Getting Acclimated

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I don't belong here"? Maybe after you move to a new town. Maybe when given a new responsibility. Or maybe when you're faced with a tragedy or illness. How often I have found myself in that position wondering how I got where I am and having major reservations about whether or not I can manage my new situtation or surroundings. This picture is of Tiger and Vinegar, my parents' cats. Tiger and Vinegar were introduced to my family after a huge flood in Pasadena, Texas when they literally washed up to our driveway when they were only kittens. We've always assumed they are brother and sister. Tiger is the more adventurous one and Vinegar is a little more cautious. Shortly before Alvaro and I were married and we were in Pasadena for Easter, Tiger decided to take a vacation to Dallas by hopping into my trunk and making the 5 hour trip. We didn't know it till we opened the trunk at my apartment and discoved him. He was so happy to have a little time away.
Now my parents have moved to the country and here they go again...having to get acclimated again. After a quick think, they decided they don't really like cows or horses or other big animals. However, when we were home for Christmas, I found them venturing out into the field slowly investigating. They have once again acclimated to their new surroundings.
I wonder how and why. Was it because they had the constant of each other and my parents? Was it because of their own resolve? Or was it simply because they had no other choice and just had to buckle down and do it for survival. I wonder too why we humans find ourselves in situations that at first aren't comfortable. I'm never one to venture into the whole, "God is testing me" notion but I do believe strongly that God is right there with us as we bumble through. Through contant conversation and questioning of God we find our way into comfort and peace. It also doesn't hurt one bit to rely on the comfort of our family and friends...God speaking to us directing through them.
Who would ever think that cats could bring me to this understanding? Maybe God speaks through cats too. Take that you cat haters :)

I'm an Aunt!!

On December 29th, our niece was born!!! She was a week early and we were out of town so I didn't get to go to the hospital to see her. I've been visiting a couple times since we've been back to see her. She is just the smallest little thing when I hold her and she is extremely entertaining with her amazingly creative and silly faces. There are so many loving people in her life...Lilly's parents and great aunt are visiting from Colombia in addition to tons of friends. Here is my extended plan for Gabriela...watch out little one!
1. Be her cool aunt. When it's time for Lilly and Ciro to get out of the dang house for a change, Gabriela will ASK to come to my house.
2. Teach her to do the stuff girls aren't normally encouraged to do...like climb trees, dig for earthworms, play outside and get really dirty.
3. Be an influence. I'm going to be the strong voice of English as her parents wish her to be completely bilingual. Later we'll also see if she has an affinity for the piano :) lessons anyone?
4. Crafts! My poor sister and brother in law...you won't be able to see the surface of the fridge!
5. Faith. Here is the most important thing; to be another adult who will assure her that God is with her and loves her in everything she is and everything she isn't. More than anything in this world, she will need God's guidance as we all do in loving Gabriela.
Yeah for babies!!!

Boxing Life's Ears!

Being a woman is not easy...let me tell you! What's with the emotional rollercoaster anyway?! One day, feeling great...next day I want to box someone's ears. As I wait in expectation for God's peace (on any given day) I experience dispair, then some peace, then some anger, then some peace, then some time of questioning, then some more peace. The one consistent thing is that the experiences of peace increase in degree each time it comes to me. Isn't that consistent with faith in God anyhow? The experience isn't "no faith and trust in God one day and then suddenly WHAMMO! we have faith and trust in God for the rest of our lives'. The road seems a little more up and down to me...like peaks and valleys. I guess I would be faking spirituality if I pronounced my faith life as 'having arrived'.

In the meantime I'm feeling like this little cat. PEW PEW PEW...boxing life's ears and being allowed to be angry sometimes...yep! I'll give it about 2 more hours then I'm done with it for the day.

Sad News

This week we received some very sad news thus my lack of blog entries. Alvaro and I learned a few weeks ago that we were pregnant...a blessing we have been praying for for years. On Friday, we learned that we've miscarried. I believe everyone can understand that we have felt let down, sometimes enraged and confused. However, with the love, prayers and genuine empathy, we are learning to maybe not understand yet but to believe that we will be able to try again and perhaps still have a child. thank you to everyone in our lives who love us and have embraced us with their loving care. Perhaps some time next year we will be able to tell you all that we are carrying a healthy baby. In the meantime, we look to this Thanksgiving weekend to be with family and to give thanks for our friends, our marraige and future we have together. All our lives are a mysteries aren't they? It's a mystery how we endure loss, sadness and what sometimes seems like events that should crush us. God allows us to feel all those things that we humans feel and gives us the freedom to work through things honestly and with faith in whatever form it takes. I wish for all of you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in which you take a moment to give thanks for your lives even in the midst of what hurts. blessing to you all.

Confirmation Rocks!

Okay, so when I was in Confirmation I didn't think it rocked. In the Lutheran church, Confirmation lasts for two years, one hour every Wednesday night. Sunday school was a seperate lesson. We learned Luther's Small Catechism, memorized the words and meanings of all the creeds and were pretty much prepped for seminary if that was the direction one wanted to go...

This past Sunday I had the honor of leading the FUMC Dallas Confirmation class in United Methodist Heritage. At first those kids were characteristically squirrley and thinking they were going to eat my lunch! But man, are they sharp! I enjoyed that hour more than most in leading Sunday school classes. We discussed our heritage of grace given to us as a free gift of God. We talked about John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, and his understanding of service, study and spirituality. We discussed how our family heritage and our faith heritage sometime go hand in hand. Most importantly, I think, we talked about what Confirmation actually means to them. When I asked that question, one boy said it means that when I'm confirmed, I become a full member of the church. And the truth is, on their day of confirmation, they get to choose for their very own selves whether or not they want to be a member of the church. For all their years previous, they've been brought to church by their parents, been taught by their parents and leaders here at the church and for the most part been told what their faith is all about. But at the end of confirmation they get to say, "I am a Christian not only because my mom and dad said I am...but because I myself chose to be".

That is a very powerful moment in the lives of our youth as they become mature in their faith and realize and use the gift of free will that God has blessed them with. They are on their way and I'm so blessed to have had that hour with them.