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!