Sonidos Serranos: April 2017

26 April 2017

Six years ago...

On April 26, 2011, I wrote:

Weeping for ourselves but rejoicing for Jonatan David Torres who is now singing in his Savior’s presence...

Today we say a brief “Good night!” We will see him and rejoice together forever on That Eternal Morning!

Photo taken on Christmas Eve 2010

The grieving process is difficult. And the ongoing nature of it often takes me by surprise, actually...

We are thankful, as extended family, for you who take a moment to let us know that you not only pause to remember but also to pray – and to let us know that you’re remembering and praying! We appreciate you!

Just this past April 21, one of Jona’s classmates wrote to me:

I wanted to let you know I was praying for your family yesterday. I first heard of Make-A-Wish when Jona was sick, and yesterday I became officially certified to be a Wish Granter. I had a chance to tell a little bit of Jona’s story and what a blessing your family has been, and I wanted to share with you the incredible impact Jona continues to have on my life.

We are thankful beyond words for comforting words like these and, above all, for our Loving Shepherd who faithfully leads us in righteous paths – for his own Name’s sake!

23 April 2017

Pray for us! (April Ministry Report)

The past three months have been some of the most intense for us since our arrival in Uruguay. We rely on your prayers. We appreciate you.

You can read the full report at Good News from a Distant Land.

We are hurting as a nation today due to a complex homicide-suicide, involving a ten-year-old and his coach. 😢

Please pray for Uruguay!

17 April 2017

Birthday Thoughts

Birthdays tend to be sobering occasions for me. The constant ache of missing my Mommy (my kindred spirit, growing up) flares into sharp, stabbing pain – again. And, quite frankly, the idea of getting older is not one I like very much at all...

I typically get rather philosophical on birthdays...

This year, a hymn captures the longings of my heart: “O God, My Joy!”

And I enjoyed this birthday fully! I’m still basking in its afterglow...

2017 is one of those years where my birthday and “Semana Santa” intersect; consequently, E and DJ had the whole week (plus one day) off from school; our family’s “traditional” idea of “birthday season” was therefore extended – without effort – and we were even able to get away and take a little “birthday drive” on my actual birthday. The constant demands of the academic year make us especially thankful for quick outings like these.

Our afternoon drive ended in Colonia, on the western side of Uruguay. E gathered brochures and fliers for her ongoing “tourism project” for school, and we enjoyed walking around the historic quarter of the city.

How shall we caption this photo?!
(DJ was worried about people walking into our picture
and, according to him, ruining it!)

I love the Silk Floss Kapok (“pink trees”) that add such a vivid splash of color to the otherwise muted colors of our autumn...

We watched the sun set at Playa del Rowing on the Río de la Plata...

And then we went to “Istanbul Gourmet: Mediterranean Restaurant” – definitely a highlight for me!

Now we won’t miss “The Pita House” in SC quite so desperately!

This evening we went down to “Plaza de la Armada” in Punta Gorda (one southern tip of Montevideo) to sip mate, watch ships, and drink in the crisp autumn air and sunset.