Let me check my calendar...

That's a joke that I've been making here when someone asks what my plans are or if I can do something, "Let me check my calendar...". It's a joke because my calendar is blank, which probably hasn't happened since I was 4. I have tried to explain to a couple of people here about the North Dallas way of life - if you aren't overbooked, you aren't living. I know Dr. Denison used to preach on that subject often since it was so prevalent in our church. It has been quite a learning experience to just slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes. It hasn't been the easiest adjustment not having a schedule of activities or a list of friends to call, but the Lord is already providing. And I know the idea is to actually "Be Still" once and while...I'm learning.

Last week I was invited to a ballet recital by the Stewarts, other CAM missionaries here. I didn't know the girls in it or where it was, but who am I to turn down an invitation these days, and I had taken years of dance, so I was sure that I would enjoy it. I met up with them to carpool and it turned out it was being held at the National Theater in the center of the capital! It was a story ballet with characters and songs from various popular ballets. I was very glad that I went!

Outside of theater

Theater lobby

I had my first meeting at CAG, the school for missionary children, and was invited to a Bible study for ladies who work there. I attended on Monday night and they are studying the book of Esther. It was great to meet some of the people that I will be working with and fellowship with them too. That night I was invited to a dinner that happens every Wednesday night with some of the younger teachers and is given by a missionary wife here in her beautiful home. We had salad, enchiladas, and chocolate chip cake, and I got to meet some more girls from CAG. I was even more thankful that I attended that one! Now I know why the girls said they look forward to Wednesdays so much...I am very grateful for people trying to make my adjustment here an easier one.

I actually had an uninvited guest when I returned home Saturday night - a scorpion crawled out from behind my armoire. I may or may not have screamed, the only witness is no longer living. I sprayed it with roach spray and then hit it with my dust pan and threw it out into the garden. Funny now, yes... It is for sure the first one I've ever seen alive, even after 10+ years of summer camp, and I was not impressed. I talked to my landlord the next day and 24 hours later there was an exterminator at my door. I had to leave for the afternoon, but hopefully I have returned to a scorpion- and freakishly large spider-free home for the next two months.

yo lo maté!

Sunday held the final round of elections for the next president of Guatemala. Things were calm overall, which is a blessing for this country. Otto Pérez Molina, a retired military general, came out on top. It remains to be seen what will happen; I heard him called "el menos peor"- literally "the least worst" - multiple times. Please pray for the future of Guatemala as it changes hands next year.

And lastly, my parents bought plane tickets to visit me in January!! I'm so excited and I know that I will be so ready to see them after missing them over the holidays!! :)

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7

Español todo el día

"Repite: imprimido" "Imprimido" "No, repite: IMprimido" "Imprimido" "No, eschuche: imprimido" .... there is a 30 second glimpse into the Spanish lessons that I've been having for almost 4 weeks now. I'm *pretty* sure that I repeat exactly what my teacher says, but she doesn't always seem to agree... We've made a lot of progress in these weeks and I'm happy to be able to express myself more clearly - in the past I knew that I was saying things incorrectly, but I didn't know how to phrase them. I still have a long way to go, especially with vocabulary, but I am pleased with the progress we're making and thankful for the opportunity to study so intensely - if it makes ministry here at all easier, it will have been well worth it. I have Spanish tutoring at my house from 8-12, then I usually go for a walk or run, eat lunch, then study again. Lately I've been going to a nearby coffee shop, Cafe San Lucas, to study - it has a bright, open space and a great, cheap latte - which clearly makes studying easier, and more productive. And I just like getting out of my little casita after being cooped up all morning.

Speaking of getting out of the house, I've been trying to drive more places than the Glick's house (a few blocks up the main road) and the grocery store down the block. I drove to Oscar's church, which is about 15 minutes away in Mixco, and then to the nearby mall, Eskala, which also connects to Wal-mart. It is kind of an ordeal because you have to park in a parking garage and pay to get your parking pass stamped, but since I had been before, it went smoothly, and I felt a sense of accomplishment when I returned home with my purchases. I had been in the mood to cook but am not a fan of my gas stove, so I was thinking of a recipe that you don't have to bake, and I came up with Oreo Balls! I was glad to find actual Baker's Chocolate at the Walmart. They came out perfectly and I was happy to share them with the Glicks and with my teacher, none of whom had tried them before!

Oscar, Maria, and I at church

Yum!

Tuesday, November 1st, Guatemalans celebrated All Saints Day. The night before, many spend the night in the cemeteries to pay tribute to family that has passed on, then on the holiday they eat a traditional dish called fiambre and fly kites. I got to try some of the fiambre from a friend of Oscar's - it was good, but interesting...it is kind of a big salad full of TONS of vegetables and meats....and too many beets for my taste. Here is a photo from the internet:

I got to experience a little of the kite-flying too when Oscar helped the neighbor kids make some the next day. They are called 'barriletes' here and are so pretty and fun to fly! There is also a huge kite festival nearby that I found out about too late but wish I could have seen - they make giant kites from tissue paper to represent their heritage. Here is a cool video I found of what goes on there: http://youtu.be/yRjep86xmic . 

Neighbor kids on the roof with barriletes

Oscar took this one. I stayed on the ground.

Each day is a new experience and I'm trying to maximize it all. 

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Feliz cumpleaños a mí!

Saturday I had my first Guatemalan birthday!! It was pretty strange not being at home with Dallas friends and family, but my friends here made the day memorable.

My good friend Berta, who I met through my trips with Buckner International, picked me up for lunch. We went to Los Cebollines - a Guatemalan version of Mexican food. Lots of people like to go there for birthdays for the following reason:

They sing and make you wear a sombrero. Yep. We had a really nice time and it was so great to catch up with my sweet friend - she really helped to make it a special day.

That afternoon was a big Harvest Festival at Maria's school and she was working there at the cafe. So I met up with Sandi and we took her friend/housekeeper Susana and her boys over to the school. It was pirate-themed and they had gone all out with the decorations. I saw some other CAM people there including the Selfs - their kids were an Auburn football player and a ladybug - too cute. We wandered around and watched the kids play games and had some great outdoor-grilled hamburgers, not too common around here. Maria continued to work hard and we returned home.

Sandi made a carrot cake with sprinkles for my birthday! Oscar sang happy birthday with his guitar - so fun - and then we all had cake (delicious!) and watched a movie. When Maria came home, I opened the presents that they had gotten for me. It was all so thoughtful!!

I am so grateful for everyone who wished me happy birthday in a message or an email - it means a lot when spending it so far from home. It was a great day and I am thankful for everyone who took the time to make it so.

Psalm 9:1-2
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.