Maybe

Time marches on, and I am six months along now! Everything has been going well since the morning sickness passed several weeks ago. I’m definitely showing now and making my “nesting” preparations for the coming little one.

Prenatal care continues to be an interesting cultural experience for us…interesting being the operative word here. With each checkup, we learn a little more about the differences between home and here—and usually in ways that are unexpected! Last Friday was one such experience. We’re the kind of people who love to find out if we’re having a boy or girl, and though we would be delighted to have either, we wanted to find out so we can enjoy the planning, etc. So we went to have an ultrasound to find out the exciting news. To give you an idea of our situation…

First of all, in the local hospitals, the husbands are not allowed in the room with the wives, the wives are not able to see the screen during the ultrasound, and it is illegal for the hospital to tell the parents the sex of the baby. Thankfully there is an international hospital in our city, so we were able to go there together, watch the baby on the sonogram, etc. Second, we’d already had a mid-pregnancy sonogram to try to find out a few weeks ago when my parents were here, but unfortunately the baby didn’t want to give us a look! So there we were last Friday, ready and eager to find out.

As we watched the screen in anticipation, we realized that the baby was in a great position to give us a view. So we waited patiently and enjoyed seeing our little one as the ultrasound technician checked all the different parts…except the one we wanted to see! After about ten minutes, I asked if she could tell the sex of the baby. She said okay and started looking, and then she said... drum-roll, please! … she said, “Maybe it’s a girl.”

Okay, so this was the moment we had all been waiting for, and she says maybe. So I waited as she looked a little more. Then she said, “Not too clear, but maybe it’s a girl” and then she moved on. "Maybe." That blasted little word! Did she really mean maybe? I’m thinking… Okay, if she’s not sure, she’s going to look until she is able to definitely tell, because I know it’s not the angle that’s the problem. But nope—that was it. That was all we got—“Maybe it’s a girl.” COME ON! Anybody could have told me that!

So as we left the hospital, we were feeling pretty frustrated. Was it a matter of competence, we were wondering, because we definitely had a clear view this time. Why did she say maybe? Surely she could tell if she was an experienced technician… But then we started remembering that when she said it, she nodded her head and had a smile on her face—her body language didn’t communicate uncertainty. And neither did her actions after that, as she moved on so quickly to other things. So maybe, we thought, just maybe her “maybe” didn’t mean maybe…

Sure enough, as we’ve talked to friends and locals here, we have learned that because of the restrictions placed on ultrasound techs, they always say maybe when talking with foreigners, even when they’re sure. What an unexpected but beneficial lesson in cross-cultural communication—another memorable reminder to look for the meaning behind the words!

So, as best we can tell, we’re having a girl. Maybe. ;)

Harvest Celebration

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to take one of my friends and her daughter to a Harvest Party—quite a new experience for them both! Susanna was a little lady bug, and Caleb had a chance to don his knight outfit. But he was even more excited about taking his friend along; he said, “Mom, I’m going to protect my princess in there!

It was a fun and busy time for the kids… fishing, bowling, golf... ...basketball, ring tosses, cake walks, cookie decorating, and of course, lots and lots of candy!
We had a good time and really enjoyed the chance to share the experience with Annie and her daughter. In this season of hayrides, apple cider, changing leaves, and the fall festivals of home, it was fun to have a taste of American culture for an evening!

A Special Day... A Special Boy

October 14th was Caleb’s 4th birthday, and we were so thankful to have Mom and Dad with us to celebrate. This year instead of doing a big shebang like we usually do for birthdays, we decided to go the quiet family party route. It was a really special time together, dancing and singing to Pop’s guitar playing, eating an “army” brownie cake, opening gifts sent with mom and dad from family back home, and looking at pictures of Caleb and celebrating his life with us.
I can’t believe how much he’s changed in just a year. When Mom and Dad were here, they gave him a bike for his birthday and as we watch him ride, it’s so obvious our little boy is growing up! With each new accomplishment, we are reminded to make the most of each precious moment with him.

Fellowship

Over the last several weeks, we have been meeting weekly with some expatriate families for fellowship. The service is simple: sing a few songs, read the word, remember requests. Yet the simplicity has provided for some meaningful times together. Here is a glimpse.

Sitting in the living room drinking coffee. The kids are reading or coloring on the floor between you. You are discussing a pertinent topic and people begin sharing. Slowly at first, but as everyone realizes they are in a safe environment the sharing becomes more earnest. As the meeting comes to a close, you feel heard, understood, and satisfied. And then you go eat together!

Having received advice to begin attending a local registered fellowship, it is time to move on. But we will remember these times of warmth and sharing fondly. Maybe we have a better idea of how His early followers met together. The potential for honesty and growth in a setting like this is incredible.