tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378302662024-03-07T17:53:51.634-06:00Unconventional WisdomJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-18511848362537050102012-11-18T15:12:00.001-06:002012-11-18T15:12:59.492-06:00Lessons in practical livingJeep's replacement. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1BVbVma-HIIYHtUNSRMy_9g-F6Q0yJBW4P6usVfeR5TPOitMwK-r_f_fOCnm2rDPuwWxtIwUd_WWuxAUOx2Nv6nt89GYGKbgTvmwj0gP5doPhVIZCWba0gSGltCcL1iVN7YT/s640/blogger-image--878577922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1BVbVma-HIIYHtUNSRMy_9g-F6Q0yJBW4P6usVfeR5TPOitMwK-r_f_fOCnm2rDPuwWxtIwUd_WWuxAUOx2Nv6nt89GYGKbgTvmwj0gP5doPhVIZCWba0gSGltCcL1iVN7YT/s640/blogger-image--878577922.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-89695130851565765712012-11-17T17:03:00.001-06:002012-11-17T17:04:13.876-06:00Lessons in practical livingWe sold the Jeep today. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlvL948MsT3gsPUMVvykb3wMv7Gr-Fcico8azzf4c_PzDCULjyBr5AO0HtOeLj7fo7T28ZGNKrFAnXNyVw7UXxqvNaTcmgQbb33jGj9CH5cgSTh1keyUlliv_V2mqg9pXMzQB/s640/blogger-image-1985567976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlvL948MsT3gsPUMVvykb3wMv7Gr-Fcico8azzf4c_PzDCULjyBr5AO0HtOeLj7fo7T28ZGNKrFAnXNyVw7UXxqvNaTcmgQbb33jGj9CH5cgSTh1keyUlliv_V2mqg9pXMzQB/s640/blogger-image-1985567976.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-7388216830363145892012-09-03T11:07:00.001-05:002012-09-03T11:07:48.499-05:00Project #11A work in progress. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby3MB3zqZcVA5-2jJWs5TO96b2k_HmOIiFsMeAmSw_sckL_7LcugOTTpxZ02v5Mise589jPTvIwiVdZMzRsxCxjhNrUQmBgq23euBErzwEJ-FgkKGocDCQvyQIvnB0X_CKkJm/s640/blogger-image-1990007547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby3MB3zqZcVA5-2jJWs5TO96b2k_HmOIiFsMeAmSw_sckL_7LcugOTTpxZ02v5Mise589jPTvIwiVdZMzRsxCxjhNrUQmBgq23euBErzwEJ-FgkKGocDCQvyQIvnB0X_CKkJm/s640/blogger-image-1990007547.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-86350006742954304102012-09-03T11:06:00.001-05:002012-09-03T11:06:15.778-05:00Project 106+ years old and still running with only a few glitches. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQczHsWj7p194RvVbf4h5YUoOTMKwOMLz3DLxIovIGiNwQEPzyAtt9cI2BCq7Df3N6dmcz76wpHpUVH8eNbtRFO1oTN18aT6LZs083yXOQPrMtVOM3CgWYazhynKNys7_jSgj/s640/blogger-image--712774573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQczHsWj7p194RvVbf4h5YUoOTMKwOMLz3DLxIovIGiNwQEPzyAtt9cI2BCq7Df3N6dmcz76wpHpUVH8eNbtRFO1oTN18aT6LZs083yXOQPrMtVOM3CgWYazhynKNys7_jSgj/s640/blogger-image--712774573.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-36382982700583453622012-09-03T11:02:00.001-05:002012-09-03T11:03:56.674-05:00Project 8Making peanut butter. Yum. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BTHVce0zVMygaQfQk4MPNLK6xCwgUSeyken_XZU6rS88RobJ9tt-ZyHtEADmSqwUhWAbY1PWg1i_2aH46Rb10e-1pjtygnxXS8huWlYQmBd-7BQwpZ0do6nof6ooNU4sBxyZ/s640/blogger-image--1003335151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BTHVce0zVMygaQfQk4MPNLK6xCwgUSeyken_XZU6rS88RobJ9tt-ZyHtEADmSqwUhWAbY1PWg1i_2aH46Rb10e-1pjtygnxXS8huWlYQmBd-7BQwpZ0do6nof6ooNU4sBxyZ/s640/blogger-image--1003335151.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-27267438738657925952012-08-01T16:36:00.001-05:002012-08-01T16:36:55.553-05:00Project #9Azle Central Park<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG6qZQbJG8bFBteVBbTN30_-qEJ1OSHCZhRevRENxmBea2dp-at0MhPFyjoqlDbBbIRP7mXyH2AKnegCYFBFcKZqI7dE5YaKHvrOFR-YOZjnMyT0EwiVW996UGDoLPw8Dtn8a/s640/blogger-image-398522035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG6qZQbJG8bFBteVBbTN30_-qEJ1OSHCZhRevRENxmBea2dp-at0MhPFyjoqlDbBbIRP7mXyH2AKnegCYFBFcKZqI7dE5YaKHvrOFR-YOZjnMyT0EwiVW996UGDoLPw8Dtn8a/s640/blogger-image-398522035.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-89105137460069168722012-08-01T16:30:00.001-05:002012-08-01T16:30:20.838-05:00Project #7<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7JHtCFc11o6xn2KRc95sUpNWxG6zVS6RtrLbs4yhxSNTHKkhVr3pW1IGqFrMUBcRtI5qJ9oyWAcY2CcN4mU_j_yXG5wCVy9PuezKDtAeKspDxPap2ZVYLCA579hoiHzdv2DR/s640/blogger-image--1929339877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7JHtCFc11o6xn2KRc95sUpNWxG6zVS6RtrLbs4yhxSNTHKkhVr3pW1IGqFrMUBcRtI5qJ9oyWAcY2CcN4mU_j_yXG5wCVy9PuezKDtAeKspDxPap2ZVYLCA579hoiHzdv2DR/s640/blogger-image--1929339877.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-489248802326182272012-07-13T11:02:00.001-05:002012-07-13T11:02:12.770-05:00Project #6Training...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs2rCjFTl7xEhHW8TOqLdNay-7i0bHVrTGvyk26pd0F2gl5EE3ZsTi3pyMaCpglf-XOhFYK7Coc5cWog2s_8d2JlUxWLsnSfUga06A8zZrMnyCDUPuyfhrTEIPrLnjrfyYuE2/s640/blogger-image--1201021257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs2rCjFTl7xEhHW8TOqLdNay-7i0bHVrTGvyk26pd0F2gl5EE3ZsTi3pyMaCpglf-XOhFYK7Coc5cWog2s_8d2JlUxWLsnSfUga06A8zZrMnyCDUPuyfhrTEIPrLnjrfyYuE2/s640/blogger-image--1201021257.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-17023746412581658592012-07-11T16:49:00.001-05:002012-07-11T16:51:16.134-05:00Project #5<a href="http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3133168708.html">http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3133168708.html</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-87851189283264824652012-07-11T16:48:00.001-05:002012-07-11T16:51:06.676-05:00Project #4<a href="http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3133174499.html">http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3133174499.html</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-10360460501811383892012-07-01T18:47:00.001-05:002012-07-01T18:47:26.750-05:00Project #3Deuce got neutered. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lbZY_7gq3NmSs66QZdTfYgEL8X9EKZv0QUy7BL6UrdV7t7KYXrjP_Hra0ZAQ35zuSfCSlbodBgZUD46jFlRzNX7CppUB7HaKyZJXPCbZmeDSodVxdZP10AIaCXkf1vZUaIpb/s640/blogger-image-1823085709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lbZY_7gq3NmSs66QZdTfYgEL8X9EKZv0QUy7BL6UrdV7t7KYXrjP_Hra0ZAQ35zuSfCSlbodBgZUD46jFlRzNX7CppUB7HaKyZJXPCbZmeDSodVxdZP10AIaCXkf1vZUaIpb/s640/blogger-image-1823085709.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-7248189840518275572012-06-26T09:17:00.001-05:002012-06-26T09:19:12.545-05:00Project #2Transport several boxes to these...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdRLEndZsjiPC-hpYiiida4cLaKixVbPeGAS8iknPzxvrPsiJi2-riXyuLtEehJHoGE1CriOZ0jL9OvZGvALzNraXZUM8VU0yDBv7uUQOJcyRlIFzu_YmA2d2VWdJ7X3JLqcP/s640/blogger-image--1438286588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdRLEndZsjiPC-hpYiiida4cLaKixVbPeGAS8iknPzxvrPsiJi2-riXyuLtEehJHoGE1CriOZ0jL9OvZGvALzNraXZUM8VU0yDBv7uUQOJcyRlIFzu_YmA2d2VWdJ7X3JLqcP/s640/blogger-image--1438286588.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-85135733661289381332012-06-14T17:47:00.001-05:002012-06-14T17:47:18.719-05:00Project #1Purchase two of these....<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7N789t-CzT6rfqK46GlX4l2QtsF5rkyKeWrWkqtNtYv47r89dgwH-sm3ytUJA8Q0u0N0DlmhZORafmGEx4HtoSwIo1w1WovOYpfbMYnGaL-l3yjps8TVGUdfyOfygS_Sot-o/s640/blogger-image-31675742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7N789t-CzT6rfqK46GlX4l2QtsF5rkyKeWrWkqtNtYv47r89dgwH-sm3ytUJA8Q0u0N0DlmhZORafmGEx4HtoSwIo1w1WovOYpfbMYnGaL-l3yjps8TVGUdfyOfygS_Sot-o/s640/blogger-image-31675742.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-35513626307398607642012-06-11T17:17:00.001-05:002012-06-11T17:17:27.345-05:00Seasons are Changing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWWp7xOnsOChkEDwI5xMgMgwji8TFZ8ASwcqB1JKTS0oXFKBJXF-Xn6aZmla2Uqg3o9aUKdnGigMnFJX6LqQ5CHDF0YNrCwV_laDxNbWZ7cP3zBPAymxJfcxRVbYaucMMQGUu/s1600/BirdWord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWWp7xOnsOChkEDwI5xMgMgwji8TFZ8ASwcqB1JKTS0oXFKBJXF-Xn6aZmla2Uqg3o9aUKdnGigMnFJX6LqQ5CHDF0YNrCwV_laDxNbWZ7cP3zBPAymxJfcxRVbYaucMMQGUu/s320/BirdWord.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have great intentions to begin regularly updating my blog again so please consider checking back from time to time (weekly?). I will be beginning a game of sorts where I put pictures or brief summaries of what I am doing and your job is to guess what the big picture is, what's really going on. The game will probably last several months before I reveal my big secret. And probably at that time I'll create a new word cloud to further emphasize the change that is taking place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy the journey. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Jen</span></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-59525075558010433822012-05-30T12:52:00.003-05:002012-05-30T12:52:42.495-05:00Blue Mesa Grill Best Queso Blanco in the business!!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">¼ diced yellow onion</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">¼ cup poblano peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded and diced</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">2 TB. minced serrano pepper</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">½ tsp. cumin<br />½ tsp. granulated garlic<br />1 cup whole milk<br />1 cup heavy whipping cream<br />1 lb. white American cheese*, cut in small cubes<br /><br />Place all ingredients except the cheese in a small sauce pan. Heat over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes. Add cheese and cook on low heat until cheese has completely melted. Stir often. Remove from heat and serve immediately.<br /><br />*Note: You can find white American cheese in any Tom Thumb deli (either Land O’ Lakes or their store brand, Primo Taglia). Or, you can substitute Velveeta, although this will give it a different taste from the queso we serve at the restaurant.</span>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6Nz9j9Gg0aaNIeJ9DA4PlC42OV90a7WVhgD1g6tBtxhkEFNXbLv6SNQuQv3QhONlTQtEM_RpyTYDVzdzzZPHqccKnZ8sAOAST4SsCPi7Odd5xpFLhy13Y5v7NxWOb58K0oo8uA/s400/queso3.jpg" width="400" />
</span></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-52893063971605945692012-04-13T13:40:00.005-05:002012-04-13T13:58:13.009-05:00Remembering Rio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UIP3I96kCpiSENkczONAJHdmQhrphoa6NN0tKLRTafUtkNN6VjUW1a3AzYm77KPLtCJ41bEMk5on9inpL8adzFgqqOe6ztqJj8FvEeBryYMy7YsSlQr9NLt8l_nTG7vdTZL6/s1600/carivao.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UIP3I96kCpiSENkczONAJHdmQhrphoa6NN0tKLRTafUtkNN6VjUW1a3AzYm77KPLtCJ41bEMk5on9inpL8adzFgqqOe6ztqJj8FvEeBryYMy7YsSlQr9NLt8l_nTG7vdTZL6/s320/carivao.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730959368463962642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU5JbjmJP1xL8KG8odsr_BpnTGF6LoG2CBG9QPw3CbAtdZ_lbs_sDEFVUp-gDIxNUu4mS29BW0cHMuPuHAV_H_zCHa7rk4Qg4EdqOCe5nDU-T7wKgSpItnnfzGWIdKx7MlHhf/s1600/alemao.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU5JbjmJP1xL8KG8odsr_BpnTGF6LoG2CBG9QPw3CbAtdZ_lbs_sDEFVUp-gDIxNUu4mS29BW0cHMuPuHAV_H_zCHa7rk4Qg4EdqOCe5nDU-T7wKgSpItnnfzGWIdKx7MlHhf/s320/alemao.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730959361973796914" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">I've been spending a lot of time recently thinking about Rio. Mostly about the people there that I love but also about the condition of the favelas. I signed up for weekly google alerts on Rio's favelas and have been learning that there has been a resurgence of violence similar to what occurred in November 2010 (</span><a href="http://www.economist.com/node/17627963" style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">read about it here</a><span style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">), while I was there. I would like to share a few of these articles that have piqued my interest. Perhaps they too will allow you to open your heart and mind to the Carioca (People of Rio de Janeiro). </span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">And as always, thanks for stopping by!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Jen </span><br /><br /><a href="http://flat5.net/2012/04/favela/" style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Reflection on Favelas</a><br /><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 39px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span ><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/04/05/f-vp-watson-rio-maracana.html" style="font-weight: normal;">Modernizing Brazil bulldozes its slums and soccer's shrine</a></span></h1><h2 class="itemTitle" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); word-spacing: 1px; font-weight: normal; width: 610px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span ><a href="http://insightcrime.org/insight-latest-news/item/2450-violence-in-pacified-rio-favela-as-police-shake-up-criminal-equilibrium">Violence in 'Pacified' Rio Favela as Police Shake Up Criminal Equilibrium</a></span></h2><h1 class="entry_title" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-weight: normal; font-family: georgia, verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 26px; letter-spacing: -1px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span ><a href="http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/military-forces-remain-in-complexo-do-alemao/#">Military Remains in Complexo do Alemão</a></span></h1>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-39230682617818441142012-01-04T09:35:00.002-06:002012-01-04T09:38:17.516-06:00The Cat’s out of the Bag, Word on the Street is I said YES!…actually it was more like “(sniffle, sniffle) of course, yes, of course, I’ll marry you.” Those may have been my exact words. I will try in this space to accurately recall the events of the proposal date beginning with a short set up. <br /><br />Thursday, December 29th we set off from Fort Worth bound for Amarillo to begin a long weekend of touring West Texas with the intention of introducing David to my grandmothers and privileged aunts. David had been acting strange over his Christmas break which was partly excusable by acquiring a dog and all the energies that go into training an adult dog to adapt to a new home AND keeping his mind off teaching as much as possible except for the two big boxes of “stuff” that he brought home to work on over the break, which as far as I know he hardly touched. Now I must also say that I was aware that he was trying to come up with a memorable way to pop the question to me and I was involved with his picking of the ring, a very involved process because he had something customized after we looked at lots of rings together online and talked with some jewelry experts in Denton at the beginning of his holiday break. Knowing all of this I still honestly thought he wasn’t going to get the ring in time to ask me over the break and he seemed reluctant to the offer to get me a ring-pop for every day until the real ring arrived. <br /><br />We had an enjoyable visit with the Amarillo family and even got to camp out at Palo Duro Canyon, it was a little cold but I was prepared for that. David had cold feet! Friday evening we made it to Lubbock. I have since learned that shortly after our arriving at my parents’ house David received the package containing the ring. I learned later that he stuffed the packaging in his boot and carried the ring box in his pocket during our dinner with parents and brother. He behaved very unusual during this time trying to conceal the strange shape in his pocket. I was completely unaware. We parted ways that evening with David saying he wasn’t going to go with me to Midland the next day because he had so much school work to prepare for. I was really frustrated with him because I really wanted to introduce him to the family. So I pushed him out the door and said good night. He called as I was falling asleep, several hours later after I had sent a text saying “call at your own risk” simply saying that he would be there in the morning. Yea!!!!!<br /><br />We had a good visit to Midland with both my dad and David, nothing too out of the ordinary occurred while we were down there. David rode in the back seat both there and back working on school stuff to my delight. My dad pressed the point that he had wanted to head out by 2:30, I think is what he said. I found it a bit unusual for him to plan and execute such an early and short visit to Midland to see his mom and sister, usually I think we would stay and visit until it seemed convenient to leave rather than rush our time together. Oh well. I picked up on that clue and thought it might be linked to some plan David had concocted. <br /><br />When we got back to Lubbock, we reorganized a bit and David and I went to J & B Coffee House on 19th Street (formerly Daybreak) where both he and his sister had worked after our college days but also the place where David first started taking me to when we were just getting to know each other under the pretense of studying together. The whole time we were there was really strange. David introduced me to the two baristas who were working and seemed to be expecting us. They didn’t charge us for our drinks, which I was able to excuse that away since we don’t get to visit the shop very often. Then David kept walking around the shop and talking with the baristas while I just sat at the front of the store waiting for my Texas Gold tea to cool down enough to drink. I remembered to call a friend who was coming down from Boulder, CO that I wanted to see while we were both in town at the same time. So she came over for about 15 minutes which really seemed to through David off. This was when it all started to fall into place in my mind. So I let my friend know that I suspected something was up and that we should keep our visit brief. <br /><br />While at the coffee shop one of the baristas said he thought some of the art in the shop was from a friend of ours. He indicated that it was in the back so we went back there and found a painting called “Birds of a Feather.” This seemed like something David had likely had commissioned by this friend of ours and I said it was really cute and that I like it a lot. So he talked with the baristas and brought the painting to me and said it was for my house. Yea! I like sentimental gifts. Then we started reading the “Happy Thoughts Book” that patrons put notes into, it’s a fun concept. The last note I recognized as David’s paper, I wanted to grab it right away and read it but I played along and sat patiently waiting for him to get to it. It was folded like a card with the message on the front saying, “Do you want to take a walk down memory lane?” There was a box to check “yes” or “no” and a drawing underneath that looked like a street sign. One of the signs said Memory Lane the other was Ave Q. Then I knew our next destination would be Ave Q and 21st street, a place where we would often visit, sometimes just the two of us and sometimes with other friends, taking with us muffins and coffee and warm accepting smiles. This was a favorite was for both of us to express our religious convictions, to love God by loving those who are not shown enough love. <br /><br />When we got there a slight glitch occurred. Right behind us two police cars rolled in pulling over another vehicle and blocking us in. We did our best to ignore the arrest that was taking place and go on about our business. We walked around to the sidewalk where we so often stood and I found a birdhouse up beside one of the buildings. Inside of the birdhouse was a note, a very strange note that I could not make heads or tails of. It said something about doing something three times that would evoke a curse we would want to have put on us. We walked around and talked about it waiting for the police to move their cruisers then drove off for the Lubbock Christian University Campus. <br /><br />Apparently the saying went, “swing three times and a ring by spring.” I remember the part “…and a ring by spring” but I thought it was preceded by something else. Oh well. Maybe some of my other LCU friends can help jog my memory. So we sent to swing on some of the benches on campus. When we got to the third one there was a note taped under it saying something about a place where we ran but never got far enough. There was also a statue with a tree and a couple birds sitting in it. The place the note was referring to was Higginbotham Park, where David trained for his first marathon and I have also spent countless hours both with him and on my own running. Back in our poor college days before Garmin GPS or other devices he assumed the trail was a mile and therefore didn’t train far enough for his race and it really cost him. <br /><br />We walked around the park then went to the pavilion with a heart statue in the middle. It had a couple birds in the heart that I had never noticed before. I had a hard time finding the gift that was left at that place but eventually I did. It was a bird cage with a candle in the middle. The bird was sitting on top of the cage instead of inside. He said this was to be our centerpiece for dinner and we would be going to a place where I had previously taken him on a date to, Olive Garden. Yum.<br /><br />We got a lot of attention by bringing in our own centerpiece which was fun. Some people asked if we were on our anniversary and that sort of thing. It was very romantic and the service was exceptional. I highly recommend bringing something to restaurants with you on special occasions to make sure your dinner is regarded as special by the servers, works like a charm. After dinner I asked “where to next?” David said he was thinking about going up to Lake Ransom Canyon but didn’t exactly remember how to get there. So I gave him directions and off we went. <br /><br />He parked along the path to the chapel and took with him my head light, a light he was carrying, and the painting. He gave me the headlight and I remember noticing that he light was blue, I thought that was fun. We walked along the path to the chapel and sat by the bird fountain near the St. Francis statue on a park bench. He had me look for the signature on the picture since I hadn’t seen one when we took it from the coffee shop. With my headlight I began to see some words in the top part. I had a pretty good idea about what I was supposed to be seeing. So I started to say it out loud, “will you…does this say” then he cut me off, handed me his black light flash light, got down on his knee and said it with me, “Will you marry me?” <br /><br />Yup, and like I said at the beginning, through intermittent happy tears I was able to blabber an affirmative. Yea! He hugged me, I cried on the picture. Glad it was well framed with glass so I wasn’t going to smear it. And as we walked back to the car he explained everything. About how he was having the ring sent to my dad, how he had gotten it and had to conceal it from me. He explained why he wasn’t going to go to Midland so he could set everything up but that our wonderful friend, Bonnie (the artist), place the items around town so that he could. The painting was made entirely by David with disappearing ink for the writing that he happened to find while we were in Denton checking out rings. He told me about when and where he had to go during his holiday break to make sure everything was ready and flawless. He also admitted to having some backup ideas that he would keep secret and maybe I will get to experience versions of those at another time. <br /><br />So that’s my story. We went back to my parents’ place and made our announcement to them before going to Fox and Hound for a game of Shuffle Board. Then we sat together making calls and texts to lots of people. We finished up our calls in time to rejoin the party for a celebratory midnight champagne toast, because this was after all New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year! I think 2012 will be a good one for us. No word yet on when the wedding will be. I expect it will be very small. Details will be announced as they are determined on a need to know basis. Thanks for reading friends! Check back for pictures of the gifts, the card, and close ups of the ring.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-27348517554454491272011-01-18T08:38:00.003-06:002011-01-18T10:25:57.321-06:00Return (Voltar)This morning I'm hungry. I rarely wake up hungry but I also rarely wake up at 7am, that is now... that I'm not working. So I decided to cook rice and beans and veggies, Brazilian style. The beans take forever without a pressure cooker. I am still hungry.<br /><br />I returned from Brazil a month ago Sunday. Life has been chaotic since that day. Since before that day really. I have been in Charleston, SC for 12 days, the longest I've been in one place since Thanksgiving. <br /><br />Life hasn't felt "right" since I've come "home." Now, it's hard to go home when you don't know where home is. I guess I should be calling Charleston home now that I've been here almost two weeks but I'm not really working or engaged in much here yet. I have a couple friends but my journey has been so different from theirs that I feel alone. <br /><br />Living in tight community like what we shared in Rio will do that to a person I feel. There were four Americans and one Brazilian living in a house in favela do Jacarezhinho. Not only was it sharing a lot of personal space but it was also sharing lots of new experiences together. Most of us were new to Brazil or new to Rio, we were new to working with kids and women living on the streets, new to talking Portuguese or English, new to cooking on more primitive appliances and having so many fresh exotic produce around. We shared every waking moment of our lives together for four months and then the umbilical cord was broken and we have split up across the United States. And so I have been mourning. Mourning and hungry. <br /><br />Hungry not just for Brazilian food and culture but for community. For my fellow Americans who I shared so many unfamiliar experiences with and also for my adventurous Brazilian friends who hiked halfway across the megalopolis of Rio with me. These are the people my heart longs for right now. <br /><br />Also, job searching is destroying my self-value. I feel like with every application I submit I'm trying to sell myself and many of the places where I'm applying, I know I can do better. I know I should be seeking meaningful work that serves a disadvantaged demographic but right now I'm tired. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm mourning. So I seek easy work while I mourn, am tired and hungry. <br /><br />Working with Word Made Flesh in Rio (again) reminded me what I was created for. Slaving away with no noticeable gains in Chicago was breaking my spirit and blinding me to God's purposes. No doubt I brightened someone's day, was a good friend to some, and did some "good" but my life was far from my calling. Now in Charleston I'm trying to find my focus, work towards obtaining a more long-term VISA for Brazil and building a support base. But in the meantime, wherever I work, whatever community I find here, I want this life to be glorifying to God as well. I want this chapter of my life to edifying to the whole story, not another step back or a point of stagnation. <br /><br />My heart is still in Rio. My body has returned but my heart is still in Rio and this makes me a hungry, tired, mourning mess. Please pray for my friends who are also recovering from their time in Brazil and also my friends in Brazil who are facing the constant rains. <br /><br />Saudades Brasil!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-57315149786620916152010-12-30T16:57:00.003-06:002011-01-18T10:31:45.969-06:00Cerial Blog edition 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVNvouMSuU4K4GO-sBGPoLZQRHMMSxKJ08T5z6fTrN6MwTqgU9DelnIvhdnBvVcxxJn9SgGZy_wyNS9CHc6gvumXR9hI21JZ3050PP7lHYDQIanqLfaw-w9ANJeod7eUvzuYw/s1600/special-k-blueberry-cereal-detail-prod.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVNvouMSuU4K4GO-sBGPoLZQRHMMSxKJ08T5z6fTrN6MwTqgU9DelnIvhdnBvVcxxJn9SgGZy_wyNS9CHc6gvumXR9hI21JZ3050PP7lHYDQIanqLfaw-w9ANJeod7eUvzuYw/s320/special-k-blueberry-cereal-detail-prod.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563564321464009954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YNj1CMF0AqQwFJr5IeZENTwAolyj-Fe6JAiXXBe-IsvjS9zRH3vWOTv9-i6mQaXpk2aadQWfhSizyCi3X71PuNIStgLvKoJr2IFVu5xfVvrETlrNkimPS8chXRr3DPs_CcXe/s1600/special-k-blueberry-cereal-detail-pack-main.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YNj1CMF0AqQwFJr5IeZENTwAolyj-Fe6JAiXXBe-IsvjS9zRH3vWOTv9-i6mQaXpk2aadQWfhSizyCi3X71PuNIStgLvKoJr2IFVu5xfVvrETlrNkimPS8chXRr3DPs_CcXe/s320/special-k-blueberry-cereal-detail-pack-main.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563564316975673522" /></a><br />Week one in the US of A I ate a box of Total Blueberry cereal. It was great. I ate fresh blueberries with the cereal and kefir instead of milk. I felt healthy and energetic all day. What cereal should I try next? <br />I hope you enjoy my new series on common cereals. Please send me the names of your favorites so I know what to try next.<br /><br />I made a mistake, it wasn't Total, it was Special K. I don't know why I made this mistake but please forgive me, all three of my readers. I haven't picked my second box of cereal yet because I have no income and cereal is expensive.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-65284589196125521742010-10-24T10:47:00.002-05:002010-10-24T11:00:01.331-05:00Things are Heating UpI realize that over the past month I have not been updating as regularly as I had intended to. Part of that is because of busyness (limited freetime to devote to rest, reading, internet and whatever else I may want to do) but also because of costs. If $ were no factor to things I would then I would have uploaded all my photos, emailed many friends personal updates and generally kept closer to you whom I love states-side. As it is, I´ve limited myself to R$5 of internet usage per month. Please understand/respect my decision to live simply. <br /><br />Recently we´ve had a few really hot days. The kind of days where you come out of the shower and instantly begin sweating again. These days are difficult in a world where I only experience air conditioner once a week for a brief time. But still there are some cloudy days and some rainy days so it´s not like day after day of continuous sweating.<br /><br />For instance, this Monday on the streets it was raining heavily. So we ducked under an awening with 8 or so of our friends who call the streets their homes, regardless of the weather. One women (19) and her 1 year old baby boy were there asking if we could help her find a shelter that would take her and her baby. The next day Rich searched but some shelters had closed down and most required money. There are so few shelters that will allow women to stay with their children here. And it seems that the government does not fun sufficiently very many options for this friend of ours. <br /><br />On a brighter note, Friday night at the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen for men of the streets, we had some very exciting conversations. Our Portuguese teacher has done a very good job with us and it´s exciting to be able to understand people´s stories and then to be able to tell people what we are about.<br /><br />Yesterday we hiked Corcavado (the mountain of the christ statue) with four of our closest Brazilian friends. It took us 2.5 hours to climb up but then back down part way to the vans that shuttle people to the top. They were charging R$24 to get up to christ. Last time I came it was free. I thought charging so much was an outrage so 5 of us walked as far as was permitted without a ticket and took pictures of the backside of christ. Then when the group got back together we continued to walk all the way to Alto do Boa Vista. We had to have covered 10-12 miles, some VERY steep. This was an absurdly fantastic adventure.<br /><br />Thanks for reading.<br />Happy Birthday Matt!<br />jenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-91358737180767108052010-10-16T09:45:00.003-05:002010-10-16T10:04:38.910-05:00Meio Passado esta passadaHalf this trip is now over. I feel like we have gotten to the pinnacle of the roller coaster and now we will be flung down in a whirlwind to the end. <br /><br />Tuesday was Children´s Day. I am convinced that this holiday is expressed by blasting music and shooting fireworks until 5am the night leading up to the holiday prohibiting children and parents alike from any sleep. On the holiday taking children to the park for a picnic and lots of cake. Culminating in street parades and singing happy birthday to no one in particular at 10pm. And ending the event with a mix of American dance club music (especially Lady Gaga) and Brazilian Funk until 3am. Of course the day before and the day after the holiday are taken off from work to allow for such involved partying. <br /><br />Needless to say, I haven´t been getting much sleep these past few days. So while composing this message I was relaxing at a used bookstore/cafe enjoying espresso with dolce de lette topped with whipped cream. The espresso was strong and bitter, well paired with the sweet toppings. This was a great way to prepare for working at the sala (Projeto Ester).<br /><br />On Children´s Day we escaped to the beach for the majority of the day. We all got a lot of sun but our Brazilian escort/housemate Diego probably got the most sun burnt despite having used sun screen. We also endured frequent pummeling from the ridiculously strong waves and wind. Truly it was a wonderful day. I look forward to a quieter week ahead. <br /><br />Diego is a really neat guy. We (4 gringos) moved into his space 9 weeks ago and now I think he kinda loves having us around, mostly. He is from North Brazil and has worked with YWAM in Argentina and Paraguay as well as in other parts of Brazil. When he was much younger he was called by God in a dream to minister to children in Mozambique. Now he is 22 and this January, Lord willing, he will be on his way there for a year of service, though he feels called to 5 years. He will be a dad to the orphans while preaching the Good News. I have loved getting to know this brother. Currently Diego is on staff with WMF. It will be really hard for the community here to see him go but is will also be a miracle. Fundraising and acquiring VISA and passport have been very difficult for him even though he has a very close and wonderful church community. <br /><br />Thanks for reading. Please pray for the Brazilian servants of God-their tenacity to follow the callings they have received. Ta ta for now. Thanks for reading and praying.<br />jen<br /><br />``Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say `who is the Lord?´´Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-20043795225276244312010-09-28T16:52:00.002-05:002010-09-28T17:11:42.834-05:00How do I get to last place?This is a quote from Caleb, a young man on my servant team who always seems to have the best quotes come out of his mouth. Jesus taught us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. In this upside-down kingdom I find that I have been born into a disadvantaged position. I have been born into relative wealth and possessions can be dangerous. `Possessions are dangerous because they often encourage unconcern for the poor, because they lead to strife and war, and because they seduce people into forsaking God. Even more, they put people in the never-ending loop of covetousness.`Ron Sider `Rich Christians in an age of Hunger.` I´m still trying to break the bond I have to things and security.<br />Last night we went to Central Rio and hung out with 25 people or so (someone is always coming and going). We took our usual food, games, and bible story. I sat with children coloring in my lap most of our time there. As we were getting up to leave, I pulled my rain jacket out of the bag and began to put it on when a young man (16 or so) with his arms tucked inside his tank top asked me for my jacket. My response was Eu pressiso (I need) and I think my facial response was to quickly close down. I failed to see him as a person surviving the elements without the opportunity to easily acquire his perceived needs as I was. Another young man who has been meeting with Word Made Flesh for nearly seven years stepped in to rescue me. He knew me and this group as friends so he helped me get my arm into the jacket. The first boy asked next for my sun glasses and the second boy in again. He rescued me from this uneasy situation. <br />I desire to be seen as a friend, not a rich American. And I desire to see these people as real friends not people I have to guard against. There is so much between us. <br />This week we went to a passeo (field trip) to Quinta Boa Vista (a big park) with the kids from Projeto Vidinha, 15 or so ages 4-18. I played lots of baseball, soccer, Frisbee, and other games. It was a wonderful time. I got my first sunburn since being here. It has been raining a lot these past four days but the sun came out long enough for us to enjoy the park. <br />Afterwards we went to a Brazilian friend´s house and ended up watching A Walk To Remember. This was NOT chosen by the Americans. Cheesy!<br />Sunday we went to a place called the Jerusalem Cultural Center which was a large model of the city of Jerusalem during the years 66-70 CE. It was complete with Herod´s Temple, the palace of David, Upper and Lower city, the city of the second wall, and the New City. This was really cool. I love maps so this 3D map got me really excited. I wish I had access to this while studying bible at LCU and Wheaton. The model was located on the property of a mega church not to unlike Willow Creek. It even had a Bob´s (Bob´s is like Brazilian McDonald's) on site. Afterwards we walked to church in the pouring rain. <br />I´m still really enjoying being here after 7 weeks. I´m loving having access to fresh fruit and veggies. I made a veggie stir-fry for four the other day and spent about $1.10 USD in total. Today we bought 2 pineapples and a pint of strawberries for $1.75. We´ve been making smoothies often to try to stay cool and get our vitamins. It´s a real treat. Anyway. Off I go. Cooking pizza tonight. Tchou! Thanks for reading.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-50838444750043480352010-09-21T17:02:00.004-05:002010-09-21T17:16:29.744-05:00Psalm 139Read the chapter first if you want to understand<br /><br />Yesterday we did Lectia Divina on Ps. 139. I was touched by several images. The phrase that struck me most was `You hem me in` remembering the prayer of St. Patrick. Then considering the final stanza about search me, know my heart, know my thoughts, see if there is offensive ways in me, lead me in the way everlasting. (paraphrase of vs. 23-24). <br />God is with all his children even in the places we consider most dark. God makes those places of light. He also directs us to become agents of light, driving out darkness. He exposes the dark places inside each of us. <br />There are parts of me which are opposed to the light. I pray that God would either destroy those parts or completely reconcile them to Himself. I realize that I am a mess spiritually at time. I profess Christ and He is instructing me in freedom but I abuse this freedom possibly to an extent that damages Kingdom efforts to reconcile a broken world. I am free to do all things except that which harms my brother or sister. Sometimes the effects of my actions are hard to discern. It seems I need increased wisdom in these matters as well.<br />Lord begin this painful work in me.<br /><br />Last Tuesday by grandfather passed away with ALS. I expected he would while I was here in Brazil but it was still hard being so far from the family. My dad was able to call Wednesday night while I was teaching Jessica our new cardio workout. It was good to hear his voice. I´m thankful for our group cell phone. Then Friday during the funeral I went to the Metropolitan Cathedral to pray alone. This was a good time for me. <br />Last weekend we stayed at the Nichol´s house outside the favela. The Nichols are the American WMF staff. There was lots of English speaking and American food. When we left the house to go to the grocery store it took me a little while to remember I was in another place. Yesterday and today were good to be with Brazilians again, speaking Portuguese, giving positive attention to children who don´t want us to leave. <br /><br />Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I got to run nearly 5.5 mile on Sunday at an island called Paquita in the bay. It was a chilly overcast day, perfect for running.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-20765626523068299002010-09-14T18:07:00.003-05:002010-09-14T18:22:58.842-05:00one monthFriends and Family<br />I´ve been in Rio a couple days short of a month. I have the tan lines to show for it and maybe a couple extra pounds. But maybe you want to know what´s impacted me or how I´ve impacted this community in that time.<br /><br />Last night we went to the streets of downtown Rio and gathered with many people: children (8-14 years), young adults (15-21), and young families (22-older). There was a woman maybe 21 years old and 8 months pregnate with a 1 year old child. There was a motherly figure (probably late 30s but looked nearly 50), a young woman (16ish) under the mother´s care (not her mother), and a couple men all going to the same house later this week. There were 5 or 6 8-12 year old boys with a girl (maybe 9) practicing their provacative dance moves and several other individuals gathered this week. I spent most of the evening listening to the stories of an energetic/buzzed man (one of the ones going to a house together). He had never been to this woman´s house and said he was afraid to go. He said she was strict (not sure what that implied). He told me he has been living on these streets since he was 8 years old. He had been married but said that was no good and has a 19 year old son he hasn´t seen in 2 years and is now too ashamed to go see/find him. Many times he expressed his gratitude that we were there and said it was not good when we are away. <br /><br />Almost every women I have met living on the streets18 years or older is pregnate. It seems like a perpetual state of being for these young women. Abortion is illegal in Rio but many have lost children presumably this way and many are raising children while barely able to support themselves. My heart breaks. <br /><br />But then I get on a bus, ride for an hour to my current home which is like a huge suburban home compared to the conditions of my new friends´ trying to survive on the streets. I eat a big meal, have a shower, and sleep fairly peacefully. Perhaps this journey from ´have-not´to ´have´ is tearing me to peices. <br /><br />I desire to build genuine relationships but feel limited because of the language barrier. I´m understanding more and more each day but can´t contribute much to a conversation. This is okay. It´s a humble position to be a baby, unable to talk only able to look and smile. I´m certain body language communicates our love sufficiently for now. <br /><br />My greatest impact right now can only be my prayers. I´m dreaming about and wrestling with ideas about what my role might be in this place if I will be able to make a long-term committment. <br /><br />That´s enough for now. Right now I´m making tortillas for everyone in the house. Yum!<br />Much love, I miss you, pray for you, and look forward to seeing you again!!!!<br />jenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37830266.post-35312526395896258392010-09-08T16:19:00.003-05:002010-09-08T16:43:19.831-05:00GenocideGreetings!<br />I have now been in Rio 3 weeks and we are in the midst of a colonial revolution. Yesterday we blockaded their points of entry and poisoned the disputed territory. This morning I found 8 enemies dead and only 3 living but I know the battle is no where near over. As often as we discuss colonialism and our role hopefully as reverse colonialists we are actively participating in the genocide of Baratas (tiny Portuguese roaches), the natives. They have the run of our kitchen even though we clean thoroughly everyday. We store nothing in the cabinets or drawers. Our food is kept in plastic containers with sealing lids. Our dishes are stored in the fridge. Never fear, we will prevail!<br /><br />Since being here I have read a lot, "Tuesdays with Morrie", "Dispossessed", "The Jesus I Never Knew", "A New Kind of Christianity", along with Ester, Job, and Joshua. I am now reading "Compassion" by Nouwen, McNeill, and Morrison, "The Kite Runner" and Judges. I also picked up a copy of Runners World in Portuguese. It is the August edition even though we are now well into September-oh well. <br /><br />It has been a bit overcast and drizzly since Sunday. This weather has me thinking about fall in Chicago. It would be great running weather if that were an option for me here. Instead I sit inside and read. <br /><br />Perhaps because of the gloomy weather we had a great gathering of children and young families on the streets Monday night to hangout with. Mondays are when we walk the streets looking for people we know living without homes. There were nearly 25 of our friends in one place. The past two weeks we have maybe found 3-8 people generally in a couple areas. This time we were able to set up for a few hours with a soccer ball, sidewalk chalk, drawings, Jenga, Uno, a Bible story (the story of the lost sheep), food and drink, and lots of attempted conversation. The smallest children are very precious, when they see Dandy or Jacqui (Brazilian staff) walking up they run for an embrace. It is evident that real relationships have been formed. And many women have benefited from Project Ester, the conversations and connections formed there. <br /><br />Yesterday was a big work day for the Servant Team at Project Ester. We sanded and painted metal handrails and a suspended iron gate. We were filthy from the dust that had settled for so many years and tired from working from a ladder for so many hours. But the place looks pretty good, much improved anyway since it was purchased a year ago. Yesterday was also Brazil´s first independence day so there was a big parade in downtown and a "march for Jesus" in our favela. No work for Brazilians but extra work for Americans.<br /><br />Thanks again for reading. This weekend would have been Mother Teresa´s 100th birthday so I will leave you with a quote, "If the work is looked at just by our own eyes and only from our own way, naturally, we ourselves can do nothing. But in Christ we can do all things. That´s why this work has become possible, because we are convinced that it is he, he who is working with us and through us in the poor and for the poor." <br /><br />Just a reminder of my continued financial need. I left three weeks ago trusting that God would provide the support necessary for my participation in this ministry completely before I return in December. To date I have received $3500 of $5200. If you want to support you can either through the WMF website (www.wordmadeflesh.org) or by mailing checks to Word Made Flesh P.O. Box 70 Omaha, NE 68101. Remember not to put my name on the check but in an enclosed note. Thank you for your prayers as well!<br /><br />"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" Luke 14:11<br />Please join me where you are in learning to be a servant, humbly walking with God, seeing every lowly person as Jesus who we are sent to serve. <br /><br />shalom,<br />jenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17988807633157104744noreply@blogger.com0