Archive for April, 2012

30 Apr

Dr. Billy, D.V.M.

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Sunday after church and lunch, Billy and I  went to the pasture to check on everyone. The usual head count was done and everyone was accounted for minus our little Jett…and her baby, whom I looked so forward to welcoming.

While walking around we discovered that Zsa- Zsa was showing early signs of labor.  I couldn’t believe it.  I will have to say that I really wasn’t excited, I just wasn’t ready to do this again.  I knew the two of them were going to have a close due date….but I had no idea it would be one day apart.

We were supposed to go somewhere but plans changed quickly.  We rounded up Zsa-Zsa and put her in a confined area.

All that started around 1:00.

This is Zsa-Zsa in early labor.

A few early pushes….she just couldn’t get comfortable…..

Since cows are pack animals, we let Punkin and Toots stay with her for a while.  Punkin was showing some love here.  This was so sweet, she would rest her head on her…not butting her.  Looked like a face hug.  Notice Punkins eyes are closed, like she feels her pain.

Meanwhile…Toots, just a month old, enjoyed the sunshine.  Now it is almost 5:30 p.m.^

6:11 We have the birthing bubble. (I will spare you the pictures)

6:30 The bubble breaks

7:20 I can see one hoof.  A normal delivery should show me two hooves and a nose.  I began to sweat……

Billy and I watch while eating our Chinese takeout dinner in the golf cart.  Romantic huh?

8:30….we’re pacing right along side of her….9:30….decide to rope her and get her in a place where we can help her deliver.

Cows are smart….cows are strong….even while they are in labor.

Zsa-Zsa has a set of horns on her too…..that makes it even trickier.

FINALLY…we get her tied up, Billy gloved up…..I helped hold the tail.

Interesting thing about cows, maybe its this way with all animals.  They don’t really want you to help….at first, but once they realize you ARE helping them….they work with you.

She fought the whole way while we were trying to tie her up….but once Billy started pulling the calf, she helped with no opposition.  Billy pulled with all his might….and pulled…and pulled.  He was finally able to get the head through.  At this point it had been so many hours, we felt like the baby would be dead and had tried to brace for that.

10:41 p.m. The baby finally is delivered….Zsa-Zsa gave a sound of relief and just stood there exhausted.

Billy said “I think it is alive”!

IT WAS!  We were so exhausted….and so happy!  The calf was absolutely beautiful.  I rubbed it down until the mama could get to it.

Billy untied Zsa-Zsa and she just stood there licking him.  He said…”I think she is thanking me”…I laughed and said…she is.

I have been fortunate to see those things a good bit  from the animals…now he was getting to witness it as well.  It is so rewarding.

10:46 Mama and baby….happy and healthy!

10:47 Dr. Billy …..Exhausted….and grateful.

This morning our feet hit the floor and we were out the door.

Precious…Precious…Precious!

I believe a bond was made.

We talked about the name last night on our way back to the house…..

The baby is a girl!  We felt like the most appropriate name for her should be….Joy!

29 Apr

The worst part of having animals

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

About 11:00 yesterday I went to check on everyone in the pasture, I was headed into town to see if my favorite camera could be fixed.  The cows were just enjoying a favorite spot of theirs.  I usually hang out with them for a few minutes.  I get a head count and make sure everyone is acting normal.

They were all accounted for and just looked at me like….can we help you?

I went on into town, did the camera thing and had a couple other errands.

I went back to the pasture around 5:00.  I saw that the cows in the second pasture….I walked over to them…but 2 were not accounted for.  One was the newest calf Toots and the other was Jett.  It is not unusual for the little calves not to be with the herd, but a cow to be missing especially an expectant one is of concern.

I quickly went back to the spot where I had seen her earlier.  Sure enough, she was near there laying on her side.  I approached her carefully, she was trying to deliver.  I saw two feet….they were not in the correct position for birth.  I tried to pull on them when she would have a contraction, but they were not budging.  I knew I was going to have to have help.   The sad thing was, the feet were already cold.   I knew the baby was already dead.

Our neighbor to our pasture and another friend came to check on me….I called my brother who dropped everything and came with a friend.  I called the vet and then we proceeded to try to put her in a confined area so the vet could help her more easily.

The vet came, they tried to pull the calf, it was breach.  They even used the calf puller on her.  After much trying, she said a c-section would be high risk.  She would recommend putting her down.  It broke my heart.

After weighing all the options…..

I watched and petted her until the medicine could work.

I absolutely hate this part of having animals.

About 8:30 last night we buried sweet Jett and her calf.

I do not know if it was a boy or girl….I could only see the black legs.  But, I name every animal that comes on the farm.  This one will be called black beauty.

I do appreciate all the love and respect given to Jett from all the people who tried to help her.   I am at least glad that even though it was a horrible situation, I was with her, and she didn’t die in the woods alone.

Meanwhile….. I have a very heavy heart.

 

 

 

28 Apr

Trying out the camera

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

While we were gone on the trip…our miniature rose bush bloomed.  I went to take a picture…but the wind was blowing so the camera focused more on the statue.  That’s ok.  But the roses are pretty right now!

Remember me telling about my plant sales…well these were some of the latest…I had placed them around this rose bush and they are all looking pretty too.

They are violas….looks like a miniature pansy.

These are also violas…I think this combination of colors is my favorite.

Every time I look at this statue…it reminds me of my sister Charlotte.  I suppose it is from when we were little…she looked a lot like this.  I know….I’m weird.

These were the pansies from that same plant sale….They have done pretty well too.

This is a Gerbera Daisy…I kinda chuckle every time I look at it.  I planted last year, in a pot.  It did alright through the season, but I never have any luck with them.  They always, always, always die after a few weeks.  I left it alone in the pot.  I had it on the front porch, it was protected from direct frost and all, I usually dump the pots and put them away for the winter.  I didn’t do that to this pot.  I just let it sit there…looking ugly all winter.

Spring rolled around and I had my plants from the plant sale…went to put some in that pot.. much to my surprise, I saw a tiny little leaf  poking its head out.  Well here it is.  One stem even has three flowers on it.

I just took that…while I was posting …curiosity got the best of  me….I had to see if it had opened all the way up.

While I was outside I heard the frogs really singing at the goldfish pond.

Ahhhh…last but certainly not least.  This was from last years sale…they came back which is a WONDERFUL thing.  I love the colors of these too.

I did take a few pictures of some of the animals yesterday…

This is Jett.  I believe she will be our next Mama.  She is such a small cow….I am really worried.  This is her first, she is old enough, she is just so petite.

We actually have 3 that are smaller than I would like for them to be.

This one is Zsa-Zsa.  She is probably going to give birth right after Jett.  She is small too…but she is not as petite.  The third one is Bailey, I’m not sure how far along she is yet. She isn’t close enough for me to guess.

Jett and Zsa-Zsa both bagged up while we were gone.  I suspect they will give birth within the month.  I would like to guess that Jett will be in about a week…or two…but….?

Zsa-Zsa is right there too…but according to her tail end…she may be we a week or so after Jett.

I am learning…and the thing I have learned the most is…..I still have a lot to learn.

Mrs. Zippy is getting very round.  She came into the pasture at the end of May last year.  They carry the baby for a year.  She has not bagged up…so I think sometime in June…MAYBE?  I absolutely can’t wait….it is going to be PRECIOUS.

When I took these pictures they were all swatting the flies.

We had a really mild winter…I have already sprayed them earlier in the season.  I suppose this will be a summer for the flies.

Usually they do not like to be sprayed…but I gave them a nice treat and sprayed them all while they were eating.  They weren’t sure at first, but then they were like….YES….thank you!

I love this time of year.  The weather was perfect last night, the day light is longer and it gives me so much more time to just enjoy them.

Now, if I can just adjust to this camera.

27 Apr

Beauty Everywhere

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .

I find it so neat how there is beauty all around us.  No matter what our soil conditions are there is usually a plant that surprises us with its beauty.

This is a Bougainvillea.  Amazingly enough, they are drought tolerant…perfect for the area we were in.  It was just gorgeous.  It was actually a pleasant kind of odd to see it flourish.

I have no idea what this is.  It too was thriving, in the heat and dry conditions.

I loved the little purple flowers that were all over it.

The cactus are beautiful.

The people can also use them for food.  This young mother had just gathered some eggs from a few chickens they have and cut some cactus from her plants.  One of the members of our group was a nutritionist, she decided to saute some for our dinner and also had some that were  raw for us to try.  I tried the sauteed ones…they were good.  (I do not know how to make that little mark on the computer over the -e-)

I have not seen many different trees in the area we are working.  I have seen this one in particular, the pods are unique and striking.

There were some new banana plants since we were there last.  I looked it up and apparently they are not really “trees”.  Anyway, possibly they will grow good here and offer another source of food.

The missionaries have been given a rabbit as a gift….they are hopefully getting another one soon.   That can be the gift that keeps on giving…..

Along the banks of the canal I saw these little guys (goats)….made me think about our own.

They were eating the vegetation along the way.

They went down the steep embankment and drank from the canal then continued on their way.

Apparently this is the garbage truck….

A beautiful animal, doing his job.

The true meaning of “horse power”.

On the day we travel back home we usually make a stop in Progreso.  They have a market area where you can buy things that help support the locals.  I love to see the things they get creative with.

I should have taken a picture while the man was making this ring with my name on it.  He does an amazing job.  He just bends and shapes it from a strand of wire.  He is very talented.

This is a necklace.  It is a crucifix made of glass and a lady writes on a grain of rice for you.

Not only that, but on the other side of that grain of rice…she drew a heart and colored it in.  Then she placed a tiny amount of greenery and a little bead to look like a flower.

Something about having my name…there…at the cross that makes it seem even more personal.

It reminds me…that Jesus loved and still loves me so much….he died for me.  WOW.

There is a taco stand that the teams frequent while there.

The vendors continue to come and try to sell the goods to you while you eat.  Some of them will serenade you for a small fee.  I think that is a pretty neat way to use their talent.

Someone had these two little fellows play and sing, I only caught the end of it….but it is fun to hear.

On the way back across the border,

I saw this beautiful Lime tree.

There is usually a stop at the ice cream shop before we load up.  Well it was there that it happened…..

I dropped my camera!  UGH….

I clicked it to see if it was going to work……

Ben even gave me a smile to give it a good check….

However, it makes a new noise and it works when wants to.  Soooooo….I got a different one yesterday…not crazy about it…but maybe it is because I do not know enough about all the buttons yet.

I think I will have to see if I can have my other one repaired without it costing as much as the camera did.  It took such great pictures.

So bear with me….as I  try the new one out.

I did get it to take one more picture when we got home.  We were going through the woods on the dirt road…and saw this amazing looking THING….I suppose it is a mushroom?

I do not know…but even my sick little camera….captured it so nicely.

There really is beauty everywhere you look!

26 Apr

The Ice Cream Man

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

AMAZING!  Even in a place where there is no electricity, there is an ice-cream man.

On Sunday he pedaled his unique bike down the street.  When it is hot, there is a need for something cool.

He had Mango ice cream.

He provided a nice sized scoop for .50 cents.

Billy especially enjoyed seeing him come each day.

Actually,everyone waited with excitement to see him pull up.

Everyday he had a different flavor, this was coconut day.  Complete with real pieces of coconut throughout.

This happened to be strawberry day.  For the price….everyone was able to be treated to ice cream.

I mentioned that Billy and I worked the reading glass table.  One day this lady sat down to see about some glasses.

After trying several pairs, she finally found the ones that worked for her.  A beautiful smile came across her face.  She grabbed Billy and I and started praying the most beautiful prayer in Spanish.  I do not know the language, but I do recognize a few words.  She was saying gracious over and over.  Thanking God and Christ, I did recognize those words.  More importantly than me understanding the words, was the connection that was made with our hearts.  As she prayed such a sweet sincere prayer, tears rolled from my eyes.  I was so moved by her sweet spirit.

After she finished she went to wait for her turn to see the doctor.  In triage I saw the nurse begin to cry.  The interpreter who was helping went to speak to the ice cream man.

I saw both of them begin to cry.  Billy and I watched, still not knowing what was going on.  It was later that we learned that they were a married couple.  They had a 16 year old son who was killed just 4 months ago in an accident.  The father, the ice cream man, has turned away from God…in anger and hurt.  Our hearts broke for this family.

Interesting how you really never know what someone else is going through.  Sometimes wounds are physical and we can see them, sometimes wounds are Spiritual and they can go unnoticed until you get to know the person.

The next morning, the ice cream man came again…we bought our ice cream as usual…and we all hugged him. We asked if we could pray for him.  He said yes.

Billy prayed, the interpreter was there, we were all around him showing him that we loved him.

He cried, we cried…..it was sweet.

He came back the next day…and everyday after that… until we left.  We also told him when the group would return and that everyone would be ready for ice cream again.

He smiled.

He brings great joy to people…he’s the ice cream man!  I pray joy comes back to him….that his heart will be healed.  That can happen, if he let’s it…because God…is God!

Scriptures tell us that we will have trials and tribulations in this world.  I do not understand why certain things happen.  God’s plans are higher than our plans…I suppose if God told us why, we still wouldn’t understand it.  It is much deeper I think than we can even comprehend.  Our family has suffered through accidental deaths, it is a terrible experience.  When I was growing up we would talk about those things, my mother would say, it will either make you bitter…or better.  If we trust God through those hard times, we will grow close to Him, and He will walk with us through the hurt.  Making us able to help someone else one day who is experiencing something similar.  Just because we love God…it doesn’t make us immune to hurt and loss.

We continue to remember him, his wife and the other children in their family, in our prayers.

I ask that you will too.

25 Apr

Medical Clinic

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We had a great group of people who went on the medical trip.  They started with triage -the sorting of patients according to the urgency of their need for care.

They had to work through interpreters.  It was a real blessing to have these people give of their time.  This man and another woman interpreter, not pictured here, traveled two hours twice a day by bus to help.

Most patients were terrified of putting the thermometer under the tongue…. under the arm was the next best thing.  This little guy decided that it tickled.

Blood pressure was checked.

And other things that are normal for checking overall health.  The people hardly ever get this type of medical treatment, if…at all.

Often the wind blows hard, the dirt in the air causes ear and respiratory issues…..

Several had to have their ears flushed out, against their liking….

But a sucker does wonders on making things better!

This precious baby had pneumonia…..

The gas powered generator was used so the nurse could give her a breathing treatment.  She then shows the mother how to tend to the baby until the next treatment.

Both were so weary.  It was extremely hot, that alone wears you out.

Before we left….A happier Mom…. a healthier baby.  Thank you Lord.

The wait was long and hot….the people were very patient…

The nurses worked hard….

The pharmacy was busy….

Sometimes babies just needed to be held while their moms were being seen by the doctor.  This babies mother had a toothache that made the whole right side of her face hurt all the way to her ear.  I have had a lot of teeth problems through the years.  My heart ached for her…I remember walking the floors at night slapping my cheek because that somehow made it feel better.  I hate she has to experience that kind of pain.  They were able to treat it with some antibiotics for now….until she can see a dentist.  Yet….she smiles.

Dental care is in great need here.  Prayerfully someone will answer that call to come.

We rarely saw the doctors during the day…they treated patients for 6 or more hours straight…without breaks, even for lunch.  Sandwiches and drinks were taken to them because they wouldn’t leave their post.  This is Dr. Ron…he came out only to give some private time for a patient, another doctor and an interpreter.

I didn’t take pictures of all the things they did as physicians.  There were lots of different areas that needed treatment.  I admire that they took time out of their schedules to give free care.

After a long hard day…the doctors, one of the male interpreters and Roy, who is the missionary in Mexico, give their seats up for the women in the truck.

So much skill…so much compassion…so very humbling.

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:36 NIV

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16 NIV

We can all help someone….near us….and far away from us.  Pray about who God wants you to help today.

24 Apr

I can see clearly now…..

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The trip we went on this time was in the same area I blogged about in November, but it was a medical trip instead of a building trip.  I have 27 years of experience – it is on the job training- from Motherhood University.  Seriously, Billy and I are not doctors or nurses but we wanted to go along and do whatever we could to help.

I really prayed before we left about what we could do.  What would the people need that we could help with?  I believe God impressed me to take reading glasses.  I am pretty dependent on mine.  I also remember my sister Charlotte telling me that she started wearing them when her last baby was born.  She said “I just couldn’t see her precious little face as clearly as I wanted while I was holding her.”

I checked into finding some….and it worked out perfectly.  They even came in a really neat little display and had 11 different strengths to choose from.

Both of these boys were named Christian.  They call the smaller one pee wee.  They were fascinated with the mirror, which had a regular side and a magnifying side.

This picture I took last year…it is the only mirror I have seen in the homes I have visited in.  So I suppose the kids really did get a kick out of seeing their faces and magnifying them.  Something we don’t give a whole lot of thought about.

A good way to check the proper strength was to let them try to read.  It was so rewarding to see the smile on their face when the blurriness went away and they were able to see the words clearly.  I know that feeling.  I love the clarity I get from my glasses.

As I looked at some of these people, like this gentleman….I couldn’t help but wonder how long it has been since he has been able to read his Bible.  Or possibly see his grandchildren’s faces clearly.  WOW…such a little thing…yet, important.

It was fun seeing this man…after he was fitted for glasses he began to read the Bible, even reading aloud sometimes to his wife as they waited to be seen by the Doctor.

Last November we built a home for a young family.  The family had brought their sick child to a Medical Clinic that had come for a week  in August of last year.  The team was able to diagnose the illness of their baby with pneumonia and get him to a hospital.  He was so sick he almost died.  When we came in November to build a home we didn’t know that it would be for that same family.  It was really neat because that babies name was…. Jesus.  So it ended up that the family had a new home for Christmas, I don’t think it could have been any more appropriate. It was wonderful that they could celebrate Christmas with a healthy baby and in a home of their own.

They had been living next door to the house we built, with the grandparents.

This lady is the grandmother of that baby.

I think she has the sweetest smile….

Once again, by returning to the same area we are able to tie the children and grandchildren to the parents and grandparents.  It starts to get personal.

After the house was built in November, she and all the family cooked what little they had in appreciation.  They even took some flashlights and stood holding them over the tables while the team ate.  Very gracious people.  It is those acts of kindness that bind your hearts with theirs.

I got tickled with this lady.  She didn’t even take the time to remove the sticker from her glasses.  She went straight to sewing some elastic in her slip, something she had been needing to do.  I think she was VERY excited.

Every evening at bedtime….I would lay awake with the faces of people running through my  head as I reflected on the day and all the events that had taken place.

I do not speak Spanish….but there are some things like a smile…

and a hug…that do not need words…… or a translator.

There are still many eyeglass needs.  An Eye doctor would be very helpful for so many others that we were not able to help.  There were many children that needed glasses that require a prescription lens.

For that week we did what we could….maybe next time more can be done.

Tomorrow I will share some of the other areas of work that the team was involved with.

22 Apr

The Trip

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

Today is Sunday….and it has been a good day of rest.  We aren’t the kind to sleep late and lay around watching television all day, but we still rested.

We went to Church and re-charged our Spiritual batteries.

We ate lunch with Billy’s parents and visited for a while at their home.  Then we decided to check out the lake and see how much the fingerling sized fish,we put in last year, had grown.

We caught several but they weren’t very big.  We were able to see a range of sizes….which means someone has had babies!   Yes, it will be a fun year for fishing this year.  A  gentlemen we know fished here a few weeks ago and he caught several good sized catfish.  We were really glad to know that those had survived and had grown.  Billy and Ellie feed the fish each morning on their walk.  Hopefully that will plump them up!

This Sunday was very different from last week.

Last Sunday we were in Mexico.  We heard singing from this little church and decided to slip in the back and enjoy their worship music.

The people were so excited to have us visit their church, they even gave up their seats for us.  After they sang a few songs, they asked us if we would sing a song for them.  Not all of our group was in the service but about 8 of us got up and sang Jesus loves me and Amazing Grace.  Of course we sang in English.  They seemed to recognize the tune and smiled with enjoyment as we sang.  It was a really neat way to start the day.

We walked around the area and visited with the locals.  Billy saw some boys playing volleyball and just had to get in there with them.  They loved it, and so did he.

As soon as we headed out to walk some more one of our little sweeties greeted us.  We walked over and visited with her and her father.

This is Andrea.  She is an extra special little girl.  I suppose that is one of the rewarding things about re-visiting an area, seeing a lot of the same people.  She was so excited to see us.  It really melts your heart.

Someone brought the game Memory with them.  Billy played with several of the kids.  The language barrier isn’t a problem when you play that game.  Everyone laughed and had a great time.  They think Billy is hilarious.

A big part of any mission trip is getting to know the people by spending time with them.   When we sign up to go on the trips, we often go with people we haven’t met before.  It is always fun getting to know new people on our team, and getting to know the ones we have been with before better.

All through the week there was singing…..

and unique dance moves….

and hoola hooping…..

I’m not as young as I used to be…but I can still hoola….I just look really weird doing it.

 

It is fun loving the babies….

Braiding their hair for school….

And taking Ice cream breaks with the girls….Aren’t they little beauties!

Tomorrow….. I will share with you some pictures from the Medical part of the trip.

We had a GREAT week.

 

 

 

 

21 Apr

The Blogger is Home

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

I apologize for not giving an explanation of where I would be for a week.  I had every intention to continue blogging while we were gone…but, that just didn’t happen.

Billy sent Garrett  the picture you saw of me handing out beans that he took with his phone.  I was surprised but glad he posted it .

We arrived home today.

I am tired.

I am headed to bed.

BUT….here are a few pictures we took yesterday before we loaded up in the car and drove through the night …about 1250 miles…roughly 18-20 hours.

We look like tourist for sure…..

We are silly…I know.

We visited Progreso Mexico on the way home for a quick stop at the souvenir stands.

It is neat to see all the items.  These are Pinatas hanging up in the store.  Some of these were 4 to 5 feet tall.

Most of the shopping we did was not in the stores.

We mingled among the streets with the merchants.  Beautiful people with amazing crafts and goods for sale.

I will post pictures of our trip tomorrow and tell you about our week.

GOODNIGHT!

 

 

19 Apr

Where’s our blogger?

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Hello readers!

Garrett here. Just an update that mom is still on her trip.

I got a great picture of her today taking beans to some locals along a canal.

Image

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