Friday, March 20, 2009

Beauty, Bugs and the Baby

BEAUTY
Did you know that Papua New Guinea has over 3,000 known species of orchids? It’s no wonder that Ian’s passion for orchids began there. While living in Lae, almost every week the same young boys would see us in town and show us the newest orchid they had found growing in the wild and had brought to town to sell. I don’t think we ever turned them down and so we started our own small orchid garden. Ian began experimenting with wood chips and charcoal and rocks and different amounts of shade and sun to try to grow these incredible, endurable, but finicky, flowers. (Being a beginner, he had limited success with them—which is one more reason we want to go back. He doesn’t bend to defeat very easily!)

So when we heard about the tropical orchid show at the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens, we had to go! And since the variety in colour and texture and design is near indescribable, here are a few.



It seems every new orchid only serves to outdo the last one in capturing your amazement. The book of creation is far too vast to comprehend; for our Awesome God wrote that book.




BUGS
At the same RBG, they’re having a Bug Show for kids. There are pictures of bugs to colour, stories of bugs to listen to, bugs to learn about and hold, bugs to sing about and even bugs to taste! So being the missionary from the jungle that I am, naturally I grabbed a whole handful…um, well, actually, I decided to pass, using the oldest PNG excuse in the book, “My mama didn’t teach me how to eat those things!” But my friend Alice is braver than I and she savoured one whole chocolate-covered cricket. She said it wasn’t bad, although she was complaining of bug legs stuck between her teeth for the rest of the afternoon.

Speaking of bugs, Jonathan said to me the other day, “Mom, did you know that we have ‘taste bugs’ on our tongues that help us taste our food?!” (He’s been learning about the 5 senses at school and had a whole session on tasting the other week.)

BABY--Halfway there!
Yesterday marked week 20 of my pregnancy! And we also went for an ultrasound this week. And it appeared from it that things with “junior”, who as the sonographer said, was doing ‘rapid-fire’ kicking throughout the 40 minute ordeal, are going well so far, and we’re so thankful for that! It really is such a miracle when all the body parts are there and seemingly working as they should. We praise and thank our Awesome God for this too. It is also incredible to know that He also already has a plan for this child--we do not need to worry about anything. We also did ask the question, is it a boy or girl?! And got a clear answer! So, now we know…anyone out there want to guess?! You’ve got a 50/50 chance!

So here I am at 20 weeks…I feel kind of funny putting a photo of myself on here, but I’m sure there are at least some women out there who are curious about how big I’m getting!

8 comments:

John Harsevoort said...

Hi Nadia. We're glad to see you are doing well. Kim and I would like to thank you and Ian so much for coming to the visitation for Kim's mom last night. It really meant a lot to see so many people. Thanks again.
By the way, I had two crickets, Olivia had a mealworm cookie, and even Kim ate a cricket (she couldn't resist the chocolate!)

Len,Viv said...

Hi Nadia
Lookin good my friend! So glad all is well with bubs and Mum. Praise God for making all things well. Relax and take the time to enjoy this special time.
Love from len and Viv and co.

HH said...

Nadia you look great. Happy to hear all is going well. Maybe some more progress pics to come??

Raul Schneider said...

Hi Nadia
You look great in the picture. I'm happy everything is going well with the pregnancy. I think it might be a girl???

Blessings.

Sara said...

Okay so I'm rooting for another boy! (okay, a little biased!☺) You look as lovely as always! Looking forward to coming to see you maybe in June sometime?

Jen said...

Hi to you all,
Its been a few weeks since i popped by to say hi, and its good for you because you are weeks further again then the 20 i read:)
Nadia you are glowing, i guess you are being well looked after and that's important.
Well take care, rest wehn you can and we continue to pray that God will continue to bless Ian's recovery and the remainder of your pregnancy. God bless and our love.

Allan and Alice Buist/Plug said...

OK, I finally looked. Thanks for putting the lovely photo up. For the record, I also ate a mealworm cookie. Nadia, post another phot of yourself soon to show how well that beautiful baby is growing, and how awesomely you're handling it (maybe you should put on the new dress and the red heels for the photo ...)

Jen said...
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