Filed under: Aside
The collect for the first days of Christmas: Almighty God, You have given Your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made Your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with You and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Well, we made it. We’re here in good ol’ North Carolina. We’ve had McDonald’s Quarter Pounders and ordered food in English. We’re trying to get used to being able to drink from the faucet and drive again!
But mostly, we are just blessed by friendly faces and warm hugs.
We’ve already spent some time with both sides of the family and a enjoyed a little bit of our traditional Christmas. We’ve enjoyed a genuine, affectionate welcome from our home church, and (finally) tasted the bread and wine of Communion at long last.
Filed under: Anne
We have unfortunately had more interactions with the Bolivian health care system lately, so I thought it might be interesting to blog about. Unfortunately, not because they were bad experiences, but just because Avery and I have been sick and no one likes to be sick in a foreign country while trying to find a competent doctor who speaks English. (more…)
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The prayer for the week: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let Your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.
Filed under: Aside
The collect for the second week in Advent:
Merciful God, who sent Your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Filed under: Anne
The South American paparazzi comes in the form of well-meaning parents of young children participating in end-of-the-year programs! (more…)
Filed under: Anne
We haven’t posted too many pictures lately on our blog, so I thought this might be a fun time to add some. . . (more…)
Filed under: Anne
Here is the link to our photo album from our trip to Lake Titicaca:
It was our favorite place we’ve visited in Bolivia so far. (more…)
Filed under: Anne
Considering that I have been driving for over half my life now (very scary in itself), it is an odd feeling to know that I haven’t driven a car in months. It’s somewhat relaxing and upsetting to not be able to hop in a car whenever you need to go somewhere. Relaxing in that you don’t have to worry about how to get where you’re going or trying to learn the obscure rules of the road here. Upsetting in that you are at the mercy of the taxi or bus driver or friend with a car to get you where you need to go. (more…)
Filed under: Anne
I have written a little bit about this topic before, but the longer we’re here, the more important the “shipment” becomes. This term is used by expats (generally women) here to kindly pass along the news that one of the two main grocery stores in our part of the city have received imported foods from the States. (more…)
