Happy Birthday to my precious Niece.

Your long awaited birthday is almost over, but your new year is full of surprises and blessings. I hope you know that you are a blessing to all of us, and we are so glad that you are finally here with us.
Uncle Tim.

Un pequeño mensaje.

Today when I woke up, I thought about writing something in our blog, and to comment on what has been happening. I do not know if you have had an experience when you saw that God began to close doors. That really can get to be difficult and that is what I have been seeing God do lately.
There is only a little more than 2 months left before our marriage, and I realized that we have almost nothing ready. Only my dress that is being made, but we do not yet have a place where will be our reception after our wedding in the church. My sisters are helping me with that, and the places we have went we see that they are already reserved. Last week I went to a place that I liked but I could not find a person that I could ask about the cost of the reception. I only obtained a telephone number and I tried calling for 2 days, and when I was finally able to speak to him, he said that in the morning another person had reserved that place for a reception for the 10th of November. That made me sad but it was God who closed the door. Saturday I went to another place, and it was very big and pretty. And when my sisters and I arrived at that place I asked if it was available the 10th of November, and the person said ‘yes, it is available’. I was very excited and soon asked how much it costs to have the reception here. The price was very expensive, and I could feel that again God closed the door, and I returned to the house. My sisters encouraged me to continue looking for another place, but really we were tired, and we decided to go to the house.
Now I can see that it is very difficult when God begins to close doors, but I know that God does it because he wishes to say something to us and wishes that we trust him. I forgot about that during these days, and I felt that I was stubborn and tried to open the doors that were closed. I know that is not the correct way to act but that is something of our own nature and I know that God understands me when I am stubborn, and he then begins to seal the doors so that they are not opened. And I think that God does that because he has something better to give, but that is something that is difficult to understand.
But during those difficult days God used Tim to make me see that it is not with our own force that we can manage to reach something, and if we see that God is closing doors it is because He wishes that we trust him and we give the difficulty to Him, and we let God makes his work. Tim said to me that it is good to not continue looking for places for our reception, because God has reserved a special place for our reception, and we must wait for Him. Those words were very special for me because they gave me peace and tranquility, although to be honest per moments I forget those words and have desires to look for a place for our reception, but I know that God helps me not to be worried on that, and on many other things.
Saturday I was having supper with my family, and I said to them that I did not find a place for the reception, and that I was sad, and that it would be better to not have a reception. And my family listened, and was surprised and worried. I only said that because I was sad, and in fact I desire to have a reception for our guests and desire that they have a special time there.
Sunday I was in the bus with my father, and he said to me that God will be in our marriage, and that God would help us in everything, and that He would do it in a special way.
I think that God does not wish that we are worried on anything, and that He does not wish that we make things a lone, and that He is arranged and very eager to help us.
Really God is using the life of Tim and my father to help me trust God and to hope in Him. And I am wishing to see how God will make the things.

Well it has been a while since we have posted, but won't everyone be surprised tomorrow to see that we have a new post. I was able to buy my plane ticket to Peru, and we are very happy about that. I will be leaving on October 1, and arrive in Lima at about 11:00 p.m. That is on a Monday, which is good, because I think the airport will be less busy, and I can hopefully quickly get my luggage, and go through customs, and then the moment that Eliana and I have waited for for a long time, and thats when we are together. My parents also got their tickets to Peru. They will be flying up on November 9, the day before our wedding. We thought that Elianas father would be marrying us, but he will be walking her down the aisle, and instead I think that a pastor from Miami will be marrying us. I have met him, and actually was his roommate for several days while we were all at a conference in Lima. He is a friend of Elianas family. He speaks both English, and Spanish, and that is great.
I have had to get my birth certificate legalized for Peru. I had to send it to the Secretary of States office in Kansas, and then to a Peruvian Consulate in Denver. And now that I got it back from the Consulate, I will be sending it to Eliana. Some of you might have heard that there is a civil marriage process that we have to go through, and thats basicly doing the paperwork, and some other stuff. After that we are officially married according to the Peru government. We hope to have that all completed sometime in October, or the first days of November. And I am sending my birth certificate to Eliana, because then she can reserve a day for us to have our civil ceremony. And then on November 10 is our wedding. Some of you might be wondering when is our honeymoon, after the civil marriage, or wait until after the wedding in the church. We will be going on our honeymoon after our wedding in the church. Eliana had a picture of a beautiful wedding dress that she has liked for a long time, and its exciting, because that is being made just for her. It really is a very beautiful dress, and we will certainly post pictures after the wedding. Good night everyone!

Peru Earthquake

Probably most of you have seen on the news that a powerful earthquake hit in Peru, about 90 miles from Lima. I read about it on the internet, but was able to soon talk to Eliana, and her and her family are fine. Before today I have worried about her being in a powerful earthquake in Peru. Eliana said that her father made their home very strong, and I was glad to hear that. The earthquake was a 7.9, and they have been feeling some aftershocks. They had a tsunami warning, but that was cancelled. Eliana was in the 2nd floor of a store when it happened. Eliana said she saw windows cracking, but they did not shatter.
Mi amor, soy tan alegre que tu eres bien. Te amo mucho.

A SPECIAL TIME

Last night I got home from Kansas City. My family gave Eliana and I a wedding shower. Eliana was not able to be there, but they were able to meet Eliana through the webcam, and I helped to translate. It was really neat to see what all they did for us at the wedding shower. In the first photo, that is the shirt they wanted me to wear on Saturday. On the front of the shirt it says "Groom To Be". We had lots of deserts to eat, as you can see in the second photo. Notice the heart shaped ice in the punch. And the third photo is of the photo album that they gave us. My cousin Jamie M. put the album together, and we really like it. It also has a geneology that my Grandma Ford has made. It is both on the Ford and the Stinemetz side. On the Stinemetz side it goes all the way back to someone born in 1723.

We played games, including Jeopardy, and the categories included topics like "Peru", "Tim and Eliana", etc. They also sang a song, but it was a pretty old song, and I think from sometime in the early 1900's. It was good to see everyone again before I go to Peru. Thanks to everyone for doing that, and for giving us a special day.

Now, I also wish to add a few words to which my love wrote, it was my desire to be in that celebration that the family of Tim had for us, but trust that in Gods time I will be able to be united with Tims family. I am happy for being part of a so wonderful family and desire that that time can soon be. The day Saturday was very special, and I was really glad in seeing and greeting all the family who was reunited there celebrating with Tim. I saw all the things which they did, a beautiful cake, the candies, a beautiful album of photos and a picture where we are both, and also other things more and really each detail is special and very I am thankful for the love you expressed in each of the things you did for us. I really do not have many words to say how happy that I feel, and single I can say that desire that God blesses all of you very much.

7 Things You May Or May Not Know About Eliana.

1) Eliana has started a book company with some other people, and she is now working in that company. It has been amazing to see how God has provided everything to be able to start this company. The company is named "Bona Ius"

2) Eliana is studying administration at a university. She recently completed final examinations, and is on break, but will be starting more classes at the end of this month.

3) Elianas favorite soda is Inca Kola. Although Peru has a lot of the sodas that are also popular in the United States (Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, 7up, Crush, etc.), Inca Kola is definately the most popular there.

4) Eliana hopes that we can have a small dog as a pet someday.

5) Eliana likes to sing, and has a beautiful voice.

6) Eliana works with the adolescents in the church, and really enjoys her time at the church.

7) Eliana has 6 sisters, and 1 brother. She is the third youngest. She has a wonderful family, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

New and Improved

Thanks to Rhonda for the work she did on our blog. I really like it, and am excited for Eliana to soon see it. Rhonda added a guest map, links, a thing that shows the weather in Peru, and gave us a one of a kind template. The header at the top is now a photo that I took while we were on our mission trip near Cuzco. We had been walking for a while, and we finally saw our destination village, and I took a photo of it. Everyone be sure to visit the guest map, and put a flag on where you are from.

Our time together

We thought that it would be good for writing about the photos that we posted today, and Tim wrote a commentary on the first photo, and I wish to write a commentary on the second photo.

Eliana and I took a bus to a part of Lima called Miraflores, and that is where the first photo was taken. Cliffs border the ocean, and we were able to look down over the ocean. I had my camera with me, and we took a lot of pictures. We went to a movie, and the movie was in English, which made it a little more difficult for Eliana, but they had the words in Spanish at the bottom. Then we wanted to go to a restaurant, and we found a pizza hut, and we ate there. So we had pizza and pepsi. I know Eliana wanted me to have a good time, and what made it so special was just being with her. It really was a special night, and I am so excited to have more nights like that.

Here we are in Cuzco and I remember when I left the room where we were, and I saw Tim surrounded by our friends, and saw that they were very happy for playing with Tim and then I took a photo of Tim and our friends. I remember that soon the children stopped circling around Tim, and I was near Tim and watching as they played and I think that Tim and the children were thinking of doing something, and I do not know how it happened but in the end I was in the middle of the circle, and they were glad to circle around me.

I think those children are really very special, and I remember them, and wish to soon return to see them. Now my father is visiting the village where our friends live and I know they are a little older, but I am sure they continue to play in the circles.

Para mi amado Tim.

Firstly I thank to God, to grant to me to write you are lines and to express what there is in me towards my love Tim, possibly these letters are very great and maybe the translator does not help me in the translation, and desire of its understanding…:)

Memory the year last, during this month God granted that Tim was in Peru, and was in that month when many things changed in our lives, but those changes were for good, even in front the difficulties that we had we understood that behind those difficult situations there were blessings and today we see and enjoyed those beautiful blessings to our lives .

Memory one of the difficulties that we had, and that was when we remained almost in Cuzco by 15 days, there we walked many kilometers and also we crossed mountains and thus to arrive at certain places where there were brothers in Christ, and there to be in favor of days and to share to them the word of God, my father was the one who spoke to them and in certain form Tim and I helped my father.

Another difficulty was the language, we cannot communicate was a difficulty for us well, but in front those difficulties we even saw as God I help us.
Now we understand that for God any barrier does not exist that can prevent to that we receive blessings, God I help us to manage to communicate to us, and we used a notebook and there we wrote what we wished to say and soon we used the dictionary of english - Spanish… really was wonderful to see as God I help us, and until today we see the aid of God to our lives.

God, I take to Cuzco, to speak to our lives and to even show us its will and in the middle of the difficulties, Tim was perseverante in trusting God and could see Christ in Tim, and as God fortified it in the middle of the difficulties.
After the diverse difficulties that we happened, we saw the blessings that God had reserved for us, and one of them is the sample of its love our lives and knowledge that God has I make special for us.
God put the great desire in our hearts and is to serve to God and being used by him to take to an alive hope those people who need to receive love, joy, peace and hope and we know that all that is in Christ Jesus.

God outline in front of us a way, and granted that both we walk by that way together.
I have the confidence in Christ in saying that God has given a very special companion me, a good friend, a wonderful fiancè and can see in him Christ and know that God has given the best thing me and I thank for God by is beautiful blessing that it has given me life.
My loved Tim, desire to say you that God has put to you in my heart as a seal, a mark that shows its love for with me.
Today I write you are words to say you that you are a great blessing for me and who God has put in my much love for you.
I love you, with great and pure love, love that distills of the eternal sources of God.

Happy birthday! my love.

Your fiancèe who loves much to you.
Eliana

Napkins

Mom got us these napkins for our wedding. Eliana and I really liked the two hearts, and its exciting to now see our names on them.

Sacsayhuamán

Last August, Eliana and I went with her father to see these Incan ruins. The site is called Sacsayhuamán. It really is amazing to see. The place looks like a fortress, because of its high stone walls, and I remember Elianas father saying that it was used by the Inca military. I read that it is a mystery how they cut the stones to fit so perfectly together, because all they had was simple tools. And even after hundreds of years, and powerful earthquakes, a piece of paper will not fit between the stones. While we were there, there was a lot of excavation work being done, and it looked like they were uncovering canals. The nearby city of Cusco was the stronghold of the Inca empire, and a lot of underground passages were built that went from Sacsayhuamán to different sites in Cusco. I don't think they want people in there, because some have gotten lost, and died inside of them.
The native Incans did not have a regular written language, but instead used Quipu's. I took that photo of a Quipu in a museum in Lima. I wanted to learn more about these, and so I found a good site on the internet. The information on the Quipu depended on the color of the cords, the placement of the cords, space between the cords, the types of knots and the placement of knots on a cord. It was a numerical system, and they would make a Quipu that had information about their progress of crops, amount of taxes collected, the advancement of an enemy, etc.
The Incan empire was overcome by the Spaniards in the 1500's, and I read that a great battle occurred at Sacsayhuamán in 1536.
(Eliana took that photo of me with her father).

Happy Birthday Alex

Happy Birthday to my nephew Alex. You and your sister are a great blessing to all of us. Wishing you a wonderful birthday in the company of your sister and parents. I have a feeling you have a very exciting day ahead of you. I saw your grandmother sending you chocolate, and if you need any help eating it, just give me a call.

Its hard to beat a Peruvian cake.

Eliana and her family got me a cake for my birthday, and also when I left in August, they gave me a going away cake. Their cakes are so delicious. I really like how they put fruit on top.

Cuzco

Last August Eliana and I went with her father to some villages that were probably a few hundred miles outside of Cuzco, Peru. Her father is from that part of the country. He is a pastor, and has helped start a lot of churches in different villages. The people are so excited when he returns, and visits the churches. A lot of the people from these villages speak Quechua (an old Incan language). Her father also speaks Quechua, and also Spanish. I had come from Alaska, so I was used to the cold. But in Alaska you can step into a heated home, and get out of the cold. Eliana, and her family live in Lima, which is at sea level, and in the winter I think it rarely drops into the 50's. So I can't imagine how cold Eliana got, because she had never felt air that cold. (also, August is winter in Peru) Our first night there was so cold, and we got up in the morning, and her dad pointed at the ground, and there was white frost. Coming from Alaska that was not a big deal to me, but that was the first time that Eliana had seen frost. That morning we were cold, and hoping it would soon warm up. We were sitting around with her father, and some others, and a group of dogs started fighting about 40 feet away. Eliana threw a few rocks at them, but did not hit any of them, or stop them from fighting. She picked up another rock, and hit one of the dogs right in the head. I thought that was so funny, because Eliana is a very reserved woman, and never imagined seeing her hit a dog in the head with a rock. But it shocked her as much as it did me. By the way, it was just a small rock, and didn't hurt the dog.

In Alaska I was hiking up mountains, and ascending probably 3,000 feet in 2 or 3 hours. But Anchorage is at sea level, and so those nearby mountains peak at 4,000 or 5,000 feet. I do not know how high we were in the Andes mountains, but I would get out of breath very easy.

Our second day we hiked to a nearby village, and that is where we met the two children that is in the photo with Eliana and I. Their names are Zulma and Raul. I remember Zulma immediately liked Eliana, but was not sure what to think of me. I was surprised to find out that they all thought I was really tall, but I was only 5'10", and not tall for someone in the United States. But I remember that I put out my hand to shake Zulmas hand. Now I know that probably she had never really had anyone want to shake her hand, and she thought that I wanted to hold her hand. So she immediately grabbed my hand, and didn't let go. So we walked around for a while, and quickly became friends. And then we met Raul (Zulmas old brother), and he was also a really good kid. They liked being with Eliana and I, and we really enjoyed their company. They only had sandles, and I imagine those sandles are probably made by someone in that village, or a nearby village, because it seemed that a lot of people had the exact same type of sandles. Both Raul and Zulma had some wounds on their legs and feet. I know they probably started out as cuts, but soon became infected. And then I remembered I had some first aid supplies in my backpack, and so we used that. They really were very infected, and I imagine it was very painful, but Zulma was so content to be with us, and never complained about the pain. Eliana and I had brought a lot of gifts with us. The walmart store in Anchorage had had sales on childrens sweatshirts, and I had bought a bunch for $2 each. We also had a lot of gum, some toys, including a doll. When you pushed on the dolls stomach, her face lit up, and it played a lullaby. Eliana and I gave that doll to Zulma, and that was really neat. I don't imagine she had ever had a doll, and possibly had never had a toy before. Eliana and I would like to return to those villages someday, and a big reason is because we want to see Zulma and Raul again. We also talk about returning with a lot of supplies for them, including medical supplies, and also just gifts for people.

Soon we set off for another village, and we went down the side of the mountain. I thought the Alaska mountains were big, but those Andes mountains were huge. We probably hiked for four hours until we came to the next village. I was glad to be descending, because I knew that it would be warmer. I think we went to 6 or 7 villages in about 10 days. Trying to remember everything, I get the villages confused, but soon we went to a village, and that is where we met those little girls in the first and third photo. Immediately when we arrived at the village, I felt that it was special. I think it was because of the joy that I saw that people had, and I felt that God had really blessed those people. I was also really happy to see that they had some electricity, and so we had a lightbulb in our room. When we got to our room, those little girls (and one little boy) was playing in the doorway. They played with little rocks. They would put little rocks on the ground, and each would have one in their hand. They would throw the rock in the air, and then grab as many off the ground as they could, and then catch the other rock. One girl in particular was very impressive, and I couldn't believe how fast she could move her hands, and how good she was at the game. I stood at a distance and watched them, but soon I thought I would go and make friends with them. I started walking over to them, and as soon as they saw me, they got up and ran away. All except for one girl, and she stayed, and taught me how to play the game. These children spoke Quechua and a little Spanish. Soon the other little girls saw that I was friendly, and came and played with us. They were a group of good friends, and I imagine they played together everyday. They were some adorable children, but Eliana and I soon realized how brave they were. They liked to play with a soccer ball, but it was near a cliff, and soon one of them kicked the ball and it went off the cliff. Well Eliana and I went over to the cliff with them, and I thought that probably one of the children would walk on a trail down to the bottom and get the ball, and it would only take maybe 5 minutes. They surprised us, because they grabbed a rope, and put it around one of them. They all grabbed the rope, and lowered the girl down the side of the cliff. The little girl went and got the ball, went back to the rope, and we brought her back up. It made us nervous at the time, but its just another special memory we have now. One night those little girls made several campfires, and took care of them. That night I knew that Eliana was helping to cook, but I didn't realize that Eliana was cooking the spaghetti that she had brought. I was so excited when I found out that she had cooked spaghetti. She knew that I liked it. We spent several days in that village. We were at the church every day, and her father would speak, and Eliana would also speak sometimes. Her father would ask me to read verses in English, and then Eliana would read them in Spanish, and another person would read them in Quechua.

At one village I saw a child, and knew that I recognized her. One time I went outside of the church, and was watching some guys play soccer. The little girl left her friends, and came to sit with me, and was very content to sit with me and hold my hand. Soon I realized who it was, and it was Zulma from the first village we had visited. The little girl that we gave the doll to. I saw that the bandages had not stayed on her foot, but I think that it was healing. She must have walked the 4 hours down the side of the mountain also, probably with her family.

Eliana and I really have so many special memories from that trip. It was a really difficult trip, both for me and Eliana. I think one of the most difficult things was the language barrier between me and Eliana. But I think that God used all of our difficulties for good, and to bless us. Eliana was so strong on that trip. I know that there were times that she was exhausted, but she would always keep going, and also help me. I remember struggling to make it up a big hill, and she got behind me, and pushed me for a while. I wish that I could write down everything from that trip, but I think there are so many memories, that it would actually be a book. When we returned to Lima, soon I had to leave to return to the United States. That was so difficult for both of us. I am so thankful for Eliana, and we are so excited that we will soon be married.