what a little tlc can do

While I was home for the holidays, a lot of you commented that you like photos--so I am making an effort to take more pictures along the way and post them. A lot of you also liked the photos of my house because it helped you imagine where I was living. Well, after two weeks of appliance shopping, deliveries, gifts of randomn furniture from friends, etc, etc. phase 1 of my new lil home is done! And I thought I would share some pics. Check out the original photos of the house here to get an idea of how far we have come in a short time! the house in October

It has been really cool to see how everything came together to create a space that I feel comfy in that I could also afford. It's been a lot like college, where you take whatever anyone gives you and just find ways to cover it up if it needs a little cutening. My brother Pat gave me $100 at Christmas and I went directly to IKEA and purchased as many cheap, cute curtains and fabrics as I could. In the end, I have used every piece of fabric in some way and each has brought a sweet, freshness to the house.

I started sleeping here about 2 weeks ago and without a stove or fridge my food options have been limited. Two years ago my mom gave me an electric kettle and Jenny Dale gave me an AWESOME Starbucks thermal french press. My cousin Randy gave me a Starbucks gift card and I purchased a burr grinder. So the top priority--GOOD coffee has greeted me every morning. Ahhh, life is good. And I was also able to use the kettle to heat up water for oatmeal or ramen--yes, there are sooo many ways my life is similar to college right now. And Michelle gave me a ton of kitchen stuff that allows me to eat, cut things, dry my dishes and many of those "must haves" that just add up.

I was surprised initially to learn that I had to buy ALL my appliances. Think about that in a rental! And appliances are generally more expensive here then in the states. Gulp! But God truly provided everything that I needed, all for great prices. Yesterday I made iced tea--using my stove and my fridge. It was the tasty tea ever!

Dave & Jenny gave me a great big desk that has been a life saver to work from. I splurged a tiny bit and bought a new bed--rather then used from downtown markets--hoping to save my back from future problems and because honestly I am afraid of bed bugs. So I have been sleeping soundly. I also hung a cable curtain rod and have photos of all my friends, so every day I remember that they are all with me in spirit.

Even the weird "closet room" that initially freaked me out--why does one need an entire room for a closet?--has been an unknown blessing because I don't need any bedroom furniture. Everything I own can fit in 1/4 of the closet, including clothes, camping gear, hardware, luggage, everything!

And finally the walls were all painted in shades of warm yellow--sounds scary but looks great! And yes, that is me waving at you in my tiny bathroom.

Again, thank you for your prayers, contributions, etc. It's always so important for me to feel cozy at home, but I also wanted to create a space where guests could come and feel welcome. Everything here has been kept on the cheap, but I have been able to purchase every must have item. What a blessing!

home for Christmas

Oh, by the way, I had a WONDERFUL trip home for Christmas. I am so thankful for all of the great time with friend and family. I thought I would recap with a few photos of a few moments:

*Dance Party #2 - You got love a basement with some good lights and a dj.

*Kitties!! - I cannot express how nice it was to be home and cozy up with Pearl & Oly. I mean look at this furry little face!

*A Snowy Christmas - This is Lost Creek Lake, about 10 minutes from my parents house. As you can see, it was pretty breathtaking with a lovely dust of new snow.

*Dance Party #3 - You just can't get enough dance party in! Here I am smacking hips with DJ Danny-izle on New Year's Eve.

Yea, good times...

It's the little things

So, one of the great truths about being in El Sal is that I have been virtually helpless--relying on the continual kindness of new friends. And this has been a good thing--teaching me humiltiy, building friendships, etc.

That being said, there is also a lot of room here for me to bust out of comfort zones and try to wobble on my own two feet. For example, I was hungry the other night, but the stove still wasn't working and the frig wasn't here yet. So I decided it was time to try to order pizza on my own. I was tempted to call my lifelines--Dave, Jenny, Michelle--and ask them to order for me, but decided that at some point I just need to try it on my own. It may as well be now. And so I said a prayer and dialed the local pizza hut (they are all over the place down here) and started my conversation with “Lo siento, pero yo hablo espanol muy malo…”--"I'm sorry, but I speak Spanish poorly." What proceeded was I'm sure a comical exchange, but I only understood a bit of what the woman was asking me, so I can't tell you for sure. And slowly but surely I thought I understood and was able to express that I wanted a pepperoni pizza for delivery with orange soda. I was able to give her my address and directions to my house--although she put me on hold for about 5 minutes as she confered with someone about my directions. Yep, I prayed again. And finally, I was able to make out that I should see the delivery guy in about 15 minutes.

Of course, that is what I thought happened, but honestly, I had no clue if I was able to communicate properly. Normally when I order food here, I get something totally different then what I thought I ordered, or twice as much as what I thought I ordered or nothing at all and I've just learned to be flexible in what I eat and to keep trying. And so I said a third prayer and waited for the delivery.

Sure enough, 15 minutes later, Humberto showed up with my pizza! I have never been so elated to see a pizza delivery guy! I swear I almost kissed him. (Who knows, a few more deliveries and maybe I will be dating him...) AND he delivered what I thought I ordered--so double whammy! And as I sat down to eat my greasy delight, my meal time prayer was of simple thanksgiving.

Even the simplest task is still kind of hard for me here. And sure, that can be frustrating, but the cool part is that each task requires me to really ask God to help and to trust that he will. And oddly enough, he does help even with silly things and then I'm just filled with thankfulness for a pizza hut pizza. And that is a really great place to be--so thankful for so little--and I hope that one of the things that will stick with me in the years to come is learning to remain in that attitude of reliance, trust and thankfulness.

Today you should try something out of your comfort zone. It might be harder for you to find those opportunities in the comfort of your own culture, but they are there. We all have self-imposed limits. So pick one and step out--see what happens. I bet you will be grateful that you did!

declaration number 6

Oh God, my present & ever present savior. You created the universe in all its detail—the vast galaxies and the smallest cell. You thought of everything—colors, scents, the lilt of music, the touch of a kiss & the perfect pitch of a giggle. You took our broken world and made a plan of restoration through your Son, the ultimate sacrifice. Truly, you thought this existence thing out.

And that is to be expected, because you are God. Creation & completion is what you do.

But there is more. I feel you in my heart—and not in a Sunday-School-flannel-graph kind of way, but like the blood in my veins, I feel your very Spirit coursing through me. Which is weird and normally I would be afraid of something so hibbity gibbity. I would be scheming for safety & comfort. I would stand very still in one place waiting for you & your will to pass by me. But now I feel a confidence in the you I am beginning to know and I find myself trusting in the direction of your Spirit.

And this creates a peace in me, because you are God. Peace is a gift you give.

In that peace, I get a glimpse of truth. You see, I know that this is not me. On my own, I have no real capacity for true peace or joy or kindness. Sure, I have fits and spurts—but no consistent fountain of true love. Left to my own devices, my heart gets hard, my spirit gets critical and I close myself away. But through you, and your spring of selfless love, I am able to see the people in my life and I have to recognize that each person is a unique gift created by a big God. And rather than focus so much on what is missing or broken or subpar, I am getting better at seeing people for what they have to give and not just what I can get. And somehow that seems to totally change my perspective on life in general. It’s so much more about who I’m with then where I’m going or what’ I’m doing.

And this truth is that real love not only frees me from myself, but allows me to love others so much more because you are God. Life-changing love is your signature.

I am continually amazed by this life that you have given me. It has totally changed again but rather than freaking out, I am just expectant and elated to walk this road with you. I am open to whatever you have in the coming months and years and generally have let go of the reigns.

And I feel a new joy. I am kind of giddy because you are my God.

And so, I praise you. You are Creator. You are the Prince of Peace. You are Savior. You are Love and you are here with me. You are God and I give all to you: my family, my friends, my church, my job, my cozy home, even my kitties—my life. And I thank you for every moment that I can bring a ray of your glory, yep I said glory, to this lovely little world that you made.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

making my list, checking it twice

When Gerry comes to El Salvador he keeps tally of all the ways that God provides throughout the week trip. I did a quick tally today of the blessings of the last week. What an awesome exercise to see God providing every day. And to see God build on his providence each day. Below is my example, but this was an awesome exercise. You should try it this week!! God is good.

• Thursday—Thanks for your prayers for my residency card. Coming through immigration was a cinch with my brand new residency card in hand. Prayer Answered—For an easy process getting my residency.Got my house keys and excitedly took a load of luggage over with Jenny. Prayer Answered—As a direct answer to prayer, it was bigger then I had remembered! Also just finding the home, in my budget, right near friends, etc was an answer to prayer.Had dinner with a team that had just finished a week doing a medical mission I Abilenes—the most remote community we work in. It was cool to meet the team and hear a tiny bit about how the week had impacted them. Prayer answered—that God would continue to help me understand why He has called me here and what is so cool about the work of ENLACE.
• Friday—
  Um, nothing inspirational. I just caught up on sleep and chilled. Prayer answered—To get some rest amidst all of the business of setting up the new life here.
  
• Saturday—Started a new Bible study with about 8 other women at my new church. It was so great to meet some new ladies and generally a really great time talking about life and God. Prayer answered—For new relationships and community in El Sal.Michelle took me to a new store in town and I bought a bed & a kitchen table—the first two priorities on my must have list. Prayer answered—For the easy set up of my home.Had a greta day just hanging out with Ron, Michelle and their family. Prayer answered—Relationships, relationships, relationships.
  
• Sunday—
  A great service at Union Church & great worship—Prayer answered—That Sundays at Union Church would give me a good space to worship and connect with God more—that this new church home would start to feel like home.More appliance shopping. Prayer answered—Appliances prices lowering!
  A great dinner with the McGee’s. Prayer answered—Relationships continuing to grow.
  
• Monday—ENLACE weekly prayer time. During the group prayer time, a young woman named Lucy prayed for me for about 10 minutes. Prayer answered—For continued reassurance from God that this is where he wants me. Also the development of new friendships.Alejandro help with furniture. Prayer answered—Free stuff for the house! Help with Spanish some and continued relationship building. More shopping. Prayer Answered—Prices on Frig dropping more!Invitation from Dave a Jenny for dinner every night this week while I wait for appliances. Prayer answered—Isn’t dinner with friends always an answered prayer? Now imagine every night in a week! But specifically an answer to my fear of being lonely in ES.
  
• Tuesday—
  I put stuff away all day. Prayer answered—That I packed better then I thought and really had everything I needed to stay at the new house. My first night in the house! Yahoo!
  
• Wednesday—
  Dara at my house at 8:15 ready to shop! Prayer answered—More time getting to know Dara, got an entire page of to-do’s done and got to have lunch with her cute 2 daughters (that remind me sooo much of Lauren & Bridget McMurry.)Alejandro & a day of great appliance buying deal. Prayer answered—I think Alejandro was that miracle that I needed to make it all happen fast. He helped in everyway and I came home with a washer, dryer and stove all within budget! Ladies night at Dara’s house. Prayer answered—a great time in prayer with new friends. I feel like God is just taking me to deep places with new friends so quickly. So awesome!
  
• Thursday—
  That’s today! I made breakfast in my new house!
  A great time spent with Michelle that was so encouraging and challenging and deep. Prayer answered—Relationships that bless, encourage and challenge are the most awesome ever and help me feel at home here.
  
  
  
  

errands are opportuniities to see God

Well, I have been back in El Salvador one full week and it is good to be home. Yep, I said ithome. Portland will always be home to me, but I can definitely say that last week I was ready to get back to the life God is creating for me in El Salvador. And since my first day back, I have felt more and more at home in this new life. Thank you for all of your prayers—I know this peace is a result of your faithfulness to keeping me in your prayers. What a blessing you all are to me!

This week has primarily been all about settling into my new home. I got the keys last Thursday! It’s a very small townhouse with no appliances or furniture. I sent a few days unpacking and by the grace of God, I actually did a pretty good job packing what I could bring with me via a plane, so I didn’t have to start from scratch. I forgot some of what I packed and when I saw that a can opener was $12 here, I was very relieved to find my bag of kitchen ware!

Although there is much that would not fit on a plane! So I have been dragging every one I know here out on shopping adventures looking for the very best deals, determining what is a must have & what can wait and trying to get everything set up, so I can cook, eat & sleep. And God has provided in every way—even in ways that I couldn’t imagine. On top of lots of good deals on appliances and furnishings (and free couches, house goods and other items from generous friends here) the place is already starting to look like a home and I was even able to make myself coffee and breakfast this morning and do a load of laundry today!

But so much more then the carting of housewares from stores to my house, has been the rich time spent with friends. Since I don’t have a car yet (coming soon…), I have had to rely on friends to drive me around. And while I hate inconveniencing already busy folks, it has been such a blessing to hang out with Jenny, Dave, Dara & Michelle as we drive about. I even got to practice some Spanish as my friend from ENLACE, Alejandro, not only drove me all around in his flat bed truck, but also helped negotiate better deals, practiced Spanish with me, helped me load everything out of the truck into the house and even hooked up the washer for me. And no I will not be dating Alejandro, he is married with kids—I know how you people think!

It has been enlightening to see how my need to rely on others has created so many opportunities to encourage and be encouraged. It’s been so great! So often we are God’s voice to one another and yet in our self-sufficient culture I wonder how many opportunities we miss in the name of convenience. So let me encourage you this week, call a friend and share some time together. Run an errand together. Just go on a drive together. Or better yet, go to Stumptown with a friend and drink a latte for me while you talk about what God is doing in your life—or what you wish God was doing in your life—or who is God anyway and can you believe in Him? I bet you will be surprised how an hour shared discussing the big things of life can actually make them seem a bit smaller and more manageable. And when you are done talking, take 5 minutes and pray together. Ask the God of creation to respond to your questions, concerns and cares, express your love for your friends and enjoy the time you have together. I know it seems kind of basic and maybe a bit weird to those of you that don’t believe in God—but just try it. I know that it will impact you as it has me this week. And when it does, email me and tell me all about it.

And remember that just as Paul says repeatedly in his letters, I pray for you all continually. I guess it’s my little way of being with you—to talk to God about you. And as He continues to build a whole beautiful community for me and provide for my every need in here in El Salvador, I know He is doing the same for you.