Almost Friday!

Today was one of those days that I just couldn't get a handle on. Not sure why, really.. it was just one of  those days. I wrote this down in the middle of my to-do list and then wrote everything else around it, so I would have something to re-center me: 

Fortunately, by the end of the day, the bad mood had dissipated and I was off to get Sydni before life group. And no matter what kind of mood I'm in, that girl has the wizardry to make all things good again ♥

this little monster! ♥♥♥

We were off to life group, which, as always was fulfilling on all those levels that being with your family tend to be - these people are after all, family. Oh, and I've decided Parker is now the mascot of said life group: 

parker!

We wrapped up life group and headed home, where some meal prep awaited.. I say meal prep, but really it was just a super late dinner for me; this Whole30 thing has trained me not to eat all the amazing food that people like my bosses or friends make for things like parties and life groups... (Grrrrr). BUT, it's worth it at the end, and now there's lunch for tomorrow, so no real complaints.

life. 

OH! Also, a week from tonight, I'll be in Columbus with Jenn to see Rebelution - we've planned this show since Halloween, and I. Can't. Wait. 

1.18.18!

jenn | miss this girl! 

For now, it's off to read some more of this book and hit the hay. 

Almost Friday, loves! 

xo | cms

Celebrating Mama Julie!

So this is a thing, just in case you were concerned... I dunno.. that it wasn't.. ? 

i mean.... 

^It's funny because I drive past that thing at least 3 times weekly, and I've always wanted to stop and at least look at it. Cincinnati has a thing with posting various flying pig statues around the city, and this one has always seemed like one of the more elaborate among them. If you're ever in Milford, you'll probably spot it ;) 

I arrived at small group expecting to delve into adult conversation right away. Instead, I built a house. 

and i am not sorry. 

The REAL story tonight is that we celebrated Mama Julie's fast-approaching retirement! This upcoming Saturday will be her last 'official' day as a nurse, but I am always in awe whenever she shares stories from her career. I've determined that she, along with people like my dad and a few other mentors I've had along the way, are models for where I want to ultimately find myself. I so admire her for having such a full and rewarding career, raising a family in the midst of it and all the while actively and intentionally pursuing her faith for herself and all those around her. 

mama julie!

You've earned it, Mama J! 

we love you mama j! 

Jaclyn and I also thought we'd share with you the truth behind our small group study. If you're in the market for notes on how to study, well.. we've got you covered ;). In style. And fringes ;).

♥ you jax!

Whew. Happy almost Friday, blogbots!

xo | cms

New Small Group!

We are BACK! It's been far too long since we found ourselves in an evening life group session; tonight was far overdue.

For the past couple months, we've been flexing our wings and exploring a new church, which is being planted by members of our previous church. It's closer to home and some of our closest friends from that church have joined ranks in the planting process. After much prayer and consideration, we decided that exploration wouldn't hurt, and if we wound up planted there as well, then so be it.

lightpoint church!

And it looks like we are taking root. Tonight we attended our first session of life group with the Ricks and several others from the church. I'm always a huge fan of life groups for a multitude of reasons, but I think the first and foremost is that it provides a platform for us to do life with each other outside of the formalities of a Sunday morning worship experience.

Tonight we covered a lot of ground in a series that we're processing through, and as an unexpected turn, I accepted the offered challenge to serve unofficially as part of the content and composition editing team. If you're reading this, please go ahead and send a prayer up for me if you wouldn't mind; a large span of time has passed since my English degree has been applied to something in a professional landscape, if you don't count my OCD grammar, syntax and spelling scrutinization of what I actually do for a living.

So yeah. Prayers appreciated, and tonight my heart is full from the time we spent in fellowship with a fraction of our new church family. If you happen to be in the Cincinnati area, and are looking for a church family that can and will accept you as you are and love you where you are, consider this an invitation to come and check it out:

Lightpoint Church Cincinnati

Good night for now, blogbots! 

xo | cms

OLYMPIC SPOONS!

Here we aaaare, smack dab in the middle of another week of organized mayhem.. haha. Today was a bit on the taxing side; it's one of those seasons of life where we are challenged with difficult and immovable people, if for no other reason than to continue refining our own character and tenacity. It is a marathon in this particular season, and although today aired more on the brutal side, I've come to a realization of the light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. Soon. Very soon :)

So with that in my heart, it was easy to transition into my evening, complete with my small group and a night of games, snacks and open-hearted fellowship. I am so. wildly. grateful for this group of people, especially on a night when I really needed some encouragement. My small group is where it's at, when it comes to prayer warriors and real people living real lives, bringing practical application and wise advice in whatever subject is on the table.

Tonight though, we took a break from our regularly weekly studies and just... hung out.
It was so, so, SO very needed.

SO, in the spirit of the Olympics, we decided as a group to play something with medaling potential. That something was decidedly SPOONS. If you've never played before, you're missing out. If you have, you'll understand then that we issued each other preemptive apologies for any and everything that might be said during play ;).

It started with 8 of us.
And then there were 7.
And then 6.

The semi finals came down to Jen, Scott & Randy:
Randy missed the grab during the semi finals, which left Jen & Scott to battle it out for the gold. Scott, in what we determined to be reverence to his wife [and that happy life, har har], conceded the victory to Jen, who's spoon-grabbing reflexes are so far unrivaled.

Nice job, Jen!

From what I hear, there are actual Olympics happening somewhere else... or something like that. :p
I'm kidding, of course. These games have kept us all up well past our bedtimes. *Yawn.

Good night for now, all you blogbot champions.

xo | cmd 

Why Do Good Things Happen To Bad People? [Excerpts from Job]

Do ya'll ever have one of those days, or in this case weeks.. where your head just spins seemingly nonstop, and that one collected moment you rely on to carry you through just isn't available? Instead, it's a barrage of phone calls, time-sensitive demands and meetings. It's after-work obligations, appointments, errands and bedtimes that come all too soon, even though they're not until midnight. It's dinner that you don't eat until almost 10pm because that's barely an hour after you get to your house since you left it that morning. 

That's been this week for me. Much of that has been fruitful, productive and positive activity, but it still begs more of me sometimes than I feel like I'm physically and emotionally capable of delivering. My patience has been tested in new and unpredictable ways this week, so [as always,] the timing for this recap and study couldn't have been more perfectly aligned for me.

Chris opened the study with a pretty broken-in question: 

graphic cred: crosstownalliance.com

I'll preface this by saying that although my week's been a harum-scarum, please don't think that I believe there's any weight of comparison between that and Job's life. My problems at the moment are all first-world issues, and don't include any feelings that an hour's time alone in a hammock couldn't appease.

Job, on the other hand.. 

[If you haven't read Job, I recommend it. Caveat to that though, is my additional recommendation not to read it first, if it's the first and only thing in the Bible that you'll be reading. I mean, you can, but although it's got a happy ending, it's not the most encouraging thing for the first few chapters. You've been cautioned.]

Want the Cori Cliff Notes? Okay: 

Job's got the life: he's wealthy from a worldly and materialistic standpoint. He has a wife, grown children, grandchildren and servants. He has herds of animals and massive plots of acreage. He's known by everyone in a time & world where social media [or cameras, phones & cars in general] do not exist. [GASP]. He's a sturdy, healthy man who also happens to be God-fearing and humble. Satan comes along one day and challenges the resolve of Job's faith against the onset of destruction and personal loss, and God allows all but his own personal death to come to him for the sake of proving a point to Satan that a man after God's own heart cannot be deterred. Job's herds are killed, his entire family (sans wife) is crushed in an accident, his physical body is stricken with open boils and sores and to top it off, his wife and friends encourage him to rebuke the name of the creator of all that is. 

That.. is a bad week. 

Like I said, probably not the first book I would've wanted to read when I started on my journey to understand the Bible. 

So throughout all. of. this, we have Job dropping to his knees and raising his eyes to the Heavens and thanking God for the blessings he has otherwise received, and acknowledging that if God has given, it is that same intrinsic and divine right for Him to take away. 

He. Praises. God. 

In a time like that. 

And here I am, conditionally promising my best behavior at work, mentally, to a God who moved planets and breathed stars to life, if He'll just keep that dozen or so of the most pesty associates and clients at bay for however many hours I want to focus on whatever else. 

For all it looks like, Job is an upstanding citizen, father, husband, community role model, boss and entrepreneur. He loses everything. He's stripped down to nearly dust, but at the end of the story [fast forward], is replenished and rewarded with seven more children, full herds, servants, land and everything nearly tenfold what had been lost before. He grows old, dies with a full and wise heart and is remembered and cherished by his family and friends. 

But he was a GOOD PERSON before that, though.. so why'd all this happen in the first place? 

What a PERFECT question for a time like this. With less than a full week having passed since the madness in Orlando, I'm sure now is an appropriate a time as there ever was to be asking, 

WHY DO BAD THINGS
HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?!

Christina Grimmie. Forty-nine people in a nightclub. A little boy on the bank of a pond.
And this is just ORLANDO!

Lives lost, families torn apart, communities shaken to the core. 

I want to know why BAD THINGS happen to GOOD PEOPLE. 

Her name is Krista, and while she might not remember, she said something to me in 1999 when we lost a classmate to a shooting incident in my small hometown. Krista was [& still is] my youth pastor's wife, and when that happened, stepped in to help council those of us in our youth group who'd been affected. I asked her the same question then, through 15-year-old eyes that didn't understand half of what they do now about the world or life in general: Krista, WHY do bad things happen to good people?!

And she answered, "I don't know." 

Now, before I share what she said in addition to that, let me say this: that was 17 years ago and I still remember it as clearly as if I'd just heard it: "I don't know." What had I been expecting to hear, that I was so surprised by that? Some eloquent, lofty explanation full of churchy verbiage and verses from Isaiah and Proverbs? I was 15. Who knows, maybe I wasn't aware then that there isn't an answer to that that qualifies as absolute, or perfect. No one answer will satisfy that question in every one of its countless available contexts. But in that moment, it was exactly what I needed to hear. That I was not the only who didn't have all the answers. 

As I said, there was more to it, but by priming whatever came next with the understanding that it was her personal opinion on why, based on a much more mature understanding of life and life as a Christ-follower. She played for me Refiner's Fire, and her belief that refinement is a process that does not come easy. Years later, I would connect this with another counselor's comparison to the process of exacting brilliant diamonds: by applying pressure. 

At nearly 32, I look back at those two conversations, and all those looped up in between, coupled with the life experiences I've had since then, and believe whole-heartedly in 2 things: 

1. I will never know the "right" answers to some of the questions I have, namely that one.  

and
2. I am perfectly content in not knowing. I am here now, and I'm who I am now, because of several separate and ongoing refining processes. Growth is not happening if I'm not being challenged, in some form. Some challenges apply more pressure than others, and they end up hurting.. sometimes a lot. But I'm not dead [yet, & sometimes miraculously so, but I digress]... and given that one simple, indisputable fact, I think God's been a little more than good to me. 

********************

Now, I'm not blind to what a lot of people might think about my diatribe about faith and God and the whole Christian thing, especially in the light of what's been happening in Orlando. I just said that I don't have all the answers, but I do believe something [& I'm not alone]. The one, true God that I love, honor and strive to follow, does NOT capitalize on hate. He doesn't encourage humans to kill other humans. He doesn't give any of us permission to damage the soul of another human for the benefit of proving a point. He demands that we love, unconditionally, wholly and like that of a child - blind to prejudice of any format. THAT.. is God. He forgives, but does not forget, and we are accountable to Him. "Good deeds" don't get us to Heaven; our hearts do, and I for one refuse to step up on the day I leave Earth with a heart that's harbored years of hate, judgment, self-righteousness or spite. I'm a work in progress. We all are. 

And in that way, I've prayed for and mourned from miles away here in Ohio for those in Orlando. For those in California, and for the rest of our world, where humans are hurting other humans, and creating new generations of humans who will never learn not to hurt other humans. It's dizzying.

BUT.. Why do bad things happen to good people?!

Ya'll... I don't know. BUT, I have seen from this great distance [imagine how this looks up close, how fantastic and intense it must be!] how global communities are banding together, not just residents in Orlando. Humans, around the world are seeing this and reacting in the only one true way that will ever, ever, ever stop the cycle of destroying each other: by LOVING EACH OTHER. Families supporting broken mothers, fathers, siblings whose loved ones never came home from that club. Businesses providing resources for their community. Strangers reaching out to strangers to offer words of encouragement. Athletes, musicians, celebrities, charity organizations everywhere campaigning for more love, and less hate. The internet, in all its glorious relevance these days, teeming with videos, campaigns, messages promoting open hearts and awareness. 

The small voice in the back of my mind thinks that maybe, just maybe, in spite of this enormous, unspeakably unnecessary and devastating chain of events, this surge of new activity pointing us back in the direction of loving one another for who and where we each are, and appreciating what that really means... maybe that wouldn't be happening at this magnitude, without something a such a punctuated prompt. Fifty-one(+++) reasons inspiring us to end hate and seek love. It's a risk to say that, I know; the mother whose son or daughter was gunned down, terrified and desperate in those last moments, likely won't agree. The parents who lost their little boy during what was supposed to be a joy-filled family vacation. The brother who tackled a gunman after watching his baby sister gunned down as she signed autographs. Maybe they won't agree. At least not right now, and maybe never.. and that's okay, but I do believe that ashes pave the way to new growth. I believe loss can ruin us, or it can fuel us. 

And I believe in [the power of] prayer. 

And healing.
And community, fellowship.

And forgiveness.
And action.

And I believe in the process of refinement. 

********************

I left small group feeling really weird, but in a good way. I felt really convicted [aka guilty], for starters, to get over myself and this seemingly "bad day" that I'd had. After studying Job and dissecting the hell that he had to endure in order to be refined, my week looks much more mundane. I'll take a feeling of foolishness any day if I can also find that type of perspective.

On, and this was the sky tonight: 

Hey, God. Thank you.♥

I hope ya'll have a beautiful evening. I don't know if anyone out there needed a pep talk as much as I did today, but if you did [or still do], I'm that random stranger on the internet here to tell you that you're much more than you think, and you're not giving yourself enough credit. Now, if you're feeling pretty good with where you are, go find one of those people who felt like I did all day today, and share some of that love with them. Chances are, you'll both benefit from it. 

Let's all be good people. To ourselves and to each other.
And let's maybe teach the little- and big! - ones around us, to be good, too.
Life's a little nicer when we are. ♥

xo | cmd

Like Nehemiah :)

Happy Wednesday, bloggers! 

I hope the week's gone well for all of you, even if it's one of the abbreviated work weeks like mine has been. It's certainly been a roller coaster week for us, but there've been more highs than lows, and for that I'm grateful. 

Tonight after work, we were able to convene with our small group and transfer guardianship of the two boxes for the foster graduates. I'm excited to hear how they're received. 

Something that we covered tonight in small group that resonated with me; bear with me - this isn't long, I promise, but it's certainly worth the recall on a later day, I'm sure. 

Scott walked us through the book of Nehemiah tonight, focusing primarily on Nehemiah himself, and the qualities that defined him as the leader, prayer-warrior and consistently faithful person he was. We centered our study tonight around Nehemiah's journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls and restore the inner city. 

I can't imagine. Seriously.
The journey there, in a time where Uber, Mapquest and anything faster than a horse or camel didn't exist. We're talking miles.. and miles.. and miles of walking. 

Then there was the matter of obtaining all the things he'd requested from King Artaxerxes: letters ahead of him requesting protection. A calvary of bodyguards. Timber & material to rebuild the walls and gates. Other people to go along and help. Things requested from a king during a time in which you could very literally lose your head if the King felt slighted or upset with you for any reason. Talk about confidence! 

We dissected Nehemiah's experience through the 52 days it took to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, and I realized that although the [literal] work itself is so very different, the principles of leadership, discernment, trust, confidence, faith, endurance, consistency and resistance are tried, true and timeless. 

First and foremost, Nehemiah was a prayer warrior. That in itself is a step on which I fall short more often than I care to admit. Sure, I pray, but when I'm being honest, I can't say that it's always the first thing I think to do when I'm caught off guard. It's one of the first, but it's not the first. 

Then, he's a leader by example and participation. You know, one of those working manager types. The coach that gets on the field and does the drills with the team. The teacher that gives the instruction and then provides individual attention until the whole class understands at the same level. Nehemiah was a tutor, trainer and humble servant, all wrapped up into one man, powered by God, purposed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 

Love

Joy
Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness
Gentleness 

& Self-Control 

[wait, those sound familiar.... ;) ]

Just some things I've been reflecting on since we left tonight. I am not the first person I would think of if asked who I knew that exhibits all of these boldly, daily, and because of that, I know I need to work on it. 

For now, I wish joy and peace to each of you for the rest of the week! 

outside our house ♥

xo | cmd

Last Day of May

Ya'll, I have some serious joy in my heart today. There was also a little strife, but that came later, and not really at my expense. 

For starters, I ordered this SHIRT back at the beginning of April, but never received it. I'd sent an email out to the company, with wavering expectations of hearing back. I was told that when the next batch of them came in, a replacement would be shipped.

Well... 

This came toooodayyy! Yeyeyeyeh, I know I probably read too far into this, but hey - if there's anything I really love to do, it's give credit where it's most definitely due. I got the shirt, yes. That little blue card down there is a hand-penned note from Rikki at OhioExplored, explaining that the 8x10 print, decal stickers and gold engraved cuff are a complimentary apology for the delay. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE, MUCH?! It's pretty daggone hard to really, really surprise me, but this one got me right in the feels. I hadn't asked for anything extra, and certainly wasn't expecting anything other than exactly what I'd originally purchased. I'm crazy impressed ya'll. If you're an Ohio junkie like me, you'd better take a moment to check out @OhioExplored, @RedGiraffeDesigns & @ChampaignPaper - all Ohio-based, and all awesome. 

It made my day, seriously. Then, there was after work; I set off on the final leg of my adventure hunting down the items for both of the boxes for our small group's sponsorship in the Clermont County Foster program: 

so excited!! 

We'll deliver these two tomorrow night at small group, and they'll continue on to two of the seniors graduating both from high school and the Clermont County Foster program. I'm honored to be a part of this, and more so to be charged with the procurement of said items. Excited! :) 

There was a quick dinner date with Rob, followed by an unscripted evening hosting one of my best friends for a sleepover. The evening took a turn for the unpleasant, but as with all things unfavorable, I'm a proponent of hopeful belief that this too shall pass.

I'm going to leave that right there, for anyone else who might need it today. I hope that wherever I've found you tonight, fellow blogger, that you've had someone remind you that you are worth exactly what you want, and you are worthy of being loved for all that you are and aren't. You are wonderful :). 

Good night, for now - see you tomorrow ... In JUNE! 

xo | cmd 

"A 6-Die Farkle is a Bad, Bad Day...."

It's almost Friiiiiday! 

Today was a good one. I've been buried up to my eyeballs in work for the past couple weeks, but after a refreshing break to grab dinner with Becky & Mike last night, and after the good news today that we'll be adding a new girl to our staffing team to absorb the other half of what I'm currently doing, well... it's all been a blur, but it just made today really... interesting. In a good way, I think.

I left work per the usual schedule to get Sydni; for over half the trip, I trailed a car that kept asking me the question of the ages [or at least of the past few weeks, seemingly so whenever I look up for a split second..]

i mean........ 

^ It's a valid question, and I know I'm not the only one who feels like I'm asking my own brain this and expecting some third party answer half the time. Like, I busted into Milford today with no idea what my name was after following that guy, who also probably thought I was stalking him after I snapped this picture at the red light. Meh. 

Sydni told me all about her school's Valentine's Day party as we cruised back home, until Nana called and we got to coordinating plans for the clan to come down and visit [aka help us clean the current digs once we pack it up next month and head to the new place!]

It was a short U-turn at home, where we squeezed in homework, a snack, a potty break and costume change from work to street clothes before rushing right back out the door for small group. Tonight was especially hilarious, as we took a 1-week break from our usual studies to indulge in a time of fellowship of games and snacks. I am beyond grateful for this crew, for the fellowship, and above all, for the fact that a game of Farkle has never before been so much daggone FUN! 

farkle! 

I think as I finish this week and head into next week, I'm not going to be able to unhear Jen's exclamation, "A 6-die Farkle is just a Bad, Bad Day!" How a cup, 6 die and a group of awesome people can lighten up an evening and get those happy little endorphins movin' :). 

Yeahhhhh... 

Seriously, this week's been a blur. Last week, too. Tomorrow's Friday, and I'm pretty certain it's going to be the perfect start to a weekend of fun :). We've got a celebratory work dinner planned with Chris & Deb as a reward for winning the quarterly sales contest, followed by the weekend I'll spend in Cleveland with these two [+Q&E!] - 

heading to cleveland on saturday with this lovely fam! 

Happy, happy, HAPPY almost Friday, blogbots! 

xo | cmd

Small Group :)

I haven't talked much about this lately, but I feel like tonight would be a good one to express how much I appreciate our small group. Woops - they're called small groups at Sonrise, but same thing. I'm especially appreciative for the study Chris is currently walking us through: A study of the Old Testament. We had a packed table tonight, as we continued the journey through the foundation of the OT and how it shapes the rest of the Bible. 

old testament study

And no, this isn't a Baptist church [shout out to the Tower, alllll the way back in Illinois; I love & miss you guys!], but that doesn't stop us from getting our snack on during studies. I'm very much accustomed to small groups that are casual and warm all the way around, only incorporating serious focus when it comes to the studying at hand. It's funny how the presence of good food can and will always aid in the cultivation of a group or team atmosphere. 

Blogbots, I hope your Thursday was a wonderful day, and that Friday ushers in an even better weekend! TGI[almost]F!

xo | cmd

Happy Birthday, Clarissa!!

I seriously love birthdays. It doesn't need to be my birthday, either. I love love love... birthdays in general. Especially when it's a super cool person worth the efforts of staging super cool things.

happy happy birthday, riss!!!!! 

I wish we would've been able to relish a little more in the celebration of her special day, it was a neurotic day - in a good way? - and just didn't give us the time we needed.

The day blabbered on so much that we had to forfeit small group for the evening. Instead, we arrived home several hours later to unwrap and set up the Big Barker that we bought off an auction site for the dogs.

big barker!

Ya'll, if you're not familiar with what these are, they are basically miniature memory foam beds. They have a built-in "head rest" on one end, and may as well come with a matching side table, because if our dogs don't like it, that means I'll have some form of a reason to craft up a custom sheet set and sleep on that sucker myself. Word of advice though - do everything you can to strike a deal on an auction site or somewhere otherwise discounted; these things are not cheap! We were super fortunate to find this one when and how we did. [Good luck!!]

Tomorrow's Friday; I promise this can't come soon enough. It's been a fantastic week, really, but the tank is getting low and the end is in sight for this week.

Here's to this week, here's to Thursday and heeeeere's to it almost being Friday!

xo | cmd

#SRP2015 Day 4: En La Escuela

ENGLISH: BLACK FONT (Or gray).  SPANISH: RED FONT

INGLÉS: FUENTE NEGRO (O gris).  ESPAÑOL: FUENTE ROJO

*******

David made the decision early this morning that the men would be hiking out to a village further away today, while the women and Quinn would stay and work with the children in the school. The teachers were gracious enough to share their classrooms with us for the last portion of their time.

David tomó la decisión esta mañana que los hombres iba a salir de excursión a un pueblo más lejos hoy, mientras que las mujeres y Quinn se quedarían y trabajar con los niños en la escuela. Los maestros tuvieron la amabilidad de compartir sus aulas con nosotros para la última parte de su tiempo. 

a new day in the mountains  ||  un nuevo día en las montañas

Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, Quinn, Pastor Simon and I started out in the kindergarten/1st grade classroom, where we began sharing the Salvation bracelets. Curious? THAT ENTRY IS HERE (CLICK). Our translation team carried us through each of the three classrooms we visisted, sharing the story of salvation through Evangecube and the bracelets. 

Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, Quinn, Pastor Simon y empecé a cabo en el aula de grado jardín de infantes / primera, donde empezamos compartiendo las pulseras de la salvación.  ¿Curioso? QUE LA ENTRADA ES AQUÍ (En Inglés).  Nuestro equipo de traducción nos lleva a través de cada una de las tres aulas Nos fuimos, compartiendo la historia de la salvación a través Cubo Evangelístico y las pulseras.

bracelets in the classroom!  ||  brazaletes en el aula

We were able to work hands on with the kids, tying knots in the leather and giving what little help they actually needed to string the beads. They are so smart. They are so independent. They are beautiful children. Initially, I was slightly disappointed that my day would not consist of much hiking, but after working for the morning and early afternoon with the children, I could not have imagined a greater feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment. 

Pudimos trabajar con las manos en los niños, hacer nudos en el cuero y dando la poca ayuda que realmente necesitan para encadenar las cuentas. Ellos son tan inteligentes. Son tan independiente. Son hermosos hijos. Al principio, me decepcionó un poco que mi día no consistiría tanto el senderismo, pero después de trabajar durante la mañana y la tarde con los niños, yo no podría haber imaginado una mayor sensación de satisfacción y plenitud.

helping the children  ||  ayudar a los niños

The men soon returned. This time, we ate lunch in between individual mini-interviews, done by Chris. We briefly shared testaments of how God is moving in these mountains and in the hearts of these beautiful people living here.

Los hombres volvieron pronto. Esta vez, comimos almuerzo entre mini-entrevistas individuales, realizados por Chris. Compartimos brevemente testamentos de cómo Dios se está moviendo en estas montañas y en los corazones de estas personas hermosas que viven aquí. 

marissa with the little girls | zobeida & rita
marissa con las niñitas | zobeida y rita

with marissa & the little girls || con marissa y las niñitas

our front door  ||  nuestra puerta  

things we do with food here: sleep on rice sacks,
eat sugar cane and refrigerate pop in the river.. haha.
cosas que hacemos con la comida aquí: dormir en sacos de arroz,
caña de azúcar y comemos pop refrigere en el río .. jaja 

In hindsight I look back on the small group we had on this day, and I cannot help but smile at God's humor. There were 13 women who attended today's class. Pastor Simon's wife was present to assist with the Ngabere translations; we were all confident in the message of the day that it was received. There was conversation and dialogue. There was laughing and smiling. It was the opposite of yesterday's class, in which the small collection of women chose to sit mostly in silence and patient withholding of feedback or conversation. It was encouraging today to feel as though
we were earning trust and planting seeds of curiosity in their minds. It was our hope that they would volunteer their questions, or at least take them home to fully form and then ask a pastor who may find them long after we have gone. We shared the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector [Luke 18:9-14], and how a humble and honest heart is worthy of God's kingdom. 

En retrospectiva miro hacia atrás el pequeño grupo que tenía en este día, y no puedo evitar sonreír ante el humor de Dios. Hubo 13 mujeres que asistieron a la clase de hoy. La esposa de Pastor Simon estuvo presente para ayudar con las traducciones Ngäbere; todos estábamos confiados en el mensaje del día en que fue recibido. Hubo conversación y el diálogo. Hubo riendo y sonriendo. Era lo opuesto a la clase de ayer, en la que la pequeña colección de las mujeres optó por sentarse en su mayoría en el silencio y la retención de pacientes de retroalimentación o conversación. Fue alentador hoy para sentir como si estuviéramos ganando la confianza y la plantación de semillas de la curiosidad en sus mentes. Teníamos la esperanza de que iban a ofrecer sus preguntas, o por lo menos llevar a casa para formar completamente y luego pedir un pastor que pueda encontrarlos mucho después de que nos hemos ido. Compartimos la historia del fariseo y el recaudador de impuestos [Lucas 18: 9-14], y cómo un corazón humilde y honesto es digno del reino de Dios.

small group  ||  la clase con las mujeres

♥♥

"teachers"  ||  "maestras"

.. and "students"  ||  .. y "las estudiantes"

Then dinner. I cannot explain how this food triggers a feeling of being homesick within me. No, I do not live in the mountains, and have not since I was a baby, but there is something about the food - the rice, the vegetables, the smell of it all cooked over an outdoor fire, that reminded me that the mountains are in my blood, even if I do not see them nearly as often as I would like. We prayed, ate and gathered together again as our own little community in the few hours before night service. 

Entonces, cena. No puedo explicar cómo este alimento desencadena un sentimiento de que extrañaban dentro de mí. No, yo no vivo en las montañas, si no tengo desde que era un bebé, pero hay algo sobre la comida - el arroz, las verduras, el olor de todo cocinado sobre un fuego al aire libre, que me recordó que las montañas están en mi sangre, aunque yo no los veo tan a menudo como me gustaría. Oramos, comimos y reunidos de nuevo como nuestra pequeña comunidad en las pocas horas antes de que el servicio nocturno. 

simon! (pastor simon's son)  ||  ¡simon! (hijo del pastor simon)

more soccer  ||  más fútbol

girls   ||   niñas

Bernabe led the service tonight. We stood watching with wonder and respect as he read from and shared a message in Ngabere. It is a beautiful language. He held his audience's attention and taught them from the same Bible we know, but translated. It made me realize that God's love is a universal entity that knows NO bounds, especially not that of language, culture or race. 

Bernabé llevó el servicio esta noche. Nos quedamos mirando con asombro y respeto mientras leía y compartió un mensaje en Ngäbere. Es un idioma hermoso. Él llevó a cabo la atención de su audiencia y les enseñó de la misma Biblia lo sabemos, pero traducido. Me hizo darme cuenta de que el amor de Dios es una entidad universal que no conoce límites, sobre todo, no la de la lengua, la cultura o raza.

church :)    ||    la iglesia :) 

The movie began to play again tonight, and we parted ways to allow the people to watch. We spent the last hours of our night talking together, writing our own accounts of the day, and prayerfully preparing for tomorrow's work. 

Comenzó la película volver a jugar esta noche, y nos separamos maneras de permitir a la gente a ver. Pasamos las últimas horas de nuestra noche hablando juntos, escribir nuestras propias cuentas del día, y con oración preparatoria para el trabajo de mañana. 

Day 4: Love The Children. Love The People.
Check. 

His works are accomplished through His people. 

Día 4: amar a los niños. Nos encanta la gente. 

Hecho. 

Sus obras se llevan a cabo a través de Su pueblo.

xo | cmd
♥ | cmd

#SRP2015 Day 3: Evangelize The Mountains!

ENGLISH: BLACK FONT (Or Gray).  SPANISH: RED FONT

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.

Day 3: GO, Tell It On The Mountains! 

Check. 

He is here, and He is moving.

Día 3:
Ve, ¡di encendido las montañas! 

Hecho. 

Él está aquí, y Él se está moviendo

xo | cmd

♥ | cmd