Fall is in the Air

Just a few weeks ago I witnessed one of the tell tale signs that Summer is on its way out and Fall is on the way.   The first snowfall on Pikes Peak is always a beautiful sight.   I haven't seen it in many years but I always remember it as being a beautiful sight to behold. 

Then just a few days later I was driving by a beautiful park early in the morning and saw the beauty of God's creation displayed in a array of yellows, oranges, blues, purples and reds.

This morning when I got up the thermometer ready 36 degrees F.     Chilly!!!!  Now the leaves are turning and falling to the ground as the trees prepare for Winter.

Isn't it amazing to think about the ways in which God prepares us for different seasons of our lives just as he does the trees.

10 Things that let you know your NOT in Nicaragua

Ok so I've been back in the States for three weeks now and here are just a few of my observations so far. :-)  Enjoy!

10 Things that let you know you are NOT in Nicaragua

1. You're in a public place and someone sneezes and you automatically say, "salud"  which is followed by strange looks from those around you.
2. Upon entering the bank there are no armed guards with AK47's to greet you with a smile and check your purse for contraband.
3. It is NOT ok for you to honk your horn unless absolutely necessary.  (only a few slips so far)
4. You do not eat dinner until 8pm because it is still light outside.   Weird
5. There have been no beans and rice served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Oh my gallopinto (rice and beans dish) how I miss you.
6. Everywhere you go there are people on bikes with HELMETS.
7. You mistake the barking dog down in the valley for a howler monkey.
8. As you pull up to the gas pump there is not a friendly attendant greeting you and asking how much gas you want to put in your car. 
9. Pedestrians DO have the right of way.
10. You turn on the water faucet and no water comes out.  Oh wait that is like Nicaragua.  The water well at my parents house ran dry.   What a nice taste of home!

We each take a different path each day as we go to work, home, church etc.   What things do you come across as you walk down those paths?   Do you find yourself in a great conversation with a perfect stranger or lending a helping hand to a friend or family member?   As I have walked many different paths these past few months I have been thinking about the uniqueness of each one and the special glimpses of God's sovereignty that I have seen along the path.

This Summer I have had the privilege of working with many different people from all walks of life. While working with teams I have the unique opportunity to meet and get to know lots of people as I translate and work side by side with them. Each one of these people has come down a different path in life and has come to know the Lord in different ways. As our paths cross with others there are so many neat opportunities to hear and learn from each other.

Here are some of the paths that I've crossed recently.

I had a quick week break in the middle of the Summer and was able to go down to visit my dear friends the Fuentes. They were my former directors with Christ for the City here in Nicaragua. Last year they moved back to Costa Rica for furlough in preparation for heading out to another part of the world. It was a joyous time of late nights and lots of delicious coffee. We went up to the family farm in Turrialba. What an amazing time it was to spend the afternoon with Alcides' mom and hear her heart for her family but also for her community. The house was a flurry of activity as the afternoon passed on. The sound of loud cheers and a soccer announcer brought everyone to Grandma's house to watch the game. I smiled to myself as I looked on and saw aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends gathered around a very small television watching and sharing opinions, laughter and of course coffee over a soccer game. This is what family time should be like every day. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the family for a day. What sweet memories fill my heart.

The labrynth is an amazing place at the Vida Joven (Young Life) camp. It is essentially a maze that is made out of pine bushes. It runs in a circle and weaves you in and out eventually leading you to the center where there is a wooden cross.  The walk through the maze could be seen as a conversation with the Lord. Beginning with a time of confession and emptying of oneself and then as you progress through the Labrynth you were making room in your heart, life and mind for God to come in and fill you up. Essentially an emptying of oneself in order to be filled up again with God's presence. The imagery that is portrayed through this physical act of walking through the Labrynth and ending up at the foot of the cross is powerful.

The work crews that I was on this Summer were great for conversation and getting to know you time as we passed 50lb buckets of rock to cover a trail in the mountains of Matagalpa. As we passed each bucket of rock we laughed as we shared stories of our camp experiences and shared our hopes for the future campers that will walk this mountain trail.

This is the finished trail!! Whew that was a lot of work. :-)

Many of my friends are married and are now moving in the stage of having friends.    My dear friends Luke and Ellen just had their first baby in July.   God was so gracious in allowing me to be in Managua when he was born so I could see them and rejoice in their new little bundle of joy.  David Luke Rosenberger.   He is a cutie!!

Now this is the path to my parents home in Colorado. Yeah! I've made it. I'm looking forward to many great conversations, hugs and fun times shared during these next few months.