasher, filling sippy cups with apple juice, and calling your child in sick (again) to the school nurse--all at the same time.

Maternity Leave: The hour or so you get to yourself while the hospital nurses clean, weigh, and put that cute little pink or blue hat on your newborn.

Overtime: Most stay-at-home moms realize that there is no overtime in a job that never ends.

:)

Flashbacks from the Summer

Seeing as how I have neglected my blog for entirely too long, some arrangement needs to be made- else Shelley delete me as was previously threatened.... *gasp*

I don't write well under pressure, and I have nothing deep nor inspiring to write about.

We'll start with memories from the summer.

We had a few series of tent meetings during the 4 months I spent there. One of our series was in a place called Camilla Ortega. This is a very poor area, government-owned housing for the poorest. A typical night during gospel meeting was as follows.... There I sat, in the uncomfortable, plastic chair without armrests. These chairs were NOT created for human posture, nor for those with back problems. Filthy, flea-infested dogs meandered through the aisles and circled around the podium. Children chattered loudly as they played around the tent. I was situated in the middle of a row, with children surrounding me on the right and left. A dirty 2-year-old, dressed in smelly, muddy clothes, was falling asleep on my lap. Curled up on my feet laid a flea-infested dog, who scratched himself every few seconds. I could almost feel the fleas crawling up my ankles.... A man (either drunk or not in his right mind) is standing at the back of the tent yelling to the preacher, "But sir, I'm catholic! Excuse me! Sir! I am CATHOLIC." None of us really understood his persistent claim to catholicism, perhaps he was insulted by the truth of the gospel. The meeting ended, and I did my usual dance-twirls with some little girls. As a tall person, twirling with a small child is not a brilliant move. My back has not been right since....

One day, a few young people from our El Valle assembly wanted to take us four young people on a hike. Generally, I can do about anything in a skirt. Rock-climbing does not seem to be one of those things. We hiked up a mountainous-sized hill and down; it was a 3 hour trip. It was absolutely beautiful, at least I think so. My eyes were fixed on the ground the entire time I walked, as we were hiking up a stream. Literally, walking right in the stream as our intent was to follow it to its source, where was the purest water. We didn't end up finding it but it was still a lovely hike. The humidity was incredible that day, which meant my glasses refused to stay on my face. Not only was my vision impaired due to glasses that were giving in to gravity, but the humidity was so intense that my glasses were fogged over most of the hike! I stumbled through the heart of the jungle, barely able to even SEE this magnificent creation, forced to stare at the ground the entire time. Skipping from one wet boulder to the next in a skirt.... well, it wasn't a leisurely walk. I started grabbling whatever seemed to be a handhold: the much-appreciated hand of a gentleman, tree trunks, branches the width of my pinkie, sometimes the rock from which I was leaping.... One moment I was grabbing a small branch, the next I had slipped and soaked my tennis shoes in the stream. Yet another moment I was grabbing a small tree trunk, when I hear this strange-sounding voice behind me, "DON'T TOUCH THAT TREE!!!!" I didn't recognize this voice and, still holding the tree, turned around. I raised an eyebrow at the guilty gentleman, "That was YOUR voice??". "There's a huge spider!!" he exclaims, not impressed with my calm composure. Boy, was he right. It wasn't a tarantula, but it was bigger than the palm of my hand. I shuddered as I thought about the fact that both of us had almost touched this grossly gigantic spider.

Another afternoon, I was visiting Ike and Silvia. Ike is explaining to me that seed sowers are a great place to meet "potential spouses". I rolled my eyes and asked what was so great about it. He grins impishly as he explains that "you get to see what girls look like without their make-up, you get to see what they look like all sweaty and dirty, and you get to see them with wet hair." Uh-huh. The male picture of imperfection, I suppose... I hate to break it to you, buddy, but the world has seen me with wet hair and no make-up pleeeenty of times. You don't need to go to seed sowers for THAT! Besides, I make every effort at seed sowers to make a run to the shower in the wee hours of morning so no one has to witness the "bed hair". You know... hat hair... bed hair.... the I-just-woke-up morning voice.... the I-slept-in-one-spot-all-night creases on the skin.... do I dare mention morning breath??

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A brief catch-up

Howdy folks!
I'm sitting here at the hall in Masaya, listening to the rain pour down. To not like rain and live in Nicaragua is like... fainting at the sight of blood but choosing to be a nurse. ;)

Ike and Silvia are letting me use their computer so I thought I should take advantage of the fact that I can type!

The past few days have been very quiet and... I hate to say it, but long. The girls left Monday, then the men all packed up and left Thursday morning. Since then... I've not been sure what to do with myself. I much prefer to be busy but it will come to an end- just one more week!
Brenda and I are heading up to Jalapa tomorrow morning to stay until after the gospel meeting Tuesday night. We'll be bringing back Andrew B and delivering him to the airport on Wednesday morning.

With the lack of activity the past couple days, I have been using some of my time to go through a spanish workbook. I can say that I have learned some things already, and it has given me the boost of confidence I lost a couple weeks ago. As trepidatious as it is... I am once again allowing myself to stumble around with words and try to convey my thoughts.

Mark is now sick and feeling miserable (round 2 for him), and Kyle Wilson is recovering from being ill last week. Please pray that the other guys don't get sick during their time up there.
I am thankful to say that I have still stayed free of the germs that have been spreading their way around El Valle. Many local people are sick at this time and I hear its pretty miserable. I am officially the only one in the house to have not been struck ill (parasites don't count!).

Meeting starts soon so I guess I better close up.
I am not able to do much with emailing but I do enjoy reading your emails- especially during the next week! So if you have time, please feel free to drop a note!

I give my love to my friends and family.

**Official Note**
I am officially staying until August 19th, the ticket has been extended and the okay has been given. :)

Failed attempts

Sorry for the delay in updating you. I've failed 4 times in the past 2 weeks so finally had to send my messages as mass emails. If I don't have your email and you were wanting to hear from me-
email me at: laura_dempster2005@yahoo.com

Another week gone by

Friends, parents and family!

Another week-plus gone by with plenty to keep us busy. Our week of children's meetings in Camilo Ortega has finished up with a turnout of just over 100 kids on Friday. We enjoyed the privilege of watching several of the young brothers participate in teaching the children's meetings. There are few things better than the privilege of witnessing the brethren's participation during meetings. It is not about talent, having a 'gift', or whether you feel exercised or not. And this is true for me as a sister too. It is a privilege to gather to the name of the Lord, anytime anywhere. A privilege, folks! Do I treat it as such? Or have I begun to take it for granted... do I assume that my participation is not needed. Whether the silent participation of a sister or the audible participation of the men. Both are needed. I can honestly say.... that there is nothing as sweet-sounding than the simple prayer of a brother. Don't let "I don't have the gift", "I'm not talented with words", or "I don't feel exercised to speak up, let the more experienced brothers run the show"--- don't let these be stumbling blocks to you. There is nothing more pleasing to the Lord than a simple prayer straight from the heart; and as a sister, I love to hear the men participate.

More updates....

7 of us young women had the opportunity to visit a poor hospital last week. Now, when I say "poor", its a government-paid hospital. Free care and really outdated equipment. I saw a 4 month old baby who was smaller than the average newborn. His cry was a mere squeak, his limbs were comparable to twigs.

I saw a 3 year old toddler who was likely near death. Completely limp and lifeless in her mother's arms, she laid unmoving. Her eyes were barely open and her eyes were fixated. She never moved. I couldn't stop staring at her, overcome with grief. I watched as her little body took slow, shallow breaths. I felt completely helpless.

With 7 of us ladies and 7 or 8 suitcases packed with stuff... well, Brenda says it was the biggest load they've had! We had to send the suitcases in a separate vehicle with the guys! We had a variety of packages:

Layette packages- a gallon-sized ziplock bag with (typically) a receiving blanket, sleeper, a couple onesies, a diaper or two, and then some fillers (hat, socks, bib, small bottles of soap or lotion)

Infant/Toddler packages- ziplock bag with an outfit, fillers, diaper, shoes, and a age-appropriate toy.

Children's packages (school aged)- coloring book, crayons/markers, pencils/pens, a couple small filler toys.

Hygiene packs- (they pack these age/gender appropriate, i.e. "young guy" "woman")

Smaller ziplock or clear plastic baggies with a washcloth, bar of soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, deoderant, etc.

The 3 girls from Ontario, Canada have been here a week now. It sure is nice to have some female companionship!!!! Feel free to leave some comments, I sure do enjoy hearing from people!

I love you Tina and Anna and Annette- got your emails and love hearing from you!

As much as I miss everyone.... I can't bear the thought of coming back home.

Parasites are still inside me but not any worse.

Miss you all and hope to hear from you!