As I have been so thoroughly enjoying this summertime lack of writing, I have been absent from the blog a while. But I do want to resume the habit for this fall at school, so I thought I'd better summarize the end of the school year and my summer adventures up to this point.
Due to a tough bout of homesickness in March and April, the year's end in May was quite welcome. Finals not so much, nor all the goodbyes, but both of those things are only temporary and I survived. I am very content at Templeton/Eastern, and already look forward to the coming school year. Not so much that I'd be willing to shorten my summer. No, not at all!
Speaking of summer, it's not been going as I had planned it would all last semester. That is only because God saw right through my plans and decided to give me something much better, as he is wont to do. I had originally arranged for an internship in Argentina, shipping out from Chicago on 30 May, to return in August. This sounded wonderful and exciting, being back in what I presume to be my field of study, with my boyfriend and good friends, and eating and drinking wonderful Argentine delicacies, for several months. But God, of course more familiar than I with my horrible homesickness, decided to grant me more time at home to tare my emotional scales back to balance. So my internship was cancelled and I just went home for the summer.
The Lord still, in his infinite grace, arranged some wonderful things for me. He found me, after some broad searching, a position in an assisted living center for people with Alzheimer's/dementia. And he let me love it. I love the personal interaction, the tenderness of their vulnerable trust, the stories I get to hear, and how many hugs and "You're so cute. Isn't she adorable?" comments I get a day. I also work on loving the opportunity to wash and dress residents, tidy their rooms, do their laundry, and smile at everyone--coworker and resident alike.
So that was settled--a constructive, money-making, time-occupying activity. Next, God helped me settle the matter of an intense desire for international travel and Gabi's kisses. I can't guarantee that the desire was evenly distributed between those two... :)
When I asked for a Buenos Aires visit, God provided not only that but also a trip to Guatemala. How, you may ask? Well, because of another previously received blessing: Central Presbyterian Church in Norristown. In other words, my friend P (the pastor's daughter) and her family invited me to tag along on their family vacation. They'd invited some of the youth group along, and were happy to add to the party. I have added another country to my list of travels! And I've fallen in love with Latin America all over again.
My goodness, there aren't really words to describe the joy of being back here. (I am writing from Buenos Aires, and remembering back to Guatemala. Either way, it's the Latin world I'm talking about.) When we were descending in the plane from the clouds to a closer proximity to the Guatemalan landscape, my grin started. It hasn't stopped since.
I got a tour of the town the pastor and his family are from, met some extended family, took a road trip with everyone to see Mayan temples (increíble!), spent an afternoon in Antigua, and drove around the capital. Also, as per usual, I ate and slept well. Most of all, I made new friends. My friend's uncle is the mayor of their town, and so we got an insider's glance of Guatemalan municipal politics. His family (wife, daughter, and son) all welcomed us gringos wonderfully. His son I quickly wooed, and he remains a bit smitten with me regardless of the distance, I hear. His skin is of a darker tint, and so when we got to the stage of holding hands, I told him, "Look, together we make an Oreo with our fingers intertwined!" He's the cookie, I'm the creme. I miss him already!
Since leaving Guatemala (SADLY), I have been in Buenos Aires (HAPPILY). I am living with my good, best, loveliest Argentine friend V and her fantastic boys. I love daily life with them and treasure the chance I have had to re-immerse in this friendship. She is such a solid, hopeful, strong, perseverant, caring, crazy, hilarious, beautiful woman and I cannot imagine how sad I would be if she were not my friend. We barely sleep for talking. Also we run around, play, and wrestle with the boys. We cook and eat well, watch movies, organize the apartment, go on walks, visit other friends, and celebrate birthdays. It's been a wonderful time this past week. I lament only having one more...
Also, I've been with Gabi, my colombianovio. What a blissful time. In the first few days, the exhaustion of the overnight flight and switch to new food and water and cultural body clock prevented me from fully enjoying being back together. But, as God knew, being here with Vero makes everything easier. For one thing, it was easy and speedy to get here from the airport and get settled. And the two of them are good friends, so conversation was easy and plentiful. We've been cooking, playing with the boys, walking to the park, and planning. I feel fully treasured and blessed to have him as my boyfriend, and he's done a jolly good job of spoiling me. We went to a fair on Sunday, Feria de Mataderos, and spent a lovely afternoon looking at all the artisan crafts and jewelry and food, listening to the typical music and dance of one town, Catamarca, featured that week. And we ate. Thank heavens I found someone who enjoys eating as much as I do, and enjoys that I enjoy good food. :)
Anywho, that's the gist of it. In short, I'm completely content. Let's wait and see, maybe God has other marvels prepared for me even today.
I don't doubt it in the least. xox
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Pyjamas and pearls
Pyjamas and pearls at the end of the night means it has been a good night. Perhaps even a good day. Depends.
Today I went to a wedding. To be exact, I attended a double wedding. The brother and his bride were as beautiful together as the sister and her husband. All were surrounded by their closest friends, who witnessed and joined in the celebration.
And it was all done in Spanish.
Their modest and beautiful home was carefully decorated with flowers on the banister, flowers on the coffee table, and flowers on the cake. There was a bounty of food in the kitchen. A few families from the church were there, along with several of the couples' North American coworkers. I went with my friend and her parents. Her dad is the pastor.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been attending their church. My friend, whom I met in Spanish class this semester, invited me about three weeks ago. I figured I'd give it a try, because, really, the "church search" isn't ever finished. Boy, am I glad I kept looking a little bit longer.
What a wonderful place to be, amidst this congregation. From the toddler girl near to whom I sit each week (love at first sight) to the first grader I got to know better tonight (we're fast and best friends); the Hondurans to the Guatemalans; the Colombians to the Mexicans; the birthday parties to the worship times; the foosball to the after-service meal; I feel right at home.
I often marvel at how open-hearted and welcoming Latinos are. And how well they know how to celebrate. There are things in life that are so very worth celebrating--and they go all out. What better way to do so than with the church, which in many of their cases is the thing most resembling family that they have nearby. By going all out, I do not mean that they overspend on the cake, the decorations, or the venue. I mean they make elegance and beauty and joy burst from every tortilla, piñata, and cake there is. They share. They share in every joyful moment: eighth birthday, first birthday, wedding. Within my two weeks in the congregation I have already been invited to join in those three celebrations.
Each night I come back to the dorm from an evening spent with the church--as my ever-patient roommate can attest--I'm positively glowing. It's thrilling to be invited so whole-heartedly into a community that loves me and loves each other and, most importantly, loves God so fully and visibly. To be this inclusive really is not a very common North American trait, in the context of church or bigger group settings. I have tried out many, many churches this school year, and none have opened their arms so fully or so unabashedly or so personally as this one. It's the gente that make the difference: the people. I found my gente, my latinoamericanos, last year on gap year, and I have graciously been given a chance to keep loving them by this new church community.
That is why I can revel tonight in my pyjamas and pearls, savoring the delicious memories and wonderful food and beautiful new friends. God is good, and he doesn't lose track of us. He meets us where we are with blessings unforeseen and, often, unimaginable. They're just too good for us to have fabricated ourselves.
I am so glad the Lord has guided me from spotlight to spotlight over the years; illuminating just enough of a path to help me make decisions that drew me closer to where I am now. I am loving the chance to watch my life be unfolded and tethered together so very neatly by the hands of a God who loves me so obviously cariñosamente--caringly, delicately, lovingly. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.
shalom xox
Today I went to a wedding. To be exact, I attended a double wedding. The brother and his bride were as beautiful together as the sister and her husband. All were surrounded by their closest friends, who witnessed and joined in the celebration.
And it was all done in Spanish.
Their modest and beautiful home was carefully decorated with flowers on the banister, flowers on the coffee table, and flowers on the cake. There was a bounty of food in the kitchen. A few families from the church were there, along with several of the couples' North American coworkers. I went with my friend and her parents. Her dad is the pastor.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been attending their church. My friend, whom I met in Spanish class this semester, invited me about three weeks ago. I figured I'd give it a try, because, really, the "church search" isn't ever finished. Boy, am I glad I kept looking a little bit longer.
What a wonderful place to be, amidst this congregation. From the toddler girl near to whom I sit each week (love at first sight) to the first grader I got to know better tonight (we're fast and best friends); the Hondurans to the Guatemalans; the Colombians to the Mexicans; the birthday parties to the worship times; the foosball to the after-service meal; I feel right at home.
I often marvel at how open-hearted and welcoming Latinos are. And how well they know how to celebrate. There are things in life that are so very worth celebrating--and they go all out. What better way to do so than with the church, which in many of their cases is the thing most resembling family that they have nearby. By going all out, I do not mean that they overspend on the cake, the decorations, or the venue. I mean they make elegance and beauty and joy burst from every tortilla, piñata, and cake there is. They share. They share in every joyful moment: eighth birthday, first birthday, wedding. Within my two weeks in the congregation I have already been invited to join in those three celebrations.
Each night I come back to the dorm from an evening spent with the church--as my ever-patient roommate can attest--I'm positively glowing. It's thrilling to be invited so whole-heartedly into a community that loves me and loves each other and, most importantly, loves God so fully and visibly. To be this inclusive really is not a very common North American trait, in the context of church or bigger group settings. I have tried out many, many churches this school year, and none have opened their arms so fully or so unabashedly or so personally as this one. It's the gente that make the difference: the people. I found my gente, my latinoamericanos, last year on gap year, and I have graciously been given a chance to keep loving them by this new church community.
That is why I can revel tonight in my pyjamas and pearls, savoring the delicious memories and wonderful food and beautiful new friends. God is good, and he doesn't lose track of us. He meets us where we are with blessings unforeseen and, often, unimaginable. They're just too good for us to have fabricated ourselves.
I am so glad the Lord has guided me from spotlight to spotlight over the years; illuminating just enough of a path to help me make decisions that drew me closer to where I am now. I am loving the chance to watch my life be unfolded and tethered together so very neatly by the hands of a God who loves me so obviously cariñosamente--caringly, delicately, lovingly. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.
shalom xox
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Two weeks
Roommate: Emily
Favorite shared moment with her: quiet moments on study nights, after the pyjamas are on and the tea's in hand. We take turns picking the music, we share things that make us giggle or think. It's so peaceful and so conducive to good studying.
Busiest day of the week so far: looks to be Mondays from here on out, but so far it's been Tuesdays. I have classes back-to-back from 8:30 till 1, then from 2:30 to 4. Luckily part of that time's yoga and part is choir. :)
Favorite meal served: tonight's wasn't bad. Black bean quesadilla and lentils and rice.
Least favorite meal served: last night's stringy meat and worse-than-Velveeta mac n cheese. I went for the sandwich option!
Favorite non-honors class: Spanish! It's a conversation and composition course, heavy on the composition. I will be writing a research paper in Spanish this semester. Which sounds awesome to me. In addition, it's fabulous because it is basically like any English lit class in high school (that I loved so much) but with Spanish texts and discussed in Spanish. Ecstasy. :)
Best reading for any class: the Gospel of Matthew.
Hardest reading for any class: St. Anselm's Proslogium--rhetorical, dense and logic-speech. But interesting discussion ensued, so that's a plus.
Best advice so far: have and take care of young kids before you have to take care of your parents. Keep a sabbath. Go to sleep. ;)
Favorite day of weather: well, night, actually; Friday night when the snow came, fast and fluffy. Beautiful!
Newest pop culture thing experienced: Pitch Perfect. What a blend of hilarity and despair at humanity. Aca-awkward.
Number of coincidental connections between classes: we're up to like four or five. Reading the New Testament makes that easy, but it's wonderful to trace threads.
Last thing I lost: a glove.
Last thing I found: two completely different gloves.
Dregs of the tea most recently in my mug: Jasmine dragon loose leaf. A gift from a friend whose roommate worked at Teavana.
Best music for study/reading/writing yet this semester: Sense and Sensibility soundtrack. Hands down.
Laundry loads: just one, actually.
Latest I have stayed awake any night so far: up until 2:30ish on Friday, just for the halibut.
Best laptop sticker I've seen: "mischief managed"
My most recent laptop sticker: it's one I took from a bulletin board at a local coffeeshop: "life is good <3 especially when we are good to others"
Best sound I've heard: the worship team at the center city site of the church I go to, Liberti. They were fantastic! Very Mumford-esque, with a sax, trumpet, oboe, violin, acoustic guitar, and piano. And great harmonies.
Best choir song so far: Water Night by Eric Whitacre. Some stunning chords in that, and the lyrics were originally a Spanish poem!
Best hymn sung in church: Be Thou My Vision. Always gets me.
Best package received: a care package from Hannah! It included a teddy bear. 'Nuff said.
Best thing I'm learning, allbeit painfully: to trust in God in all things, and actually accept his peace as he offers it to me.
Favorite shared moment with her: quiet moments on study nights, after the pyjamas are on and the tea's in hand. We take turns picking the music, we share things that make us giggle or think. It's so peaceful and so conducive to good studying.
Busiest day of the week so far: looks to be Mondays from here on out, but so far it's been Tuesdays. I have classes back-to-back from 8:30 till 1, then from 2:30 to 4. Luckily part of that time's yoga and part is choir. :)
Favorite meal served: tonight's wasn't bad. Black bean quesadilla and lentils and rice.
Least favorite meal served: last night's stringy meat and worse-than-Velveeta mac n cheese. I went for the sandwich option!
Favorite non-honors class: Spanish! It's a conversation and composition course, heavy on the composition. I will be writing a research paper in Spanish this semester. Which sounds awesome to me. In addition, it's fabulous because it is basically like any English lit class in high school (that I loved so much) but with Spanish texts and discussed in Spanish. Ecstasy. :)
Best reading for any class: the Gospel of Matthew.
Hardest reading for any class: St. Anselm's Proslogium--rhetorical, dense and logic-speech. But interesting discussion ensued, so that's a plus.
Best advice so far: have and take care of young kids before you have to take care of your parents. Keep a sabbath. Go to sleep. ;)
Favorite day of weather: well, night, actually; Friday night when the snow came, fast and fluffy. Beautiful!
Newest pop culture thing experienced: Pitch Perfect. What a blend of hilarity and despair at humanity. Aca-awkward.
Number of coincidental connections between classes: we're up to like four or five. Reading the New Testament makes that easy, but it's wonderful to trace threads.
Last thing I lost: a glove.
Last thing I found: two completely different gloves.
Dregs of the tea most recently in my mug: Jasmine dragon loose leaf. A gift from a friend whose roommate worked at Teavana.
Best music for study/reading/writing yet this semester: Sense and Sensibility soundtrack. Hands down.
Laundry loads: just one, actually.
Latest I have stayed awake any night so far: up until 2:30ish on Friday, just for the halibut.
Best laptop sticker I've seen: "mischief managed"
My most recent laptop sticker: it's one I took from a bulletin board at a local coffeeshop: "life is good <3 especially when we are good to others"
Best sound I've heard: the worship team at the center city site of the church I go to, Liberti. They were fantastic! Very Mumford-esque, with a sax, trumpet, oboe, violin, acoustic guitar, and piano. And great harmonies.
Best choir song so far: Water Night by Eric Whitacre. Some stunning chords in that, and the lyrics were originally a Spanish poem!
Best hymn sung in church: Be Thou My Vision. Always gets me.
Best package received: a care package from Hannah! It included a teddy bear. 'Nuff said.
Best thing I'm learning, allbeit painfully: to trust in God in all things, and actually accept his peace as he offers it to me.
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