Sonidos Serranos

Sonidos Serranos: Sounds of the Sierras...
Reflecting some of my family's interests: God's wonderful creation (especially mountains and hills!), music, and language...

Psalm 121:1-2 (NASB)

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

30 September 2017

We ♥ URUGUAY!

Two years ago I used the same title: E had been chosen as one of seven finalists in her age group in a national writing contest – Un Cuento Celeste – sponsored by AUF (the Uruguayan Football Association).

She participated again this year.

Although she did not place this time, we decided to attend Thursday evening’s awards ceremony to visibly support the educational effort represented.

She was (and we were!) surprised by an unsought and unplanned opportunity...

Photo credit: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol


I’ve been a bit discouraged in the past several weeks – given current issues and challenges on the educational landscape (both general and personal) – and specifically asking my Loving Shepherd to intervene in unmistakable, encouraging ways...

“Thank-you, God!”

Photo credit: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol

Although we’d crossed paths only three times previously with AUF’s Chief Press Officer, each time was a delight; he is such a humble, perceptive, personable professional! On Thursday when we “bumped into” him as we entered the auditorium where the awards ceremony was about to take place, he congratulated E. We quickly explained that she hadn’t won this time – but we were there to show our support for the contest. He was visibly appreciative...

As E and I filed into that last row, I overheard him asking JM for E’s name; I hurried her into her seat! (E later confessed that she overheard him asking for her last name, too.) I assumed he might acknowledge her (as a participant in the contest), asking her to stand for a moment (or something to that effect).

Instead, at the very end of the introductory remarks by sponsors and one of the jurors, he started to tell how, on his way into the auditorium, he had run into a contestant from a previous year and congratulated her; he told how he was surprised to learn that, although she had not won this time, she was there to show solidarity and congratulate current winners. He then proceeded to invite her to the front – to help give out the gifts!

Video: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol


Having gone with the objective of a teachable moment – “rejoice with those who rejoice” (in the words of Paul in Romans 12) – we were surprised by extra joy! E was given amazing opportunity to live out the very values (“respect, solidarity and friendship”) highlighted by this writing contest.

The hoped-for teachable moment was turned into an incredible, rewarding experience for our family. “Better than winning!” JM and I agreed; this is the type of learning experience we will remember for life.

I love the mentors vision of Maestro Tabárez, our national team coach, and his legacy as the teacher he is, instilling values through his work with the team and the soccer association. “¡Gracias, Maestro!”

And I’m thankful beyond words for his assistant’s insight in recognizing and seizing what he recognized as a teachable moment, too. “¡Gracias, Matías!”

In Tabárez’s own words: “¡El camino es la recompensa!” (“The journey is the reward!”)

And Im SO thankful for *another hug* from our Loving Shepherd!

(And we got to enjoy the book fair, too!)

23 September 2017

¡Vacaciones de Primavera!

Comparto imágenes que dan un buen resumen...

¡El poder de un buen libro! ¡Los cuentos de la selva (de Horacio Quiroga) al rescate! (Y fue idea de Dani...)

En las palabras de JM: “Esos minutos de paz... ¡Sin precio!”


Y a menudo las mejores oportunidades son aquellas que surgen de manera espontánea...


#FamiliaFEBU


¡Un picnic, a último momento, en el fondo de casa! (Fue otra oportunidad media espontánea).

¡Hay tanto para amar en esta foto!


Nos fuimos de paseo, ¡pi, pi, pi!” (¡En un auto lindo!)

#FamiliaFEBU


¡Amigas!


“¡Feliz Cumple!” para un compañero de clase de Eli.

(Dani, feliz de ser invitado también).


Y esta noche vamos como familia a una reunión inter-iglesias...

¡Gracias, Dios!

22 September 2017

Spring Break!

Today is officially “The First Day of Spring!” However, the weather two days ago was more spring-like than today’s is! We’re enjoying a one-week break from regular teaching...

In JM’s words:
Spring starts this week in the southern hemisphere. FEBU classes break for the week. Several students and teachers will be in Paysandú Thursday through Saturday for a youth camp co-hosted by the Gospel Mission of South America and FEBU. We are staying in Montevideo, catching up on grading, preparing for upcoming classes, hanging out with students, and planning for a couple days of rest.

On Wednesday, we enjoyed an afternoon and evening get-away to one of our favorite places!

Mirador de Punta Ballena, Maldonado

Looking from Punta Ballena toward Punta del Este

And a new highlight: Grutas de Punta Ballena

♥ ♥ ♥ 


But the sunset is always the favorite!



♥ ♥ ♥ 


SO thankful!

15 September 2017

Expo Prado 2017

Renting the upstairs of “The Mission House” – as it has been fondly dubbed for years now – can be an (almost daily) adventure, presenting both benefits and challenges. One of the benefits (from my perspective) is setting the goal of “getting away” to spend at least one afternoon per week as a family of (only) four. The demands of life, immersed in FEBU (the college project), mean we need to regularly make time to regroup with our own two Little People!

Yesterday we got to spend about four hours at the Expo Prado. (We missed going last year due to especially inclement spring weather!) But highlights this year included amethysts mined in Artigas, Uruguay's northernmost department!



The lambs are always a highlight!





A definite favorite was getting outfitted in firefighter equipment!



Educational tidbits on innovation were presented in tour format, featuring James Watt, Louis Pasteur, Nikola Tesla, and Grace Murray Hopper.


All children got gift bags that included pamphlets for review  and fidget spinners (a first for DJ)!


Fun stuff!

12 September 2017

Recent opportunities!

Although we do not celebrate Día del Niño – consistently with gifts – this year we did do something E and DJ both considered extra special!

 NEW Bibles – in Spanish! 


And in other news: More monkeys for our own Little Monkeys!

♥ “Just Because!” 


DJ recently attended a play, featuring a story by a well-known Uruguayan author. Follow-up homework was supposed to reflect on the experience. (DJ’s drawing includes details of the historic building that houses the theater!)

“Las medias de los flamencos” (Horacio Quiroga)

Funny Little Man keeps us on our toes! Two Saturdays ago, shortly after waking up, he remarked to me:
Better late than never! is a false disjunction – because people could arrive on time!
♥ ♥  

Two years ago, E and I sang our first duet publicly. On Saturday we had opportunity to repeat the experience...


SO much to be thankful for!

06 September 2017

#UruguayNoMá

¡Fútbol con la Familia FEBU!

02 September 2017

Fútbol, Photos, and Eternity!

While touring the Museo del Fútbol yesterday, I paused and offered to snap pictures for visitors to the Estadio Centenario. As I handed back one smart phone, another visitor came up, asking E and me to take several pictures for him. I guessed his nationality from his friendly and confident demeanor (and the previous night’s event), but I still asked. Yes, he’s from right across the River!

In the course of our conversation, he asked where I was from and then, as many do, why our family had moved here to Uruguay. Besides telling him that I grew up here, I also mentioned our current involvement in the developing Bible College. A few minutes later, he mentioned (out of the blue) that he had an uncle and aunt in Mallorca (Spain) who “are also involved in church work” and he wondered if we might know them. JM and DJ had joined us by then. We ended up giving him a business card, linking to Jona’s Story and the message of Eternal Rescue; he said he would email us and also tell his relatives that he had met us and offered that, although he’s only a nominally religious person, he’d be interested in attending a church service with us next time he visits Montevideo.



I’m especially thankful when loves such as fútbol and photography give opportunity to share the Eternal Hope offered by the One whom we most love...

01 September 2017

#ElClásicoMásAntiguo

One year ago today, JM posted a note about our Río de la Plata culture:
Here’s what everyone needs to know:
If Messi plays tonight, it will be the two friends and Barcelona forwards (incidentally, two of the best soccer players on the planet) Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Luis Suárez (Uruguay) facing each other. Suárez will play next to Edinson Cavani, backed up by Diego Godín, both of them also among the best in the world.
Argentina has been second for the last three international competitions (two Copa Americas and one World Cup). Before that, they lost the 2011 Copa America (held in Argentina) to their rival across the river (that would be Uruguay). Messi has never won an international competition playing for Argentina. After the last Copa America he left the team. But he came back. The game tonight is part of the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.
And that’s what’s going on tonight in this part of the world.

Last night (one day short of one year later) at our own Estadio Centenario, we relived “el clásico más antiguo” as Uruguay again faced Argentina in a World Cup Qualifier.

Photo credit: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol

Plans are underway for Uruguay and Argentina to co-host the 2030 (100th Anniversary) World Cup!

Photo credit: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol

I’m personally satisfied with the 0 to 0 tie (and with going to a match just to watch the plays) as well as with the privilege of taking E and DJ to see some of the world’s best athletes in person – for an amazing average price of $11 dollars per person!

Soccer is one of my Good Shepherd’s good gifts to me!

And I was also very happy to “get away” from current pressures surrounding the college project, to spend time as a family.

Tomorrow marks four years since our arrival in Uruguay...

SO thankful!