Life amongst the living

What a week it has been! A time of highpoints and lowpoints.
Last Monday began our Ladies Retreat. Ten ladies from Alabama came for a few days just to do a retreat for the SCORE wives! This is the 2nd time for some of them. What a blessing it was.
Last year was just SCORE ladies, but this year included 1 lady from Word of Life and 3 ladies from another ministry in San Pedro. Also, this year some of the Dominican wives came. So, we had conversations going in different languages, and lots of laughter!

This is Valerie from Word of Life. She was only able to come for Tuesday, but what a joy it was for me to reconnect with her. She said she thoroughly enjoyed her time and gleaned much from the teachings. She kept turning to me and saying, "This is good! This is very good!"


Margaret and Sherry did the main teaching. Sherry spoke on "Being an Uncommon Woman in this Amazing Race." I have pages of notes...pages and pages! I couldn't write fast enough to get it all down. Three sessions full of 'good stuff'. I guess John MacArthur has a book out about uncommon women of the Bible. The books sounds quite interesting. Have any of you read it?

Sherry when she wasn't teaching. Margaret with Keila translating. Keila did all the translating for two full days which leads to this next photo at the end of Tuesday with her head on Diana's shoulder.


Margaret spoke on being a peacemaker. How to deal with conflict and confrontations. When is something an offense to be dealt with and when is it just a difference on how we deal with things.
This had a great discussion time, esp amongst the Dominican ladies. Guess it isn't discussed much in their churches.



Two of the ladies that came are beauticians so we were all treated to a new hairstyle. Mine looks better than this picture shows! This is Heather, my stylist!


We were all treated to pedicures! Four beautiful pedicurists with true servants' hearts!



Monday night they treated us to dinner at Mandalay. Much laughter and fellowship! There were 25 ladies together!
This is Tim Craeger's mom, who lives with them here in the DR. She is 86 years old and is a joy and inspiration to everyone! She doesn't go out with any teams, but when she is at the complex, you can be sure of a warm smile and a good bit of encouragment! Besides she gives the best hugs!


Wednesday at noon we prepared Waldorf Salad and fresh fruit slices to take to the Old Folks Home in Monte Criste and to give them a special luncheon later in the afternoon. The SCORE cooks had prepared rice pudding and Gladys made cupcakes.

This conference was a blessing in so many ways. They brought gifts specific for each lady. They had written earlier to ask what we would like. So I asked for books by Nancy Leigh Demoss. I now have "Becoming God's True Woman" and "A 30-Day Walk with God in the Psalms" along with a number of other goodies, including a book of prayers and one on God's promises.

These days were the highpoint of my week! I guess the LORD knew I needed them to get thru the lowpoint... (Thankfully no pictures of this!)

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While I was at the conference Bob had a med team. Before they even arrived they had invited us to go with them to Catalina Island. This is a beautiful island that is only open to visitors during the day. Government owned and nobody lives there. Cruise ships bring their guests here for a day at various times. It is absolutely gorgeous.

It involves a 35-40 minute boat ride, snorkling and a buffet lunch, along with relaxing under a palm tree with a good book!

I have never had a problem with any food there, but this week was the exception. They had grilled cube steak and chicken. The chicken was delicious as usual. Everyone was raving about the beef. My first bite left me wondering what they were raving about! I had to use two hands to pull it with my teeth to get a piece 'chewed' off. Everyone else was cutting theirs with a plastic fork. So, I turned my piece to the other side and was victorious with my fork.

However, after swallowing it, I went to take the next bite and discovered that my piece was raw inside. Bright red! RAW!!! so, I stopped and went for a 2nd piece of chicken, which turned out to be a very wise decision.

That evening I had a mild headache. I had a migraine earlier in the week, so thought it was residual from that. Saturday morning headache was worse, nausea set in. By afternoon I couldn't raise my head, keep anything in and the pain in my head was excrutiating. I laid on the bathroom floor moaning barely able to move. I've had migraines that didn't come close to comparing with this pain....

Bob realized this was quite serious and was able to bring back everything from our clinic pharmacy and hook me up with an IV. This was so he could give me the meds I needed and I could keep them down. He said later he could barely find a vein to put the needle in.

Well, the meds worked and headache and nausea/vomiting finally ended late in the evening, but oh! the side effects! Meds and I do not do well together to say the least.
Sunday morning I was surprised to find myself among the living still. I am very weak and shakey still. My body muscles are sore from the vomiting, even my neck muscles are sore!
But I am alive!

I thank the LORD that He has given man the wisdom to produce medicines. I truly thank Him for Bob who stayed with me continually, and knew just what to do to get me through this! God gave me the best!

So, how was your week? Did you have highpoints and lowpoints? Care to share?

^^Guardian Angels and the US Marines^^

This is from today's DR1 (which is a collection of news articles from various news sources in the DR, and is sent daily). Keep in mind that the DR is 18,000 sq. miles or roughly the size of New Jersey and New Hampshire combined.
New Jersey has about the same population as the DR. Jersey averages 450 traffic fatalities per year while the DR averages 1400. AND there are a lot less vehicles in the DR. about 125 per 1,000 people compared to 750 per 1,000 people in New Jersey. I have added the notes in red below.

Road deaths "twice regional average" (This is where the Guardian Angels come in)

According to statistics presented by the Ground Transport Department (DGTT) and the National Statistics Office (ONE), 7,042 people were killed in traffic accidents between 2004 and 2008 in the DR.

The road accident mortality rate is a serious concern for the DR especially when one considers that this figure is twice the regional average, according to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO registers the average regional road accident death rate at 16.9 per 100,000 while the DR has one of 30.4 per 100,000.

The numbers have been on the rise since 2004 when 1,370 people were killed. In 2005 1,367 people were killed while 1,602 were killed in 2006 and 1,747 in 2007. The year 2008 saw 956 people killed on the roads, but statistics only run up to June.

Santo Domingo and the National District are the worst when it comes to reckless driving, with 91,275 registered accidents and 1,860 deaths, while the provinces of San Cristobal, La Altagracia and Santiago followed suit with 548, 397 and 366 deaths, respectively.

The Autopista Duarte (This is the route we take to go to Santiago on mailday) was the scene of the greatest number of accidents, with the Las Americas Highway (This is the route from where we live to get to the airport and Santo Domingo)coming in second and Autopista 6 de Noviembre in third place. According to reports, 90% of accidents are caused by reckless driving and 30% of accidents are caused by drivers between the ages of 14 and 30.

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So yesterday we went to Santiago for Mail Day. On the way back we stopped as usual at Jacaranda (pronounced Hacaranda). It's a big rest stop with 4 little restaurants strung along together, 3 gift shops and restrooms in one open-air building! (On the above mentioned Autopista Duarte)

As we pulled up, I noticed these 3 guys standing on the edge of the covered seating area. They were US Marines. Quite obvious from the regulation white t-shirts, royal blue pants with red side stripe, khaki web belt, and the shiniest black shoes ever! There were two more in one of the gift shops.

After we got our cafe con leche, we were exiting and I told Bob we should say Hi to the Marines.
Next thing I know, he's walking up to them with his right hand outstretched to shake hands, saying: "Hello! I'm Bob Nilsen, this is my wife Anna. We're missionaries here with SCORE International. How you guys doing?"

They were so friendly, shook our hands, introduced themselves, (first names only). They are with the Security Detail out of the US Embassy in Santo Domingo. The one guy said they were just back from a gig in Santiago (His word!) (They passed us later on the road in two SUVs with very dark windows - we never saw who they were guarding)

They asked where we lived, what we did, etc. They were familiar with Juan Dolio (beaches and golf course). Bob told him where SCORE was located, and invited them to stop in when they're in town next time.

After we all say goodbye Bob & I proceed to get in our Terrios. The one guy came across the parking lot at a brisk walk, while Bob put the window down. He introduced himself as the Detachment Commander and handed Bob a medallion as he says: "Here, I would like for you to have this. There aren't many of these floating around down here. Good meeting you." and walked away.

This side is the map of the DR imposed upon the DR flag. In the center is the same emblem that is in the center of the flag. Around the outer edge it states: MSG Detachment Santo Domingo, La Primera Ciudad del Mundo Nuevo (The first city of the New World)

Of course, the other side is the US Marine Corps logo.

How cool is this!

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The fun we have down here!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Words and music by Phil­ip P. Bliss.
Salvation by Christ!


Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!


Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Are you sure 5ml/1 tsp x 3 tsp/1 day x 8 days = 120 ml?

Well the Pharmacy Tech course just got alot more fun! *cough-cough*
At the end of the lesson book I completed yesterday, it said to check online for some supplemental material. Being the good student that I am, I did just that.

I now have a list to *familiarize* myself with. They said I didn't have to memorize it, but it will be info that I will need to know for the PhT certification exam. (BUT I DON"T NEED TO MEMORIZE IT???)

The list? "Top 200 Drugs Prescribed in the US", ~~brand name, generic name, therapeutic catagory and typical use.

Example:

Brand name: Prozak (PROE-zak)
Generic name: Fluoxetine (floo-OX-e-teen)
Therapeutic catagory: antidepressant, seretonin specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Typical use: Treatment of depression

Now I have to multiply this example by 199 other drugs and write it on index cards so that I can carry them with me for the next few months...and you get the idea! (BUT I DON"T HAVE TO MEMORIZE THEM!!!)

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My next module of books consists of: Pharmacy Arithmetic, Pre-algebra, and Pharmaceutical Calculations.

The Pharmacy Arithmetic looks pretty simple...actually it reminds me of my 6th grade math. Addition, subtraction, fractions, etc. The only difference is that all the story problems deal with medical situations. I'm pretty sure that I can handle the equivelent of 6th grade math.

Pre-Algebra is 115 pages of torture reminiscent of my 8th grade classes. I was placed in an advanced math class starting with 7th grade. In 7th grade we were doing base 3, base 6 problems.....arrggh!
By 8th grade I was convinced they were trying to torture me. Pre-algebra made little sense....and now it's coming back to haunt me again!

I glanced through the book. Some of it I remember and it looks ok. But then there's the other 100 pages!!!

This 115 pages of mental torture is followed up by pharmaceutical calculations!

See, I can come up with most of these answers using basic math...I just don't use equations.

This is a sample story problem:

How many total milliliters of medicine must you dispense to a patient who needs to take three teaspoonsfuls a day for 8 days?

Their equation: 5ml/1 tsp x 3 tsp/1 day x 8 days = 120 ml

My way that I use all the time. Patient needs to take 1 tsp 3x a day. 1tsp = 5 ml 5ml x 3=15ml
15ml x 8 days = 120ml

WHY oh why do I have to use equations? I am a basic math sort of person....not an equations/modern math/ algebra person.

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."
This shall include equations/formulas/pre-algebra/ and pharmacy calculations, right???? RIGHT!!!!

Now, to find some index cards to use to 'familiarize' myself with the top 200 drugs in the USA...but not to memorize :)

Mail Day!

*I apologize if this post looks strange in its layout...Blogger would not co-operate and let me move pics where I wanted them.....*
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Yesterday was our mail day ~ which means a drive to Santiago (about 3 hours each way).
Just as a reminder, if you look at our prayer card there is an address on the back for Ft Pierce, FL. THAT is the address where all of our mail and pkgs are delivered. It arrives at the offices of Missionary Flights International (MFI). Every other Tuesday they then deliver our mail (along with a multitude of other missionaries) to Santiago.
This is the plane that they use. It's a DC-9. It's also the plane that we flew on when we moved to the Dominican Republic on December 15, 2003! They add in seats when they have passengers ~ otherwise the space is used for cargo.
The site of this plane arriving is a joyous one! This picture of it was taken the Tuesday before this last Christmas.













I think I mentioned before that I am currently enrolled in a Pharmacy tech course through a distance learning program. Originally, as I finished a pkg of material and took the exams, they would then send the next packet of course material. This had me rushing though the books, so I could be sure to have my next packet when the mail arrived in two weeks. Since I had paid the course in full, I contacted them and asked if they would just send the entire course to me. Which they did.

This picture on the left is the 4" stack of materials I have to complete to finish the course! That doesn't include the 2" stack I've already successfully completed. By the way, God has been gracious! I am carrying a 96% for my course grade thus far.










However, since these 3 to the left are in the stack, that grade average could be altered :)

The company made one *slight* mistake. They left out one of my PhT modules, and included this packet below instead. So, I guess they decided I should expand my education..... I guess a phone call is on my 'to-do' list for today. PTL for SKYPE!

(I do like the pencil though~ Anyone else remember when this was on the 'school supply list' each Fall?)


After picking up our mail, which included a box of fabric I had ordered (clearance priced + 30% off ~~~YES!!!), we then headed to CarreFour on the northern side of Santo Domingo. This is a French owned store. It has household appliances, hardware, clothing AND groceries! They carry items that Jumbo or La Sirena do not. However, many of their labels are also in French. I was going to purchase a pkg to make flan, but my French is a bit rusty. After figuring out that I needed to add milk, I couldn't decipher the rest of the directions. Decided that would then be a 'recipe for disaster."
This picture is how most of our yogurt is packaged. It is thicker than a beverage, and runnier than regular yogurt. This time I tried mango, but my favorite is guineo (banana) or pina colada (pineapple and coconut). I can purchase yogurt in individual containers, including some US brands, but they generally run from $1-$2 each. This 100gm bottle in only 60 pesos. (well under $2) and is delicious!!!!

Shopping here in the DR can be a challenge, but it can also be fun. They have a habit of packaging things together for a promo. Sometimes it makes sense, such as a plastic bowl with a box of cereal. Other times we shake our heads and laugh. A bar of handsoap with a can of vegetables? A sponge with a can of soup?

Or the time the gallon jug of cooking oil came with a battery operated wallclock; while the quart size came with a cheapie CD case!

Yesterday I had fun and got a treat (or two).
As we turned down one aisle, the shelf had an *oferta* sign. We always check those out as they are the specials. This special was for ~fine de Dijon~ mustard in adorable little glasses. They either had blue, green or lavender base. You can see which I chose.
These were only 30 pesos (almost 36 = $1), but in the houseware department little glasses like this are about 35 pesos and they don't have the lavender base. The labels are easily removed so I now have two adorable little glasses.
The mustard is really good, too. I tried it last night on whole wheat toast with Gouda cheese! I will be sharing some of the mustard, however, with another one of the missionary families as the expiration date is April 23, 2009. But, they will receive their portion in a plastic container :)

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Our temperatures are starting to warm up. I actually had a fan on all Monday night in the bedroom. Since Thanksgiving we have had pleasant temperatures, and have not been using any fans at all. The entire time we have lived here we have never had such pleasant temps for such a long period of time. All good things must come to an end, I guess!

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One bad part of yesterday is that somehow I managed to aggrivate my Achilles tendon on my right ankle. It started hurting as we were leaving CarreFour. I thought it would settle down overnight, but it hasn't. Many of you remember my past problems with this. It's NOT near that bad. We do think this will be a lifelong problem of small flare-ups. Right now it's very annoying!

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This Saturday the SCORE ladies will meet again. We started about a year ago with our *First Friday*. We try to set aside the 1st Friday evening of each month as a time for the missionary wives to get together for a time of fellowship, prayer, short Bible study, and a snack. We've had to change it to Saturday due to a major conflict for some of the ladies. This Saturday I am giving a brief devotional. I want to give it on prayer but put an emphasis of "pray without ceasing" How our life should be an attitude of prayer, of continually offering up prayer to the LORD. As different ones are brought to mind, to stop and pray for them right then. We may 'know' why the LORD has brought that person to mind, or we might not. But I believe that the LORD brings people to mind for a reason. I believe we should use that as a stimulus to pray for that person.

Any thoughts or input from any of you would be greatly appreciated!

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So, hope you all are having a delightful day!

love,

~anna~