Keitt Update - December 2012

Having Babies in a Foreign Land

This blog is dedicated to a young dental hygienist in Charlotte who, when asking a few years ago about our big move to the south, responded with "well surely you will come back to the States to deliver your babies."  I think she may have imagined us living in some remote hut with dirt floors and no running water, (which, I have actually heard there are people living in those very situations who have been successfully delivering babies for YEARS...) instead of a major metropolitan area larger than the size of Chicago.

Anyway, although we don't live with dirt floors, pregnancy has been an interesting cultural experience to say the least.  And since it's my first one, I don't know how much of it has been "Chilean" or just human.  Maybe you moms can tell me :)  But I thought it'd be entertaining to compile some of my most frequently asked questions concerning the matter.

Do you guys have good health care?

Yes, thankfully.  The whole system has not been nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be.  We are all set with Chilean insurance and are paying a LOT less than we would be in the States.

Have you found a good doctor?

Yes, again, thankfully.  The first one was a dud, and I really thought I had read more in books and/or the internet than what he was telling me.  BUT, the second attempt was a success :) 

Do you have a good hospital for the birth?

Yes!  They just built a clinic about 15 minutes away that we've only heard positive things about.

How have you been feeling?

Awesome.  I felt exhausted in my first trimester and a little nauseous, but overall I have had a really great pregnancy.

Can you get everything you need for the baby down there?

We can, however the common rule is that you can buy (almost) anything here for really cheap and it lasts a few weeks, but for good quality you'll pay 2-3 times more than you would for it in the States.  So big shout out to Joel pants and Claire who are bringing 2 full suitcases down with them next week, full of baby stuff! 

Do people touch your belly all the time?

YES.  

And to show both sides of the culture, here are the most commonly asked questions I receive from people here:

Well, you're DEFINITELY not riding your bike anymore are you?  (This is rarely a question as much as it is a command.)

Yep.  Sure am.

Have you thought of a name yet? 

Thought, yes.  But the poor kid is already going to have a heck of a time dealing with only one last name (everyone here has two) and a last name that is already impossible to correctly pronounce in its native language.  So we need to give the little man a solid first name that's not impossible to pronounce.  Buuut we also want something original.  So if anyone has a somewhat original name that works well in both English and Spanish, feel free to shoot us an email :)

Wow, you're so big!  Does your doctor think he'll be a big baby?

Um, yes.  Doctor thinks it and I know it.  Not only are we Gringos, we are big Gringos.  I weighed 9lbs, 5 oz. at birth and Tracey weighed 10lbs., 2 oz.  You may begin praying for this delivery experience now :)  

Are you going to have a normal birth or caesarean? 

Chile has the highest C-section rate, 40%, out of any country in the world.   So "normal" just refers to birth that is not a caesarean.  We are going for normal.

When are you going to "get better?"

This refers to your due date.  Unfortunately many people see pregnancy as more of an illness than an experience to enjoy!  Or maybe it's changing and they just use the same phrase they used back in the day.  (Hopefully??)

Are you going to keep working after you have the baby?

Typical maternity leave in Chile is at least 6 months, usually more like 8.  People here can't believe that the U.S. gives so little time to new moms.  But yes, I will keep teaching, probably 6-8 weeks after.  Thankfully we have enough flexibility with our teaching schedules and do a lot of work from home that I'll hopefully be able to continue teaching part time and stay involved with House of Hope.

Are you going to have your baby here or in the States?

Here.  We live here now.

Will your family be able to come visit?

Unfortunately, not everyone.  At least not for the birth.  But my mom IS coming in March!!

Keitt Update - November 2012

How To Know You're Alive

 As I was waiting to go up on stage at church this morning, I couldn’t help but think about 1) how happy I am going to be when all these presentations are over, and 2) just how GOOD I’ve been feeling, despite the nerves brought on by public speaking.  Good is a pretty lame adjective, so better stated, how alive I’ve been feeling lately. 

And it makes sense.  Because if you’re alive, you have to be growing.   
It’s our nature.  The only things not growing are dead. 

I’ve realized how alive I’ve been feeling lately because of all these things I’ve been doing that are NOT my strengths and are definitely not comfortable for me.  AKA, these “growing experiences.”  Public speaking, yes, but also the whole living in your second culture and in general, living less comfortably than we could be.  Which made me think, what does comfort do for us, anyway, besides hinder growth?

You can’t get any smarter without reading books that are beyond the knowledge you already have.

You can’t gain muscle or lose weight without the pain of a good workout.

And you can’t learn to truly rely on God without hardships or struggles. 

I am thankful for the challenges He has given me these last few months, because it has also led me to places that I know I wouldn’t be able to be without His strength.  And it is GOOD to feel this alive!!

So my question for you is: What are you doing in your life that is forcing you to grow?  Or maybe, what unwarranted circumstances are you allowing God to turn into growing experiences for your good?

It can be as simple as a thought-provoking book or a challenging workout routine, we just have to make sure we are actually living.  Because if we’re not growing in one way or another, what are we even doing? 

And speaking of growing…

there’s been a lot more of THAT goin' on around here lately!

Here we are at 24 weeks when the Irish completed their 12-0 regular season to be #1!!  







 
And if kids grow like puppies, or at least like Boss, then we're really in for it.  We've had Boss man for about a month now and as you can see he is a great eater.  We love having two dogs!  They play together well and are super entertaining for us.  Except for the time he ate my favorite pair of Chacos, which was the opposite of entertaining.  It's a good thing he's so cute...

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Mental Worship

“I usually don’t get too many people crazy about this idea, but don’t you think that when we use our brain, thinking, pondering & contemplating, that we worship God just as much as when we’re singing “worship” songs in the church?  I truly believe that it is worship and you know what, I believe when we use our mind, thinking, pondering & contemplating secular matters we’re just as much worshiping God.  Seriously, are we not appreciating, respecting and acknowledging the beautiful masterpieces of the creativity of God?”

Our Biblical Institute professor shared this thought with us on Saturday and I couldn’t be in more agreement.  Why do we, followers of Christ, sell ourselves so short? 

Just read a few verses during the week, please guys. 

That's where the bar is set?

But what would happen if we scootch that bar up a few notches and strive to dive into “mental worship” with not only Biblical studies, but also the secular matters of all sorts.  Cultured Christians who yearn for a much wider appreciation of the Creator...  

thinking, pondering & contemplating.

Praying is Dangerous

I know most people would say they hate public speaking.  But I really can't describe to you how much I dread being up in front of people.

Perhaps a few illustrations would help.

In 7th grade I had a flute solo in our band concert.  Did I get through it?  No.  I was shaking so badly that the flute kept bouncing off my lips and I couldn't get a sound out of it.

In college, I declared my major as Elementary Education since, you know, I'd known I'd wanted to be a teacher since I was 6 years old.  I kid you not, when I saw that "Public Speaking" was a required course, I spent days trying to research other ways to enter education without having it as your major.  (Some of you might be thinking, isn't teaching the same as speaking in front of groups?  Absolutely not.  Teaching is interactive, and kids are ways more forgiving!)

Whenever I do have to speak, I count down the days like it's Christmas (except not in a good way.)  Every date mentioned falls into the category of "before the speech," or "after it's over."  Like, remember the sex talk?!  Good grief that was the most anxiety I have felt in a long time.    

I hope you get my point.

So about a month and a half ago, my most honest prayer was to actually learn to have God's confidence and not feel confident in my own ability.  I usually don't pray this prayer, because I know what it means.  It means I will have to do things I don't like to do, am not good at, and/or are way out of my comfort zone.  So even the ability to pray that prayer and mean it was a pretty big gift of grace on His part!  It's probably the first time in my life I've honestly wanted it.

And God is so funny.  I don't know why I'm always surprised... but it just happened so quickly!

Within that same week, I was given opportunities to speak in front of churches from 2 different people.  But here's the kicker - for 8 SUNDAYS IN A ROW!!

I guess He really wants me to learn this whole confidence in Him thing :)

So as of now, I have given the offering devotional once so far at our church, Oriente, and will be giving it again next month.

As for the rest, we are doing a "tour" of all of IAM's Santiago churches to show them our video for House of Hope and ask for their involvement and help with funding.  So far we have gone to 2 churches.  Here's a pic from last Sunday at La Farfana:

It's been freakin' awesome.  Because 1) I haven't died or had any panic attacks before or during the events, 2) it's so cool to see our other churches and how they are on Sunday mornings, and 3) it is such an encouragement to those of us working with House of Hope to feel like we're not alone in this.  And some people have already offered to be monthly sponsors and/or come in and visit the kids!  

So, praying is dangerous.  But it's also the only way to get things done.  

And for that I am thankful.

(I am also thankful for this little guy/girl, who is growing more and more visibly each day... Plus I thought I should give you guys a heads up so you're not totally surprised when I'm suddenly "really pregnant" in our next video :)

Keitt Update - October 2012