The first of course was my own little clan: Rob and Sydni [& the dogs, too, if you want to count them] made my morning the gorgeous chaotic rhythm that it always is, but couple that with sunshine and a stellar message at SonRise, and you've got perfection on earth :).
poor stella.... haha
stella bella!
PLUS, Syd decided she would be a Ngobe for today, so this is what we sported to church:
dress, chacara.. and larry the cucumber... ♥♥♥
She wanted to hitch a ride to the car...
my world ♥
sydni - 1. rob - 0. the usual score.
After church, we headed home for a few hours of relaxing after lunch, some light cleaning and some cooking - the evening rolled around faster than we expected, and we were off to the Costanzas for a backyard cookout and Panama team reunion.
then and now!
It seems like it was ages ago that we stood in those mountains, posed for that picture as the minutes disappeared and we left that mountain for the last time on the trip. That picture in its entirety contains a part of my heart; I left bits of myself there with that team and the Ngobe people.
miriam... you nailed it.
I am SO grateful for the company, presence and fellowship of and with this team and their families, and for welcoming Rob, Sydni and me into theirs. We are certainly blessed to have so many new and refreshing, encouraging and edifying doors opened to us, on a path of growth :).
Rob, Syd and I are home now; our hair and clothes have that smell of fresh air and bonfire. Our bellies are full of homemade food, and our hearts and minds are full from a fun evening of reflecting, praying and fellowship. THAT is the kind of Sunday I love.
INGLÉS: FUENTE NEGRO (O Gris). ESPAÑOL: FUENTE ROJO
*******
our house || nuestra casa
When Marissa and I went to bed in our cozy little tent last night, I was afraid that my body would refuse movement when it awoke this morning. I trusted that God would provide me with at least the strength I needed to function today, but when I crawled out of the tent in the early morning air this morning, I realized that He gave me more than I asked. My calves were stiff, but nothing was sore. There were no bruises. No headache. Nothing. I felt wonderful. AMEN.
Cuando Marissa y yo fuimos a la cama en nuestra pequeña y acogedora tienda anoche, tenía miedo de que mi cuerpo se negaría movimiento cuando se despertó esta mañana. Yo confiaba en que Dios me proporcionaría al menos con la fuerza que necesitaba para funcionar hoy, pero cuando me arrastré fuera de la tienda en el aire de la mañana esta mañana, me di cuenta de que Él me dio más de lo que pedí. Mis pantorrillas estaban rígidos, pero nada era dolor. No hubo moretones. No dolor de cabeza. Ni Nada. Me sentía maravilloso. AMEN.
bathroom || el baño
the "neighborhood" || el barrio
morning at the river || mañana en el río
father and son || un padre y su hijo
preparing my heart and mind for the day preparar mi corazón y mente para el día
Our first course of action: Filter water. Our water filters were small, but effective. They did their job and we stayed hydrated without issue for the week. It was our first team exercise that didn't include airports and vehicles. We stood on the bank of the river with David, talking of the day's action plan, talking, filtering and praying.
Nuestro primer curso de acción: filtro de agua. Nuestros filtros de agua eran pequeñas, pero eficaz. Hicieron su trabajo y nos alojamos hidratado sin problema para la semana. Fue nuestro primer ejercicio de equipo que no incluía aeropuertos y vehículos. Nos pusimos de pie en la orilla del río con David, hablando de plan de acción del día, hablando, filtrando y orando.
filtering water with the team || filtrando el agua con el equipo
Talsy and a couple of the village women became a pulse in our camp that we did not openly acknowledge nearly as much as we should have. We came when she called us for breakfast, and handed her our plates. She fed us first, every single time on this trip, before herself. She was a calm, respected presence there for us, and it became evident to me today, day one in Suiche. This is not her first time here.
[Oh, and just in case any of you readers out there are wondering: NO, we did NOT lose weight from constant movement on this trip. In fact, the food we ate was more than sustaining, and when it was all said and done, I'm certain we gained weight as a result. Hahah.]
Talsy y un par de las mujeres del pueblo se convirtió en un pulso en nuestro campo que no nos reconocemos abiertamente casi tanto como deberíamos tener. Llegamos cuando nos llamó para el desayuno, y le entregamos nuestros platos. Ella nos dio de comer primero, cada vez sola en este viaje, antes de ella misma. Ella era una calma, presencia respetado ahí para nosotros, y se hizo evidente para mí hoy, primer día en Suiche. Esta no es su primera vez aquí.
[Ah, y por si acaso alguno de ustedes los lectores por ahí se está preguntando: no, no lo hicimos bajar de peso de movimiento constante en este viaje. De hecho, la comida que comimos era más que sostener, y cuando todo estaba dicho y hecho, estoy seguro de que ganamos peso como resultado. Jajaja.]
the kitchen || la cocina
♥♥♥♥♥
After breakfast, we prayed. We prayed for the villagers living higher into the mountains, that their ears, hearts and minds would be open and receiving to us as we went out to visit them with the message of truth and hope. We prayed for our teams, that we would have the words to say and the confidence to say them. We split up into two teams: 1) Aaron, Marissa, Mateo, Juselino & Alexi, and 2) Chris, Quinn, David, Bernabe, Pastor Simon and me. We headed off on a short trip to a nearby set of homes, where we shared our testimonies and the Gospel, through the visual aid of Evangecubes and Ngabere translations by Pastor Simon & Bernabe. Beyond the calm eyes that watched us as we shared, and beyond the message itself, I couldn't help but feel a deep, real sense of beauty for how the Ngobe people live. I wanted to stay with them longer, to learn their individual stories. To truly get to know them.
Después del desayuno, oramos. Oramos por los aldeanos que viven más arriba en las montañas, que sus oídos, corazones y mentes estarían abiertos y recibir para nosotros ya que fuimos a visitarlos con el mensaje de la verdad y la esperanza. Hemos orado por nuestros equipos, que íbamos a tener las palabras para decir y la confianza para decir ellos. Nos dividimos en dos equipos: 1) Aaron, Marissa, Mateo, Juselino y Alexi, y 2) Chris Quinn, David, Bernabe, el Pastor Simon y yo. Nos dirigimos en un viaje corto a un conjunto cerca de los hogares, donde compartimos nuestros testimonios y el Evangelio, a través de la ayuda visual de evangecubos y Ngäbere traducciones por el Pastor Simon & Bernabe. Más allá de los tranquilos ojos que nos miraban mientras compartíamos, y más allá del mensaje en sí, no pude evitar sentir un profundo y verdadero sentido de la belleza de cómo vive el pueblo Ngobe. Yo quería quedarme con ellos más tiempo, para conocer sus historias individuales. Para llegar verdaderamente a conocerlos.
bridges || puentes
visiting the homes in the mountains visitando las casas en las montañas
visiting || visitando
more bridges || más puentes
chris and quinn with boys from the village chris y quinn con chicos de la aldea
village houses || casas de pueblo
Three homes later, my team made the return trip to camp, where Talsy and the cooks were awaiting us. The other team was there as well; we shared our experiences from the morning over lunch, and prayed together for the people to whom we had just spoken.
Tres casas más tarde, mi equipo hizo el viaje de regreso al campamento, donde Talsy y los cocineros nos estaban esperando. El otro equipo también estaba allí; compartimos nuestras experiencias de la mañana durante el almuerzo, y oramos juntos por las personas a las que apenas habíamos hablado.
lunch! || el almuerzo
Yes, there was free time. Today, it was filled with men gathered on the open field adjacent to our building, where the soccer ball became the center of attention. We watched them play for what seemed like hours, with no other concerns in the world. I didn't realize it until later in the evening that I had not thought much of anything from home since landing in Panama. Our mission here is clear, and focus is necessary. The stresses of life back home meant nothing here, and in watching the players on the field... the children running around the building.. my team working together... We are truly HERE, in this moment and it is beautiful.
Sí, hubo tiempo libre . Hoy en día, que estaba lleno de hombres reunidos en el campo abierto al lado de nuestro edificio, donde la pelota de fútbol se convirtió en el centro de atención. Vimos ellos juegan por lo que parecieron horas, sin otras preocupaciones en el mundo. No me di cuenta hasta más tarde en la noche que yo no había pensado mucho en nada de casa desde el aterrizaje en Panamá. Nuestra misión aquí es claro, y es necesario el enfoque. Las tensiones de la vida de vuelta a casa no significaban nada aquí, y en la observación de los jugadores en el campo ... los niños corriendo por el edificio .. mi equipo trabajando juntos ... Estamos realmente aquí, en este momento y es hermoso.
blending with the community || la mezcla con la comunidad
soccer || fútbol
she is beautiful || ella es hermosa
shy girls :) || chicas tímidas :)
We had our first small groups today. The men and women separated into two different classes; our class consisted of 7 attendees and us: Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, myself and also Bernabe, to translate. We shared the story of the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50), an iconic Bible story that demonstrates real, honest, pure and humble love. A woman wanting nothing more than hope, forgiveness and love, and a perfect, sinless Christ who provides for her.
Tuvimos hoy nuestros primeros grupos pequeños. Los hombres y las mujeres separadas en dos clases diferentes; nuestra clase constaba de 7 asistentes y nosotros: Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, yo y también Bernabe, traducir. Compartimos la historia de la mujer pecadora (Lucas 7: 36-50), una historia de la Biblia icónico que demuestra el amor verdadero, honesto, puro y humilde. Una mujer que quiere nada más que esperanza, el perdón y el amor, y un perfecto, sin pecado Cristo que ofrece para ella.
visiting the children in school || visita a los niños en la escuela
little friends || niñitas
in the classroom || en el aula
small group || grupo pequeño
After small group, it was dinner. Time was spent meeting some of the children. I crept off briefly to write what I could about how my heart was responding to the work accomplished today. I want so desperately for this team to impact this mountain in ways driven not by us, but by God alone. If even one small seed is planted in just one heart while we are here, then we have not made this trip in vain.
David and the team set up the projector screen and worship film for the evening service. A large group of people gathered together in the school to hear praise music. Chris led the service with a message, and afterwards, the Jesus film played in Ngabere.
Después de pequeño grupo, que era la cena. Se dedicó tiempo conocer a algunos de los niños. Me arrastré fuera brevemente para escribir lo que pude acerca de cómo mi corazón estaba respondiendo a la labor llevada a cabo en la actualidad. Quiero tan desesperadamente para este equipo de impactar esta montaña de formas que no impulsados por nosotros, sino por Dios. Si tan sólo una pequeña semilla se planta en un solo corazón mientras estamos aquí, entonces no hemos hecho este viaje en vano.
David y el equipo configurado la pantalla del proyector y la película de culto para el servicio de la tarde. Un gran grupo de personas se reunieron en la escuela para escuchar música de alabanza. Chris dirigió el servicio con un mensaje, y después, la película Jesús jugó en Ngäbere.
our "church" || nuestra iglesia
I am renewed already, and it feels as though we haven't even started yet. I am in love with this place.
Estoy ya renovado, y se siente como si nos aún no han comenzado todavía. Estoy enamorada de este lugar.
I'm a day late on ushering in November, but today seemed far more fitting a day to do so than yesterday anyway.
yes!
I woke up today with two immediate options: 1 - Early church service and then yoga at Rhingeist, and 2 - Regular church service and no morning yoga.
It's Sunday. I wanted to sleep in a few more minutes before five full days of up-at-its before 6am, so 11am church it was. Anyway, we walked into today's message not knowing what to really expect, and walkedback out with a commitment to return in the evening for an informational session.
You see, November is National Adoption Month! Here's the little blurb I posted along with that collage earlier this afternoon:
#November isn't just my #birthday month; it's #NationalAdoptionMonth! I'll bid adieu to my 20's in a few weeks, but my love of and appreciation for my own #adoption will never age.
My biological mother's choice to surrender me reflected courage & selfless sacrifice in hope for her child to prosper beyond her resources - the type of selfless love I can only hope to exercise in my own life. Her last declare of maternal rights was that I be placed in a practicing Christian home. I was an #orphan. A couple who valued family over biology were called to choose, #adopt and love me as their own. And with that, I was placed by grace into a home half a world away.
My life would have been exponentially different if not for adoption. I am among the SMALL fraction of orphaned children who are #blessed enough with a second chance to find life and #giveback.
I'm #HONORED to #CELEBRATE #family this month. Cheers, all my fellow #adoptees & #adoptive families! Happy November!
It's something that I often take for granted, when I'm flying at lightspeed through a day in the life that I live, in this culture of ours that is all hustle & bustle, with deadlines and consequences for missing them. I don't always think to count the opportunity to participate in this life as a blessing rather than a burden, because the alternative is a rather stark contrast.
Amen? Amen.
So after a morning message about our purpose in life to reach out to people... to love and honor people.. to give of ourselves to people, we decided to come back in the evening to gather information on the church's planned mission trips for Spring 2015.
I'm happy to share more in detail about these upcoming trips when the time is right, but for now, I'm going to only ask that anyone reading along today, for whatever reason you're here reading - just... pray. The two trip options as they stand now are either Haiti or Panama. Both have clear advantages, and drawbacks as well.
PLEASE PRAY! ...
... For the leadership team at my church, whose planning well precedes the initial meeting they held today.
... For the other people who sat there for an hour watching past footage and testimony of those who've been to these places and touched the mission with their own hands.
... For those who are there, in the middle of unimaginable poverty, disease, famine and spiritual desolation, reaching into untouched groups of people with the purpose of enrichment & love.
... For the orphans, who, like myself, are/were not responsible for their circumstance. Pray that they will find the peace, attention, love and adoration they both crave and deserve. Pray that they, like I as well, will by grace become a tenfold blessing to a family that's missing what will be completed by adding even just one, beautiful little spirit to its bind.
... For Rob & me, as we pray together over this, to determine if.. and if so, which trip to commit ourselves. It will be a spiritual, physical & financial commitment that we won't make overnight.
One of my truly beautiful friends Marianne leaves tomorrow for a 3-month Italy endeavor: a mission-bound trip on which I have no doubt she'll grow just as much as the kids she'll be reaching. We're called to step OUT of our comfort zones. We're called to do MORE than live in the safety of our own schedules.
We're called to lead, to love and to LET GOD do the rest.
Today was a full throttle day from the time we woke up. Sydni was up at 3am to remind me that, "kids are coming over today!!!," and from there on out it was non-stop until our heads hit the pillow again.
"honey, it's 3am. we still have a few hours." - [skeptical response...]
First things first: Why pay a gutter service when you can just do it yourself?
do it yourself.
:). I was wrapping up the gutters just as Trish and the kiddos rolled up, jackets and snacks in hand, for an early afternoon of pumpkin painting and carving.
the girls (:
mamas & kiddos
Sarah made it out after work, with her daughter in tow. There were then 5 kids attacking one pumpkin..
paint, paint... and more paint!
the aftermath? beautiful!
Once the pumpkins had been thoroughly - and I mean thoroughly painted, the kids migrated to the front yard for some cardio and leaf-mud sandwiches [made, not eaten.. as a sidenote ;).. ]
gosh... love them ;)
Soon enough, the kids departed, and we took a deep breath in preparation for round two: Jessica and Andrew soon arrived with their pumpkins. Sydni was off to her dad's for her father-daughter dance, so the grown-ups were left to their own devices.
great action shot of bumper & sasha!
caramel apples!! nomnomnom
lol.. pumpkins ;)
Round 2 of the day complete [carved pumpkins & caramel apples], we parted ways again to rest up and prepare for the evening, which was decidedly going to be spent in the bows of OTR.
We started our venture at 1215 Wine Bar, if you count our standing in one spot for 20 minutes deciding where the rest of the night would be spent. If that doesn't qualify, then we technically started with a pitstop at The Drinkery before they somehow coerced me into going to - and staying at - Japp's for more than a half hour.
yeah, so i guess when i'm photographed mid-laugh,
i look... super asian. ^_^
this folks, is what otr had to work with tonight...
oh i'm proud of this one.. hahaha..
that fan. we're music video superstars.... ;)
We soon retired from the heat of Japp's and found our final grounds for the night: The Famous Neon's Unplugged!
oh, lovely neons!
runnin' the town.. into the ground [laaa dee daaaa... ]
we found chad!
ps - can't even be mad at the chick who bombed this...
.... she nailed it. #thanksdoodydood
nobody knows.
that time jessica's hand was 2 feet in front of my face
& managed to still look insanely inappropriate.
i'm a cat. rob's an angry ghost.
#notsure...
some more of this..
... and consequently this, too.
And it's Neon's, so there's Jenga...
we lost.
Along with a few hundred of our closest friends, we closed down Neon's and made one last pitstop for grub at Lucy Blue's before calling it a night.
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