Community

I'm a country girl by nature. I've lived out in the middle of nowhere since I was 6 years old. I've loved my open fields with the huge trees that outline them - I've loved having Pickton General as our one and only "store" - I've loved having ZERO stop lights and having long, beautiful country roads to take my babies for walks on...

- I've always loved my quiet life with my family as my closest circle of friends. It's been peaceful and I love that God placed me within that kind of life - it was a wonderful way to grow up...but there are things I missed - that I'm just now realizing.

Community - real, live community. - conversations with the same people everyday.

Antigua is tiny - probably as small as Picton....ok ...maaaaybe a tad bigger ;) - but about 20 times the amount of people. Instead of acres of open fields - the are rows and rows of houses, buildings, tiny shops ... it's like this little hideaway -

Today I took Madi's hand and we walked to a nearby tienda where our good friend ...the - tienda man (obviously, we have yet to learn his name) stood waiting. He holds out his arms and Madi runs into them - as if greeting a long, lost family member ... he and I look at each other in delight over this little brown berry who brings such joy to whomever she comes in contact with. - They had a lovely conversation about the different items in his pint-sized store, and then Madi said her typical 10 million adios's - and back down the street we went.....down to the clothing store that holds all of 20 women's blouses - as well as a tiny boy about Madi's age ....they always greet each other when we pass by - and today was no exception. There was OH so much to catch up on since yesterday!! - so naturally sit I on the side lines as the two babies squat down and chatter. Mission accomplished, Madi grabs my hand and grins up at me as if to say, "Seriously... could life get ANY better" - I can't resist...I simply MUST cover that little face in kisses - much to her annoyance - she wriggles down and plods forward ...her little rear sticking out under her mini skirt - oh such cuteness!! We walked and walked - her in search of new best friends; and me out for some milk and toilet paper ...odd combo, I know - but you need what you need, right?? Soon we come to the group of older ladies who, like every other Guatemala, have taken it upon themselves to see to it that these crazy Gringos are taking care of their children properly. - They greet me with warm smiles ...and then turn to inspect Madi's attire ....

clean diaper? - check
runny nose? no? ..good! - check
clean clothing that is warm enough (aka HOT!) - check
shoes (these are an absolute MUST people...without shoes, who knows WHAT evil infection a child might catch)? - check
hair properly combed? - check

a nod of approval in my direction? - check

I must be doing well to gain such approval! =) *smile* I love how the people in general dote on Madi - I love how they all feel responsible for her upbringing ...without being asked. - I love this part of community.

I love going to the park each day and seeing and knowing 5-10 people I know and sitting down next to them and having a conversation just because....

I love how time sloooooows down here - but also how your days are busy and full of purpose.

I love that I get to serve in a place that I love and am so much apart of. - I. am. so. RICH!

Thank you, Jesus for this season.

- btw, for all of my Spanish speaking readers =) ... be patient with my efforts to write my little Spanish words - there are REASONS that I'm planning on Spanish school ;)