DINNER TONIGHT

Getting serious about meal preparation starts in our home around age 12. Of course, along the way, the children learn how to prepare and butter toast, fry eggs, assemble a sandwich ect. But by the time they reach age 12 I find that they are ready for much more involvment in the kitchen. Tonight´s dinner was completely prepared by my son with only verbal instruction. Garlic fried chicken tenders simmered in a white cooking wine, mashed potatoes and a bowl of garlic-mustard dressed salad.

This boy did an amazing job! It is well worth the time spent instructing...The priceless gift of yet another day.

KEEPING WARM

It´s been down into the very low 20´s this past week...we´re waiting for snow (smile), I love the peacefulness of it. It is a time when all seems well. Meanwhile, I´m keeping my family warm with big batches of soup and warm, out-of-the oven, bread. Today´s soup, a spiced up vegetable rice served with lime wedges and shredded cabbage to garnish. Keeping it hearty...a couple of whole wheat white bread loaves; a pleasant and cozy meal.

And for the feathered variety, I am making use of a left over Fall pumpkin...keeping some of my most favorite neighbors happy.

The Stellar´s ALWAYS eat first! Stellar´s Jay´s are mostly common to the Northwest region of the United States. They are beautiful, being related to the Blue Jay.

The gentle Morning Dove (a fairly common bird across North America, winter´s here), waiting patiently their turn.

The weather is icy-cold and gloomy, but there is much joy to be found in the midst of these grey seasons.

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

A simple chocolate cake made up with a large quantity of cocoa for cupcakes (the girls were in charge yesterday). These were eaten with enthusiasm by the boys. So many delicious treats eaten and gifted this holiday season.

Heading into the new year and the regular rhythm of days. Decorations are being carefully tucked away for another year as we gather in and hunker down with our daily lives. As this season passes let us remember to make some quiet time, along the way, and listen to the winter birds singing and children laughing. Some of my most favorite things in the whole world.

HAPPY TWENTY ELEVEN

Wishing you all the most pleasant and beautiful new year full of hope, joy and love shared with those you love most and best.

Reflecting on the past year...full of change, hope and growth. New roads have been travelled. New paths are being carved. We´ve added to our family, having three foster children this past year. One has found a new home and two have continued with us. How full our lives have been in 2010, many memories to be treasured and tucked away in this mama´s heart. So thankful for my older children and the blessing they are to my life. For great friends and family, and the wonderful support they give me. God has been so good to us....how truely grateful I am.

ON OUR WAY

We will begin the first leg of our trip in just a few more days, the last of the goodbyes have been shared, but I am certain that the tears will linger for a while longer.





The finishing touches are being put on our house over the weekend; a bit of painting and maintenance, and a good wiping down of things once again before we close the doors of this home forever.



The sun is brightly shining this morning, bringing in a cheerfulness that is much needed just now. Summer is fast approaching though, and quite honestly, I don´t anticipate that we will miss that part of our lives here in Maracaibo, but today it shines without the uncomfortable heat and humidity that is typical of this region and is really quite nice, reminding me of those first Southern California summer days that beckons one to the beach, bliss.


As we share our last days here I look around me, taking it all in, tucking away the many wonderful memories of the past seven and a half years here. Somehow, good memories far outweigh those that have not been so pleasant, how thankful I am to God...Looking out across the city to the Lake of Maracaibo, a beautiful view that I have appreciated having through these years; yes, that I will miss also...

SAYING GOODBYE...

We are getting closer to our departure date, the house is quite empty now, reminding me so much of when we first arrived here in Maracaibo and our new home seven and a half years ago. It seems half a lifetime ago that we first set our feet on Venezuelan soil, yet in thinking all that has transpired in these years it seems like just yesterday.

God has been so good to us through these years and we are truely thankful for His great and many blessings: for keeping us in the times when we felt like we just couldn´t go any further, for showing us that we could, for all the wonderful friendships we´ve made along the way, for the progress made in this developing country so that we could live more comfortably, and for the church that He built and allowed us to Pastor. There are no words to express the joy of seeing a church assembled from nothing into a wonderfully thriving group of people whose lives God has touched, changed and shaped by His loving hands.

We are overwhelmed at what we have been able to accompish because of our loving and merciful Lord. Ever thankful are we for all the support through prayers and finances in these years, for all the times that care packages were sent our way, and for the many words of encouragment given from the hearts of those that love us most and best...we are truely blessed.

In just a short while longer we will be bidding farewell to many that we have come to love, it will be difficult, goodbyes always are, but we are thankful for these precious years of blazing the trail for others to continue on in our path with a wonderful vision and salvation message. We pray that God´s word will continue to bring change to this nation and that His spirit will fill it with hope and peace.

THE MOVE IS ON

Just popping in to say hello. As you all know by now, we are on our way back to the U.S. *Yipee*

Our belongings have been packed and placed onto the truck, everything went extremely smooth, for which we are grateful. Sometime in the coming week our things will be transferred to the crate and readied for travel to the Port of Maracaibo, then inspection by the National Guard. Once everything is approved it will be crane lifted onto the boat and readied to set sail.

(This company did a fabulous job, very professional. We were extremely pleased with their team of workers)

(There´s my dining table)

There was one bit of complication in getting a large piece of furniture down from our 15th floor apartment, it took a couple of days to figure out and we ended up having to remove one of the legs, which was no easy task since it was permanently assembled. It is in the moving companies workshop for repair and should be ready sometime around the first of next week, then crated with our other belongings.

All is well as we wait for our departure at the end of the month. In the meantime, there are a few things to keep us busy. I am keeping up with laundry and trying to be creative with meals, though we are doing one meal a day out. Everything that we are not taking back with us has been either sold or gifted to someone, except an amoire that we still need to sell. Other than that it is life as usual around here. Of course there is sadness at leaving the many loved ones behind, but we are thrilled to see what new things God has for us.

I will update when I can.....