God put a rainbow in my window...

I'm listening to rain patter on the tin roof and window coverings and thinking about just how quickly this storm came out of nowhere. Just a few minutes ago it was sunny and bright. I looked out the window and noticed that I could see a clear line separating where it was pouring to where it was still sunny and bright. Wow! I stepped outside and saw the most gorgeous rainbow! I absolutely love rainbows. Its a fairly new love for me that started about 2 yrs ago, after I had just resigned from my job and made it official that I was making the move to the DR. I walked out those doors feeling light and heavy at the same time and was greeted by this most amazing rainbow! It felt so personal, as if the God of heaven was speaking just to me.

It's been a busy month here on the ground, and a part of me know that these 4 months are going to fly by. One is gone already. I also have had some other thoughts and worries in mind. As I looked out the window and saw how quickly it went from sunny to cloudy and sunny again I was reminded just how quickly seasons in our life can change.

I have been so blessed by this season in my life. Part of me wonders how will I ever go back to 'life as usual'. Just yesterday I was reunited with some beautiful faces from last year.  I don't know who was more excited, them or me!! My life has been forever changed from my time serving here. I'm so grateful  and I know that God has a plan to weave it all together. The rainbow today reassured me of that... my heavenly Father knows exactly what he is doing and he put a rainbow in my window to remind me! Does anyone remember that song from 198x?? I'm dating myself,  I know!  (click God put a rainbow in my window! )

Inclement weather calls for FOOD!

Note the pilon on top of the pan. 

I have great memories of childhood when school would be cancelled due to the threat of snow. It doesn't even matter that not a drop of the white stuff had fallen, we were already making a beeline for the grocery store and surely either chili or vegetable beef soup would be on the menu for dinner that day. There is something about inclement weather that brings out the need for comfort foods.











Today I sampled one of the Dominican comfort foods, Sancocho. Well, I more than sampled... I consumed quite a large quantity!!  Of course, here in the caribbean it was not a threat of snow, but rather Hurricane Sandy that generated the craving for Sancocho. After braving the storm for a half day of school I arrived home to an impromptu gathering of faces, some known and some brand new, hanging out and having a good time.  (See my previous post on dropping by down below). One of the women was in the kitchen stirring a big pot and everyone else was milling around waiting eagerly for the pronouncement that LUNCH was ready!

Note the wool caps for the "cold"
-- a temp of 72 degrees is cold here.

Everyone was quite amused when they found out it was my first time eating Sancocho! It was also quite hilarious listening to the animated descriptions of Sancocho. I made the mistake of asking is it basically rice and beans? NO, emphatically, NO!!! Then the animated responses began.... Sancocho has delicious meat, chicken, beef, pork  and plaintains, and yuca another person yelled, and potatoes.... ay, si, they were pretty hyped
 about this meal. The avocadoes were sliced, and even fought over as everyone wanted the largest chunk, the rice was ready and lunch was served.

Yum-O! Sancocho is pretty good stuff....