Christmas Preparations

     This year, we decorate for Christmas in a new house, figuring out where and how everything is going to go. I have been so excited for this season to truly begin. It feels like it's been a long time coming...the celebratory spirit, anticipation, music.

     Because of allergies, we finally bought an articficial tree (I know, gasp!). We usually are gifted one by my granddad's Christmas Tree Farm. Each year we went to choose it around the time of Thanksgiving. Since we bought the artificial one...which is actually very pretty and is embellished with pine cones, we decided to get a small live one from Granddad to plant and decorate year after year. We have even already named it, hoping that it will go down in perpetuity as reminding us (and in later years, family additions) of our heritage. It will be our Legacy Tree!

       The tree that we just bought is huge! It's a nine-footer. And, since it doesn't have memory wire, it takes a lot of fluffing. (Working in the silks department at a florist's taught me how to do this very well.) 

This is a non-fluffled branch...

So much better after we've done our work.

 

 

    We took a Sunday afternoon to bake up some delicious delicacies (perhaps there will be recipes forthcoming) and decorate it. Parts of the house have already been livened up. Because we don't have a mantel over the fireplace, we're trying the stockings close to the entryway.

    We set up our Christmas village in the old fish tank..the effect is beautiful. I think the look is *just right* for the style of our house.    

  

All our years of planning to actually put fish in there have not yet come to fruition; in the meantime, it serves as a seasonal decorating venue.

     Our antique piano has been graced with poinsettas and white "twinkle" lights. Very romantic.   

 

     The best stockings I've ever seen and made with love by Mom. The hangers come from Target and are part of a very cute collection.   

   













   

     Finally, we wound garlands with bows around the front porch railing and columns. I enjoy the simple elegance of this place.      

     

Join the Club

     So I recently, finally, went to be allergy tested. I had been experiencing symptoms for a while that were only increasing in intensity and frequency. It was a comprehensive outdoor/indoor/food exam. 130 substances. The result was both encouraging and frustrating. Outdoor allergies are the most easily treatable. I am allergic to 2/3 of everything outside/inside that was on the list...trees, grasses, molds...you name it. (Thankfully, most flowers weren't on the list...)  I'll be receiving immunizations for a bit. Once I'm off them, my system will be good for 10-12 years!

      The food side is a little trickier. I am very blessed to not be allergic to wheat! I know a few people who are, including my amazing mother, and have seen how challenging it can be to avoid it. Thankfully, the market is responding to the growing awareness of these kinds of allergies and is producing good products. As my mom told me, " Having food allergies is just another way to learn to express your creativity. Though somewhat limited in food choices, it opens doors to explore and try new things."

      Evading and substituting...pretty much the rule of thumb for the first six months in letting one's system heal. After that, foods can be added back in the diet, one at a time. Speaking of substitutions, one of the things that I'm allergic to are eggs-both yolk and white. There's a handy product called, incidentally, Egg Replacer. Lately, I've been experimenting with this. I made a birthday cake (gluten-free) for my mom. The trick with Egg Replacer seems to be to use more than the substitutions figured out on the box. Although I don't have a picture of how beautifully light the cake turned out (gluten-free food tends to be dense and heavy) I do have a snapshot of banana bread made the same day. It's made with wheat flour, but I would never have known that it didn't have egg in it if I didn't make it myself. I put a little cinnamon in the dough, added raisins, and then lightly sprinkled a cinnamon-brown sugar mix on the top. I tell you, this is scrumptious! 

  

    
     It should be fun in learning to be creative with how I eat. I'll learn many neat culinary tricks and I'll probably eat better since there are things I will need to avoid. Most cakes and cookies will have to be sidestepped unless I bake them myself. I'm sure there will be more posts as I learn how to cook around allergies-what to do, what not to do. Hmm, there should be a club...

     

Catching Up

     Well, I had planned to post more about the great beach trip, but I think the time has passed. I will say it was the most relaxed vacation I have ever had, God gave us great weather, and both Liz and I had so much fun at the beach and on several explorations. We also passed a memorable evening with a couple who have been like aunt and uncle to me, touring Charleston and eating dinner at a delicious restaurant. We also managed to finish the audio cd series of both Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea during the many hours we clocked driving. Ha!
     Recently, all of Harvest was invited to attend the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of a couple in our church. It was such a sweet time! Believe me, we celebrated. After all, it's not every day a couple attains 50 years of marriage. When they do, it's cause to gussy yourself up, bring out the confetti, and break out the dancing shoes. What an honor to share it with them!
     Here at the (almost) ranch, we've been unpacking boxes (my room is actually and finally clean and unpacked although there are more boxes calling my name in the garage [eek!]), painting, cleaning, and generally trying to settle in. God has given us a beautiful and peaceful new place to live. It's quiet and nestled in the country, hidden away in the woods. I have dreamed of living in a place like this that feels expansive and where there is land to call our own. I am taken with the country feel and attitude surrounding us.
     We had a whole passel of friends from Lee and from church spending time with us this weekend, and it was good. Whether trying to navigate through the Echo Valley corn mazes, losing and then regaining an earring, petting animals, creeping through hay tunnels, flying down 60 foot slides, or trekking to find a river trailed by three neighborhood dogs, wading in almost crystal clear water and trying (unsuccesfully for most-including me!) to skip stones, and sitting around a firepit singing our hearts out (after and while antivirus protection was added by a computer-savvy friend), I enjoyed it all!
    

Vacation Road Trip

Two girls, giddy with excitement, setting off on a long road trip destined to become even longer…

  

     This was how the vacation started: my good friend Liz Overton invited me to share her vacation and head to the beach at Amelia Island. Liz had not been to the beach in many years nor been on vacation in a while. As for myself, I am always ready to be beach-bound. The timing worked out so that I came back from Chile shortly before taking off again. So we started from my house, almost an hour later than planned, on a unique adventure. Oh the blessing of girl-friends!

      Though we began the trip using only an atlas, we plugged in the GPS within a couple of hours. Unbeknownst to us, it must have been set on the shortest distance route—which happened to be the longest in time. We didn’t really suspect this until driving away from Savannah and a short sight-seeing peek around the welcome center and historic district (Liz and I are both history lovers). 

A little bit of old-timey southern-ness

At the diner inside the old train

    After escaping a traffic snarl we still travelled another couple hours before taking a misguided and circuitous route to stop by the ocean and stick our feet in the water and then arrive at the (ritzy music) Marriot Hotel in which we were to stay at a discounted rate thanks to Liz’s Uncle. Almost 12 hours from our starting time, we had finally reached our destination. What a road trip!

Liz at the Whistle Stop Cafe 

 

Goodbye for Now, Chile

     Forgive the lateness of this last post of my time in Chile. I had hoped to write it before I left- that falling through when I came home. However, I encountered an unexected obstacle to this: no wireless in the home. So now, more than two weeks later, I am wrapping up my last week there.

     My last church service was precious. Isa made sure I stayed in the service to enjoy a final message before leaving. One of her sisters called me up to say goodbye. How is it that the moment you stand in front of a crowd, the words you wish to say suddenly fail you and all you can say is, "this time has been such a blessing to me. I am so glad to know you. I don't have words to say all that is in my heart. I love you all and God bless you." I would have spoken of all the times with the youth...the birthday parties, the fun outings, the meetings. I would have mentioned how glad I was to spend time with specific families in the church and how I wished I had been able to meet more of them. I would have said how much the children had blessed me and how challenging, but rewarding it had been to work with them in children's church. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, I would have emphasized more how grateful I am that the Diaz family took me in as one of their own and how God knit my heart to Chile and its people.

      Though my farewell was short and simple, I do hope the people from Antiochia gained a sense that I truly enjoyed my time with them and had learned much in my brief stay.

     Tuesday saw me packing and Wednesday, shopping. Thursday, shopping. A fun, but frustrating time. Isa's mom was, unfortunately sick, and I was sad that the three of us were unable to shop together as planned. Thursday afternoon/evening I shopped with Cony, cousin to one of Isa's nieces, ate once with her family (in which her sister recorded a terribly flustered farewell message to the youth...ACK!) and arrived late to service. It began raining while we shopped so it was quite an adventure dodging puddles and trying to keep ourselves and our purchases dry. Ha! Thankfully we were able to don new clothes at Cony's house. The service was good and a few of the girls made plans to come see me before I left the next day.

     A last load of laundry hanging to dry, I wrote letters to my family and friends (in Spanish, of course) to thank them for our time together. The end was a little busy as I crammed all sorts of knick-knacks into suitcases and backpacks. True to their word, some of the girls came over to Isa's house and so I saw them right before I left. One sent me off with a letter in which she included some of the slang she had taught me. She even called Isa because she had forgotten to include a parting salutation from Remember the Titans (the song that has the line "na na na nana , na na na nana, hey, hey, hey, goodbye"... which we used to sing together). So thoughtful of her. Another friend had tried to come, but was unable and so called me to let me know she couldn't and to say farewell. What a blessing!

               Sweet friends

     Isa's family drove me to the airport shortly thereafter and she accompanied me inside while her father and mother circled outside. The lines were short and in no time at all I was ready to go through security.

  

         The view en route to the airport

  At the airport, I thought I'd break down, but instead it was Isa who was closer to losing it than I was.

      Unhappily for me, the flight was delayed for an hour, but at length we lifted off. Nine or so hours later saw me back stateside. We Damron women had a happy reunion and then headed to the hotel my mom and sister spent the night in for breakfast.

     I was blessed to eat lunch with friends from Lee. How we jabbered on! There was so much to catch up about.

     Finally, after much anticipation, we arrived home. A new home, down a long, windy, gravel driveway to a house on a hill. To top this off, we caught glimpses of wild turkeys in our own yard that homecoming day. What a God-kissed day!

     I believe I will return to Chile some day. The Diaz family has invited my family and I to stay with them in their new home in the South. God has put Chile and its people in my heart. Now I am home again and entering into new adventures here.

A Full Day

Saturdays are one of the busiest days of the week.

      Yesterday, as per usual upon finishing breakfast, we went to la feria to buy fruits and veggies. Isa asked me if I had tried chirimoyos before and as I hadn't promptly bought one. Oh...my...goodness! This fruit is delicious! We researched it and found it was good for diabetics because it contains glucose and sucrose, is great for people who suffer constipation since it contains a high amount of fiber, should be eaten by those with high cholesterol as it binds the bad sort, helps people lose weight, is high in vitamines A and C, and is 70-some % water. Why are we not producing this fruit in large quantities here? The only places it is widely cultivated in the States are in the southern part of Florida and in California. Exporting it is tricky because of pest and sanitation issues. Yet, even though it requires tender care, the taste is worth it and the medicinal benefits much more. In the US, this fruit is known as the custard apple, or alternatively, the sugar apple- although these may also refer to other fruits of the same species.

El chirimoyo

The soft, white inside is sort of akin to a pear with a sweet, yet tangy flavour.

     For lunch Isa made a merengue to top our "tutty-frutty", a mix of fruits. We added cookies on each side and a sprinkling of cinnamon. It looks like something out of a fancy restaurant, but made at home.

Delicious...and healthy

     I completed the English lesson in the afternoon. The last one. I taught the sweetest, shyest youth. It cost him to talk with me in Spanish and much more in English. Because he was so shy, it was a real pleasure to see his progress. Writing things out worked much better for him than speaking. The lesson for the day was often presented first on computer, but I tried to then do more hands-on learning.              

Lessons with Brian

     Immediately after the lesson, we had youth group. A new leader is taking over so yesterday was a groundwork-laying kind of day. We had been studying the art of homiletics. Everyone was to take a turn preaching in first person and then hand in a message written in third person. There were a lot of youth that needed to finish the preaching assignment yesterday. Sadly, only one took her turn...which means, more preachings next week (although I won't be there to hear them). I'm sad to miss out seeing everybody dressed up as a biblical character and presenting a message as much from the person's perspective as possible.

     We didn't take once before youth group so we had to wait until we came home. We started preparing things and then guess who showed up? That's right...all my dear friends in the youth group, by groups, by pairs, and solo. They came to take once with me one last time. Ohhhhh! With an assortment of sweet and salty snacks, we spread out over the living room to watch a movie called Miracle Hands. Good movie. If you haven't seen it, it's about Dr. Carlson, who was a leading brain surgeon at John Hopkins and pioneered the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the brain. Fascinating...although difficult to stomach in some parts. At they end, they sang me goodbye to a sweet song. I'm going to miss this group!

     So, kind reader, this is an account of a full and busy Saturday, my last Saturday (at least in this season) in Santiago, Tennessee.

Simply Sharing

What's cooking...or who?

     

     Even though the tasty treat is long gone by now, I wanted to share with you all a picture from last Sunday, when Isa and I made alfajores to celebrate the good news that the miners were safe and alive. I meant to take a picture of them, but, well...you know how it goes. How blessed I am to have a friend and sister who takes time from her translating to make cookies with me! God has given me a gem in her friendship. 

    I also want to update you on the rambunctious Bodoque. He has grown quite large as you can see. We've now taught him the commands of "sientate" (sit), "toma" (take it), and "al bano" (to the bathroom). "Toma" is the one that works best since he knows there's a treat coming. Bodo loves pant legs (which makes it just a little hard to walk), everything soft or hard that's not his (especially shoes and clothes), and since he's outgrown my backpack, has moved his preferred lounging quarters to my suitcase. Oh Bodoquin, I'll miss him!

The little rascal, all cosy!

Girl Time

     Isa and I have discovered a great movie mini-series: Sissy. It is set in the late 1800's in Austria and Vienna. Based on the true story of the last Empress of Austria and Hungary, Isabel de Baveria, these films are delightful. The third takes a turn from the life of Sissy, but is still entertaining. We've set aside part of the evenings this week for some girl time and just finished the third in the set last night.

     Oh how we squealed over the elegant, hoopskirt dresses and lavish palace surroundings! Some things never change... (I have found that even though there may be slightly different customs from one culture to another, human nature and desires remain the same. Chile happens to be quite westernized.) Isa and I have many similar tastes and it has been a fun treat to take these few hours to relax like this.

     I recently stumbled across a plethora of natural face masks, washes, toners, creams- you name it. So last night we experimented. We combined avocado, lemon juice, milk and oats for a refreshing, albeit hilarious-looking facial. Believe me, putting on and taking off the mask was a mess, but so much fun. We even tried to go the whole way with a cleansing face steam beforehand...over the bathroom sink! It didn't work too well.

     I am now inspired to see what else I can make with natural ingredients. There were so many fascinating recipes-many very easy to make. Although fruit and veggies aren't as cheap in the States as here, some of them are still not very expensive. Someday, I'd like to concoct my own personalized skin-care regimen. Think how good this would be for the skin...all the nutrients and care it needs naturally without chemicals for a comparable or lower price than most sets bought in stores. Maybe I can even develop a whole line of natural skin-care. (Hey, I can dream, can't I?) Normally, I'm the type of person that falls in the middle about health issues. I try not to stuff my body with toxic chemicals and I try to exercise, yet I don't go overboard with only eating healthy food, exercising all the time, and using only all-natural ingredients. This idea of whipping up all these cool products really attracts me though. Maybe because it's something very fresh and there are endless possibilities...it's a creative process: one that can easily turn into a hilarious adventure made even better by the sharing of it with sisters and mothers.

Sad News...For Now

     Generally I try to write about what is positive and encouraging in my blogs. Sometimes, though, life doesn't always go the way you hope...or plan...or think you've heard God say. These are times when you just want to cry as reality sinks in.

     Yesterday Isa had her interview to gain her visa so she could come stay with us through the New Year. The two of us had been praying even before this process started and had enlisted the prayer coverage of others.

     Right before Isa went for the interview (which was only a brief affair at a window, not in an office like we anticipated), I prayed that she would have favour and that there would be no hassle in obtaining the Visa. Hah!

     A few minutes later, Isa came back to tell me they had refused to gived it to her. At first I thought she was joking and then realized she was serious. The woman rejected her Visa because "there was not a strong enough tie to bring her back to Chile". As part of the process for gaining this document, applicants must prove that they will not stay illegally in the States because they are compelled to return to Chile by one of three claims on their life: social, economical or familial. Isa had yet to graduate with her certification and presented a document from her school stating this and also stating the date of her testing to complete her requirements for graduation.

     The woman took one look at it and arbitrarily decided to deny her the Visa-brooking no further argument. She refused to even read the letter of invitation sent by my family or the letter Isa's father wrote her as pastor in which he stated that he was dependent on her help in the new church he would be pastoring. Although not official, Isa also explained the job offer she had to work with the company with which she interned. Nothing moved her.

     So it was with extremely sad hearts we made our way back that long trip home.

     And here we are. We still don't completely understand why Isa will not be coming back with me, but we know that God works even through cranky, brusque employees. For some reason, the timing wasn't right. Although I still wish the situation were different, I'm trusting God that He has a good plan after all and that at some point everything will fall into place so she can come. Isa will try again for the document when she can. Month or year, I'm looking forward to her stay with us (but I hope it's sooner rather than later!).

Snippets

     I know I haven't written in a little bit, so I thought I would include a few small happenings from last weekend.

     Last Friday, we enjoyed such wonderful weather. It felt like summer. Ahhhhh...

     Almost every day, Isa's neice, Barbara, comes to spend the afternoon here after school. Usually another aunt takes her home in the evening. This time, we decided to do it. We picked up Barbara, who was visiting a cousin close by, and walked to the home of the aunt who was taking care of her baby sister.

     At the start of our trek, we stopped to buy ice cream. Delicious, especially on a warmer day like that. The time of day, companionship, and length of the walk made it one of those ideal times that come rarely and are savored when they do. Vicky, their aunt, met us a little outside the house. Year-old Christina is now walking and it was absolutely *priceless* to see her toddle towards her older sister with the hugest smile on her face. It's precious to see the love these two sisters have for each other so young. I wish I could have captured it on film.

     We brought the two girls safely home and picked up a few  movies to watch (Pride and Prejudice and the Princess and the Frog plus one other I don't recall), then went shopping for a party.

     Yes.

     Another party.

    We have to keep up the tradition, right? Although, this day was a Friday instead of Saturday.

     That night, we celebrated the birthday of a youth who is part of the drama team, although not the church (I believe he attends elsewhere). We ate tasty mini-pizzas on pancito and, of course, cake. Afterwards, we played character guessing games. The biblical round was easy, but I failed miserably when it came to TV shows and pop stars. Go figure.  

 

      On Saturday, Isa's grandmother left. She had been visiting for almost two weeks. A woman of amazingly strong faith who has seen many healings and been used by God in healing ministry, she was a blessing to have with us. I know I was ministered to and challenged to truly trust God and believe Him to work miracles.

Mami Teresa

     The last bit of news I want to include is a praise report. Isa finally finished her "internship" part of becoming a translator. The huge chemistry manual has been translated. The woman supervising her work is so pleased with the quality that she wants her to work with the company and has even given her another work to translate for payment along with the lady's daughter, one of Isa's classmates. What an opportunity!

Surprise!

Oh...my....goodness!

  

    Life has been full to the brim of surprises lately. I've been meaning to write this post since Sunday, but, well, we've been busy and it turns out to be a good thing that I waited as you shall soon see.

     Saturday evening, after Isa demonstrated to the youth group a sermon from first-person perspective, using Rebecca as an example, we were to go to watch a movie at Karla's house. Karla is Isa's niece and a member of the youth group.

    When we arrived, the lights were all off and as we walked in, I heard shouts of "Sorpreeeeesa!" Everybody burst into song as the lights were turned on and I saw the youth there all dressed up in costumes from different parts of Chile. They had all plotted together to host a surprise birthday party for me. I gulped down an empanadita between snapping photos with my friends.

 

     Soon I was helped into a "traje de waso" of my own for we were to spend the night dancing cueca, Chile's national dance.

Think I would pass inspection?

      Before we began the dancing, the first round of anticucho (shishkabobs) was brought out. In the midst of eating, Isa presented me with a Chilean flag signed by everyone and a letter from my family. Everyone responded with chants of "que llores, que llores!" which means, "cry, cry!" Although it sounds a little funny here, it makes complete sense there.   

 

All dressed up in Waseros

      We danced so much that night! Not only the cueca, but also the tras trasera, guarachi, waltz chilote, and the chiloe. Oh my! 

     I have to thank my friend and sister, Isa, for all her planning and plotting. I can't think of any better way to celebrate than the wonderful surprise they gave me.  

The Instigator/Accomplice

      Pastor and Pastora came at the end and spent some time with us before we headed home. I treasure this photo.

 

             My Chilean family

      I thought the surprises were finished...then one of the ladies from the church arrived on Tuesday with her family to watch a soccer game and came with a gift for me. How God blesses you with desires through people who could have absolutely no idea what you need or want! She gave me a gorgeous woven satchel in jewel tones (I had so wanted to buy a purse but reasoned myself out of it for the sake of space in my lugguge. This is small and flat and will take up no room at all), fluffy, warm socks, and a much-needed black undershirt that matches my solo thermal leggings. 

     This morning, while I was booting up my computer to practice my sermon in first person playing the character of Abigail... 

 

A package of fun!

      Isa and her dad walked in carrying a rosy package of joy from my family. I sat, teary-eyed, reading the beautiful cards, opening an 8 gb camara card and the hugest, thickest chunk of dark German chocolate with almonds I had ever seen!  (We've already dug into it!) There was also a gift for the Diaz family of measuring cups and spoons that had two types of measurement to make it easier to convert food quantities. 

     Wow! True to Harvest traditions, I have had a "birth-week". Each gift, in its various forms, has fulfilled a need or wish...in most cases unknown and unexpressed. Especially this last one. Most days, I am content to be here and have such grace to be away from home. But I missed my family this morning and I have missed not being able to celebrate with them, to not have something tangeable from them on my birthday. This last birthday desire was granted. I am one blessed woman!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, a la Feria We Go!

      In my second post on the same day, I wanted to share with you a market experience. For the first time, all three of us ladies went together-and Bodoque. He behaved very well. A bag of food is a great help.

     The feria was less crowded than usual which was a blessing. Everywhere we went people commented on our puppy...how beautiful he was.

     I had the weird experience of being spoken to by not just one, but two men as if they knew me. One greeted me in passing and then again a second time. Unsure of what to do, I concentrated on the store in front of us. In my direction he asked, "como estas", but I wasn't sure to whom he was talking. When I left, he wished me a good day. A second guy greeted me and this time I couldn't escape without shaking hands. Ack! Though it's not entirely unusual to be greeted or whistled at by strangers, twice in one trip was strange. Isa says, "you have to come to Chile to know how beautiful you are." To some extent this is true! Girls from the Lee trip even comment on how they've felt more beautiful after being here because of the notice they recieve.

     On the way home, almost every dog we encountered set off barking at us because of Bodo. One dog went crazy, spinning in circles. I just had to share the clip I shot with all of you.

      Back at home, I fulfilled a desire of mine. You may think it strange, but for a year or more I have wanted to know how figs taste. Isa noted them in the market and her mom bought a small bag for me. After washing my hands, I settled down to enjoy them. They are good...a little less flavorful than in Fig Newton cookies, though. Pastor showed me how to tuck walnut pieces inside to eat them more Chilean style.

Figs and Nuts

 

A History Lesson

     Lingering over breakfast last Saturday, somehow conversation turned to the earthquake Chile experienced last February. Mama Isabel and I conversed at length about the topic and I came away from the chat amazed at God's goodness in the whole event. Because they experienced the quake personally and live in country, my Chilean family has a unique perspective that I never heard in the reports I read.

     Chile is over three faults: the Pacific, the Neaza, and the Continental. The eathquake's epicenter was in Conception, some 200 miles from Santiago. There, the ground rose in places and sunk in others. Thanks to God, at least here in Santiago, there was not too much damage and in most cases it was confined to unfortified, older buildings. The Diaz family only had two glass vases broken, paint cracks in the walls, and some pieces fall from the ceiling in one room as a result of a wall moving slightly. The church is in much worse condition since it was an older building. It is undergoing much renovation.

     In the first news articles I read the death count was only about 200 or so. I was later told it was more, but I never found an exact count. Mama Isabel confirmed the first accounts I read: that no more than 300 people died. Though each death is a great loss, this is a low number for an earthquake. Interestingly, the majority of deaths were tourists who stayed closer to the sea instead of seeking refuge in the hills. They ignored warnings of a tsunami which did come counter to news reports. The waves weren't high, but they were powerful.

     It was a miracle that more people didn't die. For instance, if the earthquake had occured just one month earlier, in January, there would have been more tourists and more people by the sea. (Remember, winter in the states is summer in Chile.) More people would have been affected by the tsunami. Also, during the time of the earthquake, there was a festival in Vina del Mar. Vina is about an hour and a half away from Santiago. Normally, people stay at the festival until very, verrrry late. Morning late. The day of the earthquake, they finished before or around 3:00 a.m. The earthquake happened about 3:30.

      Mama Isabel told me the earthquake served as a wake-up call to the church because of its indifference. God had great mercy throughout everything. Chile has tremors every day. Earthquakes are not atypical. In fact, in the south of the country, they are expecting one. The timing of this last one amazes me and the way God worked so that many people were protected. To top it all, Chile is enjoying the best economy they've had in years...despite the earthquake.

My Overseas Birthday

     So I have to say, my birthday was completely, amazingly blessed.

     It began the night before when Isa stayed awake 'til 12:00 just to wish me happy birthday and to pray that this would be a year of blessings, grace, "compromiso con Dios", fulfillment of my dreams, and more.... Compromiso in this sense is difficult to explain in English...it could mean promise, engagement, maybe even refer to walking in convenential context.

     The next morning as I was waiting my turn in the bathroom, snuggled up under piles of blankets, little Barbara came in to sing me happy birthday...in English! So sweet!

     I don't think I've ever been sung to so much in my life! Barbara continued to sing throughout the day. At each meal I was graced with a petition that the next year would be full of growth and blessing. At lunch, I recieved birthday greetings from the workers at the church who eat with us.

     Then in the afternoon, I chatted with my sister via skype for a while. Throughout the day so many friends chimed in on facebook I was blown away!

     My sweet friend plotted with her sister to surprise me with a birthday cake and little pizzas for Once. Imagine a delicious looking cake of manjar and whipped creamed, candles blazing in the darkness, and my Chilean family gathered round to sing happy birthday! Such a precious time.

     But I knew one more thing was likely to happen.

     You see, I noticed that this church likes to celebrate birthdays. Almost every week there's someone with a birthday and they are called to the front and the entire body sings to them and then Pastor prays over them.

     It was a beautiful thing to look into the faces of my new friends here and be reminded of the times we've shared together...and such a plethora of greetings afterwards! I was hugged and kissed by so many people it was a little overwhelming.

     To top everything off, I was able to chat with several friends just before I went to bed. Two of them I lived with in college, another was part of the Lee group, then a good friend from Lee, and the last a friend from home.

     Chileans are so correct when they say, "que los cumple in Cristo, doblemente feliz", or, if you fulfill your years in Crist, you're doubly happy.

The Fruit of a Good Life

     I thought it was about time to show you the handiwork of a family in the church. Every week they sell alfajores and sometimes cuchuflis. A couple Sundays ago they made super-alfajores. They were half a size larger and marbled with white chocolate...an addition to the typical milk chocolate. Que rico!  

Double alfajore! Oh yeah! 

    Around this same time, Isa's family was blessed by two different families in the church with a bag of oranges and a bag of apples, both straight from the tree. Isa decided to make a pie to eat, and since her dad is diabetic, made the filling with "indulcente", a suger substitute, and left out the sugar in the crust. She was a little anxious to see how it turned out, but as you can see, the end picture was beautiful. It was delicious.

       

Un kutchen de manzanas.

     This past Sunday, we had a great lunch together. Isa's sister, Elizabeth, and said sister's family came over for lunch. Eli's husband, Christian, grilled up some tasty churripan and pork chops. It was a gorgeous day outside and we carried the table to the patio. Close to the end, Pastor unexpectedly made churros. We stayed so long chatting and enjoying the time, that it was nearly five before things were cleaned up. Somewhere in the middle of everything, our precocious scalywag of a pup found a yogurt canister that Eli had thrown away after feeding Christina and brought it back to his bed to enjoy. He gets into almost everything now, I tell you!

      The little thief!

A lovely and delicious lunch outside with the family-including Isabel's sister, Elizabeth, and Eli's family.

     Even as the table was being cleared off, Isa and I were off to welcome home one of the teens who had spent the week at a Christian retreat. Though the surprise was spoilt by whisperings and shushings, I hope he was blessed. I know I enjoyed the time.

A Soliloqui

     Sitting in Church one freezing Thursday evening, I thanked God for His goodness in placing me in this church and for His goodness in revealing Himself to be the same in all cultures, all times, and all places. I cannot even remember the entirety of the message given by one of Isa's brothers-in-law, but I do know it resonated with me and yet, again, spoke of God's great grace and power. Even warmly bundled up, blessed with a heater, and sipping cafe or tea, we could hardly stand the cold. IT WAS WORTH IT.

     Such a blessing has been given to me in these brothers and sisters in the faith. Especially those in Isa's family. It's amazing to see how close they are to each other. Yesterday, one sister testified through song how there are hard, stormy times in life where the devil asks us, "where is your God", and where we feel alone, but we know that God never abandones us. Hearing her sing, filled me with such a peace that, despite hard times I've been through, God has been faithful, and I have not suffered loss. He holds securely in His hand what really matters and His promises never, ever fail.

      An unexpected well of richness in the things of God and in matters of language and history has appeared in the person of Mama Isabel. We talk over spiritual topics, literature, the history of Chile (and more)... And, as in all lives, the way in which she lives, her responses to everyday, and not-so-every-day, events has taught me much.

     It is still with the youth that I mainly interact in the church. During the last few days it has been an amazing feeling to realize that I am becoming part of the group. Yes, there are still language barriers, but aside from that, and aside from being Isa's friend "from the United States", I am truly being accepted as a member.

     The next month will be full of so many events (mostly parties...there are a lot of parties) that I fear it will pass all too quickly. I believe this last third of my time here will be the best, even if it is also the coldest.

Addendum to New Dimensions

      There's one more thing I want to muse on in reference to my last post. Since grace is an inexhaustable topic, for continuity's sake it's helpful to focus on certain aspects of it at a time. 

     So following the train of discussion...

     When grace penetrates a person's heart and God sets him/her free through the truth, gratitude and praise springs forth as a result. Because of the great gift received, the person experiences a desire to become more like Christ, to honour God and to bless others. It doesn't have to do with duty; rather, love and gratefulness. Grace works in the receiver the heart of a giver.

     Short and sweet.

New Dimensions

     I must admit that for about the first 5 or six weeks here, I struggled between feeling at home and feeling the part of an outsider. I hurry to say that is not due to any lack of feeling accepted or wanted. My family has welcomed me as a daughter and sister and I know that their concern and love for me began before I even arrived. Nor is it that I am unused to being in a latino church...I attended one for almost a year in college. Let me tell you, I felt more at home in the small, beautiful fellowship that loved Christ and was composed of new believers who spoke Spanish, than in any of the several churches I visited where they spoke English.

     I think a part of me had difficulty completely feeling at home because I knew that this experience is a blessing that comes to me and I don't deserve it. This time here is something I would never have imagined that I would desire or be granted. Not too many years ago, I was the little girl that prayed God he wouldn't send her to other countries (at least not as a missionary) and begged Him that I wouldn't have to leave the States for long periods of time. Begged. And cried.

     Yet, God has a funny way of taking what you fear He'll ask you to do, and changing your heart so that what you feared becomes what you love.

     I find myself very much at home in Chile...but until recently part of me still felt an outsider. You want to know what I have discovered? There was still more grace in this journey that I was resisting. Grace to not feel ashamed to speak awkward, bumbling Spanish at times. Grace to know that even though I'm the only gringa in the church, and almost anywhere I go, that I'm welcomed and accepted even though I might not have the opportunity to know all of the brothers and sisters here. Grace to rest...grace to work. Grace given to me to enjoy this time and make the most of it because I did not earn a moment of it. I think that is of enormous value: learning to wholeheartedly embrace a gift that you have not earned and simply emjoy it and be thankful without seeking to justify why you've been given the gift or how to repay the giver.

      I like to recieve gifts. Who doesn't? But I think that sometimes, especially with very thoughtful or with very expensive gifts (expensive doesn't necessarily mean monetarily), it is hard for me to receive the gift for feeling self-concious and undeserving. The more I understand grace, the more I realize that it produces a child-like amazement where you're unashamed to stare open-mouthed in wonder...and then wholeheartedly plunge into enjoyment.

     Receiving grace, I've found, requires humility. Not the false humility that says, "Oh! I don't deserve this" and bemoans what the recipient lacks. Rather, embracing grace contains a humility that acknowledges the blessing is undeserved, but gratefully receives the generosity of the giver, trusting the giver, and knowing that it is a mark of love. That's where the issue hits bottom. With God, we may not understand why He loves us, why He saved us, but we eventually we must accept that He chooses to do so.

       Outside of walking in grace, we are never secure in the blessings that are given to us in life because we always fear that at some point they will be taken away from us. We become greedy and possessive. Perhaps in trying to hold onto what we have, we lose the real significance and enjoyment of it, and we certainly lose sight of the love, benevolence, and faithfulness of the giver. Instead of trust there is suspicion that they are witholding something from us or waiting to watch us make a mistake so they can take away the good gift they gave.

     These are simply some musings on aspects of grace...some of them a reminder of things already learned, others applying lessons in a new way. All I can say is that God is so faithful and that He gently teaches us (and sometimes not so gently) that our hope is found in Christ alone and that His Gospel is one of grace that changes us from the inside out.

     

In Everyday Living

To my dear friends and family who read this blog,

       Forgive me for having remained silent too long. It's not that I have not had time to write, but rather that I have strangely lacked the impulse to do so.

       After the group from Lee returned to the Homeland, I crashed-literally. This past week and a half I have remained close to home and my outside activities have been few. When I expressed my chagrin at being so tired, Mama Isabel and Isa simply told me that they felt this time was a gift from God to me so that I could rest after my studies before beginning work in the fall. I must confess it has been a wonderful gift, but one I had not expected to be given so freely during this time...another measure of grace that this trip is teaching me: how to live simply, at rest, in peace.

      It's been a pleasure to study as I can go at my pace and as my studying involves a wide range of activities including reading pleasure books (which greatly increase my understanding of grammar and vocabulary), movies, and conversations.

      Finally, after more than a month of living here, I am beginning to recognize patterns and know what to expect. Every Sunday, Pancho sells alfajores and other sweets after church and I have never failed in enjoying said treat so far. Every Sunday, Isa's family comes to visit and one sister-even if it's Isa- makes a delicious treat for once. Two to three times a week, a brother who is rebuilding the church, lunches with us. Bread is baked about an hour after lunch. Most Saturdays, there is a party-all incidentally, of course, and I don't expect that to continue. Saturdays I also teach English when people can make it. The youth meet that evening. I even know when the sun will hit the table in the kitchen as I sit and study. Once or twice a week we go to a feria...usually for fruit, but also for other things. I'm flabbergasted at how cheap fruit is. It's a good thing because I eat so much of it. I can't help it...it's so juicy and delicious!

       Yet, I still don't know my way around the neighborhood and I'm hopelessly lost when it comes to the micros and metros. I also long to know more about the people here...it's taken me this long to catch up to the rapidity in which people speak. I'm convinced that Chileans are the fastest Spanish speakers in the world! I just thought I understood spoken Spanish! I'm now to the point that I can interject little snippets in a conversation without slowing it down terribly much. I'm encouraged by this small progress but desperately long to chatter away like the rest of the world here does.

      Isa and I help each other out a lot. I ask her how to say this or that in Spanish and she does the same to me about English. She and her mom are introducing me to the vast world of Chilean culture and food.

      I think I've probably given you enough details for now about how life is here in the city of Santiago. The next post, I shall try to recount some of the more exciting experiences I've had. Hasta luego!

Tuyo,

Katy

In Which Isa Gains a Son

      I returned from an outing one day to unexpected news from Isa that she had a new "son". My confusion was soon cleared after she and Mama Isabel lead me to a cardboard box which held....an adorable little puppy! The cutie had been rescued by Mama Isabel just before a construction vehicle ran it over as it was running down the street.

                   So tired!

       We guessed that the pup was about six weeks old. After going through a few names including Mancha (from Barbara due to his black spots), and Tony (also Barbara), Isa named him Bodoque. The name comes from a show in which a baby monkey is rescued. Appropriate for this one who was also saved.

     From the first, Bodoque has been very quiet and calm...except for when he needed to go outside or wanted to come back in. Though all he did was eat and sleep, he didn't eat much, and we all grew concerned about him because we could tell something was wrong. Sunday, Isa asked a veterinarian in the church to take a look at him and we found out two things: he was no older than a month, and two, the poor thing had somehow gotten worms in his stomach.

    Now that he's being treated for the worms and is on a better diet for such a baby as he is, he's doing much better and is starting to become more inquisitive and playful. All of us wonder how he came to be out on the street so young...and without his mother. There might be an owner but that remains to be seen. Already we're becoming fond of the little tyke. We're all guessing what breed/mixture he is. At a month old, he is already the size of most six-eight week old pups.  At first, I thought terrier, but now I'm wondering, St. Bernard? I guess time will tell.  

                         Isn't he cute?