1. warm fires at night (and if I close my eyes, I can almost imagine the snow falling softly outside)

2. decorating for Christmas (because here in Ecuador…..you start right after Halloween, THAT’S RIGHT THANKSGIVING!)

3. being creative (and making sneaky, little homemade christmas gifts for friends here)

4. cold nights (remember Elizabeth how you said you would never miss the cold…well, jokes on you)

5. wearing thick, wooly sweaters (that also itch like crazy sometimes, because: wool)

6. making special sweets for my Acts 29 friends (and speaking of sweets…)

7. being able to bake, a lot (it really makes me happy to bake)

8. feeling more at home in our church community/community (being able to say “Hi friend, how have you been?” and really mean it)

9. my husband’s carpentry work (seriously)

10. having a steady welcoming of friends and guests (wether spending a night or two or three or just chilling at our house)

11. candles, coffee, meditating/writing (every morning, every night. I need to buy more candles)

12. the company and solidarity of dear, dear friends here (aka, we don’t walk this journey alone or in this culture alone)

13. trips to the mountain every Wednesday (soul=alive)

14. exploring unknown roads (of course with music playing)

15. cow crossing (everyday, every time, we usually stick our heads out the window and look like fools as we moo to them or say hi)

16. the common greeting phrase of: “hola veci” (“hey neighbor”) (I LOVE IT! and it feels so Minnesotan that you say it to EVERYBODY you pass by or greet)

17. partaking in cultural traditions and ceremonies (the new food, music, togetherness, excitement in the air, rituals and traditions….nothing but love)

18. being able to make kombucha (kombucha=happy gut)

19. the mountains that surround us and how they look on different days (misty, mysterious, brilliant, like a painting, but always, always calling my name)

20. the eucalyptus trees that surround us (what a glorious fragrance!)

21. the 5 o’clock Ecuadorian shadow (aka: my life explained via light)

 

   

   

   

   

 

Now, don’t let this list fool you into thinking that it has been all rosey and peachy. My heart has been missing certain people, places, celebrations, and seasons like I never thought I would. 

And moving to and living in a new country and culture has it’s moments of embarrassment (ask me someday about the time I went to the store to “try” to buy a large stock pot…seriously, ask me), confusion, homesickness, peoplesickness (as in, “missing people”, not “sick of people” or “people that are sick”), frustration, anger, loneliness, etc.

And life, as life anywhere lived, is filled with us: broken people, with broken relationships with ourselves, others, God, the world, etc.

But, in the process of dealing with these feelings and my/our brokenness, I have also been learning to be grateful. To take moments throughout the day to reflect on His goodness, His blessings, His solidarity, Him, as a good Father, His promises, and His words and what he is saying.

That is why I make these lists, not only to remember the joy of discovering new, beautiful parts of living in this culture, but choosing to find the beauty (whether hidden, in plain view, LIKE THAT MOUNTAIN OUTSIDE MY WINDOW, or just having to be searched for a bit more) in any place, any circumstance, and any season (even if that season doesn’t have autumnal leaves or snow or a routine or familiarity). AMEN? Amen!!!

Peace to you in whatever season you may willingly or unwillingly find yourself. This is a prayer for us today:

 

 

Love,

E