More pics of Juarez...

Juarez trip with Brooklyn...

You can talk about the rumbling effects of poverty until you're blue in the face, but they don't really resonate in your soul until you lay your eyes on them. The biggest surprise in Juarez, Mexico was the sheer joy on the faces of those who've been chosen to live such a purely simple life, unencumbered by the material trappings of this world. It was in those dirt-stained, strong faces that we saw our Gods reflection. Joy takes on new meaning - happiness is not a big commodity there, nor is it pursued at all costs. Joy is GIVEN, and it stands up under the weight of adverse circumstances. Its meaning has been completely redefined in my mind and heart.

Brooklyn and I worked in the hot sun for 2 days, smiles stretching across our sweaty faces, to build a house with other teammates for sweet Erendiala and her two teenage boys. I watched this woman carefully out of the corner of my eye during the entire building process, and I found myself shoving my own tears away as she choked back hers. I saw her wiping her face many times - tears of joy, no doubt, as the difficult path she's marched to this new day has been stamped with incredible obstacles. Intact, however, were her obviously loving relationships with her sons. My heart was most deeply touched by watching their mutual affection. When the new mattresses we'd procured arrived -- a total surprise to her -- she literally collapsed on to one of our teammates' chests. Not a dry eye in that dusty place, I'm telling you. And it was
just like God to have it be this dear woman's 36th birthday. You can see the cake ceremony in the pictures! What a delight! The dedication of the home was a tangible demonstration of Gods provision, and THAT is something I can better teach my daughter through her EYES rather than through her ears. It was a powerful moment to watch as a parent. We got to see the family for which our team built a home last year, too - and they are doing remarkably well. Evidence, I think, of how God can use a new home (and
a brand new start) to soften hearts. Truth is, He can do whatever He wants.

Brooklyn thoroughly enjoyed playing with the local girls when she wasn't hammering nails or painting the house, and she got to paint the nails and face-paint the cheeks of the precious children at a local food outreach our team provided. Nearly 400 people showed up for the meal and crafts and games. I was struck with how under-stimulating poverty can be - when you are concerned about feeding your kids their next meal, or having a dry place to live, or considering your infant's impending starvation or life-altering infections, you don't have the luxury of creating art. I saw about 20-25 mothers wait until their children had finished at the craft table, and then they quietly approached it and worked on crafts with meticulous detail for themselves. Beauty is so necessary to us, isn't it? God created us to appreciate it, and these women are no exception just because their circumstances don't allow for it. I wonder what untapped creative potential exists in Juarez. Perhaps we'll never know this side of heaven, but I bet those women will be creating masterpieces in glory. But I can't WAIT to go back and provide an earthly opportunity like that again.

Speaking of provision, we asked God to provide $16040.00 for the building of the two homes our team built together. Instead, He chose to raise up quite a bit more. In
addition to mattresses and gifts for the homes, we took gobs of school supplies that will be distributed through the local church, as well as sky high stacks of infant formula and diapers for families in desperate need - often the formula is the
difference between a precious baby's life or death, and their diaper rashes can lead to life-theatening infections. The poor in Juarez do not name their babies for at least a year because of the high infant mortality rate - a cruel reality of poverty that I can hardly wrap my head around. My dear friend, Quinn, started a ministry called The Babies of Juarez last year in response to what we witnessed - it is simply an outreach of diapers and formula. Each month she gets to send a truckload of supplies down to the children who desperately need them - and the local pastors get to pass it out. Consider getting involved. It is literally life and death. Her website is babiesofjuarez.org, and I will personally gather supplies should you choose to donate something!!!!! The website has directions for donations, as well, if you live out of
state. We met a pastors wife whose granddaughters life was literally saved by the gifts of formula, and the missionary in charge of the distribution to pastors has countless stories just like hers... encounters like that just change you, and create a holy fire in your soul to DO something.


Even after supplies had been purchased for the homes, medical clinic, and food outreach, we still had a wonderful excess of donations. 3 days prior to our arrival, a dear pastoral couple were informed by the Mexican government that the plot of land on which their home, the church, and the soup kitchen rest would be seized if they could not pay it in full. This pastors wife, a woman who's given her life to serving
the poor around her (and she is poor herself), is the same woman mentioned above. The amount needed was $6000. The man that approached our team told us that an
anonymous donation had been given in the amount of $3000, and would our team consider matching it to BUY this land free and clear for these dear people and the people they serve? It was DONE in an instant, and we got to stop by the property early on the morning we left. We stood in a circle and told them what had happened, and they
collapsed in gratefulness - not to us, but to the ONE from whom they know all good things come. Ministry will continue there uninterrupted, just as God intended...
thanks for your part in that.

I had the privilege of doing the devotions each morning for our team (Brooklyn read verses in front of all those people - so proud of her!), writing a dedication I had framed for the two homes that we built (my dear friend, Julie, translated them for me), and speaking at the church service we attended on Friday night. One song in particular really struck me - everyone had their hands up, and I found my spirit so
connected with the Lord, even though I did not understand a word of the lyrics. I just stood there with my eyes closed and tears streaming down my cheeks. It was a taste of
heaven, yes?! Then, God really prompted me to get up and talk about Bryant during the portion of the service when the Americans speak, about how our suffering can be used by God for good. His passion is restoration, and He takes the ashes in our lives and makes them beautiful in His time. I was completely terrified before speaking, but think
God used it as a point of connection with the dear people in Juarez who have traveled that very road, some of them multiple times. To God be the glory. I had several women
hug me after the service, and I'm telling you, that baby boy I never got to parent has certainly had a bigger ministry than I could've ever imagined.

Thank you for your participation in Gods work in the people of Juarez. I have noticed Brooklyn telling her siblings since our return -- "Guys, there are kids who don't have stuff and they are happy, so knock it off!" - she gets it, in her 7-year-old way. Smile. We sure hope to go back year after year.
Lots of love. Karen and Brooklyn Schelhaas

Booker Family in the fall...

DUDE...

So, I hear Bella say to Brock -- "DUDE, get some pants on" -- as he's wandering around the house showing off his naked little self, proud as can be. I smiled to myself as I realized that she is getting so comfortable with English that she's using our slang to communicate! I marvel at her progress.

Her progress is really something to celebrate, considering the battles waging in her little body. She was diagnosed with something last Friday that will take monthly shots to control the problem. These shots will last for the next 5 or so years. That, and her brain was scanned via MRI testing at Children's Hospital yesterday. We're still awaiting the results (which will hopefully reveal the "why" of this diagnosis), but I have to tell you that as I was waiting for her to wake up from the anesthesia, I was gazing at her little quiet body, teary with the truth of her alternative. God knew what He was doing when He sent us over there to get her. I know she needed a family, but she needed good health care as well. He knew it, and He plucked her out of a situation that would've left her with lifelong problems, as well as a much shorter life span. I was hit upside the head with God's grace in that hospital room yesterday morning, and I won't forget it. I cannot believe how much I love Bella -- it surprises me. She is MY girl.

Booker is tearing it up on the football field, and we're enjoying being his biggest fans. He is now using deodorant, complaining about collared shirts and how "dressy and ridiculous" they look, about to blow past his Nanna in height, and working on his handwriting abilities. Smile. I can't wait until he can TYPE everything! It saved my schoolwork, too. If he could go straight in to the NFL tomorrow, I think he'd do it!

Brooklyn is still facilitating her "art club" outside after school, and loves to do anything that's school-related. I cannot relate. Smile. Man, that girl is SUCH a student. She is constantly writing things and drawing illustrations. WHATEVER, smart girl. Hee-hee. I'm taking her to Juarez to build a house for a family there with a team from our church. Am REALLY looking forward to some one-on-one time with her.

Brock is pooping and peeing like a champ on the big potty. Phew. Glad that's over. He whines with the best of them, though, and we're working on having whine-free days. Smile. I act like I can't hear him when his voice changes octaves, and I'm sure he'll need therapy for that someday -- "My mom ignored me". Seems to work, though. Smile.

Bode is still trying to get over giardia, bless his heart, but you'd never know it. The kid's got such a sunny disposition, and will hug just about anyone I consort with around here. Thankfully, he doesn't dive in to the arms of strangers, but he WILL march in to houses on our cul-de-sac unannounced and make himself at home. I swear, I turn my back for 2 minutes, and the kid is GONE!!! It's scary!

Brock and Bode are slowly but surely destroying our house, one thrown thing at a time. We may just bulldoze this place when we're ready to move -- it's seriously falling apart room by room (hope my realtor doesn't read this)!!!! And it's not because I don't have rules, all you naysayers -- it's just because they're BOYS!!!! It is CRAZY living with this many males!!! Booker actually ate -- drum roll, please -- SEVEN tacos for dinner the other night. SEVEN. What's he going to eat when he's 15 -- like a BOX of tacos??!!

Brant? Brant who?? Smile. We see each other, but not as much as we'd like. This is such a busy season. The few quiet moments we get together, we treasure. And then we hope those moments will "last" us until the next time, probably 126 days from now, when we'll get another one!

I write all of this nonsense with tongue-in-cheek. I love these kids and that husband of mine. I wouldn't have my life any other way. It is HARD work, circus-like at times, but the most satisfying life I can imagine. I am surrounded by love, and that's sheer, oh-so-messy bliss. Karen

Life is rolling along...

Ah... a minute to myself to sit down and write! My life now operates at a dizzying speed, so these rare quiet moments are something I really treasure. Again, just celebrating that marvelous intersection of what I dreamed my life would be and what it IS presently... it is that perspective that helps me through the often exhausting days of parenting and investing in five children... this is no small task! Smile.

Brant and I laugh a lot about the tornado of life in which we find ourselves. I was walking with a friend today, and we were talking about what a FULL season of life parenting brings, and how it demands grace in your marriage. Brant and I are constantly trying to sling each other some rope as we smile across the room at each other (or frown, depending on how wiped out we are!) -- five kids and piles of laundry and dirty dishes and forts made out of nearly all the furniture/blankets in the house seem to be intimacy killers, not intimacy enhancers! But the foundation is strong, and we're not bolting just because this season is hard. This is OUR dream, not mine. I am so glad we have 13 years of togetherness and teamwork under our marriage belt. I want to walk this road with no one but HIM.

My days start around 6:30ish and end about 11:30 or 12:00 at night. I have NO trouble sleeping these days, and caffeine is my friend. Smile. The "work" part of five kids seems like the easy part, if you can imagine that. It is the constant near-panic I have in my heart each day that I'm not giving EACH child exactly what they need that makes life seem so difficult. I am so ultra-sensitive to the emotional investment that each child deserves from his/her parents that I tend to be pretty "failure" oriented when the day doesn't go as I planned and I feel like I left one of them with a deficit of some kind. God is quick to remind me in those moments, though, that it is HIM ALONE that will fill those spots in their hearts that I cannot possibly fill every minute of every day. It is HIM ALONE. This is not an "out" for my responsibilities as their mother... but a deep consolation from the God who gave me these kids that I will NEVER be everything for them. So that's where I'm at... and, I'm eating a gluten-free diet presently to see if I can combat some of the lingering intestinal issues. Smile. I'd eat cardboard if they told me it'd keep me out of surgery!!!!

Booker is enjoying watching all the political speeches on TV with us and is asking such good questions. I went to the DNC after Brant got ONE ticket from work... and I loved being a part of history. I LOVED it. I don't agree with all the politics of either party, but can appreciate some of both. Booker and I have had some great conversations, and watching him really process the information is fascinating to me. He ain't no baby anymore. He's so tall and "buff" (this cracks me up) and is tearing it up on the tackle football field. His first game is tomorrow.

Brooklyn started an Art and Writing Club on our front lawn after school, complete with signage and advertising that blesses her father's heart. Smile. She is quite serious about it, and all the neighborhood girls seem to enjoy it. School comes naturally for her, and I marvel at her passion for it. Somehow I missed that genetic link. Hee hee. I can envision her in some type of nurturing profession some day -- a teacher or a health care professional, perhaps. She's always taking care of any one who will let her, and "give them some space" reminders from her parents only frustrate her. Smile. I am taking her to Juarez, Mexico in October to build a home for people who need it. Really excited to have some one-on-one time with her.

Bella, Bella, Bella. She's given us quite a scare with some health issues lately, and we're still awaiting some results from extensive testing. Think she'll be okay, though, and it just has us THANKING GOD that she's in our family and can receive the help she may need in this great country in which we live. She is meticulous about her home work and is currently watching "Muzzy:ESL" as I type. She is mad as a hornet that she can't balance the tagalong for the bike and is still stuck in the trailer. Smile. She has such fierce determination and that will serve her well, I know. That smile she has is seriously contagious, and she flashes it after she prays at meals or before school -- she is SO proud of her English! Kindergarten still seems to be the right fit for her, and she would swim every day if she could.

Brock is POTTY-TRAINED!!! What a chore that was! He is very proud of his accomplishments and tells EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, that he now poops in the big potty. Not a shy bone in his body, that one. He of course picked out a toy rifle to celebrate, and has subsequently been shooting everything in sight, much to my chagrin. But they tell me this is normal for boys!!!!

Bode is such a simple little boy, and I mean that in the very best way. He is so refreshing to all of us. Full of smiles and hugs and kisses for all. He's quite the wanderer, though, and I've found him in our new neighbor's living room, making himself at home! English is coming quickly for him, and he no longer has an Ethiopian accent. This makes me profoundly sad.

There, I did it. I accomplished something on my to-do list!!! Off to gloat for a bit... I did it!!!! See, it's the simple things that light my fire! Smile. Karen

Summer is coming to a close...

Hey all. My friend snapped this shot of Booker on their sailboat this weekend -- I'm going to blackmail him with it someday! Smile. When I showed it to him, he said "Mom, I wasn't TRYING to look all cool" -- as only a 10-year-old can describe an inferred cool factor, yes?! The girls had fun decorating t-shirts for their American Doll girls and for themselves, compliments of the North Carolina Bookers. What fun. We had a great ride out on the trail today, and the the older 3 are going to the pool with their daddy before we enjoy a BBQ with our cul-de-sac later this evening. It has been a really good weekend.

Will update on the kiddos' progress when I get a spare minute -- I'm warning you, though, that minute may never show its face! Smile. Karen