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A Weekend to Remember

We’re not falling apart or on the brink of divorce, but some there were. Ellen initiated it and I decided that our relationship was important enough to get uncomfortable. We’ve been married for nearly three years and this was our first marriage conference. We met 350 other couples in San Antonio for A Weekend to Remember, a weekend to rejuvenate and inspire our relationship.

In a culture where marriages are replaced like an old pair of shoes, it’s not easy to hold on to what you have and keep it healthy. We heard comments from some of our acquaintances like, “My husband would never do something like that.” Fact is, not too many husbands, even the good ones, would get excited about sharing feelings, communicating, and being challenged over the course of three days . . . I’m one of them. I can tell you though, this side of things I am thankful and proud that we did this. Our relationship is immensely important to us and it was the least we could do for each other and God who brought us together.

Great Outdoors

Our team, save the very special Deanna, was able to spend some time together recently at our nearby state park. It was good to fellowship and rough it for while. We went all out! Grilled chicken and zucchini with baked beans for dinner. Bacon, Sausage, Eggs, Pancakes, more bacon, and more sausage for breakfast. We also enjoyed the tastiness of camping favorites like smores and jiffy pop. We didn't go hungry!

QWERTY

Do you know what QWERTY refers to? It is the first six letters on the upper row of your keyboard. Have you ever wondered why the keys on your keyboard are placed where they are? Probably not, it's a pretty random thought. Well, I have, and I discovered the answer the other day. The inventor of today's modern keyboard fashioned the keys very intentionally in order to slow the keyer's typing speed. Strange, huh?

Did you know there's a more efficient keyboard out there that actually locates the keys in position according to the frequency of their use in order to increase efficiency?

This keyboard was designed more than seventy years ago but the QWERTY still dominates. It reminds me of the difficulty we all have with accepting new ideas.

Monster Triathlon

This weekend Ellen participated in the Monster Triathlon held in Denton, 250 meters of swimming, a 16 mile bike ride, and topped it off with a 3 mile run. She did great!

Divine Appointment I

Wes refers to "Divine Appointments" as special encounters with people that are unplanned. In other words, a meeting that only God orchestrated. While in Concepcion, God scheduled 2 "Divine Appointments" for me.

The first occured as our team was walking the streets of a neighborhood called Collao. At the end of one street was a gated community that caught mine and Meriden's eye. Frances, Miss Go-Getter, approached the gate entrance and opened it. Spontaneously, Frances, Meriden, Reid, Wes and I ran through the gate into an unknown community. Thankfully, curiousity didn't kill the cat this time! We quickly learned that we were approaching a nursing home, one of only 2 in Concepcion. Two elderly ladies, Lily and Rose, eagerly invited us into their homes and offered us a tour.

Lily and Rose showed us all over, even into Lily's room. The nursing home was exceptionally nice and offered 27 single bedrooms. It reminded me very much of the current nursing home I work in, Wesley Court. We were able to speak with a nurse about rehabilitation services that are offered. Unfortunately, services for the elderly are only offered in the hospital. For example, if a resident has a swallowing disorder, they send them to the hospital to be treated. Meriden and I were beginning to tangibly see how our current profession and passions could be useful in Concepcion.

Lily and Rose ended the tour in the Catholic chapel. Lily shared how she used to sing with the choir during services. Frances asked Lily to sing us a song, which she did beautifully. We then reciprocated the singing (in 4 part harmony!) for Lily and Rose. As we were leaving the nursing home, Lily followed us out the door, singing a Spanish blessing over us. Every one of us knew that it was only God who orchestrated this "Divine Appointment."

Divine Appointment II

The second "Divine Appointment" occured the same day, but was being orchestrated beforehand. A few nights eariler, the girls were walking downtown and Meriden spotted a hearing aid clinic called "Gaes." Frances, again, took the initiative to walk right in. Meriden was able to learn about the field of audiology, which is fairly limited. The technician proposed we meet with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT**) doctor because they pracitce more of what Meriden is trained to do. He also thought the ENT would provide helpful information for me in regards to speech pathology.

Kelley and Frances took Meriden and I to the ENT clinic to schedule an appointment. The ENT we were referred to was out of the office for the rest of the week; however, there was another ENT we could meet with the next day. We excitedly scheduled the appointment and planned on Kelley attending with us to translate. We had no idea that God had something so special in store for us.

Well, doctor offices in Chile are the same to those here in terms of having to wait for a long, long time after your scheduled appointment to actually see the doctor. We didn't care though - our nervous energy made time fly. Doctor Pablo Roja invited us in, fortunately speaking English. Meriden shared with him our future plans of moving to Chile and our desire to learn about compensated or volunteer opportunities for our professions in Concepcion. Doctor Roja professionally explained the current profession of audiology and what opportunities he could envision. He emphasized that Meriden's doctorate will be eagerly accepted and respected.

Dr. Roja then turned to me, and asked that I explain my profession and credentials. He immediately refered to patient cards that he had seen previously. One patient was diagnosed with a swallowing disorder. He had referred that patient to the hospital to see a speech pathologist. He emphasized that my skills in swallowing and interpreting x-ray swallow studies would be valued, as well as in voice disorders. Dr. Roja welcomed the idea of Meriden and me working alongside this clinic to gain experience and/or through compensation (he was careful to add that we would need to investigate mal-practice and licensure for us in Chile).

By the end of our appointment, Dr. Roja felt connected with our desire to help those in need. He shared with us, "I can relate to wanting to help people. When I was in school, I lived in small villages among the poor and gave them what they could not give. I feel very special about what you are coming here to do."

Kelley transitioned the conversation to learn about Concepcion. Dr. Roja explained that he did not have enough time to discuss these things, due to his next and last appointment. Then, truly uncharacteristic of Chileans, he invited Meriden and me, along with Wes and Reid, over to his home to meet his wife and discuss Concepcion over coffee. We were taken back! Chileans aren't this trusting and welcoming after one visit. In the 10 years Kelley has lived in Chile, he has not seen a Chilean open his or her home this quickly before. We left the appointment knowing that God was at work. We were so giddy!

That evening, Kelley, Meriden, Reid, Wes, and I went to Dr. Roja's home. We drank coffee and discussed the life of Concepcion, good and bad places to live, and discussed nothing professionally. It was as if we were already good friends. We were able to connect so easily with Pablo (now on a 1st name basis) and his wife, Maria Jose. As we were leaving, Maria Jose repeated over and over that her home was ours, that we could call on her for anything. She genuinely anticipated our arrival...and taking Meriden and me to the mall! Pablo walked us out and gave such a sentimental good-bye. He told Kelley, "The pleasure was mine in hosting this group tonight. There is something special about you, something radiates from your faces. I was the one to be thankful."

God was the only one who orchestrated this "Divine Appointment." Our time with Pablo and his wife affirmed God's guiding to Concepcion and the unique ways he has gifted us to help advance His Kingdom. This was a precious gift from God, one that I didn't deserve, but that he knew would bless me and ultimately draw me closer to Him.

**Side note: the Spanish word for Ear, Nose and Throat doctor is this: otorrinolaringologo. This is extremely difficult to say! There is an intense tongue rolling 'r' in the word! Dr. Roja had to break the word into segments for us several times until we could say it perfectly. He kindly suggested to us that it would be helpful for us to learn Spanish before moving to Concepcion. Good thing we have language school in the plans!

Home Sweet Home

We pulled into town not long ago. We're worn out! We will do our best to catch you up on the things we experienced with some photo blogs and reflection over the next week or so. Please be praying for our team over the coming weeks as we sort through the things we learned during our trip.

Here's a shot of our team on the campus of the University of Concepcion.


L:R Wes, Ellen, Sara, Chad, Deanna, Meriden, and Reid.

Leap, Frog!

In less than 72 hours we'll be "hopping" on plane bound for Chile. We are ecstatic! Hopefully you'll see a post or two from us while we're there.



I almost made frog legs out of this guy. I stepped on him last night as I was cutting the grass. No worries frog lovers, he's just fine.

One Step Closer

We are less than two weeks from returning to Chile. It is a very important trip for us for a number of reasons. For nearly four years now I have been working my way back to South America. It was four years ago in Buenos Aires that this dream took root in my heart. It was four years ago in Schaffhausen that this dream took root in Ellen's heart.

In a number of days we will return to Concepcion with our full team to further investigate the city and it's spiritual climate. Part of us fears we have misheard the call and part of us feels like we don't have what it takes either way. There is this other part though that presses on, a part that would rather be faithful and adventurous than faithless and timid.

We could use your prayers during our time there.

-For unity among our team.
-For the Spirit to guide us and impress the Father's will on our heart's.
-For safety.
-For courage.
-For compassion.
-For vision.
-For clarity.
-For open ears.
-For divine appointments.

I'll leave you with a shot from our last visit when we were just four (Reid, Deanna, Ellen, and Wes).

Kingdom Leadership

This past weekend our mission team traveled an hour south of Abilene for a weekend of training. Teams to Thailand, Australia, and various locations in North America joined us there. The theme for the retreat was Kingdom Leadership. It was an incredibly unique and refreshing approach to the topic of leadership.

Instead of spending the weekend being prepared for public speaking or other spotlight positions in the church, the focus was on seeking intamacy with the Father and letting our relationship with him form our identity. From there, an intimate relationship with the Father and a healthy understanding of who we are, we are lead into ministry, the grace by which we are called, or our vocation. It is also from a healthy identity that we seek to live in Christian community.

We had opportunity for self disclosure, confession, worship, prayer, solitude, study, fellowship, discussion, play, and more. It was a spectacular weekend! I have never felt more blessed by the team that God has assembled and partnered me with.

Here are some photos from the weekend:

A Light

About two months ago I (Wes) made the decision to change jobs. I had been employed at a local Christian nonprofit organization for over two years. Many factors were considered during the decision process. High on the list of items in consideration was a desire to be rubbing shoulders with non Christians on a daily basis.

For the last half dozen weeks I’ve been doing just that. I had forgotten the challenge of being a light in dark places on such a day in and day out basis. The transition I’ve made isn’t an easy one for this very reason. To be different, yet someone that isn’t out of reach or self righteous is one of the Christian life’s greatest challenges.

I’ll tell you though, it has revitalized my spirit. To be living the life I am called to without being so insulated has made it all so much more real.

Our Day in Snyder

It's been a long time, I know, but I figured, what better way to get back in the groove than posting a picture of our recent trip to Snyder.

Our team meet up for lunch, coffee, and visiting yesterday. With Reid and Meriden living in Lubbock for a couple more months and the rest of us here in Abilene, it was really special to get together.

You can experience Deanna's account of the reunion here.

Righteousness’ Bad Wrap

If I were asked what true religion looks like, honestly, I might paraphrase half a scripture from James 1 about caring for orphans and widows.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress . . .”

“Right on!” many would say. As I took another look at James this morning I realized that this response is both half the scripture and half of James’ message.

He continues, “To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Sadly, a righteous life has gotten a bad wrap among many Christian circles. To guard yourself from spiritual pollution is to be ignorant, uncultured, and out of touch.

I pray that we all would value holiness more and more and that we might recognize that religion accepted by God is more than one dimensional.

San An Tone, here we come!

Sulphur Springs High School (my high school) is heading to the Texas Class 4A Division II state championship!

The Cats have had an incredible season and they are one win away from their first ever title. You might recall a post earlier this season regarding their spotlight game on ESPN 2.

Jump on the Blue and Gold bandwagon and let's cheer them on!

Read More


***Update***

Wildcats win! 69-49

How spiritual are you?

Recently I learned that a good test of your spirituality is whether or not you can read the various Bible genealogies and be touched. Boy do I have a long way to go!

Our First Christmas Tree

We now have our very own Christmas tree!





Last Christmas we were treeless, aside from the miniature decor tree that set a towering foot tall on an end table in the cozy space we started in. We are thankful to be able to celebrate this Christmas, our second married Christmas, in style.

I realized recently that if our plans and dreams continue to unfold as they have been, we have only two additional holiday seasons with our families before traveling south. It is kind of a gloomy thought but even more exciting as we realize that this long awaited moment is quickly approaching.

Maybe next year we can place presents below the tree without fear of the Blanconator.

For the Love of the Gain

There is a part of me that longs for wealth. Not just any small fraction of my being but a big part, too big a part. I want luxury, security, and pleasure. The thoughts of comforting insurance policies, smart financial investments, and higher salaries float around in my head too regularly.

I’m facing a very difficult tension. A Christian society that says most of these things are good and wise to pursue. In fact, this is often termed good stewardship, a godly trait. And the other side, a radical lifestyle of poverty, sacrifice, and selflessness that Christ’s own life portrayed.

I attempt to filter our culture’s espoused needs with the values of scripture and it exhausts me. Isn’t it a good thing to be concerned with retirement and children’s education funds? Was Christ not worried about such things only because he knew he would die at the age of 33 and that he would father no children and leave behind no wife?

I’ve been reading through the New Testament books that follow the Gospels and this morning concluded I Timothy. Here is the passage that continued my wrestling over this matter.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Why am I not content with just knowing that I will be clothed and fed till the end of my days? Oh, and does this assurance entail name brands, large wardrobes, and fun dates to our favorite restaurants?

Some seem content with their answers to these questions but for us it is an ongoing battle. We are striving to make wise decisions with the provisions we are given without falling in love with the safety and material possessions we can purchase with it, remembering that we take nothing with us.

It seems that my longing needs to shift to contentment.

Instal Me One

Maybe you've heard about the MSNBC host that dropped the "F-bomb", as it's called, on national television. Thanks for the aricle Yahooo! News.


After an F-bomb dropped on "Morning Joe," the MSNBC news-talk show has installed an early-warning system.

A seven-second delay was added with Tuesday's broadcast, to protect against future eruptions such as that of host Joe Scarborough, who seemed to surprise even himself with his verboten utterance.

Scarborough slipped Monday while attempting to describe the rawboned manner of Rahm Emanuel, incoming White House chief of staff for President-elect Barack Obama.

Amid his many on-air apologies, Scarborough said, "My wife is going to kill me when I get home" and spoke of washing out his mouth with soap.

The delay will not be on any other MSNBC programming, according to spokesman Jeremy Gaines. When asked whether it had been ordered up by network brass or requested by Scarborough, Gaines said, "It was a mutual decision."

Former MSNBC morning host Don Imus aired his show with a similar delay, Gaines noted.


Poor guy, I watched the clip and it was pure accident. I don't know him well but it seemed out of character for him to throw around such a crude word. It was a clear slipup.

So MSNBC is installing this new system that will provide a 7 second delay in order to censor any more slipups by Joe. I'm wondering if I could get one.

Wouldn't that be nice?

I mean, I wouldn't need it for crude language. That never happens to me. But for the less unusual moments when I am overly confrontational, insensitive, or just plain rude, then it would get some use.

How much do you think one of those costs? Maybe they have price breaks for ordering larger quantities. You know . . . group rates! Anyone else need one?

Missions Training, Part 2

Througout this semester our team has meet each Tuesday evening for a time of mentoring with Gary Green, the Latin America Missions Coordinator for Halbert Institute for Missions. Gary is a dear friend of ours and has been so encouraging and influential in our team's formation.

Our time together this semester has largely centered around genograms. Each individual on our team drew their genogram (similar to a family tree) and presented it to the team. There were times we laughed hysterically and times a box of kleenexes would have been handy. Our families, whether for good or bad, have been very formative in our lives. By learning more about each other's family of origin we are able to better understand each others personalities, values, and background.


Here's a shot of our most recent get together.


Also during our time together each Tuesday we have spent time in prayer, discussing pressing issues, and processing other training experiences. After each meeting it has practically become a tradition for us to go to dinner together. It has been a great semester so far in our team's development.