¡Hola! ¿Como esta?

When I was in Guatemala this past summer I was so frustrated by my inability to speak the Spanish language. I felt quite vulnerable to not be able to understand or be understood. I couldn’t get very far with the phrases of Spanish that I did know. I can say the weather is cold (not really helpful since most Spanish speaking countries have a fairly moderate climate). I can say I don’t like to swim (again, not super helpful since I actually DO like to swim). I resolved then and there that I would learn Spanish.

When I returned home I began to investigate opportunities to learn Spanish. Since I had about 57 cents in my budget available to be redirected to the learning of another language my options were limited. Finally, I discovered the library loaned copies of Rosetta Stone. Happily, I put my name on the waiting list. The library system told me I was patron 357 in line. Awesome. That would only take about forever. But I’ve been patiently waiting my turn for the last five months.

In the mean time, I’ve been picking up bits of Spanish here and there. I watched Dora the Explorer with my three-year-old and learned how to say I’m hungry. There’s a helpful phrase. Although if I can offer a suggestion to Dora; it may more helpful if you could teach us to say: “I’m hungry! Could I have something that has been cooked to an internal temperature of 180 degrees for a period of several minutes?”

Last week the library e-mailed me regarding my Rosetta Stone request. Apparently Rosetta Stone has changed their licensing agreement and that change left the library unable to continue loaning copies of the program. Gracias por nada, Rosetta Stone.

Thank heavens for Go, Diego, Go! Today we are learning to say “Jump”. I’ll be fluent before I know it.

Not Always.

Every so often someone will ask me if I'm ever overwhelmed by the magnitude of suffering and need in the world. My answer? Every day. Sometimes it's for a minute and sometimes it's longer. My standard method of combat is to focus on one person or one project, one team or one victory. Anything tangible that I can look to and see a difference and it gives me hope. More than enough to keep plugging along even when the task on my list that day doesn’t seem like it would make a difference. To anyone. Then a friend shared this video. It gives the gift of hope in the big picture.

http://notalways.live58.org/

A favorite childhood Christmas present

Throughout my teenage years I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up. I know, you say, so did everyone. While that may be fairly accurate, none of my friends did and since that made up pretty much my entire world I felt unique.

I spent a lot of time photographing everything I could think of with a tiny 110 film camera. If you don’t know what that means I’ll give you a picture clue, but if this doesn’t help then you’re probably not old enough to be reading my blog.

My parents having watched this go on for awhile decided that a camera would be a perfect Christmas present.

And TA-DA I received this:

And for those of you interested in archaeological artifacts I also include the following picture of the back, where the FILM was loaded. Film was the…..never mind.

I’m not sure a piece of equipment was loved more and it served such an important purpose in my life. The world looked different through the viewfinder and since my fascination with photography coincided with a time that the world was opened up to me in other ways I paid attention more than I maybe would have without it.

I was so thoroughly convinced that photography was going to be my career that I would listen to nothing else.

One day in junior high we were required to take aptitude tests. One of these tests was designed to suggest careers based on 50+ personality questions. I took my time and answered the questions honestly and smug with the knowledge that photographer would be the suggested profession I tallied up my score. Nope, the first suggested career for me: Pastor or Rabbi. My response: (this works best if you read the following sentence with your best 14 year-old girl voice.) “What?! Um, hello! I’m, like, not even Jewish! This test is so stupid.” So I proceeded to erase all my answers and fill them back in with the ones that would give me photography as my suggested profession. I was so smarter than that test.

Oh, and the second suggestion the original test offered: International Relief. It appears I was not smarter than that test.

Guatemala Youth Trip Initial Interest Meeting

Yesterday I attended the initial interest meeting for a youth trip to Guatemala scheduled for the end of July, 2011. The team will be involved in constructing stoves for families who usually cook over open flames in their kitchens without ventilation.

I was in Guatemala this past June on an assessment trip and was standing next to the photographer when this picture was taken. I knew we would be using the information we were gathering to present project opportunities to teams.

But, I had no idea it would be used to present a project opportunity to a team I would be travelling with. I'm a little blown away by that gift.

This is a picture of a woman we visited who received a stove last year. She was so happy to show us how much it improved the environment of her kitchen. She had a fire going while we were there and her kitchen was not filled with smoke.

Amazing what a chimney will do!

As I sat in the room while Mike gave a very high level overview to these kids and parents and looked at their faces (although if I'm being really honest, since I was in the back of the room, it was mostly the back of their heads) and had a thousand emotions. I'm so happy to get the chance to go back and see these people I met this past summer. To have the opportunity to do something this time, to leave with things just a tiny bit better for some, to fractionally elevate their level of comfort. But as I looked at the kids in the room I was a bit nervous. I haven't dealt with teens on a day to day basis and I'm praying for my confidence to increase regarding my ability to interact with them in a meaningful way. I actually really enjoy teenagers (maybe because I don't have one of my own yet). For the five minutes I considered becoming a teacher I knew teaching high school would be my best bet. I know my strengths in relationships play out best over time so if you could add this to your prayers I would be so grateful. Maybe by the time July rolls around I'll have it down!

Last but not least I'm so looking forward to returning to a school I had the opportunity to see last time I was there. Watching these children play was a highlight from my trip.

The First Post

Wanna know a secret? I’ve been so unsure of what to write for my first post that I haven’t done anything about it for weeks. Weeks, people! If you know me at all you know that is an unacceptable level of procrastination! The pressure for it to be awesome is just more than I can bear. I’m not really good at awesome. So, rather than be medicated, which is where this level of stress was heading, I’ve decided my first post is going to be about nothing. I mean really let’s just get it over with. If I try to tell you everything this post would just be sooooo looooong you would fall asleep half way through and then what would that accomplish?

If you’re curious about Hungry For Life, U.S.A or curious about what I do for them or just curious about compassion opportunities in general then keep checking back and maybe I’ll post something worthwhile in the future.

Welcome to my blog. Love that you are here!

C