The day to day

So I am slowly figuring out my routine here. Spanish in the mornings, spanish homework and errands in the afternoon, and, recently, after that, Rangers games at night. Oh and some cleaning, cooking, and Skype in there too. Here is some of what I've been up to lately...

Last Friday Maria got out of school early after a half-day, so she, Sandi, and I walked to the nearby shopping center to eat at our favorite taco stand, get at few things at the supermarket, and have some ice cream at Sarita. It was a gorgeous day and so nice to just sit and chat and enjoy the afternoon without a schedule. Especially after 4-hours of spanish tutoring....That evening we played some games (Maria's favorite activity) then I went home early to Skype with my parents and head to bed because it had been an eventful week.

Saturday I caught up with my sister Whitney in Skype; it is so great to be able to keep up that way. I miss my family and friends from home a lot these days! Then I cleaned and studied some spanish. After that I got ready to go with Mike to a quinceañera at the children's home where he often ministers. The 'tias', or caretakers, help put it on. It was fun to see such a cute girl in her beautiful dress - she danced and then we ate dinner and then everyone danced and they had cake. It was also nice to spend a little time with some of the youth that Mike works with regularly. They are very sweet!

Violeta

New friends

Maria y yo

I went to church with Oscar again on Sunday, this time trying to remember the route so that I can drive myself sometime soon. The music was wonderful again - I love when they sing spanish versions of praise songs that I know from church at home. The congregation had a special time of prayer for a family who had not been there the week before due to the loss of their home during the terrible rains. The pastor prayed that the Lord would open doors for a new home for them - please pray for that too. It is already hard enough to make a living here and there are not many resources for those who lose everything. Pray for their peace and provision.

On Monday, Jordan and Hannah Self invited me to their home to watch the Rangers game. It was so fun to eat with them and their 2 precious kiddos. And really nice when you only know about 10 people in this city! It was encouraging to hear about their heart for the city and specifically Jordan's heart for youth. And that night was a win for the Rangers so all the more to celebrate...since I couldn't have known what was coming :(. I am still proud of my team!!

On Tuesday, I attended Sandi's Bible study again with the housekeepers from the area. Only this time one of them brought her baby! She was so, so adorable and I must say quite the distraction from the spanish sermon going on in the living room. I did not mind watching her. Que linda!!!

K the last image that I will leave you with is from Thursday. It doesn't need much explanation, except that this is the corner of my casa by my desk, and it has in no manner been altered. Oh Guatemala.

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, 
for you alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety. 

Poco a poco

Poco a poco. I think this has been said to me about 50 times since I arrived. It means "little by little" and it is everyone's response (especially my spanish teacher) when I say I can't do something or don't understand something here. I think I better get used to "poco a poco" sooner than later.

So I'm also a little behind on this blog. Last week I moved into my 'casita' - it is a little backhouse behind some teachers who work at the school Maria attends, CAG.

 It's very nice and has everything I need - it's just all in one room ;) New things for me: tin roof, gas stove/oven, no a/c or heat, buying purified water in 5 gallon jugs, using said water for coffee, lemonade, brushing teeth, etc., washing dishes without a machine or disposal, hang drying my clothes, showering with a mechanism that heats as it pours (kinda), fruit falling on my roof from the trees above. Making Snickerdoodles in a gas oven at this altitude proved interesting....Don't get me wrong, I am for sure thankful for such a nice place, I know full well that it's a blessing just to have a roof... It's just that this north Dallas girl has some learning to do. I also really missed my family and friends the first couple of nights living alone here, but that was to be expected. I'm becoming more used to it each day, and it is for sure a comfort to know that I am never actually alone.

View from the roof

The owners like plants

Alot

 I began my Spanish lessons last week. A friend of Mike and Sandi's comes to my house 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Goodness. It's interesting how this type of intensive studying just shows you how much you are lacking. But I am enjoying it and feeling more comfortable talking to people I don't know, so I know that it is already helping. I know it is just the means to an end - vale la pena, it will be worth it. I also have homework each night that I may or may not always complete as assigned...especially if the Rangers are playing.

Last week was also great because the rain stopped and the sun came out - gracias a Dios! So many families were affected by the storms and more rain would only impede those who are helping. It is also the beginning of a time of cold weather here for a couple months - I know the 50s doesn't sound bad, but when no one has heaters, you feel it! Very thankful for my fleece pajamas these days.

I also have been going to the Glicks to watch the Rangers games or listening to them on ESPN radio on my computer - I am so proud! Can't wait for that final win!!

So, definitely a week of firsts, and I am still learning. And I am becoming ever more thankful for divine comfort and patience. Poco a poco.

Hebrews 4
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Settling in

Hola! I'm playing catch up after an eventful week...

Last weekend I got my car that I am renting from a friend of the Glicks! It is a little Mazda Protege, and luckily it is automatic, as many cars here are manual and I don't think I need to learn to drive a stick in Guatemala City! So far I have only driven to the Glick's house and the supermarket, but I will try to branch out soon.

We have a little argument going over whether it is blue or purple - you can let me know what you think!

Last Saturday I was still staying at the Glicks and they were babysitting two of the cutest little kids - Solomon and Gracie. You can follow their parents' blog here: http://entrusttruth.com/ . They are also with CAM International - it was fun to meet some more people here. The kids were so adorable and so fun to look after! I hope to see them again soon.

On Sunday I went to church with Oscar - he leads a worship band at a church nearby. They are really good and sang the Chris Tomlin song that I love that inspired the title of this blog! Only it was in Spanish - it was really cool to worship with that version and the congregation:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5q_NTvHVhM&feature=share&noredirect=1

That afternoon I had my first meeting with our small CAM team and got to meet 3 more people serving nearby. It was encouraging to hear stories about what other ministries are going on in the area and I was thankful to listen to advice about how to get adjusted here.

I finished the night playing card games with Maria and Sandi. If you ask Maria, I'm sure she will tell you that she won them all, but Sandi and I recall the evening differently ;)

On Monday, Mike, Sandi, and I ventured to Walmart (yep, it's here too) to by things in bulk for my new place. I had a list, but we basically just walked around the whole store since I needed things from each area. It was nice to be able to get it all in once place. They have about half of the things from the states and about half from around here, but the imported things are more expensive, of course. I don't need a lot of stuff here so I tried to keep it to the basics.

We dropped the items off at my place and went back to the Glicks because we were expecting good friends that I met last summer who were in town for a few days - Allison and Nino. Allison was an intern with me in Guatemala in 2010 and is a close friend of mine - I was so excited to see her! And to visit with Nino too....Allison lives in Little Rock and I hadn't seen her since she came to Dallas for a conference last November. It was so nice to hang out and eat dinner all together!

On Tuesday I got to participate in the weekly Bible study that is held at Sandi's house for housekeepers from the area. We sang praise songs and had a snack and then a teacher continued their study on Esther. It was a blessing to fellowship with this group and witness their encouragement and prayers for each other. I got to chat with a couple of the ladies after the group - any chance to practice my spanish! They were very sweet and I hope to see them again!

Prayers for No Rain

I moved into my new apartment yesterday, and while it is so nice, I was having a little trouble adjusting to the idea of living alone here. Then I read the news, that the whole country is in a state of emergency because of the constant rain and the mudslides that it causes, and I was very thankful for the roof over my head. Be thankful for yours too, and please pray for the people of Guatemala who are not as fortunate today.

http://www.guatemala-times.com/news/guatemala/2544-guatemala-destruction-due-to-rains-continue.html

Isaiah 58:9
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Greetings from Guatemala!

After quite the flight delay, I made it safely to Guatemala City. Thank you to all who were praying for me on Wednesday. It was difficult to say goodbye to my family, of course, but I was trying to look to the adventure ahead...It was a definitely a new feeling sitting in the airport and thinking this was the last time that I would be in the US for awhile (or eat at Chick-fil-A....).

I had arrived at DFW just before 3 o'clock. After waiting for mechanical issues for one plane, switching planes, and circling the Guate airport in the air for awhile, I finally made it through customs at about 11:30 Dallas time/10:30 Guate time. I was very happy to see Mike and Sandi waiting by the gate outside! We loaded my two 49-pound suitcases and my 2 carry-ons into Mike's car and headed for their home in San Cristobal. Their daughter Maria was already asleep so I got to catch up with Mike, Sandi, and good family friend Oscar who lives there as well. I quickly discovered I was quite tired after the day and I ended my first night in Guate City.

Gorgeous entryway

Glick's Home

Oscar, Maria, y yo

On Thursday Sandi and I went to visit my new apartment home. The house that it is attached to is owned by Victor and Anita Ovalle; Anita teaches at CAG, Maria's school and one of my future workplaces. They are from Guatemala and are actually Mennonites. This was my first time to meet Victor and he was very kind to show us around the property. The apartment is efficiency-style and definitely can be described as quaint, but it is very nice and has everything I should need living on my own. I will try to take pics the next time I am there. Sandi and I made a list of things that we will need to buy at Wal-mart next week - I think I will enjoy that trip ;)

We spent Friday arranging my Spanish tutor and rental car (both yet to come) and took a quick trip up to Antigua to buy some items for Mike's upcoming visit to the states. It rained most of the day - I am not used to wet hair and feet or raincoats and umbrellas! In the evening I hung out with sweet Maria and we watched a movie while I began this blog post.

I am thankful for the patience that I seem to have more of in Guatemala than I do at home - I have been here enough to know to 'go with the flow' in everything. I would appreciate prayers for clarity as I get my life set up here, for direction in all of the upcoming decisions, and peace about the process.

Today I plan to listen to the Baylor game on the radio online - make me proud Bears! Sic'em!! ;)

Lastly, it has been raining so much here, even more than is usual for Guatemala this time of year, and this weekend is supposed to be pretty bad. Lots of roads are washed out throughout the country and many families are already displaced. Please pray for provision for those affected by the flooding.

Roads outside the city; Prensa Libre

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

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My cup runneth over

I have been so overwhelmed and humbled by kindness the last couple of weeks, it has been hard to even take it all in. Phone calls, emails, parties, dinners, gifts, cards, long conversations, short conversations, prayers, well wishes - they all mean so much to me and are so appreciated as I prepare for my new journey. Thank you to my friends, family, and church family for all this and more. To know that I have the support and prayers of such a great cloud of witnesses is so encouraging and inspiring. It is hard to leave such caring, wonderful people, but know that your encouragement will be carried with me, all the way to Guatemala. Thank you for being so difficult to say goodbye to! Luckily, it's not really goodbye, just see you again soon :)

Today I had the honor of being commissioned by PCBC in the Amigos de Dios bilingual service. First, pastors Sam and Brandon said some kind words, then I was prayed over by the congregation, my family, and close friends. What an amazing experience, to tangibly feel the support of so many, and to look out and see the faces of those who have inspired me along the way. Such a picture of the body of Christ and love without condition. I feel so privileged to take this love and share it with the people of Guatemala.

PCBC Commissioning

So Wednesday is the big day. Hard to believe that it is actually here after almost a year of planning. During the services this morning, I kept visualizing the cool Guatemalan air, towering volcanoes, gorgeous blue skies, and the smiles on children's faces, and getting more excited about what is coming up so soon. Good thing too, because last week was full of packing, moving, and goodbyes, and it was easy to lose focus. Now if I can just get my two suitcases packed, we will be good to go... low-maintenance has never been my forte.

My apartment, packed and waiting for its move to storage

So for now I will say thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, and see you soon! And if you happen to be in Guatemala City, even sooner!

Guatemala - here I come!

Praise the Lord!

 I will thank the Lord with all my heart

as I meet with his godly people.

 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!

      All who delight in him should ponder them.

  Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.

      His righteousness never fails.

 He causes us to remember his wonderful works.

      How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

Psalm 111:1-4

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