Day before Thanksgiving

It's been four years (2009) since I experienced what "used to be" the normal day before Thanksgiving.   Back then, the day included last minute grocery shopping, baking pumpkin and pecan pies, making cranberry sauce or cranberry salad, etc.  

Although we've always made it to the states for Christmas, we've never gone back to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Since Thanksgiving isn't a holiday here in  El Salvador, although we're doing our best to get it started with our IDEM group (see previous post), the final evangelistic campaign of the year is always scheduled the week after.  We are leaving for Managua, Nicaragua, on Saturday morning.  

For the past three years, we've spent Thanksgiving with whatever group of gringos/missionaries happened to be in country.  So, I always spent this day making at least one Thanksgiving dish--usually a pie.  This year we have been invited to share Thanksgiving at the home of Pastor Steve and Pam Kern.  Rachelle LaBotz, our newest gringa missionary, will be joining us, too.  Even better, Pam said I don't need to prepare anything!

So today, instead of baking, I am thankful to be working on the baby quilt (with these colorful and fun fabrics) for my soon-to-arrive granddaughter.  

Desde Guatemala City

I'm sure nobody is worrying whether or not our bus made it to Guatemala City, but, just in case, I'm letting you know today (2 days after) that we arrived on time, well fed and in one piece.  The trip was awesome from start to finish.  We left our house at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the bus station (inside the Hotel Sheraton) at 5:45; got checked in and made our way to our seats--second level, first row.  Before we left the station, they distributed our breakfast which was warm pancakes from San Martin (one of our favorite restaurants) along with orange juice, coffee and water.  

The passed out blankets and pillows, so I slept for the first two hours.  Stephen watched the movie.  About 8:00 we arrived at the El Salvador border and the immigration employee boarded the bus and reviewed our passports.  After he cleared us, we all exited the bus, walked about 250 feet to Guatemala and presented our passports at their immigration window.  There were no lines so we were all back on the bus and on our way in 10 minutes or less.  The rest of the trip passed without event--Stephen watched the second movie while I read a book.

We arrived on time at the Holiday Inn in Guatemala City--Rosemarie picked us up.  We arrived to a houseful of VBS helpers and joined right in painting, taping, cutting, etc.

I was able to help Haisey, one of the women in the church, understand the leader guide and Bible lessons (written in English.)  Although, it's a bi-lingual VBS, she is working with the 3-4 year olds who, of course, have all of their stories and activities in Spanish.  

We've been working hard and eating well these last two days.  Wednesday night Rosemarie made pupusas (go El Salvador) and last night we brought home from Del Puente, a new restaurant close to the house, and ate them with homemade french fries.  Cross cultural eating--suits us fine.

Last night Rosemarie and I worked on a baby quilt she is finishing for a baby shower tomorrow!.  We made the bias binding (if you're a quilter you'll understand) last night.  Today, she is going to machine quilt it.  Just one of the many small, regular-life projects in the middle of the VBS prep.

Today, I've cut 22 yards of felt into the sashes (think boy/girl scouts) that the kids will put the "badges" on.  Unfortunately, we need to buy another 20 yards or more and repeat the process.  Once they're all cut, we have to sew them together.  Stephen managed to find time to play the piano and even gave Javier his first piano lesson this morning!  

Tonight, Nelson returns from the states where he's been sharing in the mission conference at Blue Springs Bible Baptist Church in Blue Springs, Missouri.  

Please pray for the kids who will be coming to VBS, November 11-15.  This is a major evangelistic outreach for the church, and they are working hard to invite kids who don't know Jesus.  

Quilting Time

It's been quite a long time since I've had time to sit down at the sewing machine.  However, over the last two weeks, I've made it a priority to finish up some projects that were "in process" for way too long.

I don't remember exactly how long ago (probably a couple of years) I bought fabric when I was back in the states and brought it down here to make a small quilt to hang above the TV in our living room.  I designed it (both color and shape) to coordinate with the pillows on our couch.  I started working on the blocks when I first brought down the fabric, but life got in the way.  I dug out the nine finished blocks and decided today was the day to finish the quilt top.  Sewed the last three blocks this morning and just finished sewing it all together.  The quilting and binding will have to wait for another day.  

All in all, I pleased with it;it will bring some much needed color to our white walls.  Hanging quilts in my preferred way to accessorize and brighten up our home--this will make number five.  

 Quilt top laying out on my dining room table.

Laying over the couch with the pillows.