Tunesday Tuesday & a little something extra.

We starting singing Christmas songs at church a few Sundays ago and while a most of them are familiar to me, there are some new ones as well. I'm sharing with you one that I instantly fell in love with, called Ven a Mi Corazón O Christo. The chorus sings: 

ven a mi corazon oh Cristo (come to my heart oh Christ)
pues en el hay lugar para ti (for in it there is room for you)

 This song reminds me that regardless of the setting we find Christ in, He is available to anyone's heart at anytime if we open ourselves up to Him. 

Setting is especially important for me to remember this Christmas season as I find myself away from home on Christmas for the first time in my life and it doesn't really 'feel like Christmas'. I say that as a phrase because what does it mean to feel like Christmas anyway?? Christmas is a date on the calendar that we set aside to celebrate the arrival, the birth of our SAVIOR. The Messiah who was has come to take the sins of the world, once and for all. This is a HUGE deal. 

So why then, does this not feel like Christmas? Yes, I see Christmas trees in Apartment lobbies, and lights in window shops. Store windows have for weeks now been advertising Felices Fiestas, or Happy Holidays,  but to me this all just says commercialism. I'm looking for the meaning of Christmas here. And don't get me wrong, I have seen signs posted around the city that say JESUS ES NAVIDAD, or JESUS IS CHRISTMAS. I have seen life size nativity sets even. Is that what defines Christmas?

Personally, growing up in the midwest, I'm missing the cold temps accompanied by snow. Missing the Starbucks Christmas cups when necessary (sorry, BA, but I'm not going to get a hot drink when it's 85 outside. Try again in July with the Christmas cups please?). Missing the long drives to work because of ice covered highways. Ha, just kidding there ;) Missing a big Christmas tree with all the presents under it and all the house decorations.

But, when I realized I was missing that last one, I scared myself.

America has so trained us and wrapped our minds to associating Christmas with the Birth of Jesus AND decorations, songs, festive things. But what happens when we strip that all away and focus solely on Jesus. Afterall, without Him, this holiday would just be another day on the calendar.

the largest nativity scene I've ever seen in the heart of downtown

snowglobes without the snow? in BA they are!

shopping malls are ready for Christmas!

 

With my nose in a book....

Reading overseas is always an interesting topic. There's this thing called my iPad where I occasionally get Kindle crazy at the start of the month and buy all the $3.99 books I can find of interest to me. But, then I'm limited to only reading it in house because I don't like taking it out in public on the buses and subway. Pretty sure I've only finished one book on my iPad, ever.

Then there's the more-precious-than-gold paper books in English. I have to clarify English because that means they got here a) in my suitcase, b)were left behind by the last girls, or c) were brought as gifts by some visitors.

Lately I've read so many good books y'all my mind is so excited about it and I wanted to share with you so that this Christmas time you could snuggle up to the fire and read something of value.

A while ago, I read The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken and it was on my iPad, which not lying, I struggle to get through books on there. But I could not get through this fast enough. Hearing Nik's stories about persecuted believes and their unshakable faith was an encouragement to me and without a doubt will be to you. At the moment, I am reading The Insanity of God by you guessed it, Nik Ripken, also on my iPad. This is also a good story (more his testimony). I can't give a fair assessment, but I will tell you I read the other one quicker.

Today, I also picked up a new book to take with me out the door since I was going to be on the book. I'm ashamed to say this, but I bought it over a year ago and never started it because it wasn't appealing, or thought it was going to be boring. Ready for it? Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay. Y'all I am over halfway done with the book already! It's so good! I think it's the Bill Hybels Contagious Christian book that I couldn't finish. Anyway, Fay's book seems to be practical and is full of questions for you and leaves you with ways to get out there and SHARE!

I read the lovely Elisabeth Elliot love story Passion and Purity. I wasn't really sure what to expect from it... a bunch of love letters?? It was described to me as the long distance relationship between Elisabeth and her husband George who at one point told her he loved her but he wasn't going to marry her because he had to be a single missionary in the jungle. Well, the story is a lot better than my words, but they have a happy ending for a little while. Ever heard of the movie The End of the Spear? [Just for fun - It took Crystal 7 months to finish this book, while I read it in 3 days. Nothing against the book though...]

I almost left out a really educational book on Muslims that I got in the DR. It's called A Wind in the House of Islam. It was a summary of the Muslim to Christ movements in 9 different Eastern parts of the world, showing what methods worked best for them. It was interesting to see how, obviously, not one thing works in all parts of the world and you have to adapt to your audience. I loved reading the testimonies of the workers, the believers, and knowing how we can pray for them. If you're in to the Church, Muslim Background Believers, and generally knowing how to pray for others, I recommend this book!

I think the last of my most recent's is what Crystal called a "controversial book," lol, is A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  I saved this for last because it probably got the most reaction out of me but also one of the most learning books I've read in a while. Ok, so this so called controversial part was the small section on husbands/wives. Clearly, if you take two single girls and tell them that they need to make their husbands their number one human priority.... well, we're just not ready to hear that yet! We seriously thought this book was written was 1950, but it was 1997. Things like telling us to be sure to change our clothes, putting on fresh lipstick, and wearing perfume for the husband before he came home from work sounded straight from Leave it to Beaver! BUT. The farther away from this chapter I was [yes, I kept reading about motherhood, maintaining the home,  spiritual health etc.....] I couldn't stop thinking about why that chapter bothered me so much. Was it not Biblical? What did God make woman for but to be a helper to man? Yes, she has so much more potential than that, but I think in our feminist, equal opportunity society, maybe we have taken away from God's design in the family. Is that so wrong to say? Sorry future husband though if I don't bring out the fresh lipstick at your homecoming. You read that here first.

Ok, so there ends the latest of my reading list. I want to know what you've read! Tell me what's good!

Baptisms... Again!

Today I had the privilege to go to another baptism at a different church; this time I watched 4 young men testify publicly to their faith. This was my 3rd time watching baptisms here in Buenos Aires and every one has something different about it. But today's was special. Especially different, in a way I couldn't wait to get home and write about to you.

Here in Argentina, they normally save all the baptisms until the end of the year. It's not like other places where when someone wants to be dunked, they do it in weeks there after. Here, you have to let the church know months, months, in advanced so that you can do a course ahead of time. For one church it was 6 classes, for example. I can't say this is across the board at churches here, but from the people I've talked to, it's what I've gathered.

For example, today one of the boys that was baptized was my friend's younger brother. He was saved years ago when he was a youth, but did not follow with baptism, from what I understood. Then, at the end of last year he decided to be baptized but had to wait for 2014 to take this course.

Here's the especially cool part.

When each of the 4 people came out, the pastor opened the floor up to have people in the church read verses or passages of Scripture that had been placed on their hearts for that person. I'd never seen that before, but I just thought it was the neatest thing! For each person, 2 microphones were passed around the church and at least 7-10 were reading verses of encouragement, saying, "Fulana, the Lord says to you ...."

Can you imagine your baptism day if you had had brothers and sisters in the faith do that?

There are so many things that I often think that if I went back to the states and started a church, I would take away SO much from the Latin American church. But, that's a whole other post for another night. :)

A Prayer for St. Louis & Ferguson Thoughts

Heavenly Father, you know all things. You hold all things. Nothing comes as a shock to you, and I praise you for that. I don't have to worry about anything because before the sun sets today and rises tomorrow you know what will happen. You see Ferguson and you know every person's heartache. You know every person's anger. Most of all, you love and care for them more than we now how to humanly express. As I watch from so many miles away, I ask that you send your Comforter to the city and that His presence would be felt. I know that in hard emotional times when temperatures are hot, we don't always feel or want to acknowledge you, which is why I ask that you really fill the city with your presence. And God I pray that your Church, that the body of Christ would rise up;  Would tend to the brokenhearted. I pray that there would be no blame shifting, people pointing, but the only pointing would be to your son, Jesus. He has already carried our burdens. Carry the burdens of the people now. Use this time Lord to bring glory to your name. In all things may you get the glory, and some how for this ugly, this mess we have created of and by ourselves, may you get the glory out of it. Amen.

 

I don't know all the details and I don't pretend to know all the details. I don't know both sides of the story, and unless you are Michael Brown or Darren Wilson, then neither do you. Media is powerful, isn't it? It's hard as a society for us to move on from tragic events. It's even harder when we live in a society that doesn't allow us to forget our past. We're supposed to learn from it though, aren't we? Sadly I think we say with our mouths that we're different, but our minds and actions say otherwise. When are we really going to show that skin color is nothing but a color?

While I can't understand at all the pain the blacks are relating to, I don't blame them for the anger thay have. Granted, it doesn't justify the looting and setting cars to fire, but there also isn't justification for the police force using tear gas on them, is it? As MLK Jr. once said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Even our President said:

But I join Michael’s parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully. Let me repeat Michael’s father’s words:  “Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone."

We have a long way to go. The Ferguson situation only brought to light what has been oppressed for far too long. We have to work together so that for our nation, our children's sake the next generation does not grow up and live in a world of hate. Two sided.  The first photo was 40 years ago of people being doused with water from a firehose for nothing but their skin color. And below, present day, cars set abaze and tear gas in hand.

St. Louis really needs our prayers. We need each other.  Lord help us all.

The GREAT Commission.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Yesterday was a really great day. I went to two different church services and in each of them I saw this very verse in action. I witnessed an Argentine brother be prayed over as he was sent out from our local church, and later I watched a Brazilian sister be baptized in a step of obedience and faith. 

If you know me well, you'd know I cried at both of these services watching my brother and sister do exactly as His word says. His living and active word calls people to action, and nothing brought greater joy to my heart. Nothing.  Don't you see what makes this commission so great, though?

This brother, Joaquin, is going to India for a month to work and serve with Argentine M's in the Himilayas for the month of December. I'm sure he'd love the prayers. Heading to land of idolatry and false gods, he and his team of 11 others will be traveling throughout the mountains using music and the word to minister to the people there. I'm so excited to see what this trip brings about in both his life and the lives of the people there.

My sister Julia invited me earlier this week to church and dinner afterward. Obviously I love both of those things and accepted. So, imagine my surprise when I got there and she told me she couldn't sit with me because she was being baptized. Her and 20 others were dunked last night. PRAISE GOD. When asking everyone why they wanted this, they all said, "obedience and faith," but some gave additional testimony to how Jesus had forgiven them of their sins forever. To the least of these, can I just get an amen?

As we were singing at the beginning, I was just in awe of the glory and presence of God in this great city. That He would allow me to be a part of His work at a time such as this. To watch a brother be sent out yesterday and a sister be baptized in the same day. As church was letting out they had all 20 of them on stage and were singing a song called, "Te Doy Gloria" which is a party song. It repeats this line saying, "I give you glory (x3), to you Jesus". And I just thought to myself, this is a sliver of what heaven looks like for just one person repenting.

I pray than God gets ALL the glory, NOTHING, but the glory for what is happening here in Buenos Aires. May the enemy be defeated and have no part in this city. It's all for His name's sake.
 

Tunesday Tuesday.

Remember in Gossip Girl when Dan and Serena get married and Serena comes down the stairs looking like a goddess while Florence & The Machine is playing this song?? I do, and it's one of my favorite TV moments ever.

 

Enjoy.

{P.S. did you also know that Florence and Blake Lively (Serena) are besties? True fact.}

The Marvelous City.

Oi. Bom dia. Obrigada.

This is about the extent of my Portuguese, yet for the last week my head was flooded with words I did not understand and I was at the mercy of those around me and my Spanish to get me around a country that is vastly different that I expected.

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Expectations often don't meet reality do they? My trip to Rio was no exception to that. I planned about 2-3 months ago to have this vacation with a friend and about 4 days before leaving found out she couldn't go because of medical reasons. Being the planner I am, this did nothing but put me into a panic. I was not mad at her, ever, but rather confused at why God was separating us... what good can come from this and how am I supposed to rearrange a trip in such short notice? Really I was mad at science. But, I put on my big girl pants and got to emailing like crazy with some local M's in Rio that so graciously housed me and set me up with a local to be a tour guide for my time there.

Literally, saved. my. trip.

While I'm still not sure why God didn't want us to go to Rio together at this time, I know that His way is better and that He works everything out in the end. And He did just that. I had some fears before going about safety of being alone, and I have to say I never once felt afraid. Despite the culture and language differences, I felt completely covered in prayer and the presence of the HS. The family I stayed with was super busy the whole time, but made time for me and for that I am forever grateful.

Another takeaway from this trip is that I am thankful (not proud) that English is my first language, because it is a platform of communication for people from different nations. Also, I LOVE SPANISH! When I didn't know Portuguese and didn't see anyone around that looked like they knew English, I defaulted to Spanish. It looks like Portuguese, though (in my opinion) sounds vastly different.

 I was surprised by the number of international tourist I saw in Rio.  At the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, or at Maracanã Stadium, I hardly ever encountered people speaking American English... it was European accents or Australian English. 

 <<Funny story though... a man saw me in my chaco sandals who also was wearing chacos himself and wanted to take a picture of our feet together! I didn't ask where he was from, but if I had to guess...it would be the USofA>>

What else can I saw about Rio, other than the language? The food is amazing! The people are colorful and very friendly, cariñoso.  Rio was a good trip, but now that it's checked off the list, I'm ready to sit back and see  A R G E N T I N A.

Day 2: Maracanã

Day 3: Beaches

Day 3: Jardim Botanico

Day 3: Orchids at Jardim Botanico

Day 4: Christ the Redeemer

Day 2: These high school girls have a small group that I got to sit in on!

Tunesday Tuesday.

I bought a bunch of songs from Bethel Music last week, but this is the one that I can't get out of my head....

#BALife: Part 2

Six months in and I've learned a few things since my first #balife post. Mostly I wanted to share with you some hand gestures that I won't be able to leave behind when I come home. Then some other sayings or things that are just unique to here. So, sit back and come to Argentina with me:

1. This right hand which you shake back and forth and is GREAT. I don't go a day without using it, even if just with my roommate. It's great for exclamations... like, "What were you/they/she thinking?!" or "I can't believe that happened!!" I don't know why the girl is smiling in this photo. Normally your mouth is open and eyebrows wide.

2. This means anything in the past ... ___ times ago. Far away.  Hace mucho. All of the above. There wasn't a great picture of it, but it's good and used often...

3.   Qué sé yo? What do I know? I don't know! Not sure about something... just flick your hand under your chin.

4. There's another thing you do with your hand and you flick it when 'me cuesta mucho'. Something was hard, rough, and you're describing it to another person. If you're REALLY good you can make your hands make a snapping noise.  [sorry, I couldn't find a picture]
 
5. "si si si si si si si" never "si". Argentines, if you ask them a question, will tell you si 5 times over. Unless the answer is no. Then it's "no no no no no no" :)

6. Argentines are SO patient. I thought this when I first got here and it's something I was reminded of again today when paying a bill. I hope I get better at. I learned this when I got here that I carried my American ways with me that us USAns are FAST paced and don't like to wait. Argentines.... well if they have to wait 30 minutes to pay a bill, they wait and accept it. You don't see them complaining about it. It's what they know, and I appreciate that about them.

7. R-E-S-P-E-C-T when it comes to transit, anyway. This is more for guys.. and I love it! There is a lot of mutual respect among people here. Elderly and women with young children or pregnant always are given a seat on the bus. And at bus stops, guys always let ladies on before them (unless it's a really long line). I have this inner struggle sometimes if I'm in the front of the bus if I should give my seat up. Probably, when in doubt, the answer is yes. I've got some learning left to do.

8. Besos... we knew this was coming. I'm not surprised by this #balife, but I'm really going to miss it when I leave. Yesterday I made sure to kiss everyone before I left church. And today, when I arrived a little after a meeting started, I made sure to go around and kiss everyone at the table --which though seems rude and counterculture to us Americans, it would be rude to NOT beso them when I had arrived.

Well guys, there you have it. Mi querido Buenos Aires.

La Catedral de La Plata

Yerba Mate

Cabildo

Puente de Mujer :: Puerto Madero

Our Great High Priest.

I've been reading through the Pentateuch lately and currently I'm in Leviticus. I have to say, Exodus was a lot better than I remembered it being. Moses is a rockstar... and I can relate to him a lot. Not that I'm a rockstar, but I can relate to a lot of his insecurities earlier in his life.... but anyway, that's not what I'm writing about tonight.

In Leviticus, I've been going through the 5 offerings: The guilt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering. As I've been reading these, and the regulations that the Lord required for the priests too, all I can think is that I am SO thankful I didn't live in this time... I would need so many goats!! But only two of these offerings are mandatory, three are voluntary; The sin and guilt offering are compulsory.

In ch 5 v 17 it says "if a person sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though he does not know it, he is guilty and will be held responsible." All it takes is just one to be guilty. So I'm reading through and trying to process the old covenant and what it meant to be a child of God... and I was just discouraged for them. What high standards God must have had! I'd be best friends with the priest making atoning sacrifices every day.

I'm only now in chapter 10 of Leviticus, but I couldn't take it any longer the other day. I had to get to the good news. I had to read ahead and go to Hebrews, to read of our Great High Priest who came for us in the flesh to be our living sacrifice once and for all.

Hebrews 4:14-16 says:
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we were- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [my emphasis added]

-and-

Hebrews 7:24-28 says:
But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always live to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets out need- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.  [my emphasis added]

David Platt taught us it was okay to clap and shout when reading Scripture and I have to say when reading Hebrews 4:14 I just want to PRAISE Him that the veil was torn and we have access to the most holy place and HE intercedes for US to the Father. That is something worth clapping for.

So now when I read through Leviticus and realize just how imperfect I am - man who is weak, it makes me more thankful, give more praise, and more aware (if even possible) of what Jesus went through when he became the new covenant.

Tunesday Tuesday.

I heard this song last week at Saddleback Buenos Aires on my way out and was lovin' it.  Enjoy!

Tunesday Tuesday.

 Today, Lecrae's album comes out and he works with a lot of good artists on it! My favorite, Kari Jobe, does a song with him, but today I'm sharing a song that has a really cool melody. It's called "Messengers" and I hope you like it!

Out of Hiding.

I just have to share this song regardless of the fact that it's not a Tuesday. For anyone that's discouraged, in a rough spot, whatever it is.... please listen to this song. I love songs that are written/sung from the perspective of Jesus. And this is just one of those beautiful love songs. I heard it today on the treadmill at the gym and luckily I was pretty much done because I just had to slow down so I could close my eyes to keep from bawling right on the spot.

Breathe in, breathe out. And listen.

Come out of hiding
You're safe here with Me
There's no need to cover
What I've already seen

You've got your reasons
But I hold your peace
You've been on lockdown
But I hold the key

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

I'll be your lighthouse
When you're lost at sea
And I will illuminate
Everything

No need to be frightened
By intimacy
Just throw off your fear
And come running to Me

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

Oh as you run
What hindered love
Will only become
Part of the story

Baby, you're almost home now
Please don't quit now
You're almost home to Me

Tunesday Tuesday.

Tunesday Tuesday.

Today I am sharing my favorite worship song since moving here to Argentina. I am glad that, as far as I am aware, there is no English translation. Some songs are better just left in their own language. This one is called, "Al que está sentado en el trono" and the chorus basically states this:

To Him who sits on the throne

To Him who lives for ever and ever

Be all the glory, honor, and power

Be all the glory, honor, and power

You are holy, holy, holy

Holy are You

Jesus Wins.

A few weeks ago, on August 4th, a young man was shot and killed in broad daylight for his bike all because he intervened in a street robbery and was trying to help a victim. It was a really harsh newstory to watch and learn about. The young man only had 27 years and was going to work like any other day, only this time he had no idea what was in store for him.

Now, in this neighborhood, only 4.7% of the population is evangelical, so his death was your typical disheartening, what-are-the-chances-he-knew-Christ scenario.

Last Monday night I was in my weekly prayer meeting and one of the requests was for this young man's family, who was in town for a while. They are believers and had been contacted and just, as you can imagine, asked for prayer for them and the other family involved. There sprang a little hope that maybe, this man had not died without hearing the gospel message.

Well, today I found out that this week his parents, while staying in town for the legal matters surrounding his death, are taking time to do work for the kingdom. They are going to be standing at the corner where he was killed sharing the gospel and praying with people! Isn't that a beautiful picture?! This city is so broken, but there is hope. This family is a symbol of faith not shaken. If I had to guess, it's because they know they'll see their son again one day (yes, he was a believer!) and that God had a purpose in this.

I see the enemy winning so often in this city, but not on this one. God has taken this man's innocent death and is using it for His glory. To make His name known in the city. Jesus wins here. And, of course, Jesus wins in the end.

Joseph's and Saul's

Lately I've been reading about Joseph in Genesis and so much about his story is sticking out to me. From the time his story of struggle begins with his brothers, we see God's hand over, in and through it. "The Lord was with him" is stated three times alone in Genesis 39.  Then as I read on in the following chapters.... Joseph's moment comes -- after two full years, chapter 41 tells us. {But don't forget chapter 40 where it begins with "some time later," so we know he's already spent a while in the prison before he's joined by the company of the cupbearer and baker. Then they get out. Well, one does anyway.} Then two full years later, Joseph has his time with the Pharaoh. Remember how God was with him? Well, good thing He hadn't forsaken Joseph, because in Genesis 41:38-40, Pharaoh lifts Joseph up to such a high place, second only to himself in all of Egypt!! What amazes me about this was that this pagan Pharoah is able to recognize the Holy Spirit within Joseph. And despite all this fame and fortune he's about to get (by the age of 30, mind you!), Joseph still honors the God of his fathers. In vs 51-52 he names his children Manasseh and Ephraim, names meaning God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household, and God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering, respectively.

Now, the story is not over. As you know the best part of Joseph's story is one of forgiveness. But I'll let you go read that on your own :)

I've also been reading through Acts in a Monday night Bible study, and on Tuesday I read ahead with a friend. It's the best! Right now we're only in the early parts, which are my favorite: the early church, Stephen, Saul. Ok, Saul wasn't the best example, but he makes for a great story. Peter and Stephen are great examples.

The thing both of these stories seem to have in common which I find applicable right now are suffering. It's amazing yet not surprising that God knew how His word would stand time and be applicable always. Yes, even the Old Testament, first book.  Reading about Joseph's journey I think about the people who are enduring hardships and how God does not forsake us.  I realize that Joseph was betrayed by his family, not for religious reasons, and that it worked out really well for him, but isn't that what God's word promises us (Romans 8:28)? Even if it ends up like the case of Stephen (Acts 7:54-8:3) there is good when God's glory is spread like wildfire!

I look to the east and I am praying for Saul's. For their hearts to soon see the glory of God. The enemy has no idea what is right around the corner from this tragedy. But I also pray for the Joseph's. For those that have been wrongfully captured for far too long. But we know they are not being held a day longer than the Lord's will, because just at the right moment, they will see their time come, for His purpose.

Tunesday Tuesday.

Well, this is a very special Tuesday, because I just bought tickets for my October vacation to.......

Rio de Janeiro! We're I'll be staying on the Copacabana beach and probably be singing about yellow feathers for months to come :) Now to start the visa process for Brazil....

City Sidewalks.

Today I was meeting a friend for lunch and as you can imagine, I was following American time, but following Argentine time, she was 45 minutes later. As I stood on a street corner waiting for her, I got to see a lot. Think a lot. Standing on this busy street corner, I got to thinking about how many people were passing by me on this beautiful spring-like winter day. So, I started counting how many people crossed the crosswalk at every light change. I usually got anywhere from 50-75 people in 1 minute crossing the street.  I didn't really keep track of the light changes, but if you can imagine in 45 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if 750-1000 people passed by me this afternoon. And while I was watching, the biggest statistic for general Buenos Aires came to my mind: 1 out of 95 might be a believer. There on the street corner I stood, my heart breaking for the masses of people...wanting to know where to even begin.

God has been so good to me lately serving me opportunities for spiritual conversations, and He's using it to open my eyes to the broken reality that this city is. The broken world that we live in. It's one thing to read survey's done about what people think about God, but then to have those conversations yourself and hear people say:

 "All religions are just love. All those prophets, Jesus, Muhammad, they were just enlightened ones..." 

- or how about -

"Yea, I pray to God, to Jesus, but I am my own church. I don't need to go to one. I don't think there is anything after this life, so I feel good about what I have."

... Hearing that is crushing. But, it's encouraging that a) they're open to talking about things of God, and b) God is using them in my life to encourage me to do more. Keep talking. Because "this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

Tunesday Tuesday.

In honor the The Civil Wars officially calling quits, I dedicate today's song to one of my favorites, I've Got This Friend.

 So here's to all you loveless romantics waiting for the right one to come along.

In the Kitchen Again...

I'm always looking for new dinner ideas overseas, and the other day, I feel like I hit the jackpot! Our oven was not working and it was going to be a few days before someone could come fix it. Of course in that moment, the only things I could think to make involved the oven, when in reality, we don't use it that much.

Today, I'm posting three recipes: a creamy pasta, chocolate chip cookie bars, and pico de gallo.

So, oven is out and you don't want plain pasta again, enter Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini! This recipe was ready in just 30 minutes, and it was so delicious...and really rich. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 bag regular sized Barilla three cheese tortellini (8 oz) or 16 oz fresh tortellini in the refrigerated section of your grocery store (fresh 4 cheese = amazing)
• 2 teaspoon minced garlic (I just cut up garlic cloves because I have yet to find a jar of this)
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon onion flakes
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

First go ahead and cook your tortellini and set it off to the side. Meanwhile chop your spinach up. Then heat a large skillet using medium heat and put the two teaspoons of minced garlic into it (or your fresh garlic with a tiny bit of oil). Sautee it until fragrant, just briefly. Then add into the skillet the petite diced tomatoes (undrained), spinach, salt, pepper, dried basil, and onion flakes. Cook and stir over medium high heat until the mixture begins to bubble.

In another bowl, combine the flour and half-and-half. Whisk until fairly smooth.  Add this mixture into the the skillet along with the parmesan cheese. Heat through and reduce the heat to medium low and continue to stir and cook until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Mix in the drained tortellini gently and you're done! Seriously, a delicious meal!!

 Second thing I want to share with you: an incredibly easy recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. I'm sure I'll make them again because they were no mess and few ingredients. Tasted like home :) So, you'll need:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour sifted
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

First melt your butter. Let it cool for a minute, then add your brown sugar, egg, and vanilla.  Mix them all well. Then add your other dry ingredients gradually. Hold off on the chocolate chips!!! You don't mix them in. Blend well and pour into a 9x9 greased or floured pan.  Now you can add your chocolate chips, you top the pan off with them and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

And, if you're still with me, I made some Pico de Gallo to go with some tacos for lunch today and my friend loved them! I'm pretty sure it was the cilantro, but just in case, here you have this recipe too:

2 or 3 Roma tomatoes
1 sweet onion
1/2 -1 c. chopped cilantro
1/2 lime, squeezed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
<Feel free to add a jalepeño. I asked for one and since Argentines don't do spice, we don't have them here. I got another red small pepper in its family and I swear to you it was 5x hotter than a jalepeño! Needless to say, I didn't add it.>

Chop up the tomatoes (keeping the juices), then the onion and cilantro. Squeeze the lime over it and add your salt and pepper. Mix together and chill before serving. I also would like to add that I got all of the above produce for just $1.80 today! Just another thing to love about Argentina.

Tunesday Tuesday

It's back! After a while of mission trips and travels, I'm back with good music!

This song was new to me, but a favorite at AMP Summit in the DR and I'm happy to share it with you. My favorite part of the song says:

From my heart to the Heavens,
Jesus be the center
It's all about You,
Yes it's all about You

The DR: a Divine Retreat

I've always seen pictures people posted of the Dominican Republic when they were on their honeymoon and I can now confirm, it is just as beautiful in person as the pictures make it look. The water so blue, picturesque palm trees everywhere, and those sunsets... wow!!

But greater than the scenery was the content of my trip: a spiritual renewal which I needed more than I realized after only three months on the field. When I first learned in January that I would be coming to the DR for this retreat, I was a little sad that it was happening 3 months into my time here in BA, but I have to say, I was ready for a break from the city! To see old friends, meet new ones, and worship in our heart language was such a blessing. Not to mention our guest speaker for the week was David Platt, and if you've ever heard him speak, you know that man is anointed! I loved everything he had to say.

Rather than bore you with all my sermon notes (ha! as if David Platt would ever be boring), I will just share one thing that he started with one morning that was overwhelming in the best of ways. He had us write down what we thought God would say to us if we were sitting with him in a room all alone, head-to-head, toe-to-toe. We had 5 minutes to think about it and write it down... When time was up and Platt told us what he thinks God would look at us and say:

"I love you so much."

That simple.

Something about those 5 words and nothing else was just a weight lifting off my chest. Here I was writing down things that I had failed at, what I had done wrong....essentially condemning myself, and all I needed to know was that He loves me.

In Romans 8:1 Paul tells us that "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." What joy! I so wish you could have been in the room with me to hear all of his sermon's last week, they were so good for the soul. But really, he was just delivering truth from God's word, the ultimate good for the soul.

We were so spoiled last week. As I was in the jacuzzi tub on my hotel balcony (yes, that actually happened), I felt like I was eating from the King's table all week long. But the more I thought about it, this is a real life picture of how God wants to treat us. I'm not saying we deserve or should be staying at all inclusive resorts all the time, but God delights in giving us good things! [Luke 11:13] Can I just say it is so good to belong to the King of kings?

I can't finish this without giving recognition to the reason this was all made possible: YOU! Yes, if you're giving to Lottie Moon Offerings then you sent me there.  Also, I should just say that all of the other missionaries from the Americas said in all their years of serving, they've never seen anything like this put together. They had to save for this for 2 or 3 years to pull this off, so it's not like we're going to have this again next year. It was a big deal to all of us. So again, thank you.

Now for the fun part, pictures!

flying out from Buenos Aires, the city is overwhelming

mi familia on the beach :: all the Argentine M's got together one afternoon

I'm really going to miss quiet times like this

beautiful mosaic art

me and David Platt, nbd

full size rainbow that ended in the ocean :: Great is Thy faithfulness

hammocking on the beach?? Yes please!

sunsets were unreal here

resort at night

blessed to meet so many career ladies and hear their stories

seriously, so blue

local market

AMP FPO 1.14 :: the best Americas family ever

Late to the Party: THANK YOU!!

A few weeks ago, maybe even a month now, was the Southern Baptist Convention. There, they revealed that the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering was the highest ever recorded - $154 million. If we want to talk nickles and dimes, okay, pennies, it was $154,057,852.36. My mind is blown.  We passed last year's by 3.2%.  While that doesn't sound like a lot... when you're talking about hundreds of millions, that's 4 million dollars!! That's a lot of ministry needs and personnel you're supporting!! It's moments like this that give me hope in the American church that maybe they still care about missions and the work that is yet to be done.

I am humbled by the generous giving of people so that I can be where I am and do what I do.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It's all for His glory.

If you'd like to read the full article I got these numbers from (and the below picture), please click here.

This picture was taken here in Buenos Aires on a subway of my supervisor sharing with a national. In a city of 14 million, we can't afford not to take every moment captive.

2 Worlds, 1 City.

For the faithful few that read this, I'm back! Sorry that it's been so long. Amongst all the sickness in June, I just didn't have it in me to write. I wanted to, but I just didn't know what to write about. I want everything I put on here to be authentic, never a front. So, I just didn't write. Last night I got out a my latest newsletter and in it I said I would talk more about what I've been doing with teams these last few weeks. I'm also going to use more pictures in here, so yay!

May 30-June 16 we had two girls from Brainerd church in TN come to work with Once here in BA that does a lot of work in Recoleta. These girls worked in the comedor soup kitchen daily, but also got to see a lot of Recoleta 4 times a week, at least. We had a lot of fun being invited into peoples' homes, being tourists on the bus tour. We even got to dress all fancy and go to a dinner & show in a downtown tango theater FOR FREE compliments of a famous singer that goes to Once. It was amazing. Also, we got to watch the opening Argentine world cup game in an open park with some Argentine friends!! I think these girls were really blessed by their time here.  I know I was.

I promise we were happy! Just trying out the STURGEON face :{

Mi querido Caminito

Before Amelita Baltar!

Outside of the theater, Tango Porteño

Watching the game, at half time, with the screen behind us.

Buenos Aires <3

I had about a week off before a second group to join us, this one from Clarksville, TN. 10 youth joined us in serving in Villa Lugano. This part of the city is known to not be as nice...They have the lowest average monthly salary in Capital Federal. A 180 from that of Recoleta, the highest in Capital. Only 15.7% of the population over 25 years old has completed 14 years of school in Villa Lugano and the surrounding barrios making up Comuna 8.

But.

Villa Lugano has something more than other comunas. Jesus. 21% of people in this comuna reported to be evangelical. Only 3.9% of the people in Recoleta reported to be evangelical. The people we served among this week may be poor in material things, but my are they rich in spirit and faith! It reminded me again of why I am here. For the people in Recoleta who still don't know of their need for a Savior, that their high rise with a view can't save them. And for the sweet fellowship, encouragement and prayer that I had with my brothers and sisters in Christ in their homes and shops. We serve Lord over all. He is sovereign over all.

I think the students really enjoyed being here this week, working with the youth of the church Parque Indoamericano. Again, we were blessed more than a blessing to them. The great thing about this church is that it is a mix of other countries, i.e., Peruvians, Chileans, Bolivians. So there was a lot of folk dancing and food eaten this week! You'll notice in the pictures the villas we were inside (at night, on a rooftop) and in a community house were we did a Bible study one night with kids.

Looking over Villa 20, one of the more dangerous villas in the city.

At their despedida, some of the Hilldale youth dancing!

The Pre-K class was learning about the World Cup in school and then watched it live!

Some of the girls from the church doing an Argentine dance for us.

Trip wouldn't be complete without some ARG v USA fútbol ;)

The thing I LOVE about my job is that I get to do this mission trip with the group, but at the end of the week, when they go home, I'm still here! I don't have to board the plane. I can go back anytime I want!! How exciting it is to be in this city day after day. God has given me a passion for this city as of late, and every time I leave the house I am excited just to walk the city streets. To HEAR the car horns blasting to the chant of the Argentine Mundial fever. To SMELL fresh bread baking. To SEE sunshine or rain in the midst of the highrises. To TOUCH the button on the collectivo when I know I've arrived at my destination. To TASTE the fresh milanesa that someone has prepared for me or I'm going to learn to make tomorrow. I hope no matter where you are in the world, you are passionate about the people around you, because they have an eternal destiny just like you do.