Advent ponderings

I am beginning to truly understand what Advent is. It's marvelous how God is showing me.

It is lovely to be home. I am content to be a full-time sister and daughter again, living at home and taking full advantage of a well-stocked and fully-equipped kitchen to make delicious meals and baked goods. My dog I had unexpectedly missed very much, and I have loved the opportunities to walk him every day for some quality time thinking, exercising, and sometimes talking with an accompanying family member in the frigid fresh air. And of course, in this season, it is a pleasure simply to be where it looks like home and smells like Christmas.

Of course, I didn't feel all these joyful, cozy, comfy, warm, Christmas-y feelings a week and a half ago; I was finishing up final exams, and laboring under the expectations I had for myself. I dreamt of the ability to sleep in my own bed, pined for the sight of my backyard and all its winter-bared trees, and yearned for the hot cocoa by the fire sort of moments with my little sisters. A countdown to the day I flew home conveyed so much hope, so many happy and energizing thoughts, that I was propelled through finals with a diligence and effort that carried me to the degree of success I needed. It made me thankful that I have such a home to which I am able to return. It made me praise God for his faithfulness in providing the means for my education, and my flying and driving halfway across the country to get to it. It made me reflect on all that I had learned in those quick four months that compose a semester.

All that, to me, sounds a little bit like the Advent season, albeit on a less universally important level. What I felt in the present, and then how it would be, and how the switch would be made by one day, one change (in my example, the day of my flight; in the best Example, Christmas Day). Then, I felt anticipation of rest, now, in rest, I remember how God pulled me through a tough transitional semester. Then I felt a seeming hopelessness brought on by finals, where now I have renewed hope. Along with this change or renewal has come a greater desire to reflect in my work the glorious God I am coming to know better through my studies. I appreciate Advent, His coming, much better this year than I ever have, I think due to the double amount of waiting, and looking-forward-to, I experienced between Advent itself and my homecoming.

The most beautiful reentry to life at home was being at church with my family for Lessons & Carols Sunday. On this day every year, there is no sermon; instead the choir and scripture readers lead us through the story of Christ's birth in song and reading. It was beautiful(--shout out to the church choir and its director!). I felt like I had arrived, after making a long spiritual journey mirroring the journey of the magi, one full of anticipation and hope. A journey to realize that I wasn't the one who made the journey at all, but that I was the one Christ passionately journeyed to--here, to where I am, to the fallen, broken, hurting world full of starvation, grief, loneliness, grudges, hatred, and final exams. Suffering immense humility and humiliation (two words that I have now learned originally meant the same thing), God through his Son has shown me in a new way his great love all over again. I don't know if any of this is sensible or comprehensible to anyone else, or if the connection only works for the one who's lived it herself, as sometimes is true. But I believe God continues his loving, caring, fond, affectionate manner of guiding me, just as he always has. Praise God for his faithfulness to his loved ones, his little ones, his sheep.

O come, O come, Emmanuel.

A dog, some pearls, and a scarf

Never should one underestimate the encouraging power of a scarf or a dog. The presence of either on a particularly cold and sleepy day is as comforting as knowing one is almost done with one's first freshman semester.

This past week was a busy one, full of choir rehearsals and skipping some classes and going to others. Besides the inevitable beloved reading and homework. I am enjoying the winding down that is taking place in my classes, except in the ones where I have a final paper instead of exam. I am hopeful that I'll get the ideas that need to come so I can write the papers well, and finish the classes as I've started them.

The choir rehearsals are for a concert today, where the University choir will blend with several other choirs (church and otherwise) to perform a Christmas concert in the Kimmel Center in downtown Philly. I am so excited--it has been such an unanticipated blessing having choir in my schedule this year. The director is wonderful, and really talented at leading our 60-something choir. We will sing some breathtakingly beautiful melodies this afternoon, and a number of my best friends on campus are either singing with me or have bought tickets to see it. That's because they're lovely.

Any choir performance is my favorite chance to wear pearls. Really, I think everyday is a great day to wear pearls. My dad gave them to me, from Japan. Some of the ladies in the other choirs were making sure we college student girls had pearls, and I could say that, yes, I do have some. I love how they hang heavily around my neck, how they warm up after fifteen minutes, how they always remind me of Dad, family, and home.

Speaking of home, I should tell you about the scarf. I was sitting in my seat at rehearsal and greeting the people who walked past in my section, and one lady had the same scarf on as I've seen my sister wear a thousand times. A beautiful, sky blue and cream, cashmere scarf. I commented on it and told her my sister had the same one, and it was lovely to think of her when I saw this lady's scarf. Then during our break an hour later, she plopped herself down next to me and asked me about family, home, and my sister. When break was over, she took off her scarf and wrapped it about my neck unquestioningly and said, "Well, I'd like you to have this, so you can be reminded of her for right now, and so you two can be samesies when you get home." It made my heart and I quite warm.

The dog in the intro is named Maggie. She and I took a marvelous nap yesterday on my roommate Emily's couch. It was so nice to spend a night at Em's house, seeing her world and enjoying her neighbors and parents and home-cooked food. I was very content.

So I've written of the possibility of getting any real work done today, what with the concert and rehearsals taking up all day. And that is fine, because I'm set for Monday. But I must get to the bus now, making sure I have everything. There's a great fog out there today, so I will enjoy the cross-campus walk very much.

I wish you all a happy December, and I'm glad I finally sat down and wrote an entry. It's nice to spill thoughts and goodness into the blogosphere. Peace in this busy time of year, and God bless.
xox

college blog numero uno

Hi, I'm still Anna. :)

I'm over a month in, and the blogging's been nonexistent! oopsie. But otherwise I seem to be keeping afloat pretty well, considering the all-out inundation of social, spiritual, mental and gustatorial (if you include late night snacking) delights.

Here's a summary of the past four weeks:

Somewhat awkward first meeting of my cohort mates. Camping trip--canoeing, jumping in cold water, discussing wisdom, sharing fears, laughing, stars reflecting in the lake, cold dewy tenty mornings, day-long hike, nicknames, inside jokes. Orientation: more new freshmen buddies, fun/silly activities, better-than-usual dining hall food. Start to classes, and the irony of my first class being one in math--Accounting 107--after all the loathing I've heaped on it for years. Homework and social life--these two can be balanced? Beginning the flow of philosophical thought in my brain. Feel the burn. Growing accustomed to hills. Growing accustomed to my wonderful dorm room. Decorating, piece by piece. Sharing it with the hall girls. Loving my hall mates. Finding study spots. Keeping tabs on the great blue heron that likes to hang out in the pond. Lectures and debates and discussions. Swing dance club, Latinos Unidos club, Italy club--wishing I had the time. Enjoying fall's approach. Reading aloud. Rejoicing in the beauty of campus. Practising (ooh, good reminder) my guitar chords. Speaking with Russian accent. Meeting people, liking them. Weekend with Hannah at her home in central PA--going to the fair, sitting on a tractor for the first time, viewing tractor pulls, eating fried food, not fried food, sleeping, enjoying mountainous countryside. Being blessed by time with her family. Late night walks, by light of full moons and waxing crescent moons. Looking forward to time with cousins soon. More homework. Adventures. Shenanigans.

I have not nearly covered it, but that is a sampling. And it's a delectable one. Another blog habit I'll start is listing the diverse forms of study breaks friends and I take in a week.

Today, I'll list all that I've done so far: moonlit walks, dancing, dancing, dancing, youtube videos, working out, massage chains, Wendell Berry poetry. :)

Have a lovely week, y'all!
xox

semi-final destination :)

Did you know that the geographical coordinates of Bogotá and Philadelphia line up longitudinally, almost exactly? I did, because I googled it. That is so much fun. And with the help of Skype, all those latitudinal lines separating me from a beloved continent seem to fade.

Here I am, headed out to my home for the next four years: the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. I’m glad for many things at this time—not the least of them being excellent goodbyes from many diverse groups of friends. Glad for the van that can contain all my crap from here to there. Glad for the hand of protection over our vehicle. Glad for the changes, glad for the old. Glad for the prospect of meeting lots of neat new people this year. Glad for the friends I leave behind. Glad for the new Mumford T-shirt. Glad for the PA hills on all sides right now and for four more years.

But, more to the point, I guess I’m thankful. It’s been a while since I had such a cool way to spend my time as digging in deep to academia. I welcome the daily challenge of returning to schoolwork. I even welcome the tests and quizzes that will inevitably come (but just ask me in two months). And this time, it’s not just school; I get to have the fun of dorm life added on! If we’re being honest, I have awaited this time of life since the first day I set foot in high school. I recognize, now as ever, that none of these blessings are earned by my Wheaton-North-worthy GPA, my list of extracurriculars, or the work experience I have gained this past year. Nope. All are God-given gifts to spur me on my journey in the path he hasn’t hesitated in forming for me.

            If the next decade could play out exactly as I am dreaming it would (which it won’t, and I am okay with that), it would look a lot like this:

            Four excellent years of undergrad at THC, gleaning knowledge in all topics that interest me and learning from truly great minds. Grad school—either in Costa Rica (there's a particularly good program there) or here in USA—to add to the palatability of my resume. Then, off to Bogotá or Buenos Aires to work for Globant. That’s the sueño.

            Other than that, the plan is to enjoy the heck out of the next four years at college. What a bummer there are only four, and they’re going to fly. I’ll not waste a day.

            With regards to the blog, I think I’ll keep going. Why stop a ball that’s already rolling? Plus, there are some people in the world that read it. Thanks, guys. :)

            Blessings on you readers, wherever, whoever, however. May your autumn bring you such excitement and novelty and joy as I am almost sure to have. And thank you for sojourning with me through this most marvelous Gap Year.

HERE’s where Bunny’s got to.

Shalom. xox

Back in the USA. What a beautiful evening to be here. For the whole entire day, actually.

Due to the again-impressive storm last night that certainly cooled things down a tad, today was a brilliantly sunny day. Definitely of the variety that makes me stop and think, wow, life is a beautiful gift. It did also help that I got to wear my cute new rose-colored blouse today. Pretty outfits are best appreciated, by me, on beautiful days.

My sisters and I sang in church today, and I loved it. Maddi played guitar, and Bella and I sang. It was also my last Sunday at Immanuel Presbyterian Church for a while, and we had communion. I don't know what that's like at many other churches, but at ours, it's nothing short of beautiful. After all going forward together, we return to our seats and wait until everyone's been served. Then, to close the service, we join hands and sing as a congregation the first and last verses of "Amazing Grace". I was sitting with my family in the balcony today because we were up there to sing, and I had the privilege of looking out over the whole congregation as we sang. The congregation that so welcomed our family, fresh off the plane from England, about 13 years ago; the people that taught my Sunday school classes all through schoolyears, and those with whom my parents arranged play-dates. I have grown so much in the time that I have attended IPC, and I have loved it as it is, but the family that I have accrued there will continue to grow and change even while I'm not there. I am okay with that. It has helped and nurtured me carefully for long enough--now I'm going to college.

I am going to college. And I cannot wait! School supplies are just the most material/commercialist joy of starting school again--joys which range from studying to having roommates to extracurriculars. I leave in only eleven days. So much to get ready before then! But that's a good thing, because without activity (as this summer has laid painfully obvious) I go bonkers. I await the goodness this year holds quite expectantly--but the excited kind, not the nervous kind. I will be saving my nerves for my first paper in over a year, my first exams in over a year.

Heck, I'm even looking forward to papers and exams: it's definitely time for school. :)

xox

Reflections

In this summer that seems to me to be somewhat meandering, purposeless, or random, God seems to find a way to remind me that even the rest he designates from time to time is intentional. I have felt, throughout this summer, a sense of waiting--probably due to being so excited for school to start up in the fall! But of course, that is a big distraction, and doesn't make the time go any faster. What it does do is make me realize that I still am dependent on God for giving my life purpose at any given moment; for how I hope to identify myself, which is by the child of God that I am, not by the activities or acts that I achieve. But, you know, work in progress.

Last night I found myself in a state of bliss on a southern-Bogota terrace admiring the majesty of mountains surrounding such gorgeous (and prettily illuminated) city. Inhaling air from the steady, frigid breeze, and just watching the unfading glimmer of life.
Life is so very real here. I am constantly surprised and renewed by it. The attention to family. The giing thanks for waking up well and safe every morning, and the thanksgiving for the food on the table. The natural beauty surrounding us. The intrigue in observing all the varieties of activities people here get down to each and every day. Even driving in all the traffic and with all those crazy drivers--how fast and recklessly and hazardously some people take to driving is just a reminder of how fleeting life is, and how full of excitement and feeling it can be.
The same was true being in church on Sunday, at a church called Centro de Vida y Adoracion, and singing in Spanish a worship song that I had previously learnt in Argentina. It is so cool to me that my adventures are intertwining, constantly and carefully. That certainly adds to my life's cohesiveness, which encourages me. Making a Colombian friend in Argentina led to a friendship while I was in Buenos Aires, another couple of visits when we were both back in Bogota, and then to my return trip to stay with his family these two weeks in Bogota.

I am so grateful for this year of travel. I have learned about life in general, as well as understood more how I want to live it. All the little memories and lessons are things I can bring to college and beyond. All the photos and the foods and the souvenirs that I have enjoyed only serve to trigger memory of all the special moments that have made this time such a blessing. As it draws to a close now, I'm going to savor both these remembrances and the new adventures to come. On whatever continent, in whatever country, with whichever people they may be.

xox

Red House For Sale--Memories Not Included

I think I grew up a little yesterday. Little more, I mean, as I have recently been stretched and reshaped in various unexpected ways. But today, starting late the night before, was different.

As we drove in the dark past the big red house that holds many of my all-time fondest memories, the realtor's sign flashed in the headlights. I was really jarred by that sight--so blatant, so in my face, so real.

Yesterday we went back to Nana-and-Poppy's "old" house: for clean up, for yard work, for packing up, for goodbyes.

Farewell to that "we-finally-made-it-to-Nana-and-Poppy's house" view.

Goodbye to the basement workshop, where many toy cars and figurines were fondly carved, sanded, pinched into the vice grip within an inch of their wooden lives.
Farewell to the many clocks, with their hanging pendulums now unhooked and sitting on the table.

Goodbye, Nana and Poppy's bedroom...so many early mornings pretending to wake them up, and the snuggles that ensued.
Goodbye to the hallway that held all of Poppy's antique signs from various American inns.
Goodbye to the tiny first floor bathroom that overlooks the flowers in the front yard.
Goodbye to the tantalizing fragrance of the candy cupboard, and all the times I snitched prohibited Reeses or Wilhelmina mints.
Goodbye to the dining room table that marked celebrations of countless holidays, and the corner china cabinet that held our mini Bible story books on the lowest shelf.
Goodbye to the couch on which I spent Christmas Eves' nights of sleep, in great anticipation.
Goodbye to the crayons in the cupboard.
Goodbye to the piano room, and all the caroling that occurred there.
Farewell to the kitchen, the hub of family life together.

Goodbye to the staircase with the landing, that I always found so fascinating and Slinky-ful.
Goodbye to the various bedrooms upstairs that belonged to aunts and uncle and Mom through the years.
Goodbye to the bathroom, the linen closet, the hallways.
Goodbye to Poppy's office, always crammed with papers and decorated with a lovely, nearly shocking amount of sailboats.
Farewell to that attic--the grandchildren's playroom, only after it was the children's--choc-full of records, babydolls, antique children's chairs, the toy kitchen, archaic board games, and books. I will never forget the absolutely perfect smell of summer in the attic.

Goodbye to the toolshed, boat shed, raspberry bush, the antique well, badminton net, "outhouse", trees, flagpole, creek, forest, birdhouse, red house replica dog house, driveway, and the front rock.

So, I suppose what made me feel like this farewell grew me up was the realization that this goodbye was needed as a reminder that the lovely, cherished moments are still with me. They are found in the people I treasure, not in the building. It's like the difference between "house" and "home"; one means more the building, and one more the memories and sentiments and people.

Either way, both the red house and my family I will, as Poppy once said, "treasure always".

Rest in peace, Poppy. Shalom. I'll see you there someday soon.
xox

variation on a theme, in another's words

Keep walking, though there's no place to get to.

Don't try to see through the distances. That's not

    for human beings.

Move within, but don't move the way fear makes 

    you move.

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and 

    frightened.

Don't open the door to the study

and begin reading. Take down a musical 

    instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the 

    ground.

--Rumi

After a lengthy hiatus...

Why, hello there. I seem to have forgotten I have viewers/readers. Life has gotten, I must say, rather mundane again. It has a tendency of doing that. But I guess I still do have some observations and anecdotes to share with the general public.

One of them is that I forgot how much I enjoy summertime. I usually do not like for school to be over--partly academically, partly socially--but then I get to stay up late with my best friends watching multiple Paul Newman films (mmm), or blow bubbles and draw with sidewalk chalk with a group of friends mid-afternoon just because we can, or staying up all night, sleeping in, and doing lots of bike riding and yoga-ing. That is when it is nice to be back in Wheaton.

I have also been lately wondering why this summer I do not have a job. I had a job lined up for this summer last fall, before I started traveling, but things at the office changed and that was not an option when I got back. But, it was also too late to plausibly pursue other options. There was also the fact that my summer schedule will not really put me in good standing to get hired; two weeks here, two weeks away, etc. My mom started commenting, "You should really get a job for the summer." Oh boy. Now, finding work had become an actually important stress.
I wanted to protest, maybe more to explain the whole thing to myself than to my mother: "But I've been working all year--I just haven't been paid. I have been learning and thinking and growing and stretching and observing and listening and waiting and trying

                                                                       SO


                                                 HARD.
This is not the beginning of an era of laziness--not even Latin America could truly cause that 180-degree change in my personality. Don't worry. I have no designs of mooching all my life. I have just taken this time to put the learning and the discovery before materialism, just as I set out to last fall. I am healing, growing more, changing, reacting, putting-into-place, preparing, and processing life this summer. That's the job ahead of me. Its only salary comes in non-monetary goodness: peace (putting things to rest), joy (in new things I now know I love), and maturity."

After making known those things to myself, and explaining them to Mom (whose core concerns, it turns out, were more against my very possible summer boredom than about the laziness of it all), we both realized that I am "redefin[ing my]self, not by all [I] do, but how [I] choose to serve and grow....[that I am] lying fallow for a purpose right now". 

My dad's comment on the same conversation was this: "[S]sometimes the purpose may be realized not in what you do, accomplish, or change, but just as much with how God is molding you amidst the relative quiet."


So, several things came out of this. A new, peaceful state of mind when approaching this seemingly lazy and slobbishly unemployed summer. The re-realization that I have amazing parents that really do mean the best. And that God holds every moment, shapes every moment; not that I have to look for his reasoning or try to make out the story from his omniscient point of view. After all, the best novels and fables and stories unravel in a way that the characters cannot predict but the Author can appreciate. No, I'll leave to him the omniscience; for now, I will accept the fact that he is here in Wheaton with me, too, just as he was in Argentina and Colombia, and that now--as then--he is teaching me, and my work is to be receptive.


xox

These are a few of my faaaavorite things... :)

I have been re-remembering, re-noticing, re-observing my Wheaton life, and making note of all the things that I love about this area. This is for when Colombian or Argentine friends finally come to visit me--the parts of the United States closest and dearest to me.

• Lawson field (home to many great afternoons with Kipper and/or evenings stargazing)
• Cantigny park (tanks and roses--a perfect symbiosis)
• Immanuel Presbyterian Church
• La Roca Eterna Church
• Wheaton North High School
• Oberweis ice cream
• Prairie Path (good long summer bike rides)
• Cosley Zoo (particularly when the lambs are born)
• Glen Art Theater (for an afternoon movie on a rainy day in the tiniest, cutest, cleanest theater I know)
• Wheaton College
• Einstein Bros. Bagels (because they do not have bagels in South America)
• Dunkin Donuts (the Dunkin in S. Am. is very latinized--and tasty--but the original would be cool to show)
• the Metra (train into the city--double-decker would be a big difference!)
• downtown Wheaton
• Tate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
• Popcorn Shop
• Adam's Park
• Mai Thai Restaurant
• Wheaton Public Library

then if we extend the bounds of the tour to the city...

• beach
• Millenium Park summer concerts (with a picnic on the lawn)
• Shedd Aquarium
• The Cheesecake Factory (US-sized portions of very good food :) )

then if we extend to the midwest...

• Michigan or Indiana sand dunes
• the prairie sky :)

then to Pennsylvania...

• Erie
• orange-and-vanilla-twist ice cream at Sarah's
• the beaches of the Peninsula
• Nana & Poppy's old house
• Red Hots (greeeeeasy little diner with fantastic chili cheese fries)
• Philadelphia
• Eastern U's campus
• Q Mart (a weekend flea market in Quakertown)
• the Liberty Bell

I hope this list inspires you to think of what places YOU consider to be lovely treasures in your own neck of the woods. All places were created to be enjoyed to the fullest. And shared with good friends.

xox

Compare and Contrast

As I sit here, typing in English and singing in Spanish, I think it an appropriate setting to unleash my observations as to the similarities and differences between my hometown Chicago/Wheaton and Bogotá, or perhaps, my South American experiences in general. Plus, this song has such a fun rhythm. Well worth checking out here. Even if you don't understand a word. :)

For starters, public transportation has been a big switch. Here, with my thrice weekly rides on the Metra to Chicago, my pocketbook was the first to notice a difference. One ticket, $7. I told some of my Colombian friends this--their response was something to the tune of, "Really?? What, do they serve you breakfast or something?" Nope. Just that first, ours is not government subsidized (Argentina, and I think Colombia as well). Second, that good old fashioned capitalism and greed drove the bigshot owners to snitch millions from the Metra's profits before they all found out, so, now we're paying to make up the difference. Another difference in public transport, though, is the return to personal space I have begun to notice (/lament). Everyone keeps walking through a train car of half empty seats desperately searching for that one space where we won't be required to share air, or conversely, where we will not potentially offend someone with our closeness. A third difference lies in consumption of alcohol. In the public transport system in Bogotá, I do not believe I ever once saw a person holding an alcoholic drink. Certainly, undeniably, I saw dozens upon dozens of rather tipsy or downright inebriated passengers, but they never brought the offending substance in with them, even late at night. Whereas, on my (so far) only night ride back from Chicago involved several tipsy someones and several beer holders. Just interesting to me that specifically in Chicago (as a friend asserted that you'd never see such persons on Boston public transport) our independence, or at least self-perception and belief in personal freedoms, has led this to be socially acceptable. Seems a bit off. At the same time, I never saw in Colombian or Argentine children quite the same excitement at riding in trains. Mostly due to its daily reality and familiarity for those South American children whose parents don't have the time or money to drive places, children shuffle or are pulled around the stations and buses with general looks of nonchalance. Meanwhile, the little girl I had the pleasure of noticing yesterday brought a joyful smile to my face with just her exuberance at being on the train's upper level.
As a beautiful side story, I shall here indulge us with this little girl's choice of train activity. First of all, she had elected to sit in the upper level of the train (another part of our train system that doesn't exist in our Bogotá or Buenos Aires neighbors). Secondly, she was carrying a stylish pink purse, that was apparently deceivingly spacious: she proceeded to pull forth from it an entire tea-for-two set, also pink, and place lovingly each item on her father's lap. She burbled happily about the tea set, the scenery outside, how the tea party was to proceed, and all manner of things as she readied things. The lucky father let her do her thing and fuddled with his iPhone until she was ready for him to actually participate in all her musings. When the time came for me to exit the train, partaking of the tea had only just commenced. I half wanted to congratulate her Little Majesty on the excellence of her tea party, but I liked the image too much as it was, and let them be, un-self-consciously.

On to an area of similarity, albeit loose similarity. During my time in Bogotá and Argentina, I may have blogged mentioning the Recyclers that take on the job of rooting through everyone's trash looking for recyclable items to resell for a pittance on which they, their families, and often the work horse must live. Incredibly hard workers, incredibly discouraged and hardy folk. Anyhow, all that to say I saw one Recycler in Chicago one day on my second week at CVLS: an African American fellow, perhaps in his thirties somewhere, rolling a moving box on wheels around the area where I work, picking up valuable looking knick-knacks. I wanted to peek into the box as he passed, but as I had no reason to stare, I just walked on while silently thanking him for being a fond reminder to pray for the needs of Chicago as well as Bogotá and Buenos Aires. The proceeding week, that would be this week, I found myself really desiring to reach out to some of the homeless people I see on my walk to work, almost daily. Having prayed about it all weekend, on Monday when I got off the train, I picked up a hot chocolate at the station on my way out. Not knowing exactly for whom my little gift of heat and tastiness was destined, I walked on, across the bridge where usually there are two people asking for help and today there were none. I walked on past the Civic Opera House. I walked on to that corner and peered around to see if the other bridge was being manned by the fellow who usually sits there, asking. Not to be seen anywhere. So, as I turned to face the direction of the office a bit downtrodden--as heading in that direction I rarely see anyone who would be in quite as great a need of some hot cocoa--I saw the Recycler. Of course, Father, I thought. Thank you. He walked across the street towards my side, and I waited for him to get onto the sidewalk before saying, "Excuse me, sir? You look like you could use some hot chocolate. Would you like this?" And I extended my arm in faith. Oh, yes please, ma'am, he uttered in almost a whisper. God bless you.


God bless me? The little suburban white girl who just had enough money for a train fare, a give-away hot chocolate, all the clothes she had bought herself, and the food she had packed with her for lunch? God bless you. And I hadn't even mentioned anything about how much Jesus loves him, is caring for him, and notices all that he is struggling with right now and always. God bless you.

Humility and gratitude and graciousness, when truly lived out with genuine good heart, change an entire week for someone.

That's universal.
xox

lunch break post

Back to work. Well, relative to Spring Break skiing, it's work. But it is only a three-day week. :)

I have started my internship with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, and am back at home for a couple months. First of all, let's discuss this internship and what it involves, and why I'm doing it.

I am thinking that, potentially, a career combo of Spanish and law could be killer cool. As is my custom, though, I did not want to even approach that possibility without a tad of experience or testing it out. So this time at CVLS is like an observation period. I am a little sponge. I love hearing the office's conversations and phone calls, and at some point I will get to go to mediations with them, and even to court. Sweeeeeet. For the moment, however, I am doing intern-y things. Things I like, things. :) Have I ever mentioned in this blog how much I love Office Depot? Yeah. It's quite possibly my favorite store ever. Anyway, so the things I am doing--entering in case information to the database, making copies, sending out letters, scanning mass amounts of documents, making small calls--are very fulfilling. Also, they tend to be somewhat mindless, so I can easily take in my surroundings and learn.

It is good to be in a city again. Three days a week is better than none. I am slowly realizing the draw of basically all young people worldwide to the cities rather than the suburbs. There's nothing to doooooo. Especially because all my friends are in school--either high school or college--and, therefore, busy. So I have ended up in the gym every day (a plus! I'm not complaining!) and/or helping with math homework (sisters...) and/or skyping Colombia, because, OH YEAH, I left my heart behind. woops.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it is great to be back with my family again, but last week and this, I have felt some serious Bogota-withdrawal. There were always street arepas, coffee shops with real coffee, friends around and about to go out with, and modes of public transportation that trump battling it out with your sister for the family car.
The other thing is that it's strange to live at home and NOT be studying anything. I feel like I should be in high school or something. Because while living in the gray house here in Wheaton, it's all I ever did. Limbo till August will be strange...

Ah well. Here's hoping I am back there in South America soon. (July, perhaps? :) )
Hope you've had a pleasant week so far! It's almost Friday. Hang in there.
xox

Home...sort of!

Well, I am home once again. Or, to put it more precisely, I am with my family once again. I was home for a few days, but now I am skiing with my family in Utah for the week that my sisters have spring break. It's pretty sweet. Day one of skiing went really well.

How did I get here? Just a week ago I had such a crammed schedule of farewells that I had to turn people's meal or snack or outing offers down. I was sadly torn between leaving and staying. Even in the plane, the moment the wheels left the ground and I could see that beautiful Colombia from the air, the tears came. It's such a lovely country. I'll never be able to stay away for long.

Now to explain the silence of the last few days in Colombia. Friday, after round one of farewells to the kids at the Foundation, I had a sleepover with LB and we laughed and slept well.

Saturday, I ventured down south again to meet up with G and his family for the afternoon. His dear, Colombianly generous parents welcomed me to a Colombian food lunch--cocido boyacense (a yummy meat and potato varieties stew from a region called Boyaca). This with rice, chicharron, and lulo juice on the side. SO TASTY. :)
After second helpings, G and I set to viewing photos. Seeing pictures of our time and friends in Argentina gave us lots to laugh and smile about. It's just such a blessing to have had the chance to really, truly get more time with some of those great friends I made in Buenos Aires. G is one of them.
Then, G's sister K arrived with her cool boyfriend E. K decided she would give me a manicure. Wow, best manicure of my LIFE. Check out the photo. Uh huh. :)


After the manicure and obligatory photo taking that followed, we all piled into the car as it poured down rain and headed to the mall. We looked at window displays, took pictures, laughed. I caught sight of a shop called Totto, and wanted to go in. I had been wanting to have a Totto backpack for college...and with K's help, I found it. It's beautiful, and will remind me of it's beautiful country every time I see it.
When we had finished in Totto, we went up tot the food court for ice cream. I got tasty maracuya, G got avellana (hazelnut), K got pineapple, E got coco (coconut), and the parents got rum raisin and guanabana. After the ice cream had been fully enjoyed, we started for the car again. G got distracted by some (I'll admit) fantastic looking/smelling arepas, and so we stopped to get some. Mmm.
Piling in the car once more, we headed to the apartment of their son and his family. There was a birthday celebration for their mother-in-law, and I was allowed to tag along. I love the Colombian sense of family, and inclusion. It's beautiful!
We left the celebration after 9:30, cutting it close Transmi-wise, from a standpoint of the assumed truth that G would be accompanying me home and then returning home again. I love Transmi rides with friends, especially at the end of a good day with them. And carrying an awesome new backpack from Totto. :) We both got home safely, and slept well.

Sunday. The day to bid farewell to the great community of Puerta Abierta Church. Marv and Judy went to PA too, and I sat with them and with Diego, his mom, and his grandma.  Pastor E asked me up front for a sending prayer--along with my "parents from Bogota", Marv and Judy--and they prayed for me in English and in Spanish. Then I told them all "thank you" for the way they had accepted and blessed me even in such a short stay; for the beautiful community that they are. Then they gave me a purse from one of their church friends in Guatemala as a parting gift to remember them. Is it likely I'll forget them, or be able to go long without being back with them? Not on your life. :)
They were selling empanadas for a fundraiser after the service, but with so many goodbyes to say, I missed out. Then the V family and Diego and his mom and I went out to a mall called Floresta for the afternoon. I had ajiaco for the last time this trip. Mmm.
Then, they took me to some artisan shops to get some remaining gifts for friends. Success! When we had finished perusing, choosing, bargaining, and purchasing, we all sat down for a little break. That was when they surprised me with gifts: Diego's mom a Colombian cowboy hat keychain, J (youngest V daughter) a plaque explaining the meaning of my name/personality, S (the eldest V daughter) fabulous Bible verse fridge magnets, and Mr. and Mrs. V the outfit I had worn for a "mamacita" photo in our parody at ECA. :) Those lovely goofs. So dear.
We did some more shopping and some more eating--Crepes & Waffles ice cream, to be exact. That was a beautiful time of thanking each other and sharing how we had learned from one another--I and them--and how we would miss each other.
Then we headed home, and Diego and I went to Marv & Judy's to hang out and say our goodbyes. He is such a good friend. I will miss him a lot.
That was the night I packed. I did not want to waste anymore daytime hours in Bogota on packing, so I just stayed up and got it done.

Monday morning, I slept in and then went to the grocery store for Colombian goodies to take home. I met NG (fellow TA at school) for lunch--bandeja paisa, mmm--and we talked about life and laughed. Then I went to meet my friends K and N (from the Prado trip) and we went to a mall by the Portal 80 for a movie. "Esto Es Guerra"--This is War, about two spies with the same girlfriend. Very funny! It was in English with Spanish subtitles.
After that, we had some frozen yogurt and talked about everything, and we each traveled home.

Thus, against my will, we had arrived at Tuesday: the last day in Bogota, for now. I woke up, made a quick check that I had packed enough, got ready, and went to school to say my very last goodbyes. When I arrived (just in time for first recess) the kids were thrilled, and mobbed me like a celebrity. I have definitely been missing them.
I got through as many farewells as I could, and then I headed to the Foundation. On the way, I treasured the last bus ride, the last Transmi ticket purchased, the penultimate Transmi ride, and the last time being caught off guard by Bogota rain. When I got to Fundacion Internacional Maranata, I ate a yummy lunch and chatted with J and Mr. A a while. Then the kids presented me with a goodbye poster they had prepared with the help of their teacher. We all had some really amazing cake he Foundation had spotted in farewell, from funds that I know it does not have to give. Such a blessing. Then each kid said some words in farewell. Lovely!
After that, it was pretty much time to get back up north for dinner at Crepes & Waffles with Marv and Judy.
Marv had some salmon dish, Judy had a bread bowl with fondue cheese and mushrooms, and I had the crepes Ghandi--some delicious sort of Indian spiced crepe with cheese, veggies, and other tastiness. We were all very content. Then, during various excessively tasty desserts, we said our thank yous, farewells, and blessings. A nice time to tie things up.
We all walked home together and enjoyed a chill evening. Mr. and Mrs. A stopped by to say goodbye, and then I went to check on my packing and sleep.

Wednesday I woke up at 4, got to the airport, saw my friend A, who works at the airport, almost saw G for a final farewell (he flew to Buenos Aires the same day), and then got on the plane against my will. ;) I took pictures of Colombia from the air, listened to music, watched the movie, and lost my cell phone. Royal bummer. But, as I told my family (using a kind crew member's cell phone to let them know), I believe God is fully capable of bringing the phone back to me if he sees fit. Plus I got home safe and sound, so I am not the least bit worried. :)

I had plans Thursday and Friday to see some friends, and I will see more when I am home after "spring break". It's nice to be in my family again. As much as I've grown in all this time away, as much as I've learned, as many adventures as I've had--that first embrace with my sisters and parents will never know an equal.

xox

Un día colombiano para llevar, porfis.

Best: getting to go to Barrio Egipto today after hearing all the stories and being a part of a group that got the chance to change the way progress is being made in the neighborhood...just, wow.

Worst: goodbyes to the first graders. uuuuuuush.
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Well, yesterday I woke up at the leisurely hour of days on which I go to the Foundation. I ate my breakfast, and then called Mr. A to see if we could travel downtown together. Ah, bummer, he'd left five minutes before. Still, he very kindly told me he'd be back to get me pronto. :)

So, I spent the morning being delivery and secretary en route to the Foundation. He had invitations to deliver to various folks for his latest event--March 27. And also many call-in invitations to make. I dialed, and he made me laugh. Just with his manner of addressing and greeting and talking to people. He has a gift.

Upon arrival at the International Maranatha Foundation, I continued to work on my video transcription/translation of the testimony of a man named Carlos Alonso Lucio. Ask for the incredible story sometime. I'm loving spending so much time digesting it and thinking about it.
I had lunch with J, who somehow has been able to remain in the employ of the crazy Mr. A. for quite some time. :) We laughed a lot about Colombian food, and chicken feet, and other crazy things.

(I'm so cool)

In the afternoon I continued at my translation work, after snitching some hugs from the busy, hardworking kids down below. Dang, I'll miss them.

In the evening it was once again Quality Time with Mr. A. on the long trafficky drive home. I played assistant again, dialing phone calls.
Let me just say that Bogotá skies are insanely hermosos always. Especially at about 5:30 in the afternoon. Just incredibly lucent and colorful and beautifully clouded.
Also, Mr. A's a generous boss who buys us roscones, sweet breads, as snacks on the way home.

When I got home, I walked in the door just in time for homemade mac and cheese. :) Thanks, host-mom Judy. Love the goodness you set on the table! After dinner, I chilled and cleaned and went on Facebook and started a great endeavor of making farewell cards for each first grader, complete with a portrait of the two of us on each. I will miss them intensely.

_ _ _ _ _

Today, I went to school for the last morning on duty. Deeeeeep breath.

I savored my last moments of supervision at my post in the morning by the front entry. I greeted the kids as warmly as ever, helped with Juanes (who'd gotten carsick in the bus ride, pobrecito), and then normal TA duties. We read, we prayed, we ate snack, we played at recess, we did Bible activities, we went to gym and they did trampoline stunts, and then we went to the computer lab to work on powerpoints of the Ancient World and El Salvador. No relation. :)

One by one, I pulled them out of the lab to take a photo with them, and give them each their letter and a heart shaped chocolate (thanks Mama!!). They give the best hugs, those precious ones.
I then whizzed throughout the elementary building bidding farewells, giving out contact info and heart chocolates to my adoptive mother figures--the other teacher aides, who are incredible, amazing, Christ-following, motherly gifted ladies with great big hearts and who ended up appreciating my cooperation and impact a lot. What a blessing.
Also, a summary and farewell conversation with the Elementary Principal to see how things lay. I thanked her profusely for the blessing of an experience she gave me in my short two months here. I learned a montón about how I feel and do in educational occupations, and now have further direction as to decisions about majors and careers. That's no small thing. And her incredible willingness to work with me on those things and give insight and flexibility to give me time in other age groups--just wonderful. She then informed me that I, too, have been a blessing to her. Such an encouragement! I had been concerned, and hoping that entering in midway through the year, and leaving before it's over, and shifting around the days I came...I wondered if it would be any benefit to the students or the school as a whole. Apparently I was--good news. :)

After a mountain of goodbyes, I headed out the gates. I'll be back to chill a bit on Tuesday before I leave, but it was the last day on duty.

I headed down south to meet with Pastor E, who runs the ministry of Buena Semilla in the neighborhood that is called Egipto (Egypt). This is a story well worth telling. That's why I'm going to wait until I'm experiencing reverse culture shock, missing all the Spanish speaking friends, missing the mountains, the skies, the ajiaco, arepas, mazorca, guanabana, mango, papaya, arequipe, café, chocolate, and my work...yeah, until I'm lonely at home sometime. I'll post the whole shpeal.
But, I distracted myself, sorry.
I got to the Las Aguas station of the Transmilenio not too much later than I'd hoped. Pastor E met me in the station, and then we took a quick bus up the mountain a ways, and in a jiffy I was walking on the very plaza that my group had been dropped off at nine months and one day ago, and from there had made the fateful climb up the hill and right into God's plan for that day.

I cannot convey the sensation of climbing that hill with Pastor E, under completely different circumstances. And getting into that foundation's doors, meeting the kids, playing basketball for over an hour, drawing pictures, spinning kids, speaking in English for them, and seeing the mural on the wall that moved me to tears and quickened my pulse with sheer joy.

Then I was able to see the lot they are hoping to buy nearby in order to start what would basically be a center for occupations, and getting the ex-convicts, ex- or current-drug addicts, and people from other strugglesome situations back to reputable and consistent work. See a video here made in tandem with the Buena Semilla ministry by these guys a year or so ago. And here is the video promoting the purchase of the lot. Big stuff, real stuff. Stuff that changes lives forever.

After that, I went back down the mountain, walking with Pastor E and a missionary couple from Canada that have been here my whole life--18 years. I was literally SHOCKED at how only a two-way road separates this Barrio Egipto from the classic, colonial constructions of the Candelaria district--a culturally rich and heavily touristy site. Just...wow. Two worlds so completely different. So close!

Then I came home for the evening, and have been thinking about the amazing day I had, the cool day tomorrow at the Foundation, and about how I will be able to handle saying goodbyes tomorrow to the Foundation kids. Oh gracious...

Peace. xox

woah. not long now.

Beep beep beep beep.

Golly, jeepers, is the morning really this cruel to come so early? Hmm... So tempting to just roll over and fling the phone at the wall.

No, no. I only have 9 more days here. I can sleep in Chicago. Up we go...

Shower. Clothes. SOCKS--floor's freezing.
To the table for breakfast. I'm totally a fan of cream of wheat now. Why'd I have to come to Bogotá, Colombia to get to know such a US breakfast food? Warm things in cold mornings are the best.

Quick walk towards the bridge with D--Marv and Judy behind. Lost in thought. Lots to ponder. Lots to decide. Lots to regret. Lots to expect. Lots to enjoy.
Bought a cookie at the bakery by the teacher bus pickup spot. Oatmeal raisin. Yes, in the napkin's fine, thanks. Gracias. Que estés muy bien.

Missed the first teacher bus, see it pull away, wait for the second to appear in a few seconds. Eat the cookie. Drink in Bogotá.

Get on the bus, talk weekends with teachers until it fills. Then lose myself in the mountains and thoughts again. Such beauty, I am such a fallen, confused, undirected little thing.

On to supervision, filling water bottles, caring for my good friend (student) T, who somehow ended up with dog poo all over him, poor child. Cleaning up for T--I really do love these kids.

Talk to 11th and 12th graders about Gap Year. Promote the idea, when done right. Share contact info. Smile. Take a bow.
Help with 9th grade's research paper process. Wow, I don't have to tell them to sit down, wait to go to the bathroom, share, or talk quietly. Huh. Not in first grade anymore.

Lunch with NG. Good company. Good rice, sopita, salad, carne molida, curuba juice, pasta. Good conversation.
Back to first--math time. Cutting up miniature dollar bills makes me feel rich. Fleetingly. :)

Love farewell hugs from the kids. Heads not usually reaching above my hip--all shades of hair color--all of the kinds of beauties--all of them full of love to give.

Hilarious ride home with LF, a missionary who works at the school and with whom I interact often. Walk home with D. No Mirandela arepa lady today. Getting home feels as good as putting on sweatpants.

Getting-ready-to-leave thoughts and conversations suck. Bring pain. Bring opportunities to grow, learn, be stretched, remember it's a gift even to learn the hard stuff. God has a reason for it all. I'll see it eventually.

Comfort of a sister, "I miss you"s, kisses and hugs; Sara Groves and clean, warm sweats. Shove my latest efforts at cleaning the room onto the floor again. Bedtime.

Que Dios sea tu paz y tu alegría esta noche. May God be your peace and your happiness tonight. xox

I skipped Friday...

So, on Friday I went to the Foundation again. I got told I have a "miradita divina" in the street--basically like "gaze of a goddess". Hey, I'll take it. :) I made it safely, despite a morning protest and afternoon bit of mob craziness in the Transmilenio. I worked on translating a video, and then in the afternoon worked with the kids a bit and with the A family a bit. Then we all had a truly thrilling ride home--due to the Transmi being out, traffic was even worse, and we were riding (illegally) seated on the floor of a bus. Very exciting. 20 blocks in the first hour. :)
Then I got myself an arepa on the walk home, and then relaxed and chatted friends and watched some Planet Earth, and then I slept.

xox

Mirandela Arepa Lady and Other Miracles

Best and worst does not apply to this day. What a day!

I was able to sleep in this morning, and then I had a leisurely time of getting ready for the day and enjoying my breakfast in the company of Marv and Judy.
I skyped with my little sister for a bit before I headed out the door for the day's adventure.

And, boy, adventure it was. :)

I had made arrangements with a Venezuelan friend to go to a street kids ministry he helps with, and so I had to meet him at his house. I had no idea where it was. Thankfully, the city of Bogotá is really well organized, and it's relatively intuitive the way the street systems are gridded. So, I hopped on the Transmi--back in service today after a little bit of craziness yesterday--and made it to the Calle 127 stop.
Miracle #1: I walked about thirty blocks in Bogotá all by myself, completely unmolested. I was never really in fear of the walk, but in the moment, I realized how vulnerable I was, even though it was morning. Also how easily I could have gotten lost or been misdirected by my ideas. But, nope.
Miracle #2: I found the friend with whom I was to meet and travel to la Jungla--the Jungle. This is a really cool building in one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Bogotá, where there is basically an indoor playground that opens Saturdays for the street children--children of prostitutes, drug dealers, recyclers, and other less than ideal professions for parents (for the hours and the difficulty of the tasks required). It's beautiful for them to at least have those two hours, warm, away from the influences of the street, and with people who genuinely want to teach them principles and morals and habits that will bring them a more hopeful life.
Miracle #3: In the apartment where my friend lives, a family from the US had just come today to stay there a night on their family mission trip--and they're from Wheaton, from GEBC. They had not been properly prepared for the time at the Jungle, as far as explanations of who the kids are, how they work, how their status doesn't allow them the easiest access to cleanliness and lice-lessness...nor about how tough the lives they lead really are. So...Miracle #4: Today was the Saturday that I was led to go to the ministry, not any of the past few--just in time to help ease their time here, explain, translate, and encourage. It was really a hard time for the mom, who is struggling with recurring memories of recent health difficulties her daughter had due to lice--therefore, the fear of that happening again is very real, with the fresh memories. I got to share about my gap year with them, and all the cool things I am learning, and how much I love Bogotá. I filled them in on the place we were going, and the "what-to-expects". Then, once we got there, I was upstairs at the zipline and little playhouse monitoring station. It was fun to interact with these kids, knowing that it might be perhaps the only healthy and caring interaction they've had all week. They are such powerful personalities, the majority of them, and very independent. They have to be; how else do they get remembered? get fed? get necessities? On the street, more often than not, they are on their own for growing up. Nice to offer them a place to just be kids for a little while.
Miracle #5: There were no accidents, major fights, lost kids, or other incidents during the time with the kids. It's always a valid possibility, my friend E says. But we were all safe.
After they had all had their snack and been sent out the door, I noticed that the family from the States wasn't with us and the other leaders. I asked E where they'd gone, and he said he didn't know. They were upstairs, encouraging each other and dealing with the toughness of the situation they'd just finished experiencing. I extended comfort as best I could, and then encouraged them to come downstairs and join us  for the farewell and closing prayer.
We all eventually got everything cleaned up and then got on the bus to go home. On the bus ride home, Miracle #6: I got the opportunity to share with this family the encouraging story of Anna's Amazing Ankle Adventure, also known as my testimony. :) I just felt it to be very suited to their needs in the moment, and the words just flowed. Any chance to encourage anyone brings me joy. It was beautiful.
Upon arriving at the apartment, we all got out and chilled around a while, laughing and talking, while we figured out all our plans for the travels home. I got to play with the family's son, S, who is a riot, and talk and laugh along with the others. Then, Miracle #7: E accompanied me home. It was so fun to talk through the day with him, explain the parts that had gotten lost in the whole language barrier thing for him (with the US family), and talked about how good life is. It was just so neat to be able to laugh with him--a friend I had made the first time I came to Bogotá. More and more, I am finding immense joy in the extended possibilities of returning to a place that I had already fallen in love with.
Miracle #8: The Mirandela arepa lady was at the bus stop again tonight. Mmmm. :)

Now, here I am on the couch, hoping to get a jacket soon...brr...listening to the quasi-raging party next door, pondering tomorrow's insanely-far-south adventure to church. I will be visiting the church of GN, a Colombian friend made in Buenos Aires, and eating at his house for lunch. I like the adventuring and navigating I am getting in here. It's good.

Love from Colombia! xox

Stirring and Storytelling

Best: time in the kitchen with N all morning.

Worst: looking at these kids and knowing now way more fully what they are going through.
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This morning I hopped on the Transmi to get to the Foundation. I love riding the Transmi, it's such a very Colombian experience. Sure, people look at me like, "Hmm. She's not Colombian," but meantime, I'm observing everyone else for their fashion, their accents, their interactions with each other.
When I got to the Foundation, only N was there, getting ready to cook lunch for all the kids. The official beginning of the school year with the teacher at the Foundation was this Monday, so now the kids are back to the typical routine.
So, anyways, that means N is back to making lunches for all the kids. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to talk with her, and learn to cook. It was wonderful. She prepared ground beef and potatoes, rice, salad, and maracuyá juice. We talked about how not to make rice, and how TO make rice. I also asked her about the stories of the children of the Hogar de Paz. Wow. Ask for them in person sometime, please. Suffice it to say that each child has so much suffering to process, to try to overcome, and to grow through.
After finishing preparing the lunch meal, N and her three-year-old daughter and I walked to the school to pick up the kids. THAT was a really high point of my day. All the kids of the Foundation go to the same school, so they were all there. As soon as two or three caught sight of me through the schoolyard fence, they reached out to me through the bars, screaming "PROFE!!!" with the biggest smiles, and jumping up and down. Then shortly afterwards, they called the others over and one by one they greeted me with "Happy Women's Day!" They were leaping up and down, with grins as wide as Nebraska. I have never felt so loved. Then we all walked home together from the school, drinking juices, eating snacks, and laughing the whole way as a big, beautiful group.
Throughout the afternoon, I played with the kids, lunched with Mr. A and a business partner of his. Then I translated and played through till the time the kids went home. Then I rode my way home with Mr. A, his sister-in-law, and his niece and their translator for the day, a great ECA student, M. I told the stories I'd heard, and I was teased ruthlessly and hilariously by Mr. A, and I heard the family's plans for the rest of their time here. Then M and I got out at a Transmi stop, as the others were no longer headed our way. A really nice ride with a companion. Transmi again. I even got rebuked by an older señora in front of me for pushing her...really? It's my fault, not the 10,000 people behind me all pushing at once. Sorry. WOOOT, Transmi in rush hour!

I opened the apartment door at home to the overwhelmingly delectable scent of hot chocolate on the stove. I was hungry, grabbed leftovers, and ate while Marv, Judy, and D started up "To Save a Life". What a sensational film. I suggest it to everyone.

I just...I love what I am learning here. What I am learning in this time. I talked with Mr. A at lunch about possibilities of returning here to work in the Foundation someday. I'd absolutely love to study my four years of college, and meanwhile visit here during summers, and then graduate and come back to join in the challenging, developing, and important work of the International Maranatha Foundation. We shall all see, but I would love for things to happen like that.

That's all my thoughts tonight. Bedtime. Be blessed!
xox

Why is sleep necessary? I don't want to miss an instant :)

Best: the arepas con queso from La Mazorca (restaurant) on the mountainside, in the As' company, this Sunday for lunch.


Worst: treasuring the embraces of first graders, fellow teacher aides (really more like a few extra adopted moms :) ), planning my two final weekends in Bogotá.
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Good grief, my hands are chilly as I write this. I have on my teddy bear jacket--zipped all the way up to my chin--and my sweatpants and my lobster socks. Comfy is international and universal. :)

On Sunday, I went to Puerta Abierta church again, but this time Marv and Judy (my host parents) came along as well. It was so nice to have them at the service, for I really love the worship songs, the scriptures, and the preachers they have at Puerta Abierta, and am glad to share. Also I was able to introduce them during the beginning of the service as "my here parents". :)
After church, I went to the Pepe Sierra Transmi station to meet up with the A family. Some relatives are in town this week from the States, and so they were headed up the mountain to one of my favorite Bogotá restaurants for lunch, and then to a YWAM ministry up the mountain for the afternoon. They graciously let me tag along!

Lunch on the grill!

Lunch was marvelous. I enjoyed the chicken (when I put guacamole on top), the little yellow bite-sized potatoes, the larger tan-skinned potatoes, the platano, and the best--the AREPAS CON QUESO! These are the most earth-shakingly delectable arepas I have ever eaten. And thus far, I have only ever seen them at this restaurant. Mmm. Plus conversation with V, Mr., and Mrs. A and the relatives was really interesting and hilarious.
After getting full, we drove further up the mountain to the home of a couple that runs a ministry tied to YWAM. The B's, they are, are a couple that started off with their own five (biological) children. Now their kids are all out of the house, grown up. However, they currently have eight adopted children under their roof, and before these eight there were others who have now grown. These current eight were street children in one of the worst neighborhoods in Bogotá, now given a home with two of the most inspirational and incredible parents in Bogotá. They raise these children with so much love and faithfulness, helping each kid to overcome their own tremendously scarring and damaging story. After a bit of conversation with the Bs, several of us (minus the kids, who were doing homework), went on a walk I did the last time I was here to a cross on a hilltop, a lookout point with views of the mountains around us. I came to this ministry house the last time I was in Bogotá, and I had remembered the A) beauty and B) toughness of this walk, both due to the steep hillside roads.
Upon returning to the house, Mrs. A shifted into dinner production mode. Dinner providing for almost 30 mouths is no small task--their family, the As and their family and I, and some friends invited over for the event. I was happy to serve on kitchen duty, chopping vegetables and making guacamole.
Dinner was tasty mexican tacos, and very well enjoyed by all. When we had stuffed ourselves enough, we said many goodbyes, and headed back down the mountain to go home. When I arrived home, I chilled and soon went to sleep.

Monday I was once again at ECA, spending the day with the first graders. I really am of the mind that first graders, in whatever country, speaking whatever language, should be capable of walking in lines--and staying in lines as we walk. Therefore, this has been the week we are cracking down on the expectations of walking in line. Other than the line struggles, yesterday was a relatively good day of theirs, behavior-wise. I love the interactions I get with the kids at the most random of moments--a chance to celebrate news of a relative's baby being born, a chance to walk a teary-eyed but dreadfully brave child with a hurt knee from recess to the nurse, a chance to encourage a student to finish "at least the chicken" on his plate. A chance to love these kids in a way that can only lead to growth and security and joy and discernment.

Today has been another wonderful day. Waking up to the mountains that surround me, the cool of the morning air, the jerky trafficky ride to school, the morning supervision duty full of mainly greeting everyone as they pass the front door entrance, the morning classroom tasks (filling water bottles, checking planners, delivering library books), the snacktime and recess with the kids, the classwork, the lunchtime fights over who still has to eat what, the glory of the best fútbol game I have seen them play yet--ten of the 21 first graders, including two girls...and the end of the day packup and farewell hugs. I then got the satisfaction and joy of hanging out on supervision with the other teachers' aides, who are some wonderful mothers of the school who really have a fantastic heart for the children and know what's best for them and exactly how to teach me to take authority. They are mothering me, in the most beautiful comforting way, as they simultaneously take command of their entire classes and make sure everything runs smoothly in a day. They are amazing women. I will miss them immensely, two weeks from right now.
After school, my friend K (from the weekend in Prado) picked me up at school, and after touring ECA (his alma mater) for its new constructions for a while, we headed out--on his motorcycle. So fun! The short ride home was even shorter on such a small vehicle. Of course, he is an extremely responsible driver and had helmets for us both, so don't any of you worry.

What should make you worry, perhaps, is the motorcycle driving lesson I received! :) I have never appreciated my dad's teaching of driving stick shift cars more. It was so simple, conceptually, to get the hang of. The hard part is understanding the leaning to turn instead of turning the handle bars. I don't generally like the feeling of falling...but, oh well. I passed.
Dinner was a delicious personal pizza, and then once at home I quickly put on warm layers and sat down to blog.

I am also thinking a lot these days about impending decisions about college courses and major selection as I mentally prepare for university in the fall. Leaning towards business at this point, having seen various sectors of an educational environment, and realizing it's not really all-encompassing with my inclinations, strengths, and desires. But, baby steps. I am only asking for daily-bread sized revelations, here.

And I keep on receiving them. Dios es fiel.
xox

Colombian avocado for dessert

Best: girls night and sleepover with the lovely LB and her sisters!

Worst: it's been cold this week in Bogotá. That's the worst I can think of. :)
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On Thursday and Friday, I was working at the Foundation again. I love those days! I spent the mornings translating a kind of informational summary document for all that the Foundation manages and achieves and dreams. Golly, would I love to graduate college and head right back down here to work with the Fundación Internacional Maranata for the rest of my life...so chevere! So cool!

Anywho...in the afternoon on Thursday, I was back up help in their session with the volunteer math tutor from a nearby university. Boys versus girls in division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction problems. Tough stuff. Then they had their homework to do, and I dictated and drew and colored with the best of them. When they weren't doing homework, I got to read aloud. I love to read aloud in Spanish. It's super fun!
Then I went back home, where I had banana chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. Mmm. Then, Marv, Judy, Daniela, and Diego and I played Aggravation. What a fun game. Surely aggravating, however. :)

Friday I went to the Foundation, and then had a scrumptious lunch with J (administrative asst at FIM), Mr. A, and H (basically the caretaker of the Hogar de Paz). In the afternoon, we did homework with the kids, and I gave some mini English lessons to a few of the mothers I've gotten close with, and then we took the niños to the park. Man, they love that park. They love the soccer field, the slide, the little kids playground equipment, and the space to really run.

I love just being with those kids and showing them real love. And shamelessly scoring goals on them in scrimmages. :)

Friday evening I went with LB up to Chía, which is outside the city of Bogotá, to sleepover at her house. We made arepas, watched some chick flicks, and genuinely enjoyed ourselves. It made me miss my sisters, however! Rats. Well...only eighteen days...uuuush. Heart feel like it's in some sort of contortionist act? Uh huh.

Today has been a lovely social day. I woke up at LB's house, had a breakfast date with her, and then rode the bus with her back into the city. We parted ways, and I headed home for some time before meeting up with Miss W, the first grade teacher. We and NG, the teacher aide in first, went to a student's house for lunch with their family. It was so fun! The people here really are the coolest.

Tonight was a quiet night in with Judy and Marv, watching movies and keeping up to date on my social networking. Tomorrow Marv and Judy will be going to Puerta Abierta church with me, so that'll be cool!

Goodnight, wherever you are. Que estés muy bien. xox