Grand Canyon Sunrise

I just finished reading Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller and a good chunk of the book reminded me of when my family went to the Grand Canyon four years ago. My sister and I walked down a little bit on the Blue Angel Trail to watch the sunrise. It was amazing - something I'll never forget.

The one true sign of discipleship is intimate oneness with Him – a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake. –Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest, August 16

He knows us by name. That’s where Chambers starts and he ends with this statement. Living here has convinced me that “a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake” is worth the process of sanctification. For a long time I thought I was in the middle of refinement, but today I realized all of the sudden that it is quite possible this was all just a time of preparation for the real business of sanctifying. It’s like He’s always saying – you weren’t as far as you thought, the cost you’ve paid is the beginning. There is more. Maybe it’s time to be willing no matter the cost – even those things I have held so closely. I had a thought last night that for some reason there are hopes and disappointments I choose to keep close and could very well be getting in the way. “A crushed spirit who can bear?” That’s one of my favorite proverbs. In any case, I’m not really sure where all this is going besides to say suddenly everything that seemed a deep refinement is really just like peering over the Grand Canyon, but when you look at a map or fly over in a plane or even hike it you know there are canyons upon canyons and peering over the edge or walking a couple switchbacks on the Bright Angel may seem deep, but the more you learn, the more there is. So I realize today we’ve just walked a couple switchbacks. There is much more to do. I wonder what will I find on the rest of the way down and do we have to hike back up another unfamiliar way? Maybe. But so far He has provided whatever I need at every step. He has not been slow to reassure that He indeed loves me and is pursuing me with His redeeming love. A certain feeling comes over me at times like this – a heaviness of heart, but also a knowledge that my sin and His grace has brought me here. I am already a new creation and forgiven. I am also being more equipped to fulfill my purpose for existence. I can’t wait to see the sunrise from inside the Grand Canyon again. This metaphorical one and the real one. I may have to preempt a trip my dad promised me if I ever get a doctorate and just go with a friend when I get back to America. I'd love to see those painted deserts and the Pacific coast again. Daydreams for now, but it’s part of a longing for real home that can only be fulfilled one day far, far away. Such big places are the closest thing to His majesty I so long to lay my eyes on. He has given us expressions of Himself. Amazingly enough a trip to the canyon doesn’t provide a glimmer of what my community shows me about Him. We are, after all, created in His image. So for now, my mirror and my friends will suffice to be my Grand Canyon sunrise. Maybe one day I’ll have both. In all this, I’ve been learning the significance of walking closely with Him. I love how Chambers puts it and it’s my desire for you. Look around at the believers in your life and see Him there, see Him in the sunrise, and settle down long enough each day just to gaze on some reflection of His beauty. It’s worth it.

My adventure to the capitol!

I went to the capitol this weekend (about 6 hours away from me), and I think the story will give you a pretty good view of how life often goes here. It's a little longer than normal, but all you Schadenfreude fans get ready:

Wednesday
A pleasant trip with roomie A and a few guys from our city to pick up new teammates. We drove through the mountains, our van full of musical flashbacks to better years (at least for music, can you ever call jr. high 'better?'). When we got to the capitol we hit bad traffic because the city floods horribly. There were stalled out cars everywhere. It was reminiscent of FL hurricane season. We finally found open roads after driving in a big circle. Then we ate Pizza Hut and arrived at the house of good friend and teammate, B, where A and I crashed for a couple hours, hung out w/ B and slept. She will be featured again in later segments of the story so I've included a picture here:

*A quick shout out for B: she nursed me to health, played hostess twice as long as expected, navigated me through the capitol via cell phone at 6:30 am, introduced me to people I might be able to find a project through to work on and owns 10 seasons of 'Friends'...she's pretty much awesome. And her house has lots of tea and coffee! =^)

Thursday
I wake up sick as all get out (stomach issues, vomiting, ickiness galore!) so we spent the day in watching Pride and Prejudice (new version) and Friends. At this point I was beginning to contemplate a longer stay in the capitol. Many people here do medical work, but A, B and I happen to be three of the least medical people here so we called around since we're clueless. We were finding it humorous we would be stuck together when someone got sick...
Friday
Thought it better not to travel through the mountains for 6 hours sick (and the van was full) so thought I'd wait until Saturday to travel back with roomie A and her team's new folks who flew in this week. Luckily I was up to an outing so B and I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple things they can get here, but we can't get in my city. On our way down the stairs in the store B fell on some stairs, broke her pinky, popped it back into place and passed out from being so disgusted. I caught her head, and along with some help from women around she only slid down a couple more steps. Again, being totally non-medical and not knowing this city at all I'm thinking crazy things like: "What hospital would I take her to? Would she just be worse off for it if I took her? How long does a passed out person stay out of it before you begin to worry? Is there a DOCTOR in the house?" Luckily, she woke up after just 10 or 15 seconds. We sat there for awhile on the steps (totally inappropriate thing for women to be doing) and many people asked me if she was okay as they walked by staring. One woman even asked me, "Is she just tired?" Yeah. I decided to steal the line anyway. I purchased the groceries and by this time B was able to walk to a taxi and home we went. We (again, not medical) figured ice would be good and got that confirmed by a nurse too. At least I got some language practice telling everyone my friend sitting here with her head between her legs and me holding cold water on her neck was "just tired."

Saturday
Well, the van with roomie A left at 10, but I want to attend a political forum until 12 so looked like I would take the bus for me Sunday morning (Saturday afternoon was already full) which means I could still meet most of my obligations back home. I got to meet a few of B's connections (my main reason for coming was to scout out potential jobs), and enjoyed another extra day in the capitol. Then I went to an English conversation group at an institute and on to dinner. I got to eat sheesh tawook and falafel on this day. Yum! There is much more food variety here than in my city.

Sunday
I went to catch my bus this morning at the normally scheduled 30 minutes before departure.



*This isn't really my bus, I just thought you might want another picture. It's semi-authentic in that it's from here! Pay no mind to that funny writing (it's some other tourist's picture off the internet. I promise I do NOT know how to write like that).

I got out of my taxi and asked anyone who wasn't busy which bus goes to my city. After a couple minutes I thought I was on the right track. Nope! A group of young guys went running after a bus and the driver motioned closed and drove off! There went my bus home. I went to the other bus station (after having B talk to my driver on my mobile phone to figure out where it was), and they were all full too for morning and afternoon. I got back to B's house in one piece. My plan then was to stay until Monday and ride back with some people going to a city about 2 hours away and then riding a public transportation car to my city. However, B went out to run an errand this morning and learned that a South African couple we know was coming to our city today from the capitol so I hitched a ride with them and after three days of delays made it home! Ironically enough, I was reading Donald Miller's Through the Desert the last few days and the whole theme of flexibility and not being tied to a schedule seemed utterly appropriate. But it's great because we all live here so no one was offended when I had to call and cancel things because we all know it's how it goes.

This is the new life!

These are from my language lesson a few days ago. My helper and I made "mashee" - stuffed zucchini, potatoes and bell peppers. We stuffed them with ground beef, onion, tomato and SPICES galore. This is in my kitchen, and while we don't usually sit on the floor that's very typical here as kitchens are usually small and without much counter space. We peeled the veggies over the dust pan, crushed the spices in our mortar and pestle and stuffed the veggies on the floor. If anyone wants this recipe or the typical bean dish eaten for breakfast let me know and I'll email ya! It was yummmmmy!

Beach

My roomie K and I went to the beach this weekend and it was a marvelous get away. Food first - the pictures above are from a chinese restaurant and Pizza Hut. Can you imagine? So delicious! We stayed at a hotel one night that had a beach side pool and also beach access. We did get to eat out at the hotel restaurant without long sleeves or a bandana! This weekend I got to read a marvelous book, Redeeming Love, based on the book of Hosea set in 1850s California. I was yet again reminded of His constant love and acceptance of me. He indeed has taught me to love, trust and live. I felt my heart melting yet again, yet at the same time feeling sorrow at the stark realization of His pain at my rebellion and the price to redeem me. What rejoicing at His everlasting covenant with us has marked the last few days! It was a refreshing time physically and for my heart.

PS The green tea picture above from the restaurant is for those of you who have been asking about my hair length...=^)

look mommie look!

Any of you who have spent much time with my family know cookies-on-a-stick. The first package I received here was a "cookie kit" from my mommie! My roomie K and I are going on a little vacation to the beach this weekend, so true to P. fam style I made cookies for the road trip! These are the first batch I've ever made by myself and they came out true to form (thanks mom for recipe, bags, chocolate chips, twist ties and baggies!). The only major difference was the crushing of the milk chocolate bars pictured above. Most crushing/chopping in the states doesn't happen with these tools, but here we use this almost daily for spices etc.


Our upstairs neighbors often send down plates of food for us, and we return them piled with goodies per custom here. Yesterday they sent us french fries, and today I returned the plate full of fries at lunch. I also sent up some cookies from the baking adventure. Late afternoon they sent down this cute little set up of tea for two to roomie K and I. It included a tray, two glasses, and a thermos full of yummy tea, and "cornbread." Hospitality at a new level!

FISH!

These are pics from one of my favorite places here. It's on the roof of a building in the fish market. You buy fish and bring it here -they fry it up in amazing seasonings and serve it with bread, french fries, veggies and dipping sauce on newspaper- yummy! (The large round bread is torn and used as your utensil to eat up!)

Happy S.A. Fest!

Hey Family!! Just wanted to post a quick note to let you know I'm thinking of you today as you 'reunion' in Michigan. Hope everyone has a great time, and I love you all!

HAPPY S.A. FEST!

new bling

These are baltos - we are commonly found in these long, black robes w/ colorful scarves and bandanas. Today I went to the market and bought a new one. My definition of "bling" has changed a bit in the last month! Below are pics of the ends of the sleeves on my new balto!



On a not so light note, I have been hearing sad news from the place that was my catalyst in getting to where I am now, and I am sad for my friends there. They've been through a lot the last couple years. Please ask that He will use this for good. For all of you who shared those times with me please know that I am lifting up you, our friends still there and our beloved city.

Mountain Lunch

A bunch of us went up on the big mountain for lunch at an outdoor restaurant and it was YUMMY! We ate for 2 bucks a pop and left quite satisfied and having enjoyed a gorgeous view. My roomie, A, and I in the middle pic probably enjoyed the bread a bit much! Considering this road, it's probably best I don't drive here (and taking into account my limited experience with the stick shift...!)

Bjork and my crazy flat...

Tonight in my house we were playing the lovely game of Phase 10 and listening to one of my favorite set lists – “jkids hit the road.” Along came a song called “Leaving on a Jet Plane” as done by Bjork and Jewel. So I announce to my roomies who were singing along, “Hey, this is Jewel and Bjork!” My roomie, K, says, “really?! That name is kind of dorky.” Oh the shock to my system – Bjork – dorky?!?! So I ask, “Do you know who Bjork is?” and K replies, “No, I don’t know who he is.” Again, shocked! We had many a laugh over that. And for all of you who love Bjork too, I did play some good songs for them to introduce. She has since informed me that sounds like a Swedish “man name” and her opinion hasn’t changed,. Oh well, I tried! Bigger fish to fry I suppose. Okay, now she wants you all to know she didn’t dislike the music, just the name. What’s in a name? Well, when it’s Bjork, apparently a lot because this has now turned into a long conversation about roses, smelling sweet, ESL (maybe they know ‘over there’ her name sounds like dork too), and name recognition. Hope your evening was stimulating as mine.

I told roomie A the power has been out for a long time and she said, well that all depends on what time it went out. Hmmm…think about that for a little while if the above wasn’t enough to keep you going for a long time. Now A is clamoring for an addendum (but just b/c she likes the word) so you know the above was very out context and she was in the middle of writing an email so wanted to give me a short and sweet statement to remind me that actually none of us can remember what time it went out. Now A says she must shut up while I’m blog updating or anything silly will make it on here.

I love my flat.

Roomie P says, “Khalos, enough” and breathed a sigh of relief at avoiding the above type paragraph devoted to her.

city pics

Some prettiness from a trip up one of the big mountains yesterday with a new friend and her family. I think they may get bigger if you click on them? Hope everyone's well.

The Spice of Life!

I've heard it said variety is the spice of life, and if that's true, my life here is spiicccyy! This top picture is from the spice market I visited early on in my time here. They are fun to walk around and pick out all the different smells, and of course all the colors are gorgeous. Aha - you did feel the metaphor coming...well, as I was looking back through pictures and saw this one I just had to share it and it got me thinking about community. Each of us has a different personality and through that certain attributes of our Creator shine through us. When they are all put together it's like a full prism - with every part. The same story at the spice market; every smell and color is different, but the blend when thrown together by Someone who knows what they are doing creates an irresistible aroma. They will know us by our love. Oh - and on to the second picture. This is me helping my roomie who wore flip flops on a day we ended up doing a bit of climbing steep cliff-like drop offs in a mango forest. So she wouldn't slip we helped guide her along holding her hand, letting her lean on our backs etc. to ensure she didn't fall. Some days around here it's me that needs the help, and some days it's another roomie or more, but again; they will know us by our love. The last picture - oh, there's not really a metaphor - it's just to say that if you're a cow with a rope around your neck and you find yourself in a position like this in front of a store your days, hours, possibly minutes are numbered. We get lean and fresh meat!

Language Lesson

Well...here's my outfit from today. We have to wear loose fitting clothes and today I didn't feel like wearing my big black overcoat thing so I chose this little outfit. Oh so fun- right? Weelll, when I showed up for language lessons my helper said - oooh...you're dressed different today; it's good. Then at the end when I was putting back on my overshirt and scarf she said, "You look like someone from Yugoslavia and fat today, but here fat is good. In America it is not good, but here men like their women like this." Ay! I had forgotten how bold this culture can be sometimes! Anyway - it was many laughs for me and my roomies when I came home.

Today was good too- got to hang out w/ all my US friends around here and we enjoyed each other's company a lot. I have been baking bread a lot lately and that has been yuuummmyyy. I think I've become the "domestic one" of the apt. Oh well- probably no surprise to anyone! Much love you all - miss you, remember you!

walking and climbing...

I thought some of you might be interested to see the "get up" as it were. This is a pretty common way you'll find me dressed. Today we went up into the mountains and saw a really pretty drop off. Then we had a picnic and climbed through a "mango forest." Yay for yummy fruits and veggies around here. It was a nice day to get out of the city and chill for a bit. I am feeling more at home here each day, but I'm still at that point of learning my way around etc. I'm learning more intensely here about Him being my Rock and Refuge - Ps. 62 resonates pretty deeply these days.

living and loving...

We dug into some peanut butter in Frankfurt airport to quench our hunger from the long travels. The mountains are beautiful. Things are going pretty well. I'll try to post some more pictures after a little trip tomorrow and about life and learnings. I'm enjoying practicing language with the random strangers and other people we know. I'm starting lessons Saturday, and I'm excited and nervous about that. Everyone here is amazing and welcoming!!

canoe...

So I had this experience this week that reminded me of these days (<--) in my life. When I was a little kid my grandpa, my dad, my older sister and I would take canoe trips down rivers in Michigan in the summer. They would give my sis and I bags of Cheerios and sit us in the bottom of my grandpa's historic restored hunter green canoe. The inside of this canoe is some of the most beautiful wood I have ever seen. For hours I would be mesmerized by the little swirls and ripples a properly maneuvered paddle produces.

My dad and I went out in my 'rents canoe this weekend and all that came flashing back into my mind as I saw the little swirls in the water then the drips coming off the end of the paddle creating little ripples in the water. We went back into the mangroves behind the condo and after tight passages we ended up in what seemed a magical little world in the midst of the mangroves. Then we came upon a little wooden bridge and turned to go under it. We came out into Tampa Bay on the other side of the mangroves from my 'rents house. I had no idea where we were headed the whole time we were making our way through narrow places and skillfully, or sometimes not so on my part, avoiding tree branches etc. However, when we came into what seemed a magical river trapped by the mangroves and then out into the Bay I couldn't help but feel special and loved for being taken to such beautiful and surprising places.

Now, you know this is going somewhere because I am me and well, that's how we do. But the whole time I was also thinking about being a child in the unshakable Kingdom and how He really does want to bless His kids and be made more famous through them. Often the journey seems confusing and we're asked to do things we don't understand (like reaching up grabbing a tree branch and being instructed to pull down hard because that will turn the boat the way it needs to go), but somehow when we're obedient we're led exactly where we need to be and along the way that often includes surprises that are beyond what we could have dreamed up to happen. It's time for us to look at the world, watch and be amazed! (that's from the Book!)

This is us in our neighbor's kayak a few days later. Let's just say more lessons, maybe for another day. Mostly - if you want huge muscles in your arms go get a kayak.

life is beautiful.

I was reminded today by someone that life is beautiful and our Father is good. And I have to say, indeed, that I agree. This picture is from my mommie's garden. Today was amazing outside and it was real good times for picture taking. There's a saying from Ecc. 11.7 that says, "Light is sweet; it's wonderful to see the sun!." Is that not beautiful? I have completely fallen in love with sunshine time even more over the last two months. The beautiful greens and other splashes of color when dancing in the sunshine are sweet and wonderful to see!

Other than being completely in love with my FL sunshine, which I am so excited I don't have to say goodbye to in 2 weeks - the sun is everywhere, I have been working on packing up my stuff and chilling with the 'rents. I have been learning a lot in my time in the word about patience and haste. Mostly, that there's one thing to be urgent about and I have got time to figure out the rest. The one thing? Check out the 10th section of Paul's letter to Rome!

wwweeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh yeah - went with the fam to the theme park this week. It was a great time of roller coasters, shows, animals and good food!!

My favorite ride may have been riding a camel. ;^) Does orientation ever end?!

More on life and learnings later.

HEY KIDS! I MADE IT!!! After my overnight bus from Richmond to Chinatown, NY, 2 subway rides, and a bus to NJ I have found my sister and her boy only to enjoy peppermint tea and strawberry banana cake!! =^)

We're going to hang out then road trip back to Ohio/Michigan...!

As most of you know, Amber has a hard time taking a ‘normal’ picture. I have indeed been mocked here for my goofy faces and comical pictures. However, I have faced serious competition as of late. One of the other kids up here in VA gets his game on when it comes to picture time. This was recently noted by our resident photographer when she was snapping the following pictures one day and said: ‘Why can’t you just be normal?’

Hahaha – as if that isn’t the begging question! She decided it’d be a grand idea to see if the brunette clan could mimic us in some of the silliness. So…the following collage is a result of 1-2-3 shoot! craziness a couple nights ago…
This is going to be a hard crew to leave behind. We have grown very close over the last few weeks. At the same time we know that we are heading off to do the most important thing and even these new found tight friendships are worth leaving. Ouch! It still stings. Today one of my main girls up here and I were riding in the car and neither of us even had words to describe all that. We just sort of sat there listening to random radio music and hurt beyond verbal expression with the grief of leaving yet another community. Transitions and goodbyes seem to be integrating into my life. Everyone I’ve met who works here tells me if I stick with this life I’m heading after it’s only going to become more and more a part of my existence.

I’ve also included a picture here of some of the grass time I was talking about in my last entry. We’ve had many afternoons out in the grass here reading the book and talking with Him and each other. Oh yeah, and of course there was frisbee involved sometimes too! I am from FL after all…