Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Fluoride is almost gone...
Our kids each night before they go to bed take a fluoride supplement that their dentist prescribed for them. Before we left we ordered over 900 of this little vitamins for our kids for our year away. And last night as I was dispensing them I looked into the bottom of each bottle and saw how few were left and thought...this is it...we are really leaving. A visual picture of the days God has planned for us here in Guatemala. Each one, one last opportunity to treasure this place where God has blessed us so abundantly. It just made our leaving so real to me. What if God had a little bottle filled with markers for each of our days for the rest of our life...would you live differently? Would I? When we see it getting down there would we live better, or smarter, or more worthy of our creator? My prayer this morning is that each of us look in our little bottles and realize that our days to serve here are numbered. And I pray that this gives us the courage to live out his will for our lives today, because it is what he promise we would have...Today. Thanks God for reminders of your love and ways!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sports Day!
Each year at CAG, the school's Phys Ed department puts on a "Sports Day" for the elementary kids and this year the Seniors helped lead it. Here are some photos...
Miss Houskamp is very excited for Sports Day...as we all are!
Starting off our day with a prayer...by our principal Mr. Agrellas.
Coach Villeda and Seniors Casey & Becca were the fearless leaders for the younger elementary students (Grades Kdg-2nd).
Coach (Coach Haesecke) & Seniors Steven & Eric lead the activities for the upper elementary kids (3rd -5th Graders)
And Mrs. Malczewski was every ready with the camara for yearbook photo opportunities.
Caden's first event was the 500 m run. Two times around the field...look at him go!
Maya was on the red team. She sits in anticipation of her first event...the dodge ball competition.
On your mark, get set...go!
About 2 minutes later....a cheerer from the side lines but enthusiastic none the less. Senior coach Alyne as a good example of encouragement!
Go Casey, Go Casey, Go Casey!
Caden & his buddies cheering on the Yellow team!
Most of the red team waiting their turn on the bleachers in the gym.
Caden in the final event before break...the pass the wet sponge over your head game....always fun! And very soggy! It was a great day!
Miss Houskamp is very excited for Sports Day...as we all are!
Starting off our day with a prayer...by our principal Mr. Agrellas.
Coach Villeda and Seniors Casey & Becca were the fearless leaders for the younger elementary students (Grades Kdg-2nd).
Coach (Coach Haesecke) & Seniors Steven & Eric lead the activities for the upper elementary kids (3rd -5th Graders)
And Mrs. Malczewski was every ready with the camara for yearbook photo opportunities.
Caden's first event was the 500 m run. Two times around the field...look at him go!
Maya was on the red team. She sits in anticipation of her first event...the dodge ball competition.
On your mark, get set...go!
About 2 minutes later....a cheerer from the side lines but enthusiastic none the less. Senior coach Alyne as a good example of encouragement!
Go Casey, Go Casey, Go Casey!
Caden & his buddies cheering on the Yellow team!
Most of the red team waiting their turn on the bleachers in the gym.
Caden in the final event before break...the pass the wet sponge over your head game....always fun! And very soggy! It was a great day!
The Birthday Shopping Weekend!
God has blessed us with 3 wonderful children who all have their birthdays between March 15 and April 7. So immediately following the Christmas season we start saving up for "Birthday Month." And each year Aaron and I try to get away for one day to make all the birthday purchases for the year. This year our wonderful friends the Millers (Thanks Kevin & Becky, Hannah, Joseph and Moriah) took our kids overnight (Friday to Saturday, Mar. 6-7th) and we headed out on our shopping adventure.
The first stop for the weekend (after fighting rush hour and weekend traffic) was the restaurant Portal del Angel where we had gift certificates from the parents of the students in Beauty & the Beast. This restaurant is on the road to El Salvador (the opposite side of Guatemala City from where we live) and the view as you can see from above is spectacular! This is Guatemala City and we live on the mountains that the sun is setting behind. Just amazing watching the city come alive at night! Special shout out to my Drama Kids and their parents...you all rock!
The following morning we headed up to Antigua...trying to get a picture of the grade of this road...but the pictures just don't do it justice. We're talking...road up to Denver steep. Takes us about 25-30 minutes to get to Antigua from our home. We have to go up over a pass and then back down to the city. Quite a beautiful drive. Always makes you nervous when the runaway ramps all have deep tire tracks in them.
This is the road entering Antigua. The volcanoes in the back are Fuego (Fuego is the most active volcano in Central America and goes "off" regularly...but can't see it from our house because it is behind Agua) &....actually I'm not sure what the one in the front is called. I'll get back to you on that.
Aaron standing on a typical Antigua street with Volcan de Agua in the back ground...makes a great back drop doesn't it!
This is the central park of Antigua...I love the beautiful purple trees in bloom right now! Beautiful!
Aaron enjoying a sit in the beautiful park while I'm taking pictures.
Here I am sitting by a fountain in a little garden in the restaurante we ate in for breakfast. You never know what you are going to find when you go through a gate or doorway in Antigua.
The picture from above was taken just to the right here. But through the arch and then another, we sat in a garden at a lovely concrete table with canopy and had a fantastic Guatemalan breakfast. Eggs, beans, & other lovely things. Yum!
Here is a fountain in the Artisans market with Agua in the background. We got most of our kids presents here. Authentic Guatemala things. A birthday to remember.
This is a little street market for the tourists, next to some of the ruins there. The perfect ending picture to another lovely morning in Antigua.
The first stop for the weekend (after fighting rush hour and weekend traffic) was the restaurant Portal del Angel where we had gift certificates from the parents of the students in Beauty & the Beast. This restaurant is on the road to El Salvador (the opposite side of Guatemala City from where we live) and the view as you can see from above is spectacular! This is Guatemala City and we live on the mountains that the sun is setting behind. Just amazing watching the city come alive at night! Special shout out to my Drama Kids and their parents...you all rock!
The following morning we headed up to Antigua...trying to get a picture of the grade of this road...but the pictures just don't do it justice. We're talking...road up to Denver steep. Takes us about 25-30 minutes to get to Antigua from our home. We have to go up over a pass and then back down to the city. Quite a beautiful drive. Always makes you nervous when the runaway ramps all have deep tire tracks in them.
This is the road entering Antigua. The volcanoes in the back are Fuego (Fuego is the most active volcano in Central America and goes "off" regularly...but can't see it from our house because it is behind Agua) &....actually I'm not sure what the one in the front is called. I'll get back to you on that.
Aaron standing on a typical Antigua street with Volcan de Agua in the back ground...makes a great back drop doesn't it!
This is the central park of Antigua...I love the beautiful purple trees in bloom right now! Beautiful!
Aaron enjoying a sit in the beautiful park while I'm taking pictures.
Here I am sitting by a fountain in a little garden in the restaurante we ate in for breakfast. You never know what you are going to find when you go through a gate or doorway in Antigua.
The picture from above was taken just to the right here. But through the arch and then another, we sat in a garden at a lovely concrete table with canopy and had a fantastic Guatemalan breakfast. Eggs, beans, & other lovely things. Yum!
Here is a fountain in the Artisans market with Agua in the background. We got most of our kids presents here. Authentic Guatemala things. A birthday to remember.
This is a little street market for the tourists, next to some of the ruins there. The perfect ending picture to another lovely morning in Antigua.
Tuesday Night-March 3
On Tuesday night, March 3, the entire Klanderman clan packed in the van to head to the mall for a very special request of our wonderful daddy. So we enjoyed the wonderful rush hour traffic (rush hour beginning about 4pm).
But you never know what you are going to see in Guatemala. Here for instance, is a guy holding a coffee table on the back of a motorcycle...weaving in and out of traffic like nothing! 
So we got to the mall and found a store for Daddy's purchase. The new U2 album. Look how happy he is! Once a year CD for this much joy...priceless! Thought you might like this...it's a video from the food court of the three story mall about 15 minutes (more like 45 during rush hour) from our home. Like a little piece of home...but with great burritos.
Celebrating a great night out with the family (and hanging out at the mall until the crazy rush of traffic is over at about 7ish).
Random Picts from Monday, March 2
I was going to publish this cute little Day in the Life of the Klandermans blog but I didn't do well taking pictures. Maybe next week. But here are a few random photos of a few moments during our day last week Monday.
Lily enjoying her breakfast of grape juice and toast with peanut butter!
Maya finishing her juice and homework before school Monday morning.
Caden brushing his teeth the Guatemalan way...we have to use a sports drink bottle to rinse our toothbrush because we can't drink the water out of the faucet.
After we drop Caden & Maya off at school we come back home to work. Lily's project was to get "food" ready for a party with her pretend friends.
After school we enjoyed the beauty of the great outdoors and watched the final boys soccer match of the year. Maya sporting her lack of front teeth.
Caden enjoying the view and hoping to play soccer soon. 
Rosie, Abby & Nicco (sitting) chatting during a break in the action. These are three of Amy's amazing drama students (and Lily's buddies).
A little soccer action...our favorite goalie, Spencer (who played Gaston in Beauty & the Beast) ready to defend the goal.
Praying during the half time break. Go God....& go Cougars.
Jumping ahead to the end of our day. A little hot cocoa & God's word at the end of a good day. Life is very good. Hope you enjoyed the picts.
Lily enjoying her breakfast of grape juice and toast with peanut butter!
Maya finishing her juice and homework before school Monday morning.
Caden brushing his teeth the Guatemalan way...we have to use a sports drink bottle to rinse our toothbrush because we can't drink the water out of the faucet.
After we drop Caden & Maya off at school we come back home to work. Lily's project was to get "food" ready for a party with her pretend friends.
After school we enjoyed the beauty of the great outdoors and watched the final boys soccer match of the year. Maya sporting her lack of front teeth.
Caden enjoying the view and hoping to play soccer soon. 
Rosie, Abby & Nicco (sitting) chatting during a break in the action. These are three of Amy's amazing drama students (and Lily's buddies).
A little soccer action...our favorite goalie, Spencer (who played Gaston in Beauty & the Beast) ready to defend the goal.
Praying during the half time break. Go God....& go Cougars.
Jumping ahead to the end of our day. A little hot cocoa & God's word at the end of a good day. Life is very good. Hope you enjoyed the picts.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
51 people (and a thing or two) Amy is thankful for....
In no particular order...
1.Becca
2. Abby
3. Spencer
4. Jonny
5. Rosie
6. Nicco
7. Caleb
8. Sara
9. Korri
10.Nick
11. Laura
12. John
13. Scott
(All of the above are my High School Drama Class and you light up my life...even when you are cranky & not listening to me)
14. My Middle School Drama Classes (you know you rock)
15. The Pre-school Storytime Crew! Friendship is such a treasure.
16. My Thursday Morning Bible Study Class
17. Joe & Sharon Rosa (The Director & Counselor of CAG) who are always there for us!
18. The Urbinas...Friends who have taken us to magnificent relaxing places!
19. The Malczewskis...Our host family...Greg & Gail who have traveled with us, studied the Word with us, showed us how to navigate Guatemala, & gave us our first meal here...where would we be without you...at the least lost in Guatemala somewhere!
20. The Larimers...who were our Guatemala friends before we even came!
21. Liz Ramos...What can we say...if it weren't for your first e-mail...where would we be. Thanks for sharing God's calling in our lives with us!
22. The Soderlings...who make Guatemala not seem so far from home & sharing Lost with us!
23. The Choir Gang, who helped make Beauty & the Beast a little more "Beast"-y & enchanted!
24. My crew...backstage that is...who worked their tails off for me and who I'd give my life for.
25. Maria Luisa who is my best Spanish tutor and one who has opened my eyes to so many things. One of my favorite treasures in Guatemala.
26. The panadaria (bakery) by our house. Conchas, empanadas de leche, donuts, pan...you have made life very sweet.
27. Maria Jose, Mildred, Andrea, & Dulce for sharing your mom (Maria Luisa) with us but also your lives as you grow up.
28. Pastor Dave and Union Church for challenging us to follow God's call in our lives no matter where that leads us.
29. Melody & David, the Greene's, and everyone else at The Gathering on Sunday nights who give us opportunity to worship God like never before!
30. Mynor, Millys, Flory, Venicio, Reginaldo, Odelio, Jose, the whole Leiva Family, Olga, Anabelle, and the other Guatemalan staff at CAG who are always willing to help us practice our Spanish and help us in so-so-so many ways...thanks for loving Lily and for your kind and caring ways.
31. The Millers, Kevin & Becky, Hannah, Joseph & Moriah, who have shared their lives, family, tears, laughter, & Guatemala life in general with us. God is so good...isn't he!
32. The Johnsons, Brock & Kerri, Madi, Brooke, & Jake, who love Jesus more than life itself and are great examples of what living in his will is.
34. Overisel Reformed Church. Without your Christian education and nurturing, where would I be. Thanks for supporting and letting go!
35. Senora Toni Contraras, the most loving soul I have ever met. A great Spanish teacher and a great heart for Christ.
36. Our prayer team...All 400 members...amazing to be covered by prayer...and an answer to many prayers of ours. God is more than faithful as you are witness to!
37. The Agrellas clan...Mark for being our fearless leader, Kim for everything, Amanda & Megan for sharing the many gifts that God has given you.
38. The Osborns, for our house & car, for Lily's heros Spencer & Nick, for Mandy's creative genius, for Cambria & Camden as friends, for caring for us (& not just because we are paying you rent) We love you!
39. The Hodges, for Steve's hours of work on B & B, for sharing love with a little girl named Lily, for babysitting & just caring for us.
40. Our Grandmas because of their prayers and their witnesses in our lives! We love you!
41. Ms. Caroline & Grandma Hazel who God gave us to look out for us wherever in the world we are.
42. Angie & Bryan, & Little Miss Lauren for the great job of keeping up with us even when we are incommunicado! We love you!
43. Dad & Liz Klanderman for always making me ask the hard questions that help me to seek out the person God made me to be.
44. Mom Klanderman for her love and for raising a son who loves his wife unconditionally even when he doesn't like her (me that is...I know hard to imagine but true!).
45. Mom & Dad VandenBosch for raising me to try to live life at God's standards even when the world doesn't care what you do...God does!
46. My little bro, Chad, who is my computer hero and divine inspiration and doesn't mean to be either.
47. My B.I.L. Steven & T-man & Alya who give more meaning to the word sister & aunt than I ever thought possible.
48. My best friend & Sistor (yes I spelled it right) Mendy, who I miss most desperately, but in who I am most confindent is walking the path God has laid out for her. She is my spiritual inspiration, my confindant, my encourager, and friend.
49. Caden, Maya, & Lily, who give me my daily salary in hugs and kisses and teach me more about God's unconditional love than any others.
50. Aaron...My hero, my lover, my spritual accountability partner, my life decision companion, my encourager, my other half, my hobby sharer, my hiking partner, my leader, my worrier, my driver, my fellow movie & music enthusiast, & my husband, who really is the man of my dreams.
51. God. The beginning and end of everything that is good in me and through me and around me. Without him I am truly nothing.
1.Becca
2. Abby
3. Spencer
4. Jonny
5. Rosie
6. Nicco
7. Caleb
8. Sara
9. Korri
10.Nick
11. Laura
12. John
13. Scott
(All of the above are my High School Drama Class and you light up my life...even when you are cranky & not listening to me)
14. My Middle School Drama Classes (you know you rock)
15. The Pre-school Storytime Crew! Friendship is such a treasure.
16. My Thursday Morning Bible Study Class
17. Joe & Sharon Rosa (The Director & Counselor of CAG) who are always there for us!
18. The Urbinas...Friends who have taken us to magnificent relaxing places!
19. The Malczewskis...Our host family...Greg & Gail who have traveled with us, studied the Word with us, showed us how to navigate Guatemala, & gave us our first meal here...where would we be without you...at the least lost in Guatemala somewhere!
20. The Larimers...who were our Guatemala friends before we even came!
21. Liz Ramos...What can we say...if it weren't for your first e-mail...where would we be. Thanks for sharing God's calling in our lives with us!
22. The Soderlings...who make Guatemala not seem so far from home & sharing Lost with us!
23. The Choir Gang, who helped make Beauty & the Beast a little more "Beast"-y & enchanted!
24. My crew...backstage that is...who worked their tails off for me and who I'd give my life for.
25. Maria Luisa who is my best Spanish tutor and one who has opened my eyes to so many things. One of my favorite treasures in Guatemala.
26. The panadaria (bakery) by our house. Conchas, empanadas de leche, donuts, pan...you have made life very sweet.
27. Maria Jose, Mildred, Andrea, & Dulce for sharing your mom (Maria Luisa) with us but also your lives as you grow up.
28. Pastor Dave and Union Church for challenging us to follow God's call in our lives no matter where that leads us.
29. Melody & David, the Greene's, and everyone else at The Gathering on Sunday nights who give us opportunity to worship God like never before!
30. Mynor, Millys, Flory, Venicio, Reginaldo, Odelio, Jose, the whole Leiva Family, Olga, Anabelle, and the other Guatemalan staff at CAG who are always willing to help us practice our Spanish and help us in so-so-so many ways...thanks for loving Lily and for your kind and caring ways.
31. The Millers, Kevin & Becky, Hannah, Joseph & Moriah, who have shared their lives, family, tears, laughter, & Guatemala life in general with us. God is so good...isn't he!
32. The Johnsons, Brock & Kerri, Madi, Brooke, & Jake, who love Jesus more than life itself and are great examples of what living in his will is.
34. Overisel Reformed Church. Without your Christian education and nurturing, where would I be. Thanks for supporting and letting go!
35. Senora Toni Contraras, the most loving soul I have ever met. A great Spanish teacher and a great heart for Christ.
36. Our prayer team...All 400 members...amazing to be covered by prayer...and an answer to many prayers of ours. God is more than faithful as you are witness to!
37. The Agrellas clan...Mark for being our fearless leader, Kim for everything, Amanda & Megan for sharing the many gifts that God has given you.
38. The Osborns, for our house & car, for Lily's heros Spencer & Nick, for Mandy's creative genius, for Cambria & Camden as friends, for caring for us (& not just because we are paying you rent) We love you!
39. The Hodges, for Steve's hours of work on B & B, for sharing love with a little girl named Lily, for babysitting & just caring for us.
40. Our Grandmas because of their prayers and their witnesses in our lives! We love you!
41. Ms. Caroline & Grandma Hazel who God gave us to look out for us wherever in the world we are.
42. Angie & Bryan, & Little Miss Lauren for the great job of keeping up with us even when we are incommunicado! We love you!
43. Dad & Liz Klanderman for always making me ask the hard questions that help me to seek out the person God made me to be.
44. Mom Klanderman for her love and for raising a son who loves his wife unconditionally even when he doesn't like her (me that is...I know hard to imagine but true!).
45. Mom & Dad VandenBosch for raising me to try to live life at God's standards even when the world doesn't care what you do...God does!
46. My little bro, Chad, who is my computer hero and divine inspiration and doesn't mean to be either.
47. My B.I.L. Steven & T-man & Alya who give more meaning to the word sister & aunt than I ever thought possible.
48. My best friend & Sistor (yes I spelled it right) Mendy, who I miss most desperately, but in who I am most confindent is walking the path God has laid out for her. She is my spiritual inspiration, my confindant, my encourager, and friend.
49. Caden, Maya, & Lily, who give me my daily salary in hugs and kisses and teach me more about God's unconditional love than any others.
50. Aaron...My hero, my lover, my spritual accountability partner, my life decision companion, my encourager, my other half, my hobby sharer, my hiking partner, my leader, my worrier, my driver, my fellow movie & music enthusiast, & my husband, who really is the man of my dreams.
51. God. The beginning and end of everything that is good in me and through me and around me. Without him I am truly nothing.
Love
Today I had the privilege to go to the women's Bible study class that our church, Union Church of Guatemala, has on Thursday Morning. What a blessing to share in the Word of God with fellow believers! We are studying the Fruit of the Spirit and this week was the second part of Love. How amazing the love of God is. It is strong enough to make a boy face a dreadful giant with only a sling & a few stones, strong enough to make three young boys stand up the the most powerful king in the world and say we will not bow down to you, powerful enough for an 80 year old to not care about a den full of lions and just worship, faithful enough for one prophet to stand among many unbelievers and wait for fire from heaven. This same love is extended to you and me. Are we going to claim it for our own? Are we going to stand up among the greats who really just trusted in God's love enough to take the risk? Are we going to take God at his word that he loves us so much that even if we face death we will truly live in his righteousness? ...or are we going to push it all away so we don't have to take any of those risks. This might be the "safe" way, but until you embrace the love he so willingly gives, even to the point of his own son's life for ours, we will never be able to love the way we were meant to. Embrace his Love my friends and truly Live!
Someone facebooked me...
...and mentioned that it had been since Feb. 1 since we've updated...I guess it is about that time. So many things have happened that I'll add a few new blogs here with different topics for your perusal when you get a chance. Enjoy!
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