When I was younger and I would start complaining about some problem to my mom, she would ask me, “Ashley, are you looking for a solution, or do you just want to vent?” I think this is a wise question. So, I’m just letting you, the reader, know that I just want to vent.
Sometimes there are no words to describe how dumb rules can be. I mean, I’m all for rules. Rules that make sense, rules that serve some purpose, rules that protect from something, rules that are based on moral convictions...all of these are rules I respect. Rules that I do not respect are rules invented purely for the purpose of existing. It’s like someone realizes that they haven’t made and rules recently and so, purely for that reason, they make a new rule.
Here’s a rule I don’t understand. If I present all of my paperwork for residency and it is flawless, and I have 26 days left on my visa, I cannot get my residency. Why? Because the director recently made a rule, which even according to those who work in immigration is pointless, which says that I need to have 30 days left on my visa to file my paperwork. Not 26 days, 30 days. The best part is that in all the time we have been working with these lovely people, they never felt it necessary to mention that rule to us.
So what do I do? We’re squabbling over 4 days. 4 days! They suggest to me that I file the paperwork as if I were out of the country, then afterwards send a letter saying I find myself in the country again and would like the paperwork filed in Ecuador. So I consider this for a moment and then marvel as I realize that rather than letting me file my paperwork legally, they are counseling me to break the law, the actual law not some made up rule, twice!
And so, my friends, I have reached an impasse with my residency paperwork. But, I am trying to be calm and wait on God, because I’m sure He has a plan. He always does. I just every once in a while wish He would hurry up and tell me!!
I found this verse, and it made me feel a lot better: “Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.”
Hopefully this verse applies to my own life, and that land is Ecuador! I’ll keep you posted...thanks for letting me vent.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Week Nine: Two Months Married
Today is our two-month anniversary. Looking back on the last two months, I’m once again struck by the way time works. How can a day like my wedding day feel so far away and yet so recent?
I think it’s because of the sheer amount of events that can fit into a two-month period of time, especially when those events revolve around the ministry, and then on top of that there’s mountains of legal work to be done in order to gain my residency! We have a schedule not to be envied! Almost every day is jam-packed, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to sleep. Even bedtime is pushed back in order to work on that last-minute project for one of the many ministries we’re involved in.
At the same time, I feel like two months is a long time and it has gone by entirely too quickly. It seems like we still are not even really settled into the routine of married life yet. We haven’t been able to plan too far into the future because today is way too complicated to even think about tomorrow.
So this anniversary finds me content that we’ve made it through another milestone month, but wondering when life is going to take on a more predictable quality. I know that might sound strange, but when you’re life is completely unpredictable, it makes you long for a little bit of certainty. I think if there’s one thing that our life is missing, it’s that. But all in all, I think if that’s the worst of our problems, we have a lot to be thankful for.
I think it’s because of the sheer amount of events that can fit into a two-month period of time, especially when those events revolve around the ministry, and then on top of that there’s mountains of legal work to be done in order to gain my residency! We have a schedule not to be envied! Almost every day is jam-packed, from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to sleep. Even bedtime is pushed back in order to work on that last-minute project for one of the many ministries we’re involved in.
At the same time, I feel like two months is a long time and it has gone by entirely too quickly. It seems like we still are not even really settled into the routine of married life yet. We haven’t been able to plan too far into the future because today is way too complicated to even think about tomorrow.
So this anniversary finds me content that we’ve made it through another milestone month, but wondering when life is going to take on a more predictable quality. I know that might sound strange, but when you’re life is completely unpredictable, it makes you long for a little bit of certainty. I think if there’s one thing that our life is missing, it’s that. But all in all, I think if that’s the worst of our problems, we have a lot to be thankful for.
Week Ten: A New Addition to the Family
Let me put your mind at ease...no, I’m not pregnant! Thank goodness! But I do have a new baby...a baby rabbit! I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this yet in my blog, but I love animals. I absolutely adore them. I think my ideal place to live would be on a farm. One animal that I always wanted to have was a bunny. They’re so soft and adorable...
I was thoroughly warned about rabbits. First my mom warned me that her friend has a rabbit and likened it to a furry little demon. Then my husband gently reminded me that if we were to buy a bunny, he would have no part in taking care of it. I began to have doubts. What’s so bad about bunnies?
Well, when we arrived at the market and saw the adorable little bunnies there, my mind was made up. No more doubts. I wanted a bunny, come what may! The repeated “are you sure?” from my husband fell on deaf ears. I was in love with my new little bunny!
I have to say that my personal experience with my bunny has been a positive one. I had no idea how bunnies behave. First of all they eat everything, so you have to be careful about that. I find myself checking on my bunny every 3-5 minutes all day long if I’m home, making sure she’s not getting into trouble. (She usually is.) I think in this respect it’s much like having a toddler in the house. My bunny is a picky eater; she has to have variety. Jairo says she’s definitely in the right house, since she’s so much like me! But most of all this rabbit is hilarious. I find myself laughing all the time when she’s allowed to roam around the house. Even Jairo has taken to her.
Having a rabbit has been interesting as well because of the conversations it has sparked between Jairo and me. A lot of times we end up talking about parenting, usually with a comment I’ll make to him such as “You know, having a baby is a hundred times worse than this. If you want to have kids you’ll have to toughen up!” It makes for fun conversations and musings about the children that we someday (but not any day soon) want to have. Realizing the commitment involved in parenting (albeit parenting a rabbit for now) has made me appreciate the uninterrupted time that I have with Jairo now. I would love to have kids, maybe even a lot of them, but I’ve realized the importance of this formative time of our relationship.
As the Bible says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (Ecc. 3:1-8)
I think much of life is understanding what time we’re in and being content to ride it out. The time for being newlyweds is just as important as the time for growing old together. And trusting God’s promise in Romans 8:28 that all thins work together for our good, we must be patient and trust that God knows exactly what time of our life is necessary. If I were to rewrite the passage of Scripture above to apply to our marriage, it might be something like this:
*For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter in our marriage: a time to have a wedding, a time to grow old; a time to invest time in each other, a time to reap the benefits of that investment; a time to argue, a time to make up; a time to change course, a time to keep going; a time to cry, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to celebrate; a time to buy bunnies, a time to have children; a time to embrace, a time to keep our distance; a time to win, a time to lose (even when I know I’m right!); a time to cling, a time to let go; a time to wound for the other’s good, a time to heal; a time to be silent (I need to learn this!), a time to speak; a time to love, a time to love even more; a time for war and a time for peace.*
I was thoroughly warned about rabbits. First my mom warned me that her friend has a rabbit and likened it to a furry little demon. Then my husband gently reminded me that if we were to buy a bunny, he would have no part in taking care of it. I began to have doubts. What’s so bad about bunnies?
Well, when we arrived at the market and saw the adorable little bunnies there, my mind was made up. No more doubts. I wanted a bunny, come what may! The repeated “are you sure?” from my husband fell on deaf ears. I was in love with my new little bunny!
I have to say that my personal experience with my bunny has been a positive one. I had no idea how bunnies behave. First of all they eat everything, so you have to be careful about that. I find myself checking on my bunny every 3-5 minutes all day long if I’m home, making sure she’s not getting into trouble. (She usually is.) I think in this respect it’s much like having a toddler in the house. My bunny is a picky eater; she has to have variety. Jairo says she’s definitely in the right house, since she’s so much like me! But most of all this rabbit is hilarious. I find myself laughing all the time when she’s allowed to roam around the house. Even Jairo has taken to her.
Having a rabbit has been interesting as well because of the conversations it has sparked between Jairo and me. A lot of times we end up talking about parenting, usually with a comment I’ll make to him such as “You know, having a baby is a hundred times worse than this. If you want to have kids you’ll have to toughen up!” It makes for fun conversations and musings about the children that we someday (but not any day soon) want to have. Realizing the commitment involved in parenting (albeit parenting a rabbit for now) has made me appreciate the uninterrupted time that I have with Jairo now. I would love to have kids, maybe even a lot of them, but I’ve realized the importance of this formative time of our relationship.
As the Bible says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (Ecc. 3:1-8)
I think much of life is understanding what time we’re in and being content to ride it out. The time for being newlyweds is just as important as the time for growing old together. And trusting God’s promise in Romans 8:28 that all thins work together for our good, we must be patient and trust that God knows exactly what time of our life is necessary. If I were to rewrite the passage of Scripture above to apply to our marriage, it might be something like this:
*For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter in our marriage: a time to have a wedding, a time to grow old; a time to invest time in each other, a time to reap the benefits of that investment; a time to argue, a time to make up; a time to change course, a time to keep going; a time to cry, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to celebrate; a time to buy bunnies, a time to have children; a time to embrace, a time to keep our distance; a time to win, a time to lose (even when I know I’m right!); a time to cling, a time to let go; a time to wound for the other’s good, a time to heal; a time to be silent (I need to learn this!), a time to speak; a time to love, a time to love even more; a time for war and a time for peace.*
Week Eight: My Birthday!
This week I had my birthday! I turned 22. (I know, I’m getting so old!) The night before my birthday my whole family called me. All told the callers were my parents, my sister Tina, her husband Ryan and their two kids Bryce and Paige, My brother Nick who was home on leave from Afghanistan and his wife Taysha, my uncle Mike and my aunt Linda. It was a great surprise! (Although afterwards I felt somewhat homesick and nostalgic!)
My birthday fell on a Sunday, so after church when the people from our church caught wind of the fact that it was my birthday, they invited me to go to a cookout they wanted to have in my honor. Jairo and I decided to go, and spent most of the day there, hanging out, eating and watching a movie. It was another great example of the famous Ecuadorian hospitality, since they bought the food, soda and cake for me on the spot.
One birthday tradition I found unpleasant was one that I encountered after blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. As soon as I made a wish and blew them out everyone started chanting “Bite the cake! Bite the cake!” My reaction was a firm, “NO!” It sounded like a disgusting idea to me. Why would I bite the cake that everyone was going to eat? Well, eventually they tired of my resistance and I then realized the point of biting the cake, as the pastor shoved the cake in my face! I wasn’t that happy about it!
I told Bre about it later and we agreed that if you pulled that in the States, there’s a good chance you’d get punched! Jairo, however, didn’t see why it was bad. I asked him later, shocked, why they do that here. He replied that it’s just what they do, and it’s fun. Fun for everyone else maybe! I guess I still have some things to learn about Ecuadorian culture!
My birthday fell on a Sunday, so after church when the people from our church caught wind of the fact that it was my birthday, they invited me to go to a cookout they wanted to have in my honor. Jairo and I decided to go, and spent most of the day there, hanging out, eating and watching a movie. It was another great example of the famous Ecuadorian hospitality, since they bought the food, soda and cake for me on the spot.
One birthday tradition I found unpleasant was one that I encountered after blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. As soon as I made a wish and blew them out everyone started chanting “Bite the cake! Bite the cake!” My reaction was a firm, “NO!” It sounded like a disgusting idea to me. Why would I bite the cake that everyone was going to eat? Well, eventually they tired of my resistance and I then realized the point of biting the cake, as the pastor shoved the cake in my face! I wasn’t that happy about it!
I told Bre about it later and we agreed that if you pulled that in the States, there’s a good chance you’d get punched! Jairo, however, didn’t see why it was bad. I asked him later, shocked, why they do that here. He replied that it’s just what they do, and it’s fun. Fun for everyone else maybe! I guess I still have some things to learn about Ecuadorian culture!
Week Seven: A Blast from the Past
This week Jairo and I went to eat dinner with some friends from the US that were in Ecuador on a short-term missions trip. It was a reunion of mixed emotions for me. On the one hand, I was really excited to see them, and Jairo was too. On the other hand, it was an awkward situation, because it had been over seven months since I had seen them, and I realized how drastically I have changed.
First of all, I have changed linguistically. It’s much easier for me to speak Spanish than English. Something that you may not realize if you don’t speak two languages is that the majority of what you say in one language you cannot translate perfectly into the other. In order to reach the point where you are bilingual, you have to not just understand the words but also the culture behind the language. You have to learn to think differently. In essence, you become another person. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I have experienced it, and have talked with many other people who have experienced it as well. So, sitting there with my friends from seven months ago, I found that they were the same, or maybe slightly different, and I was worlds apart from them.
Secondly, I have changed in my perspectives. Living a life of full-time ministry and immersing myself in a completely different culture I found I was often in disagreement with the most basic statements that my friends would make. My response was generally to say nothing; after all, there’s no reason to get into those long discussions when you’re only going to see each other for one day! It’s better just to enjoy the time together, I think.
It was an experience that will stick with me for a while, because it was when I started to really realize how “successful” my acculturation has been! I’m more Ecuadorian than North American now! What a strange realization to come to!
First of all, I have changed linguistically. It’s much easier for me to speak Spanish than English. Something that you may not realize if you don’t speak two languages is that the majority of what you say in one language you cannot translate perfectly into the other. In order to reach the point where you are bilingual, you have to not just understand the words but also the culture behind the language. You have to learn to think differently. In essence, you become another person. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I have experienced it, and have talked with many other people who have experienced it as well. So, sitting there with my friends from seven months ago, I found that they were the same, or maybe slightly different, and I was worlds apart from them.
Secondly, I have changed in my perspectives. Living a life of full-time ministry and immersing myself in a completely different culture I found I was often in disagreement with the most basic statements that my friends would make. My response was generally to say nothing; after all, there’s no reason to get into those long discussions when you’re only going to see each other for one day! It’s better just to enjoy the time together, I think.
It was an experience that will stick with me for a while, because it was when I started to really realize how “successful” my acculturation has been! I’m more Ecuadorian than North American now! What a strange realization to come to!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Week Seven: The Theology of Giving
I’m going to say something that you will probably think is crazy. I know the secret to having everything you need and want. You can have money, a car, a house, whatever it is that you want, within reason.
Interested? Give away everything you have. Give away your last penny to someone who will never pay you back.
God wants us to give to Him. He wants us to be the light of the world. He wants us to be willing to give everything to back up who we are in Him. But this command comes with a promise. In Malachi God demands our tithes and offerings, but offers also His provision. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
When Jairo and I need money for something, we give. And we don’t give fifty cents or five dollars. We give until it hurts. And you know what? We always have what we need. Money is nothing for God. He just wants to know where our hearts are. He loves to provide for us, and even more if we are depending on Him.
Who are you depending on? Your job? Yourself? Do you know who gave you your job? Do you know who gives you life each day? Serve God and give to Him, and He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.
If you happen to see our bank account someday, don’t worry if it’s empty. We’re just making room for more.
Interested? Give away everything you have. Give away your last penny to someone who will never pay you back.
God wants us to give to Him. He wants us to be the light of the world. He wants us to be willing to give everything to back up who we are in Him. But this command comes with a promise. In Malachi God demands our tithes and offerings, but offers also His provision. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
When Jairo and I need money for something, we give. And we don’t give fifty cents or five dollars. We give until it hurts. And you know what? We always have what we need. Money is nothing for God. He just wants to know where our hearts are. He loves to provide for us, and even more if we are depending on Him.
Who are you depending on? Your job? Yourself? Do you know who gave you your job? Do you know who gives you life each day? Serve God and give to Him, and He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.
If you happen to see our bank account someday, don’t worry if it’s empty. We’re just making room for more.
Week Seven: The ¨Day of the Woman¨
Here in Ecuador they have a special holiday just for women. It’s like mother’s day, only you don’t have to be a mother. They had a special moment in church for it and gave out roses to all the women, even the little girls.
Jairo always treats me really well, and takes great care of me, but he’s not always super tender and loving. It’s not because he doesn’t want to be. It’s because sometimes he’s tired, sick, stressed, etc. and on top of that, he’s a man! But today, on the “day of the woman” I could see how happy he was to be with me. I could see the effort he made to make the day special. I could see how much he loved me.
I think we women have to remember something, too. As a wife, when our husbands come home from work, every day should be “the day of the man”. These godly men sacrifice their time and effort to provide for us, to care for us and to show us in some way that they love us. They need to feel that we appreciate them and love them every day, not just one day a year. The most beautiful thing about marriage is that you can express your pure love for the person you married without shame or embarrassment. You can be loving and tender any time you want. It’s your right! AND your responsibility. If we are good wives every day, every day can be the “day of the woman” too. It depends on us!!
Jairo always treats me really well, and takes great care of me, but he’s not always super tender and loving. It’s not because he doesn’t want to be. It’s because sometimes he’s tired, sick, stressed, etc. and on top of that, he’s a man! But today, on the “day of the woman” I could see how happy he was to be with me. I could see the effort he made to make the day special. I could see how much he loved me.
I think we women have to remember something, too. As a wife, when our husbands come home from work, every day should be “the day of the man”. These godly men sacrifice their time and effort to provide for us, to care for us and to show us in some way that they love us. They need to feel that we appreciate them and love them every day, not just one day a year. The most beautiful thing about marriage is that you can express your pure love for the person you married without shame or embarrassment. You can be loving and tender any time you want. It’s your right! AND your responsibility. If we are good wives every day, every day can be the “day of the woman” too. It depends on us!!
Week Six: Seeing my Husband in a New Light
My husband has seen how much I don’t like being home alone all day, and he does his best not to leave me alone for too long, but sometimes he has to because of work. He’s a graphic designer working from home in his own business that he has with a few friends, and so some days he designs at home, some days he leaves to go get new clients, or to install something He has designed, and sometimes he just does errands. Today, however, he took pity on me and invited me to go with him, because it was just an errand day.
This was the first time I got to go with him for his work, and I was excited. He warned me that it was a lot of walking and we wouldn’t be able to slow down or rest, and I accepted the challenge. It was such an interesting experience. My legs are definitely sore—he wasn’t kidding about the walking! But even so, I’m glad I went. I’ve seen how talented he is at designing things because he always asks my opinion on his designs. But I’ve never actually seen him in action, until today.
I felt incredibly proud of him, listening as he talked to different vendors trying to get the best deal while delivering to his clients the best product. He was such a professional and an expert. I admire my husband for many reasons, and now I have one more.
I think it’s good to look for the talents and good qualities in our spouses. So often it’s easy to just see them in one light. The man who never washes the dishes. The woman who always nags. But when you actually get a chance to see them in their element, it’s enlightening. I feel like I know a whole new side of my husband that I didn’t know before. I encourage all you married women out there to take the next opportunity you have to see your husband in a different environment. Plus, if he’s inviting you it means he wants to share it with you!
This was the first time I got to go with him for his work, and I was excited. He warned me that it was a lot of walking and we wouldn’t be able to slow down or rest, and I accepted the challenge. It was such an interesting experience. My legs are definitely sore—he wasn’t kidding about the walking! But even so, I’m glad I went. I’ve seen how talented he is at designing things because he always asks my opinion on his designs. But I’ve never actually seen him in action, until today.
I felt incredibly proud of him, listening as he talked to different vendors trying to get the best deal while delivering to his clients the best product. He was such a professional and an expert. I admire my husband for many reasons, and now I have one more.
I think it’s good to look for the talents and good qualities in our spouses. So often it’s easy to just see them in one light. The man who never washes the dishes. The woman who always nags. But when you actually get a chance to see them in their element, it’s enlightening. I feel like I know a whole new side of my husband that I didn’t know before. I encourage all you married women out there to take the next opportunity you have to see your husband in a different environment. Plus, if he’s inviting you it means he wants to share it with you!
Week Six: My Justice vs. God´s Justice
I recently found out that someone I considered a close friend who lives in the US has been spreading lies about me to my other friends at my old church. It hurt me a lot to find this out, because this is a friend I trusted. I’m not sure why this person has started behaving this way, but it really hurts me.
I’ve wanted to be able to defend myself so that these destructive lies don’t affect my other friendships, but this person has been very crafty in the way they have told these lies, so that whatever I do, I look guilty. It’s something I’ve taken to God with a lot of tears, and He brought to my memory the story of Saul and David.
David was anointed to be king over Israel, and Saul, the current king, was jealous of David, and tried to have him killed, even though David had been like a son to him and was the best friend of Saul’s son Jonathan. Many years Saul pursued David, and one night David had the chance to kill Saul and take control of the kingdom of Israel. He snuck into Saul’s camp, and rather than killing him, cut off a piece of his robe. Then he snuck out and from afar called to Saul, with the corner of his robe in his hand and said, “May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.”
David could have had his revenge against Saul, but David believed God, and eventually God gave him justice in a much better way than what David could have done. Paul echoes this idea in Romans when he says, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”
Whatever I could do or say to make this person regret what they’ve done, what they’re still doing, is nothing compared to what God will do if I wait for His perfect justice. I hope that when God corrects this person, our friendship will be restored. I know that God is faithful, and I believe He will give me justice, just like He gave to David.
I’ve wanted to be able to defend myself so that these destructive lies don’t affect my other friendships, but this person has been very crafty in the way they have told these lies, so that whatever I do, I look guilty. It’s something I’ve taken to God with a lot of tears, and He brought to my memory the story of Saul and David.
David was anointed to be king over Israel, and Saul, the current king, was jealous of David, and tried to have him killed, even though David had been like a son to him and was the best friend of Saul’s son Jonathan. Many years Saul pursued David, and one night David had the chance to kill Saul and take control of the kingdom of Israel. He snuck into Saul’s camp, and rather than killing him, cut off a piece of his robe. Then he snuck out and from afar called to Saul, with the corner of his robe in his hand and said, “May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.”
David could have had his revenge against Saul, but David believed God, and eventually God gave him justice in a much better way than what David could have done. Paul echoes this idea in Romans when he says, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”
Whatever I could do or say to make this person regret what they’ve done, what they’re still doing, is nothing compared to what God will do if I wait for His perfect justice. I hope that when God corrects this person, our friendship will be restored. I know that God is faithful, and I believe He will give me justice, just like He gave to David.
Week Five: Why is it so Quiet?
Week five is ending, and my house is unnervingly quiet. Bre, my best friend who has been living here with us, left yesterday. She’s coming back in a few weeks to stay for a few months, so I can’t be too sad, but still, I feel lonely. Jairo is working all day, and I miss the company I had in the house in previous weeks.
This is the first time since we got back from our honeymoon and Jairo started working that I have been alone in the house. I don’t like it. Every little noise weirds me out and time seems to pass really slowly. I can only wash the dishes and sweep the floor for so long until I have nothing left to do.
I’m not sure if this is something I will get used to or just something I’ll deal with. Don’t get me wrong. I really like being the domestic wife, cooking the meals, cleaning the house, and making sure all is in order. I’m content in my role. I just don’t like feeling alone. I want Bre back!
Jairo likes to tell me that I’m never alone, because wherever I am I have three great people with me: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I’m tempted to roll my eyes at this, but he’s actually right. How many times do we live our lives completely ignorant to the fact that God is right there with us? He sees every good and evil thing we do, hears every word we say, and even sees into our hearts. That kind of intimacy is impossible with humans, but with God all things are possible. He knows me better than anyone in the universe. I really can take comfort in the fact that I’m never alone. I’m in better hands than Allstate. I’m in the only hands that can heal me, protect me, guide me, comfort me, provide for me, and give me peace. There’s no better place to be.
This is the first time since we got back from our honeymoon and Jairo started working that I have been alone in the house. I don’t like it. Every little noise weirds me out and time seems to pass really slowly. I can only wash the dishes and sweep the floor for so long until I have nothing left to do.
I’m not sure if this is something I will get used to or just something I’ll deal with. Don’t get me wrong. I really like being the domestic wife, cooking the meals, cleaning the house, and making sure all is in order. I’m content in my role. I just don’t like feeling alone. I want Bre back!
Jairo likes to tell me that I’m never alone, because wherever I am I have three great people with me: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I’m tempted to roll my eyes at this, but he’s actually right. How many times do we live our lives completely ignorant to the fact that God is right there with us? He sees every good and evil thing we do, hears every word we say, and even sees into our hearts. That kind of intimacy is impossible with humans, but with God all things are possible. He knows me better than anyone in the universe. I really can take comfort in the fact that I’m never alone. I’m in better hands than Allstate. I’m in the only hands that can heal me, protect me, guide me, comfort me, provide for me, and give me peace. There’s no better place to be.
Week Five: The Cold that Refuses to Die
I’m not sure how long I’ve had this cold. I feel like it’s been an eternity. It’s one of those that just when you think you’re getting better, it hits you ten times harder.
What I don’t like about colds is there’s like no way to function normally. If you don’t take medicine, you feel horrible. If you take medicine, you feel groggy and weird. What’s a girl to do?
It’s frustrating when you want to be able to do something 100% and all you’re capable of is the bare minimum. You can’t just stay home in bed when your job is serving God. You have to get up, try to be as happy as possible, and be there because people are depending on you. It’s hard to do if you focus on your own weakness and imperfections, but if you focus on the example of Christ, it’s a little easier.
Like Paul says in Philippians 3:8-14, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I like how Paul says that it is an upward call. It’s a call to be more than what you are, to be better than what you’ve been. We all know that walking uphill is harder than walking downhill. It’s a struggle, and sometimes, like here in Quito because of the altitude, you think you might pass out before you get to the top. But when you are walking with a friend it’s easier, isn’t it? You see them and they don’t even look tired, and it motivates you to go a little further, if only to not look like a fatty. We have to remember that it is an upward call, but we are not alone. We are walking with Jesus, and He can be our motivation to keep going a little further.
What I don’t like about colds is there’s like no way to function normally. If you don’t take medicine, you feel horrible. If you take medicine, you feel groggy and weird. What’s a girl to do?
It’s frustrating when you want to be able to do something 100% and all you’re capable of is the bare minimum. You can’t just stay home in bed when your job is serving God. You have to get up, try to be as happy as possible, and be there because people are depending on you. It’s hard to do if you focus on your own weakness and imperfections, but if you focus on the example of Christ, it’s a little easier.
Like Paul says in Philippians 3:8-14, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I like how Paul says that it is an upward call. It’s a call to be more than what you are, to be better than what you’ve been. We all know that walking uphill is harder than walking downhill. It’s a struggle, and sometimes, like here in Quito because of the altitude, you think you might pass out before you get to the top. But when you are walking with a friend it’s easier, isn’t it? You see them and they don’t even look tired, and it motivates you to go a little further, if only to not look like a fatty. We have to remember that it is an upward call, but we are not alone. We are walking with Jesus, and He can be our motivation to keep going a little further.
Week Five: One Month Married!
Today is February 24th, one month after our wedding day. To celebrate Jairo took me to eat Italian, my favorite! It’s weird...I feel like we’ve been married so much less and so much more than one month! In one way I feel like our wedding was just yesterday and I can’t believe how quickly time passes. On the other hand, we have had so many experiences, so much has happened, and we’ve grown so much as a couple that I can’t believe so much has happened in so little time.
They say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. I’m not sure if that’s true because I’ve only been married for a month, but I feel like we’ve accomplished something by being married for a month. I think every day that we stay together and keep loving each other is a day worth celebrating in a world where divorce is so common. And if it is true what they say, we’re officially 1/12 of the way through the hardest time of our marriage and still going strong! Now that’s something to celebrate!
They say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. I’m not sure if that’s true because I’ve only been married for a month, but I feel like we’ve accomplished something by being married for a month. I think every day that we stay together and keep loving each other is a day worth celebrating in a world where divorce is so common. And if it is true what they say, we’re officially 1/12 of the way through the hardest time of our marriage and still going strong! Now that’s something to celebrate!
Week Five: My Newly-Discovered Intolerance to Bloodshed
The adventures never end in Ecuador. I was cooking dinner, and Bre was helping me. She was washing the dishes when I hear something break. I turn to Bre to see what happened, and see that her thumb is gushing blood on top of a broken plate. And I mean, gushing. She ran to the bathroom, and then I heard her start moaning and sounding generally bad, so I went to see how she was. She said she needed something to stop the bleeding, and we’re in Ecuador so I don’t have bandages and stuff. I grab some napkins, and upon arriving to the bathroom realize from the amount of blood that the napkins aren’t going to cut it. I grab a clean towel and we tie it around the injured thumb with some left over ribbon from my wedding.
I calmly advise my husband that we will need to be making a trip to the hospital. He asks why we don’t just have Bre suck on it until it stops bleeding. He hasn’t seen the carnage in the bathroom. I try to stay calm and insist on leaving. He sees Bre and says, “Wow, she’s really pale. Let’s Go.”
We go to the pharmacy nearby to see what we should do. (They are like physician’s assistants there.) The guy says we absolutely need to get her stitches. She’s bleeding through the towel, but I brought another one. He tells us there’s a clinic like two blocks down the road so we walk there and find that they are still open. Good.
They only let me and Bre in, just so I can translate. They tell us to sit down and one of the two guys starts this sales pitch to the doctor. I got mad. I said, “Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, but my friend is bleeding. I don’t know if you knew.” Welcome to Ecuador.
They realize I’m angry and the doctor decides he will see Bre now. He takes off the towel and there was so much blood I swear we were in Braveheart. I tell Bre not to look at it, it’s fine, while trying not to faint. He gives her a shot to numb it and starts sewing her up, and I’m starting to feel like I’m going to need medical attention too. “Don’t worry Bre, it’s fine. NO DON’T LOOK!!”
Well, thirty dollars and five stitches later, Bre and I are hobbling out of the doctor’s office. She’s lost like at least a pint of blood, and I feel like I have too. I have never seen so much blood come out of a person.
The good news is that during the stitches I got her to laugh several times by telling her I was going to faint. I’m not sure she knew I was serious. I felt woozy the whole rest of the night. It was incredible.
I never knew I was that intolerant to seeing blood. Well, now I know. At least I got through it without fainting. I’d hate to steal Bre’s thunder!
I calmly advise my husband that we will need to be making a trip to the hospital. He asks why we don’t just have Bre suck on it until it stops bleeding. He hasn’t seen the carnage in the bathroom. I try to stay calm and insist on leaving. He sees Bre and says, “Wow, she’s really pale. Let’s Go.”
We go to the pharmacy nearby to see what we should do. (They are like physician’s assistants there.) The guy says we absolutely need to get her stitches. She’s bleeding through the towel, but I brought another one. He tells us there’s a clinic like two blocks down the road so we walk there and find that they are still open. Good.
They only let me and Bre in, just so I can translate. They tell us to sit down and one of the two guys starts this sales pitch to the doctor. I got mad. I said, “Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, but my friend is bleeding. I don’t know if you knew.” Welcome to Ecuador.
They realize I’m angry and the doctor decides he will see Bre now. He takes off the towel and there was so much blood I swear we were in Braveheart. I tell Bre not to look at it, it’s fine, while trying not to faint. He gives her a shot to numb it and starts sewing her up, and I’m starting to feel like I’m going to need medical attention too. “Don’t worry Bre, it’s fine. NO DON’T LOOK!!”
Well, thirty dollars and five stitches later, Bre and I are hobbling out of the doctor’s office. She’s lost like at least a pint of blood, and I feel like I have too. I have never seen so much blood come out of a person.
The good news is that during the stitches I got her to laugh several times by telling her I was going to faint. I’m not sure she knew I was serious. I felt woozy the whole rest of the night. It was incredible.
I never knew I was that intolerant to seeing blood. Well, now I know. At least I got through it without fainting. I’d hate to steal Bre’s thunder!
Week Four: Why Carnaval Made Me Violent
I’m not proud of myself. Ok, maybe a little.
See, right now we’re in Carnaval in Ecuador. It’s like Mardi Gras, but rather than having huge sin parties in New Orleans and flashing people for beads, here in Ecuador people try to get you wet. Water guns, water balloons, buckets of water...whatever. And you know, Quito is cold.
So, one day I’m walking with Bre down to catch the bus, and some guys throw literally like four buckets of freezing cold water on us from a rooftop. Not amused, I just kept walking as if nothing had happened, since I figured that most of why they do it is probably just to get a reaction. Very third grade in my opinion. In spite of the fact that they got a bunch of my books wet, I did my very best not to get mad.
Well, a few days pass and Bre and I go to the store to buy potatoes. I was already in a bad mood because Jairo and I had had a disagreement, and I also didn’t feel good. We walked by a mormon temple on our way and saw them playing with buckets of water and eyeing us suspiciously. On our way back, they start to approach with the buckets of water. I was not in the mood. I asked them not to get us wet (Bre had already run away...chicken.) and appealed to their sense of morals as they were coming from a temple. They obviously felt bad and explained it was just a game, but I said I didn’t care, we’re from the US and we don’t do that. So, situation diffused, they weren’t going to get me wet. (See, part of what I do here is diplomacy.)
Well, this is how diplomacy breaks down. One boy, who had not heard the conversation, came running up with the bucket to get me wet. I took this as a personal attack on my safety and before he could get me wet, threw the bucket back in his face, got him wet, and then chased him all the way back to his temple. He ran like a little girl, and honestly looked terrified. It was kind of awesome.
It was the first time in my life that I have ever actually attacked a person. Although in all fairness I wasn’t going to hurt him. The most ironic part is that the day before in our Compassion International group, I had taught our students about the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger. Bre and I agreed that my anger in this case was righteous!! I reasoned that if Elisha can send bears on a group of kids that call him “baldy”, I can chase a kid who tries to make me catch a cold in Quito.
What do you think? :)
See, right now we’re in Carnaval in Ecuador. It’s like Mardi Gras, but rather than having huge sin parties in New Orleans and flashing people for beads, here in Ecuador people try to get you wet. Water guns, water balloons, buckets of water...whatever. And you know, Quito is cold.
So, one day I’m walking with Bre down to catch the bus, and some guys throw literally like four buckets of freezing cold water on us from a rooftop. Not amused, I just kept walking as if nothing had happened, since I figured that most of why they do it is probably just to get a reaction. Very third grade in my opinion. In spite of the fact that they got a bunch of my books wet, I did my very best not to get mad.
Well, a few days pass and Bre and I go to the store to buy potatoes. I was already in a bad mood because Jairo and I had had a disagreement, and I also didn’t feel good. We walked by a mormon temple on our way and saw them playing with buckets of water and eyeing us suspiciously. On our way back, they start to approach with the buckets of water. I was not in the mood. I asked them not to get us wet (Bre had already run away...chicken.) and appealed to their sense of morals as they were coming from a temple. They obviously felt bad and explained it was just a game, but I said I didn’t care, we’re from the US and we don’t do that. So, situation diffused, they weren’t going to get me wet. (See, part of what I do here is diplomacy.)
Well, this is how diplomacy breaks down. One boy, who had not heard the conversation, came running up with the bucket to get me wet. I took this as a personal attack on my safety and before he could get me wet, threw the bucket back in his face, got him wet, and then chased him all the way back to his temple. He ran like a little girl, and honestly looked terrified. It was kind of awesome.
It was the first time in my life that I have ever actually attacked a person. Although in all fairness I wasn’t going to hurt him. The most ironic part is that the day before in our Compassion International group, I had taught our students about the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger. Bre and I agreed that my anger in this case was righteous!! I reasoned that if Elisha can send bears on a group of kids that call him “baldy”, I can chase a kid who tries to make me catch a cold in Quito.
What do you think? :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)