3 Years!

I'm reading one of my favorite books again- Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist.  "Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness.  It's the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet...  Bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity.  Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy."  I first got this book 4 years ago when I was living in Nicaragua.  It's been interesting, to say the least, to see the notes, the underlines, the highlights from that first reading and remember where I was during that season of life and the journey that my life has been since.  Lots of thoughts swirling around my head these days. Highly recommend the book.

My first photo after moving to Nicaragua, May 2010

I blink and the fall is nearly past.  Student photos and profiles are in full swing.  If you can guess from the photo below, there is never a dull moment out at the schools with the kids...

Smile? What? You want to take my picture?

Students LOVE hearing from their sponsors

This year has brought some new faces to the process...  I am always glad to work with Kamanda during this busy season, and this year Wellington has stepped in as our photographer and Pamela has been a super help as well.  Even my pastor from PA, Steve, jumped in for a day when he was here in October.

Kamanda & I in El Cercado

Pamela & I updating photos & info in Elias Piña

October was a bit of a rough month for me- a surprise appendectomy (well, I guess appendicitis is usually a surprise!)-- but totally a God thing in how it was resolved-- general surgeon Dr. Caceres was still at the clinic and the American team ready and willing to help with anesthesia and all my other needs.  Amazing really how it came together.  A week later a bug bit my eye- yes, hard to believe, but this is the kind of luck I tend to have. haha.  :)  So there were a few days of swollen eye, which was later followed by two separate bouts of a stomach virus.  I am thankfully, thankfully on the other side of all of that now.  

Being in a bit of a valley made the fact that there was a team from my home town here in mid-October all the sweeter.  LOVED these folks being here.  Cathy did an AMAZING job organizing the team.  Got my social work fix with Kim. Was encouraged beyond measure by pastor Steve, and SO enjoyed getting to know the new faces on the team.

The Maple Grove Team

Awesome things continue to happen in the Child Nutrition Program.  October brought the first visit from Physical Therapist Johanna Fernandez.  She will be traveling to El Cercado monthly to provide PT services for some of the children who would not otherwise be able to receive this much needed service.  (If you're interested in supporting this side project of the CNP, please click here- CNP PT)

Johanna loves on one of the little-bitties

We just had a visit from Amway DR in El Cercado.  We are super excited to start this new partnership with them to better serve our families and children in need...

So, today I celebrate 3 official years with Solid Rock.  Crazy to think about this journey of life, and to look forward into the next year.  I continue to create my niche and grow confidence here.  I truly am excited for what year 4 has in store, not just for me, but for SRI as well, especially as Groundbreaking for the New Clinic is celebrated next week.  In personal news, this new year brings huge changes as well.  Wellington and I will be getting married in January, and I could not be happier.  He is truly a gift. and I am SO grateful.  Please remember us in your prayers (and maybe some extra prayers in this crazy, overwhelming planning phase that's happening at the same time of my SRI busy season!).

This morning as I took time to just "be" and reflect, this song came to mind. "Be Thou My Vision." One of my favorite hymns, and now my prayer; not just for me, but for Welly and the life we will create together, and for my SRI family too...