Sonidos Serranos: January 2018

29 January 2018

Happy Birthday, Little Lady!

A dozen years ago, our lives were about to change forever! We were heading to the hospital – with contractions coming hard and fast! – “ready” to meet our Wee One in person for the very first time!

Back then, there were moments when we were tempted to want to speed up the proverbial clock – if only we could... Now I find myself wishing (more often than not!) that time would slow down!

Happy Birthday, Little Lady! We love you! More than ever!

We love the “adventure” of life with you!

26 January 2018

Flora & Fauna

¡Flora y fauna en un rinconcito favorito de nuestro querido Uruguay!

Totoral del Sauce, Canelones, Uruguay

Volvieron las lechucitas de campo – ¡y parece que tienen cría! ♥

25 January 2018

Cerro Pan de Azúcar & Piriápolis

On Wednesday we took a day trip over to Cerro Pan de Azúcar, near Piriápolis on the Maldonado coast. The outing was a “bonus” – “a hug” from our Loving Shepherd – that our family was not expecting...

This was JM’s and E’s and DJ’s first time. The last time I hiked up Cerro Pan de Azúcar, I was a pre-teen (I think).

The three littlest pilgrims in our group!

Our destination: The Cross at the Top

Going with friends – “old” and new – was “icing on the cake” for us! We enjoyed many conversations along the way.

I echo thoughts shared by Pastor Jennings:

Our journey to the cross today reminded me of some great truths about the Cross. We must all come to the foot of the Cross. Like Pilgrim, we find our burden of sin removed there. The Lord has provided for us fellow pilgrims in the journey.

What great fellowship!

JM and DJ had been saying for a while now that Cerro Pan de Azúcar was going to be the first “mountain” they would climb together.

Mission accomplished!

Perspectives inside the cross (at the top)

We also got to tour the refuge for native flora and fauna at the base of the cerro.

Lots of capybaras!

We drove to Piriápolis and ended the evening with picnic leftovers, shared on a nearby beach...

Such a wonderful day together! SO thankful for all the blessings! Truly “a hug” from our Loving Shepherd!

24 January 2018

Creativity!

Creativity tends to come in spurts...

I’ve been enjoying the latest drawings by both E and DJ this past week!

Here’s DJ’s “card” for a friend his age “who likes science” (astronomy, botany and biology, and paleontology).

Totally his idea!

And these are some of E’s latest drawings...

I love all the details in these!

23 January 2018

¡URUGUAY! ♥

#SomosUruguay #UnSoloUruguay

Foto: Mateo Boffano & Elías Gómez

(Cardal, Florida, Uruguay)

20 January 2018

Beauty in the back yard!

So much beauty in our own back yard!

Woven wonders!

So thankful! So blessed! ♥

And the promise of another guava harvest!

17 January 2018

Quick Visit to Camp!

E is out at camp this week, so we had to make a quick visit...

DJ especially loves the theme!

We got in on some of the games...

JM got to race with the counselors.

We always enjoy the beauty of God’s creation there on the coast!

And here’s a cultural note:

“Children at Play” – in a soccer loving nation! 😉

16 January 2018

“Happy Anniversary!” 💙

Today was only another work day... But nineteen years ago, after figuring out what John Mark really meant to ask me (in Spanish!), I said: “Yes!”

We celebrated this evening with glazed popcorn and chocolate covered almonds! 😉

[photo from graduation a month and a half ago]

10 January 2018

Pray for us! (January Ministry Report)

Happy New Year! Five years ago we were preparing for a final move to Uruguay...

This has been a period of transition, learning, and—by God’s grace—much opportunity. Our report is summarized [on our ministry blog], along with a brief update in key areas.