I failed Spanish

(post before this one is an update on us)

When I was in High School, I flunked one class... Spanish.

When I was in college, I applied with a government agency and I had to take a test that showed how well I would be able to learn a foreign language, particularly Spanish (I was required to learn Spanish after I was hired). Well I flunked the test, and never made it to the interview phase.

Before my first trip to Peru, I was trying to learn some Spanish, and it was really hard for me. I ordered a Spanish learning kit online, and it came with lots of CD´s, and I was able to go online, and print off the materials I needed. But I lacked motivation and joy to study it. It was just something I didn´t like doing. But I was going to Peru, and I needed to learn some Spanish, and so that put a lot of pressure on me. But I finally got to the point where I just wanted to quit trying. So I asked God to be in control, and help me. I stopped studying, and tried to just leave it in God´s hands. On the plane flight to Peru, I had a basic Spanish study book, and I wanted to remember atleast some words, but I just lacked motivation, and probably studied for about 5 minutes. (I spent 15 hours on 3 planes).

My first trip to Peru, it was so hard to communicate with Eliana or anybody. It was so hard. After that trip I remember saying that was probably the hardest 3 weeks of my life, but also probably the most blessed 3 weeks. But isn´t that the great thing about difficulties? I love it when I can experience God´s comfort, because it comes like a rainbow after a storm.

My point is writing this is because I want to give God credit for my Spanish. My Spanish is not fluent, but it keeps getting better and better. I have no choice here but to speak in Spanish. I have learned Spanish mainly by listening to Eliana, but also others, and catching on, and then speaking it myself, and speaking words over and over and over. I am able to speak quickly, and do not really have to think when I put together sentences. It is coming naturally now. Pronounciation is so important. Often people don´t understand me, and they will ask Eliana what I said, or I will repeat myself, but usually I am able to have a conversation with someone. Eliana said that my Spanish is probably a 7 out of 10. So I have much to learn, but I think for someone who flunked Spanish and hated studying it, I am doing quite well. And although sometimes I will have the thought ¨I have done well learning Spanish¨, that is not the right thought, because God has been behind this, and he has taught me this Spanish. And now I can speak to my wife all day in Spanish, and understand everything she says to me in Spanish, except for sometimes I do not understand a word or two, and she explains it to me. So may God have the glory and the credit that He deserves. He is quite a teacher :)

Update

Well there are several updates. On a previous post, I said that Eliana was 8 1/2 months pregnant. Well it turned out I was a little off, and she is just now coming up to the 8 1/2 half month mark. That is what the doctor said.
Elianas feet are really swelling. She seems to do well, but I know they get sore. She showed the doctor, and she was worried about Elianas feet. But I hope that the swelling will soon go down.
Today the doctor said that Andrew is well, and we are very glad to hear that.
Eliana has done really well. If I were in her shoes, and I had to go through what she has, I would probably throw fits everyday. I wish I had the patience that Eliana has. Soon she will go into labor, and I am really dreading that day, because I wish she didn´t have to go through that, but I can see how God is preparing her for it. It really helps to know that God is with us. I think I will be able to be in the delivery room whenever Andrew is about to be born. So Eliana may go through most of the labor without me in the room, and I was upset about that, but Eliana is certainly not a lone, her heavenly Father is with her. And if I were in the delivery room, there is so many distractions, it may be hard to pray, and if I am in the waiting room, I can pray. Or you never know, maybe I can be the entire time in the delivery room. If you don´t mind, please mention Eliana and Andrew in your prayers.
When we go to the hospital for Elianas exercise class, I wait in the waiting room, and there are people everywhere holding babies, and toddlers playing. I always watch them, and I also want to hold a baby, or play with one of those toddlers, and so it is wonderful to think that our son is almost here.

Eliana and I went to the hospital the other day. At most hospitals here, things are different than I am used to seeing. The doctors get bogged down in paperwork, and so they work hard to try to keep up. In the U.S., most places have a staff that does that for them.

We were needing a document from a doctor, and we did not have an appointment, but since we were already at the hospital, Eliana asked the doctor if she could get that document from him real quick. He said no, because he was really busy with paperwork, and with those that had appointments. I think he had a lot of stress, and was not in a good mood. That was really frustrating, and the trip to the hospital is not easy, especially for Eliana since she is almost 8 1/2 months pregnant. I wanted to say something to the doctor, and tell him that he is wrong for not taking the time to help Eliana, but I didn´t, and I am glad now. I got to thinking about it, and I know he probably has a lot of people that don´t have appointments come and ask him for things, and he has to tell them no, because he has so much to do.

Anyways, yesterday, Eliana and I had to return to the hospital again because she had a class. It is all pregnant women in the class and no fathers, and so I wait in the waiting room. After that, we were still needing that document, but didn´t have an appointment. Eliana again asked the doctor if he could give her that document, and today I think he was caught up on a lot of his paperwork, and so he did not have that stress. He helped Eliana, and we got what we needed. Eliana had gotten him a candy bar to thank him for his help. I said that it was not really necessary to give that to him, he is just doing his job. Finally I caught myself, and knew that my advice probably wasn´t good, and so I didn´t discourage her anymore from giving him the candy bar.

Eliana gave him the candy bar, and she said that he was really surprised, and said thank you. I imagine that he never has patients that do that for him, and so that may just have made his day. So what did I learn from that? Be patient. If we are quick to become angry, we will probably do something that we will regret later. And the love that Christ has shown to us, be quick to show that to others.

P.S., our bag is packed, and we are ready to go to the hospital when Eliana goes into labor. I was not sure if I would be able to be in the delivery room with Eliana, but a doctor said that I will be able to.

It´s Not About Me

People may not give us what we deserve, or compliment us enough, or do things for us, or pay us back for what we have done for them, or give us the attention we desire....

But that is OK. I wonder what it would be like to not worry or get upset about those things, but instead to have the attitude of a servant, and to seek to bless others, even if we receive nothing from other people.

Is it possible? It is something that we cannot do, but by the grace of God, he can change us into servants.

I believe that our eyes would have to be fixed on Christ, and not on people, or anything from this world. I believe that we can have so much love in our hearts that we cannot but help but express it to others..

What a wonderful life that would be.

What will be important

(the post before this one is about Andrew´s baby shower... it has lots of photos!)

I was thinking, when my life here is almost over, and I am almost to die, what will I be thinking about? Will I be thinking about my home, or car, or the possessions that I have acquired over the years? Will I be thinking about the money I made? Will I be thinking about bills that need paid, or the stock market, or retirement plans? Will I be worrying about things? Will I be upset with my children, or with my wife?
When that day comes, I will be thinking about what is about to come. I will be thinking about Jesus, and him dying for my sins, and that is why at that moment, I have no reason to fear or worry. I will be thinking about all the time I spent with my wife, and be overwhelmed that God would bless me with such a wonderful woman. I will be thinking about my children, and I won´t be angry because of spilled milk, or crayon marks on the wall. Instead I will look around, and thank God for being so good to me. I will think about how God has helped me over the years, and provided for me and my family. I will think about the times I trusted in Him, and how wonderful that was.
But of all the things I will be thinking about, money will not be one of them. Because when I am about to leave this world, I will not take money or anything from this world with me. I will take my faith and my love, and a heart full of memories.
What will be important to me on the day I die, may it also be important to me now...

Andrew´s baby shower

I remember our wedding and reception. Eliana and I started praying months in advance that God would bless that time, and provide everything, and that God would be there and that people could sense God´s presence there. And that is exactly what happened. I never imagined that we would have a wedding and reception that was so blessed.
I was thinking about that the morning of the baby shower. And then I thought... ¨I haven´t even prayed about this baby shower, or asked God to come and be there with us.¨ I thought that it might be too late, and why would God bless the baby shower? I certainly did not deserve it. But the truth is that God does things for us, or gives us things not because we deserve it, but just because He is good, and likes to bless us.
Before the baby shower, Eliana wanted to pray, and we prayed that God would be there, and bless that time. And God heard our prayer...
Elianas sisters (mainly Katherine and Sara) did the planning, and buying the decorations, and lots of stuff. And then lots of people pitched in to help set everything up, and to cook, and to prepare everything.
It is tradition here that when you have a birthday, or wedding, or baby shower, etc, that you give a little speech in front of everyone. That is what Eliana and I had to do. I have done that lots of times before, and my speeches are always very short, and difficult to understand because it´s in Spanish. Eliana does not have that problem, she can speak in front of people and do a really good job. I was trying to think of what I would say and trying to organize it in my mind. But I was having a hard time, and I knew that once I got in front of everyone, my mind would start going blank. So I prayed that God would help me, and give me words to say. So I was chosen first to speak, and stood up, and it´s amazing how God helped me. I was able to somewhat relax, and speak slowly, and God gave me some joy to speak. I know that people were able to understand my Spanish, and they enjoyed listening to me. And my speech was probably 3 times as long as what I usually say. So thank you God for your help.
Let´s see, as you can see in the photos, everything was so beautiful. They had all sorts of snacks, and then a friend of ours made the cake, and there was also a delicious supper. The decorations were also really neat.
After Eliana and I spoke, then Elianas Dad (he is a pastor) came with his Bible, and talked to everyone about some verses in the Bible, and about being a father. Most of the people there were from the church, but some weren´t, and I was glad that they were able to hear those words from Elianas Dad.
After that everyone sang a few songs. The same people that play the piano and sing in the church came and did that for the baby shower.
And after that were some games. One of the games, everyone had to guess how big was Elianas tummy, and cut a ribbon that length. Well almost everyone cut their ribbon too big, but a few people got it just right.
After that we opened presents in front of everyone. First we had to feel, and guess what it was, and then opened it. Andrew got lots of gifts. It was mostly clothing, but also blankets, a cute sheet for the crib, Johnson baby creams, and diaper bags, pacifier, a really neat toy with lights and songs, etc. Really everything that we have for Andrew has been given to us, and I can´t really think of anything that we lack, except for diapers. God is behind that, and has provided for us.
I did not know everyone that was at the baby shower, although I think Eliana did. I was wanting to speak to everyone, and show them that I appreciate them being there, but I am not a very social person, and so that is difficult for me. But I prayed for God´s help, and wouldn´t you know, I immediately had a desire to show everyone Andrew´s ultrasound photo. I had a good time showing that to everyone, and they were surprised and happy to see the face of the one whose birth they are celebrating. That was really cool.
It was a wonderful night, and I am really happy about how God was there, and blessed everything. I think everyone had a good time.
After it was over, all the family was tired, and ready to rest, and not clean until the morning. This may not seem like much of a blessing, but everyone did so much for us and Andrew, and God gave Eliana and I the energy and motivation to stay up and clean up. Eliana wanted to help, and she did really well. Usually she gets tired much faster, but she did so well. It was a blessing because that was a way that we could show our appreciation, because it was celebration for our son, and you can see in the pictures that it took a lot of work to put that on. And nobody really had to do any cleaning in the morning.
And so that is about all, I wish you could have all been there.

(above) So delicious!

(above) isn´t that a pretty decoration?

(above) Peruvian cakes are so good!

(above) it says ¨welcome Andrew Lee¨, and Eliana says the bottom is a verse from Psalms 127:3, which says ¨Sons are a heritage from the Lord¨ NIV.

(above) The woman putting the ribbon around Eliana is who made Elianas wedding dress. So she was very close with her ribbon length.

(above) Eliana and Virginia (Virginia is also a friend of my parents)

(above) Elianas sister Katherine starting the games.

(above) Jhoysen, ready to eat some delicious food.

(above) Another game. I had to change a diaper, and dress the doll, and I had 1 minute. I had never changed a diaper, and I did not do well.

(above) On the other hand, Eliana did quite well.

(above) trying to feel and guess what is inside. That is our nephew David on the left watching.

Surely his feet won´t be that small?

Andrew, we can´t wait til´ your here!

baby shower

Here is a photo of the baby shower invitations.
I wish all my family were able to be here for the baby shower. We could play a game to see which family knows the others language better. Does my family know more Spanish, or Elianas know more English?
My first visits to Peru, when my Spanish was much worse, my nephew David would speak loudly into my ear. He thought that my problem was that I couldn´t hear well... he didn´t understand that I spoke a different language. He would repeat himself again and again, trying to get me to understand.
I can´t wait for when Eliana and I, and the baby are able to go to the United States, and visit. Really is very exciting to think about that. I would love to celebrate thanksgiving in the United States with all my family. That is such a fun time, and the food is so delicious. I can´t wait.

An update on us, and a spiritual truth I hope you will read.

Eliana and I are doing well. We are now in the spring season. The seasons are pretty much the opposite of the United States. In the winter it is about 60 degrees during the day, and in the summer will sometimes get up to probably 85 or 90. I think the baby will be born at a good time, because it will be warmer.
Eliana and I have decided on a name for our son. His name is Andrew Lee. Andrew in Spanish is Andres, so some people in Peru may call him that sometimes. In Peru, they keep the last name of both parents, so his name here is Andrew Lee Stinemetz Huamani (paternal name comes first).
Andrew likes music. We have a music box that my parents bought us, and he does a lot of moving when we play that music. Eliana is about 8 months pregnant, so Andrew could be born in a month of less. Elianas sister has given us their old crib and stroller, so we are very glad about that. Another sister bought us a diaper bag, a little tub to bath Andrew in, and some clothes for Andrew. The clothing is tiny, and it is incredible that Andrew will be so little. God is providing for us.
Soon Elianas sisters are throwing a baby shower for us. Really is very special, and we are very blessed.
Eliana says she has not forgot about posting a photo of her, and will probably post one of her from the baby shower. I need to remember to take lots of pictures.
Here in Peru God has provided for us. God is teaching us to trust in Him. We don´t have a lot, but God has taken care of us. It is amazing to look back, and see all that God has done for us. He helped us with our civil marriage, our church wedding and reception, my resident visa stuff, and then getting my identification (which was also not easy). That all took quite a bit of money, and all I can tell you now is that God provided for us. He has given us actually more than we need. God will also continue to provide for us, and help us.
I want to write about the situation in the United States. It really makes me sad when thinking about what all is happening in the U.S., and the problems. I am like most Americans, and grew up with the mentality of ¨I can trust the economy, and the power and money of the United States¨. But that is such a lie, and is so deceiving. Because money and all that stuff is here one minute, and gone the next. It can´t be trusted. It is all just temporary. The situation in the United States is not good. That has caused me to have fear because I have put some trust in the superpower nation that the United States has been. To think that the money and power of the United States could be lost is a scary thing. But there is a reason for that fear. It is because my trust, and so many other Americans have put their trust in the economy, and wall street, and just money in generation. But when our trust is put in those things, then really we are serving other gods. We can´t serve both God and money. We can´t look for security in both God and money. There is only one God. He had the power to speak the universe into existence. He loves us so much that he even died to save us. We should look to him for our security. If we find ourselves worrying about money, worrying about savings accounts, and retirement plans, then that is because our confidence is not in God, but it is in other things. When we look to those things instead of God, then we are doing the same thing that the Israelites did when they made a gold calf and worshipped it. We are worshipping money, because whatever we put our trust in, we are actually worshipping it. I am as guilty as the next person of doing that.
Our hearts yearn for peace and joy. We yearn to feel secure. But nothing in this world will give us that security. All these things distract us from what is really important.
My Dad mentioned to me about Jesus´s parable about the seed that was planted, but then choked by the surrounding weeds, and was unable to grow. Those weeds are the worries of this world. When we worry about money, and worldly things, then we are choked, and are unable to grow spiritually. We will never find true security outside of God. When we put our trust in others, or in money, or even ourselves, then we are just fooling ourselves. Nobody knows what is best for us except for God. We think that we know what is best for ourselves, but we really don´t. Only God knows. That is why we have to put our trust in God. The world can fall apart around us, our money can be gone, but if our trust is in God, then we are truly blessed. I have seen God provide. I have seen him do what I thought was impossible. I have trusted God when I had no idea what was going to happen, or how God would provide. The future was just a haze, and I was full of fear at what could happen. But I continued to hope that God would come and help somehow, and he did. He did it in a way that I never imagined. I could have taken things into my own hands, instead of trusting in God, but I am so glad that I didn´t. Because I have seen God help me time and again, and that causes my trust in Him to grow. But even after all that, I still doubt, and I will still go back to trusting in worldly things. But I become miserable, and I weaken spiritually, and I can no longer encourage and help others like I did before, and it is all because my eyes are not on God. How blessed is the person that has their trust in God.
God is in control. He will do what is best for those that trust in Him. Worrying will not add a single hour to our lives. God has a set time for us to die, and nothing can cause us to die before that time. God is in control. We may not understand why God allows things to happen that he does, but nevertheless, God is still in control, and has reasons for all that he does, and all that he allows to happen. To be able to trust God even in circumstances that we don´t understand, that is such a powerful faith. That faith is a gift from God.
A little off the subject, but I asked my wife ¨what would you do if Jesus were to return tomorrow?¨. She said ¨I would be so excited and glad to see him that I would cry¨. When she said that I was shocked, because so few people can say that. I am so happy that she has that kind of love and longing for Christ. Not many Christians have that. I want that. I want my eyes on Jesus so that I will rejoice if he were to return tomorrow.
To all those that are in Christ, there is a hope. There is a future beyond this world. Death is not an end, it is more like a door leading to a much better place. There was a time in my life that by the grace of God, I hated my sin enough that I wanted help, and asked God to have mercy on me, and save me. We are saved not by trusting in ourselves or our good deeds to save us, and we are not saved by justifying and finding excuses for our sin. We are saved when we accept the fact that we are sinners, and go to Jesus Christ for mercy and forgiveness. And I hope that you are also looking for a changed heart and life, because that is in the package too. Like author Max Lucado says, ¨God accepts us as we are, but refuses to leave us that way.¨ God has the power to save, and the power to change us.