10 Things I hate about ... cars

Okay, so how could any guy hate anything about cars? Well, being less than a motorhead, and having grown up in a bevy of grease monkeys (I'm sure bevy is for quail and not monkeys, that would be "troop") You would or could assume that cars could be my thing. They are and they aren't. Let me try to explain, I love a cool set of wheels just as much as most people ... but its the whole falling out of like with cars that I hate. The process, the cost, the ten things I hate about cars:

1.) Depreciation: drive it off the lot, and it ain't worth as much as it did 4 seconds before

2.) Maintenance: sure oil changes, air in tires, washing all part of the deal, but wash and wax, let alone hand wax? Cleaning interiors? Vacuuming? Not a joy, just a once in a while thing for me.

3.) Parking ... our driveway is not easy, and parking on NC soft clay (after a rain anyway) is a PAIN. Where will I park/house a 4th vehicle?

4.) Jockeying for "which wheels" in a family of 4.5 drivers (Rachel is on permit) ... one standard, two automatics, now w/ Lucie's knees giving out, the standard is pretty much mine, however let's move cars around to get it out of the garage.

5.) Features: we got the scion, bare bones EXCEPT for the remote door lock, that was the only optional feature. Buy new and a whole bunch of features, like can you really do without carpet mats? We did for the scion, now I kinda wish I didn't have the ADAP generics that slide all the time.

6.) Gas, gas and more gas ... and the auto needs fuel too.

7.) Insurance: 17 year old, no accidents ... "A" student: all good, but get a 4th car and insurance goes way up, not just to ensure the new vehicle, but because purportedly she has access to wheels 12X7 (curfew hours for another few months)

8.) NC tax, the price of the car is NOT the price of the car, you have to pay Gov. Purdue, we all know she needs the money more than I do. I miss NH's tax-less policy ...

9.) Where am I gonna get $400 extra a month? egads do I go credit union? 0% dealer finance? 3.75% loan from 401K?

10.) The whole buying process, sure there is Streetwise buying guide ... but I hate the whole charade they play, like the: "let me ask my boss about this price" deal ...

So the whole thing "stinketh high heaven" .... I don't wanna do it, but our "youngest" car is 6 years old ... we don't have reliable 12 or 11 year old cars, they have squeaks, pings, and their jiggles abound ... why couldn't I be born rich instead of handsome ... oh yeah, that's just my imagination again ;^)

I could go "used" and hope for the best, 'cause that's what I feel I would be doing ... I don't trust car dealers, and even if you find one you can trust, it's still a lemon roulette ... do I get a 5K vehicle that costs tons to keep up? still a loan as I don't have 5K ... how long will it last? Will I get lucky ... surely someone must love to quibble and do the whole car thang? Are you out there?


My requirements are relatively few:





* A/C is not optional, we are in NC

* FORD sorry, you are NOT in my gonna drive category, I'd rather not have a YUGO either (whole other blog post on FORD, but it is a vow I plan on keeping)

* Gas mileage is a factor ... so most gas guzzlers would be passed over

* Safety: will it get me from point A to B in one piece

Places we saw, and people we met ...

Bolivia,

Poor, raw, beautiful. One of the ministries we helped was a crib making ministry, Following the Master Carpenter ...


Nate Hitson gave us a tour of the workshop, and we helped him build bridges with his landlord by working on turning up soil for a future garden in the government run orphanage that houses his workshop.

The new interns in Bolivia, serving with the Timmers are the Mosey's, Ted, Caroline and baby son Jude. Like Marty and Judy, they are from Indianapolis, and tried to play down the fact that the Colts smashed the Pats ... but all in good fun.

Here are some pics from Bolivia: http://picasaweb.google.com/dlaregpou/BoliviaJuly919th

My Bolivian Anthem

... to love You from the Inside Out ... Your glory goes beyond all fame ... and the cry of my heart is to bring You praise, from the Inside Out ...


When in Bolivia this song came back to me over and over, it would just well up in me. Could He be trying to change me from the inside out?

Cochabamba Bolivia or Bust!

It is here. What is here? It, the trip, the excursion, the "mission". On Thursday July 9th, the Poulin clan heads south to Bolivia to have less of us and more of Him. Sure, you know who I am talking about, Jesus. Why go to Bolivia? Why think I will have more of the Lord Jesus down there?

Good questions, it's not that Cochabamba, the provincial capital that we will be based in, has the tallest "Christo", or that God loves Bolivia, therefore hangs out there more that makes me say that. It really is all about making ourselves available. You see, here in comfortable Durham North Carolina, I have things to do. You know like "test the pool water", dig mud trenches, spread dirt, mow lawns, paint fences, pay bills, walk the dog, answer the phone, catch up on the news .... etc. etc. etc.

By removing myself from my life, I.E. flying to the second poorest nation in this hemisphere (second only to Haiti), I make myself available. Available to listen, pray, work, love, be Jesus with skin on for those who don't know of Him. Something about holding an orphan in your arms, smiling at the toothy children and lovin' on them that just refreshes the soul.

This refreshing is different, cause this time I'm taking my two youngest and my beloved. (Yes, Lucie, I mean you!) We also get to meet up in Miami with our NH church family from BCC, so we will be able to spend time in laughter and fellowship as we go down to serve our Bolivian brothers and sisters.

No cell phone reception, computers or normal contact with civilization. The International Orphanage Union was started by the Timmers. This missionary family from the mid-west has been ministering by serving the orphans of Bolivia. I believe there are eight (8) orphanages in various states of completion. Some of course are finished and occupied, some have land purchased, and others are under construction. They are scattered within a days travel from our base in Cochabamba, I'm not exactly sure of what the itinerary will be, but whether we are painting, shoveling, doing a brick brigade, whatever service we render will do us more good than them.

This will be my second trip to Bolivia, the last one I was accompanied by Liz. This one will be different, with Bek, Rachel and Lucie, so pray that we all are touched and moved by what God is preparing for us. Saturday, July 11th, around sundown, we will be in a public square with other missions teams, getting ready to provide "leche", "pan" y "fruitas" (milk/bread/fruit) to indigent families. Along with a medical team to screen infants for disease, two tents will be set up with warm water, soap and basins and the girls will experience washing babies who will get their one free bath for the week. New clothes will be given, and the babies will be off to their momma's care until the next week. Pray that Bek and Rachel will be moved with Christ's love for His children who have nothing. OK, I'm being selfish here, as soon we will be dealing with malls and back-to-school shopping, and I'm hoping that they realize how blessed they are to have everything they do have. To read about Viviana, the little girl in the photo, click here.

Pray, if you can, that everyone's health holds up. Specifically for Lucie, who is prone to kidney stones. But in general for the whole team to not get Montezuma's revenge and (for some of us) avoid semi-centurion aches and pains!

Mémère update!

My Mom is doing phenomenally .... she is no longer even using a cane! Said goodbye to the walker, and tomorrow, July 7th, she goes to tour a new apartment that Dad has moved into. My sib's were able to get them a larger apartment in the same complex, so instead of the first floor, they will be on the third floor, with a bigger bathroom and living area. Folks, I'm so amazed, Mom is actually preparing to be discharged from the Rehab to her home. Kudo's to my siblings and their spouses, they have worked hard to make this happen, makes me proud to call them family!

The Parkinson's medication has all but alleviated the tremors she was experiencing. She is now swallowing with much less difficulty, she even got to go on an excursion to the "Yokohama" Polynesian style "Japanese" restaurant in Gorham. She ate two Kushi's (a skewered chicken/onion/pepper dish). Friends, I was really thinking back in May that Mom's time was drawing to a close, but apparently, she still has something more to accomplish! One of Mom's favorite sayings while we were growing up was that if we learned something new that day, it wouldn't be our day to die. (OK, head trip right, like "pay attention in school ... or else" ... but she always had an appetite to learn things).

As far as the Lewy Body disease, the only true diagnosis is with an autopsy, so she does experience times of confusion, so we aren't out of the proverbial waters yet. The great thing about being home is that she won't be lonely, as Dad will be with her 24/7. Wheels on meals will be stopping in daily, along with my brood of siblings checking in and making sure that all is well. Rehab has had Mom doing household chores, like setting the table and doing dishes.

Please continue to hold my folks up:
1.) That the Lord will show her what her work is, that He is restoring her for
2.) That she remain safe in her new environment
3.) That Mom and Dad can recharge their batteries from this strain / ordeal of the past few months.

So, this week promises to be busy (I haven't started packing) but I'm expecting good things to happen. Know that I truly appreciate your prayers, and remain amazed at God's grace and sustenance.

Update on Mom

(NOTE: Franglais is spoken in this video: French and English)

The video shows Mom, able to get up from a chair and walk with a walker. As simple as this seems, it is quite remarkable. She continues to eat, and is doing physical therapy at the rehab facility.

Your prayers as always are coveted. We see this wonderful physical sign that Mom is getting stronger, however there are still grave concerns about her future. Will she be independent enough to safely be back in her own apartment. The initial diagnosis for Mom is DLB ( Dementia with Lewy Bodies) is an insidious mental decline. Many mistake it for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), which most people are familiar with and which is a difficult and heart wrenching condition. What differentiates DLB from AD is that the decline is faster, and that parkinsonism (signs of Parkinson's Disease) accompanies it. Add to the confused state of mind, DLB has the additional feature of auditory and visual hallucinations.

So, with this diagnosis of DLB, Mom and Dad have a difficult road ahead. Another feature of DLB is that you have absolutely clear moments where you are completely with it, and all of a sudden, the fog rolls in, you are confused and may be seeing or hearing things. The other thing that is troubling Mom is that she seems to be getting anxious, not wanting to even answer the phone, as she put it ... "it scares me".

Given this diagnosis (the only way to actually confirm it is DLB is at autopsy with examination of the brain) Mom's prognosis is less than sunny. My siblings continue to pursue a different apartment, one which would accommodate a walker. If Mom is able to return home, she would need constant supervision. Given Mom and Dad's financial situation, their funds would give out in about six months.

Dad is not the healthiest of 81- ( soon to be 82 ) year-olds either. He would be unable to give Mom the assistance and care she needs. Dad is barely mobile, and probably should give up his keys / car. At this point, he goes over each day to spend time with Mom. Pray that his health would hold up, and that he be able to continue coping with this situation.

So, being in NC with the folks up in NH is problematic. Thank God, I have five of my six siblings right in the area and that they are looking out for things for Mom and Dad. If Mom indeed has DLB, then only God can heal her. There is no cure, no real treatment (avoiding certain medications and they experiment with Alzheimer's drugs) and the decline is progressive.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and warm thoughts, those are indeed sustaining us. God bless you all (or as we say in the south, y'all)!

Gerry