Happy New Year

Wishing all our family and friends 

God's blessings in 2013!

A Room Full of Parris Boys

Well, it wasn't all of them, but 4 of the 10 people in the room were Parris boys!  Three of the "boys" were there--Stephen, David and Michael. (Mark was planning to come, but got stranded in Oklahoma with the flu.)  Our son, Jon, represented the 2nd generation.  If only Josiah had been here, we could have had 3 generations!

We started the festivities with movie tickets to Les Miserables.  It was absolutely amazing--everyone of us highly recommends it (yes, even Jon.)  Dinner in our private room at Hereford House was perfect.  We're so glad that Steve and Terisa (unofficial members of the Parris family) were able to join us.

My Facebook Year

Not that Facebook is the best tool to remember 2012, but I have found that the compilation of my status posts over the year is a reflection of a few of the big/little moments of the past year.   So, here it is . . . . don't know if it will be readable or not.

Christmas Day in Liberty

We spent a fun Christmas Day at my brother's house in Liberty, Missouri.  I meant to get this posted much earlier, but didn't have the pictures downloaded.

As always, Jane, my sister-in-law, set a picture-perfect table!  The food was awesome, as well.


Playing games after opening gifts is one of my favorite traditions.  Love it when there are enough for one group to play cards and leave the rest of us to our board games.  This year's new game was called "Logos."  We all thought we knew a lot about the most common logos/products/companies, but "not so much."  Lots of fun and laughter anyway, which is probably the point.

Merry Christmas 2012 . . . . too bad Daniel, Shannon and the kids weren't able to join us.

 Jane's specialty!

 Ron's specialty!

 My dad enjoying his new chair.

 Ken Burn's new documentary called "The Dust Bowl."

Cousins open the new board game.

Friendship

Caught up with two good friends today--one over breakfast and the other over lunch. I'd say the extra pounds I'm going to take back to El Salvador with me are more than worth it.

Love both of them and the opportunity to talk frankly, give counsel, get counsel, pray together and enjoy their company in person instead of by email or on the phone.

Happy Christmas Eve

Had a great day today here in Lee's Summit.  We were able to sleep in this morning and then were treated to a great breakfast at the Guenther house--loved those biscuits and sausage gravy!  We were able to do a little last minute shopping, too.

We're now at my sister's house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of chili and hamburger soup (made by Jon this year.)  Now it's game time, with Stephen and Jensen playing backgammon and Jon, Laken, my dad and me playing cribbage.  As losers, Dad and I gave up our seats at the table to Jensen and Stephen.

Praying that Daniel, Shannon, Maleia and Josiah have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow in Oregon.  Sorry we're missing the Salvadoran Christmas celebration tonight!  Blessings to all!

Christmas Cookies

Maleia and I found time to make some Christmas cookies today.  She cut them out and then put the sprinkles on them.  Well, really, a handful of sprinkles on the cookies and then a handful of sprinkles in her mouth!  She had even more fun eating them!

"Christmas Eve and Christmas Day"

We went with Daniel and Shannon to the regular Saturday evening service at their church.  Their amazing choir (100 voices) sang 7-8 songs and the congregation joined in on most of them.  We heard an inspiring message from their pastor challenging us to encounter real joy in this season, rather than worrying about being happy!  

Since we are leaving on Thursday, we celebrated "Christmas" on Sunday morning.  It was so fun watching the kids open their gifts.  We took it slow because they wanted to play with each things as they opened it.   We stopped half way through and Shannon made cheese blintzes--YUM!  I vote to make that a new holiday tradition.  If you're wondering why Maleia's in different outfits throughout the pictures, it's because every time she opened new clothes, she had to stop and try them on.

There were a few international gifts!  The kids were particularly excited about the matching t-shirts we brought from VBS in Guatemala City.  Jon got some new towels from the Hotel Estrella in Managua, Nicaragua and Stephen received Honduran whole bean coffee to use in his new coffee grinder.

The day didn't end until we had a traditional Christmas dinner with ham, augratin potatoes, green beans, fruit salad and pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

Enjoy the pictures!

 Reading the new Christmas books first thing.

 Josiah loves trucks and a "MIXER" is one of his favorites.

 First clothes change--love this outfit from Naartjie Kids!

 Star towels from the Hotel Estrella in Managua

 Fashionable homemade ear warmer!

Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS shirts from Guatemala! 

 Crocheted firetruck--soft toy truck that he can sleep with.

Reindeer pajamas--perfect for sleeping the night after our special "Christmas."

Fun with the Grandkids

Spent a little time shopping today and watching the kids hang out in the mall "park."  Josiah spent all his time trying to stand on one of the starfish and, finally, when his dad took off his socks, he was able to do it.  

Spent a little time shopping today and watching the kids hanging out in the mall "park."  Josiah spent all his time trying to stand on one of the starfish and, finally, when his dad took off his socks, he was able to do it.

Home again

We left Managua at 2:00 a.m. this morning--wow, that's early.  The trip was almost uneventful and the 4 border crossings were painless.  We pulled in to the church parking lot at 2:00 p.m.   Everyone was tired, hot and hungry.  Stephen packed our suitcases in the truck while I collected the rest of the stuff and we headed toward home.  About 15 minutes later, we got a phone call telling us that my black suitcase was still at church and that one of the black suitcases in our truck belonged to someone else.  Many apologies later and a u-turn took us back to church to switch out the suitcases.

We have two nights at home before we hit the road again--no bus this time!  Instead Taca airlines will take us to San Francisco to see our kids!  Can't wait!

Masaya, Nicaragua

A short bus trip to Masaya, Nicaragua!  Love visiting this beautiful lake--formed in a volcano crater.  Just look at the gorgeous blue water.

Catching up

Just remembered that I was going to post these pictures of my last day of school for 2012 before we left for Managua.  So, today, I'm catching up!

Each class had a spelling test, but after the test, we made a Christmas craft.  First graders colored a giant two-sided stocking that they could hang in their room.  Second grade made a 3-D Christmas tree; 3rd and 4th made angel ornaments.  The fifth graders assembled small Christmas gift boxes.

Bus Ride #5

Yesterday was bus ridge #5 to Managua, Nicaragua.  I'd like to say that it gets a little easier every time, but that wouldn't be right.  Actually, yesterday's trip went as smoothly as a 3:00 a.m. wake-up call and a 15 hour drive in a hot bus can go.  The borders weren't especially difficult--just the usual waiting in line and paying the $30 in visa fees.

For those of you who know the building at the Honduran border (ceilings missing and/or falling, abundance of pigeons, etc.), it was closed and immigration was in a newer, remodeled building along the side.  That in itself was a blessing!  We passed by the "easier" of the two Nicaragua borders and without the inflatable in the bus, we had no problems crossing.  Not like last year, when they made us take all of our luggage out of the bus and open it for inspection.

We got settled into our room and had our favorite meal at the Hotel Estrella restaurant.  We barely made it to 9:00 p.m. before we fell into bed.

This morning we will worship with Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, Managua, and the team that is here from North  Carolina.  Please pray for our week:  Kids Clubs in neighborhood parks in the mornings and neighborhood campaigns with movies in the evenings.

If you're experiencing cold weather this week, please remember us as the daily temps here in Managua will be in the mid-90's!

Just like when I was 16

You know that first day you get your driver's license?  That's how I felt today after getting my Salvadoran driver's license--well, almost.  Once I got all of the documentation together:

• lab work showing blood type
• passport
• El Salvador residence card
• El Salvador NIT card
• Notarized copy of my Missouri driver's license

the process was simple:  wait in line and then get required copies made; wait in line and then get documentation checked and get fingerprinted; wait in line and then pay fee ($57);  wait in line and then get eye exam and photo taken; wait in line and then provide personal details (name of father, mother, height/weight, description (according to them I have blond hair), drug allergies, address/phone numbers) and wait in line and sign for and receive the license!

Tomorrow Stephen goes to get his license so we will repeat the process!

A Very Salvadoran Thanksgiving

Somehow, I missed writing about our Thanksgiving last week.  We didn't celebrate on Thanksgiving Day--in fact, we went out for pizza, which is as untraditional as a person can get.

On Friday night, we celebrated with our small group at the home of Ryan and Keeley Blackstock, another missionary couple (from Kansas City.)  The potluck featured a cross-cultural meal, as the 4 of us gringos introduced Thanksgiving to the rest of the group, most of whom had never experienced the holiday.  Keeley cooked the turkey and made stuffing and mashed potatoes.  I brought two pumpkin pies and a pecan pie.  After those things, all resemblance to Thanksgiving dinner ended; but, the rest of the food was good, too.  There was a red sauce, for the turkey, of course (they don't do gravy.)  Rice loaded with veggies and cheese, garlic cheese bread, fruit and a salad.

After the meal, we went around the table and each person got an opportunity to share what they were most thankful for in 2012.  It was amazing to hear the stories--different people with different things to share, but all linked by God's amazing grace.

Thanks to Ryan and Keeley for the pictures!  See below to meet the other 8 couples who make up our small group.

 Good food and conversation!

 Kid's table!

Us!

 Jorge and Alejandra

 Jose and Pei

 William and Delmy

 Eric and Katia

 Herribierto and Raquel

 Ryan and Keeley

 Salvador and Roxana

Fredy and Iris

It's open!

After at least 6 years (according to the papers), they are finally finished with a new divided highway that carries traffic from the west side of San Salvador to the east side.  Since we live on the west side of town, this road should reduce our driving time to church--important when you make 7 trips per week.  In addition, it should make the trip to the airport much faster and easier.

They had the dedication yesterday, so today was the first day we were able to drive on it.  It won't fix all of our traffic problems, but it will allow us to avoid a couple of very slow round-abouts and 3 or 4 traffic lights.

Hilo, Agua y Biblia

Our last Hilo, Agua y Biblia was this morning at the church in Miravalle.  The ladies were working to finish their Advent/Scripture calendars.  I took all of the ingredients and made up a batch of hot chocolate mix while they watched.  We bagged it, topped it with marshmallows distributed a bag to each woman.  There was enough for each of them to have a cup while they worked.  Each of them received a cop of the recipe in case they want to make it and give it as gifts.

Here's the recipe (adapted from Alton Brown), if any of you are interested:

Hot Chocolate Mix

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered milk (whole milk is best)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all of the ingredients until well combined.  Store in a tightly closed container or baggie.

Fill any coffee cup or mug half full with the mixture.  Add boiling water; stir well.  Top with marshmallows, if desired.