Good Friday

It's Good Friday! I like the way it's phrased in Spanish much better, Viernes Santo. Good has never been the right word to describe today. Santo, Holy, yes, that fits the day. Even the nightly merengue blasting from the speakers are absent today. Viernes Santo, yes it is a holy day.  I spent half of the day taking a bus trip back from the northern border of the country, allowing for a lot of time to think. Good Friday, Christ died, punished, crucified, paying a debt that he did not owe, allowing himself to be uncomfortable, enduring pain to bring change, love, and HOPE to the world.

I've felt really easily overwhelmed lately. You know, simple, small decisions... or maybe not so small ... what to do with my life next? Should I go here? or there?  Should I hang out with this group?  Will they like me? What to wear today? Should I relax my hair or keep it kinky?? Little stuff and big stuff has felt really stressful and it all led to a big old pow-wow, a couple of days ago. Not pretty, I tell you.

You see, it's hard stepping out into the unfamiliar. We crave comfort. The comfort of people we know. Surroundings that are familiar. Routines that are known. Habits and customs that are understood. I sort of  feel like I'm getting my bearings on some of those things, BUT I can feel the ground beneath me shaking. What!! More unfamiliar territory. What!!  New people. What!! More change.

Just when I'm at the point of wanting to resist. Wanting to cave and go for the comfort zone, I'm reminded of Calvary. My Savior didn't cave, he agonized, he pleaded, yet he surrendered his will completely, totally to the will of the Father. His Love for me, kept him on the cross. Change, it's coming, but I'm figuring out how to be ok with it. I know it will be for My joy and for HIS glory!


"For nails would not have held God-and-Man fast to the Cross, had Love not held him there"  St. Catherine of Sienna



ps: artwork courtesy of my kindergarten babies!

Arepa Dulce Dominican Style

I have an insatiable sweet tooth! I will choose sweet over salty anytime! Yes, yes, I know the way to kill this sweet tooth is to avoid sugar and eventually the sugar cravings will disappear. But I like sugar... a lot! SO, I don't think I want it to disappear, but I've worked on my discipline and most days I can control myself.... but not TODAY!! 

So, the google search for recipes started. And I stumbled onto this blogpost for arepa de maiz dulce. Looks easy enough. Hey, wait... I actually know this lady. I forgot Molly writes a blog too. That made it extra exciting to try this recipe. I do have a competitive streak sometime, and it came out. If she can make Arepa Dulce.... well, I can TOO!! 

So here are the ingredients: That silver shiny pot thingy is a coffee greco. It makes the best espresso! good souvenir too! My cake pan cost me 180 pesos (almost $5.00).  Yes, that was a SPLURGE for me! 

1 lb of fine corn meal (I could only find 14 oz packages)

3/4-1 cup of brown sugar ( I used azucar crema - its the sugar thats most easily found here. I didn't feel like adding the molasses to make my own brown sugar. You did know that you can make brown sugar, right?)

1 tsp vanilla (Dominican vanilla is cheap and GOOD!)

1/2 tsp salt

2-8 tbsp of butter (you decide- can your heart handle it??)

1 can evaporated milk

1 can coconut milk (LOVE THIS)

1/2-1 cup of raisins ( couldn't find golden raisins. I like them a lot better)

1/4 -1/2 cup water

Cinnamon - ground or sticks

In one bowl mix the corn meal, evaporated milk, vanilla and raisins. If using ground cinnamon add it here - 1-2 tsp based on your preference. I added about a 1/4 cup water be/c it was stiff.  Let sit. 

Next you are going to find a big sauce pot. Turn stove on to med low heat. Add the coconut milk, salt, sugar, butter, and cinnamon sticks if using sticks. Turn oven on to 350 to pre-heat. If using a Dominican oven... well, your guess is as good as mine. Strike the match, throw it inside, guess the temperature. 

I tried to be fancy and added 2 cloves and 2 nuggets of allspice. They are both super cheap here. I wanted to use nutmeg, but someone (my host dad- Amalio) used it up either in the coffee or the habichuela dulce (sweet beans). I can't complain because I like how he makes coffee with a little fresh ground nutmeg.  Habichuela dulce will have it's own post, VERY, very, Soon!!! It's an Easter Classic, although I've had it at least monthly since October or November.

When you start seeing little bubbles, not boiling, but simmering/bubbling, add the corn meal mixture. and STIR, and STIR, and STIR for like 5 minutes until it becomes ssmooth and pudding like. Then turn the stove off and pour into your well greased pan. 

Remember, to take out the cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice, etc if you used them. This was a pain because it was hard to tell the cloves and allspice from the raisins. I probably wouldn't use them next time. I don't think it added much "depth". Also, I probably would simmer the cinnamon sticks and coconut milk a little longer on a lower flame just to build more cinnamon flavor. I'm sure there will be a next time :).

OK, so a couple of recipes on line suggested adding some pats of butter on top to ensure that crispy crust on the outside and moist center. I'm not sure that it was really necessary and my heart really didn't need it. BUT, if you are making dessert, just go for it.... maybe.

So bake maybe an half hour. It totally depends on the oven. You want a firm, golden brown outside, and the inside should be moist, but not wet or jiggly. My oven was being weird, like most Dominican ovens. The outside was a little too brown, and the inside was a little too moist. I guess I will just have to make this again until I get it perfected!! :)

And this was dinner tonight! Serve with coffee, milk, or  Dominican style hot chocolate. I enjoyed my slice with a chai tea that arrived in a care package from a dear friend. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day

So here goes another late post. Sort of keeping with my trend, you know, since the Thanksgiving post was a week late and here goes a late Valentine's Day post. The sad thing is that usually the ideas are already floating around in my head, but it's just finding the time and energy to get them on the computer. I'm gonna keep it short and sweet, so keep reading.... and thanks for stopping by. ....

As a single woman, Valentine's Day, can be ....ummm, what's the right word; uncomfortable, frustrating, disappointing, emotional, well, I think you get the picture.  As the 2nd week of February rolled in I started realizing that the V day was right around the corner. Hmmm, nope, no Valentine's day plans this year, or last year for that matter. I guess I was maybe a tad sad thinking about the upcoming commercial celebration of love. When I put it like that it sounds really silly to be upset about V day. Yes, I know, but  there are parts of your brain that don't always think that rationally. Anyway, I must say that this was one of the best Valentine's Day yet. (s/n:  It may even top my all time favorite valentine's day of waiting 4 hour for Pizza delivery. Good memories with a special friend.)

Teachers and staff on Valentine's day

At the end of Valentine's day 2013 I was all jubilant, bubbly and exuberant on the inside. I know, those are alot of fizzy words, but it was a really special day.  I really believe that  that the source of this joy was the result of a conscious decision to not focus on myself, but on others. It's so easy to get so consumed with our vision for our lives that we get wrapped up in making stuff happen, that just may not be the stuff that God has planned for us. When we take a step back, move away from the self centered thoughts about me,   and try giving more of ourselves away, sometimes that is when true love, fulfillment and joy bombards us.

So, I recap my Valentine's day 2013. Feb 14th was spent with 46 littles ones ages 5- 7. We laughed, painted hearts, decorated cards for parents and friends,   enjoyed chocolate cake and soda for snack -- a super big treat here, played some games, made pasta necklaces, oh, and did I mention laughter.  I gave alot of love away this year and in return my heart is full and overflowing. I still get warm fuzzies just thinking about those happy faces dressed in red shirts and fingers all messy from painting.

First 2hrs were class time, then the party started!

February Memory Verse:1 Corinthians 13:13 Tres cosas hay que son permanentes, la fe, la esperanza y el amor; pero la mas importante de la tres es el amor.

December Reflection

A Christmas tree in the barrio.

I'm sitting in the airport, preparing for a journey back home-home;  to borrow a system used by a friend to designate home in the states from home where God has placed her for a season. Last night, I let out a yelp of anticipation as I thought about my next shower would be a hot shower! Woo-Hoo!!  I wish you could have seen the big cheesy grin at the thought of a hot shower. Oh, and how I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends. 

As I think about the last 3 months, I'm amazed and so grateful for the warm welcome that I have received in Santiago.  I was invited to a Christmas service last night at a house church in Santiago and it was absolutely the best way to wrap up this first trimester of my journey.  We clapped, sang, danced, played and basted in the warmth of that humble place and in the joy of Christ. How awesome!  Today, I can't stop thinking about the warmth that lit the room, the laughter in the kitchen as we all chipped in to get dinner prepared,  the children who sang with reckless abandon, and the little faces that ran to greet me. 

The anticipation of going home to 'home comforts' has been building the last 3 weeks, but in that moment I experienced a sweet peace. Christmas is often such a hurried, worried, busy time and I'm delighted to have been able to enjoy a slower pace this year.   From  the mananita -  drumming and Christmas carols at 5am, to learning new Christmas songs, and new vocabulary in Spanish to share the story of our  Savior's birth, this Christmas season has been unlike any other.  So, as I return to the states and re-immerse myself into old Christmas traditions,  I pray that the true and most meaningful parts of Christmas will be what shines brightest in my life. The value of family and friends and time spent together, the birth of a Savior, who is the Great Hope, and the importance of serving others and not aborting the vision that God has for each of us here on Earth are all at the heart of Christmas. 

The kindergarten class.... I love these children! 

I imagine that at the end of this vacation, it will be tough to say good bye once again to family and friends. I have this picture of myself and the 18 kindergartners (2 were absent this day) to remind me of why I'm here, in Santiago. God has blessed me to be able to plant seeds in the lives of these little ones but they have taught me so much more, in the sweet innocent way that only kids can do.  They really are an amazing group of little ones.  As we go into the second half of the school year, perhaps, you would want to contribute to some of our classroom needs??!! I brought an extra empty suitcase home in the hopes that we can fill it with classroom supplies. If you can help, please check out our needs on the wishlist tab by clicking here.   

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Jewel

Give Thanks...

OK, so I had so many intentions of getting a Thanksgiving post up by Thanksgiving week and obviously it did not happen. So, I started to just let it go... didn't make that goal. Shucks. Yet the idea of a post giving Thanks has remained with me and I've felt this gentle nudging to do it anyway even though Nov 22nd has come and gone. Honestly, I haven't been in much of a give thanks mood just recently. That's really not like me so I'm pretty upset with myself. Ha. Imagine that ... me upset with me.

Anyway, forcing yourself to make a list of things that you are thankful for is guaranteed to elevate the Spirit, bring a smile to your face and often, tears of joy to your eyes. So, here goes my list... even if it is almost exactly one week late, I'm glad that Giving Thanks is always in season!

1. Family and friends -  The last 6 months have been an awesome season of faith and stretching and I'm grateful for my family and friends who journeyed with me through this season of transition.  I have a new appreciation for my family and if it’s possible, I realize that I love them more and more every day. We’ve had some tough mountains, but boy we stick together and are stronger and closer because of it! 

2.  My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - This Advent season is a time to re-focus on the true source of the Hope and Love we have.

3. Group hugs - the last 3 months I've gotten over 18 hugs a day, unsolicited, knock you down, trample on you bear hugs!  That’s what happens when almost twenty 5 year olds decide that a group hug is in order! My hug jar is full :)

4.  Make new friends, make new friends, but keep the old ones, one is silver and the other is gold. That line is from a song I learned as a child and I'm so thankful for my friends... both silver and gold. My newest friends are the Alcequiez family. They have taken me in under their wings (quite literally since the chickens now outnumber the humans) and under their roof and I'm so thankful for them. 

5.  Hot showers-- you don’t realize what you miss until it’s gone!

6.  Food -- I love trying new foods, most ethnic cuisines, and even dabbling in the kitchen. I’m thankful for this immersion into Dominican cuisine and the joys of fresh, unprocessed food!

7.  Internet -- oh boy, I don’t need cable or a TV, but internet, oh Lord, yes I’m thankful. It’s been a lifesaver to stay in touch with family and friends over email, Skype and FB!

8.  Lawndale Christian Health Center -- I spent the last 6 years in Chicago, IL, serving with this wonderful group of Christian medical professionals. The people who serve at this health center are phenomenal and I will forever cherish that faith and professional community. 

9.  Sunshine and Rain - There is a reason and season for every thing. I”m thankful for the sun that shines but also the rain in life that waters my growth. 

10.  Chocolate - I know this counts as food, but still it's different. You understand, right? I can't wait to bite into a piece of Dove dark chocolate. In the meantime, I'm having fun trying out each chocolate bar at the grocery check out :)! I'm sure there is at least a drop of antioxidants in there somewhere. 

11. I'm thankful to be an American -- Chocolate was supposed to be the last one, but I forgot this one that has come to mind so often in the last year.  The blessing of being born in a country that has a great educational system, financial resources, and opportunities galore is often taken for granted. Of course, it's not a perfect country, but having traveled a bit to other countries, we as Americans, are blessed and I am thankful.