Overall, it's been a good year...that got off to a slow start.
We left with excitement for what was to come...anticipation for change - not that we wanted it, but that we (almost) always welcome.
I thought today would be a good time to recap our year.
One of the first things that happened when we got to Panama, was in the form of a phone call to a dear friend in Mexico. They found she had cancer...terminal. She was fine when we left...or at least thought so. We had plans for she and another friend to make a trip down to see us. We didn't say good-bye. We said see you later. But later never came. The heartbreak of a dear friend with a disease consuming her, with me so far away...being consumed myself, really...made the first several months really tough. Really tough. It took her this year, after such a short time. The only way I was able to do this was because I know - without a doubt - I will see her again one day - just not on this earth. Thank You, God, for that hope we have in You.
However, in spite of that, as I look back on this year, there are so many things I am grateful for... Here are 20 that I could think of...
1 - Living near family, close enough for family dinners, kids coming to visit, dropping by their home. I LOVE having them so close. I've never lived close to family since I was living with mine at home!
These two come play cards with us.
My nephew and most of the family on the back row.
2 - This awesome little church we go to and get to be a part of. Unlike anything you've ever seen or experienced...no matter where you've been. The NT Church in a mixture of Panamanians, Kuna and Americans. New believers, deep in His Word, exercising kindness and grace and truth amongst themselves and in the community. And their dinners? Everyone contributes part of the meal and they cook a pot of goodness!
Praying together for David at his birthday party
Chanet, Melania, Alvarada and Dixon and Bob in the background.
3 - Heavy, wonderful cleansing rains. Again and again and again. I LOVE them! And the green that comes with them.
4 - Making friends in the marketplace. I don't know any wealthy Panamanians - or Americans for that matter. I'm not hob-nobbing with the elite. I love these simple, kind people who just do life every day here.
5 - No stoplights in this one road town.
6 - A nice new grocery store that makes it just a bit more comfortable to be here.
7 - The best landlord...EVER! Enrique is the kindest, most accommodating guy. Bob and I were so lucky to find this place.
8 - Tropical flowers blooming everywhere...different ones at different times - surprising us quite often at every turn.
9 - The winding road to El Valle and the mountains that surround us as we drop into the valley.
10 - Magnificent trees with such a span that they completely reach over 2 lanes of traffic.
And our favorite tree we see every time we go to the City
That's one BIG tree!
11 - Quick trips to the city that drive me crazy because of the traffic, but allow us to get just about anything we need.
12 - The trip we took to the Embera Tribe....the trip of a lifetime!
13 - Our frequent trips to Costa Rica to do the car papers have allowed us to see more of Panama. Coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, chicken bus rides. Every trip is something new.
14 - New friends. Girl friends who have bonded because of our language (English), our love for God and because of Bible Studies together. When there are so few English speakers, this truly is a treasure. I miss my Mexico friends like crazy - but am so glad we can make friends wherever we go.
15 - The magnificence of the Canal. Every time we go there, we are amazed at the technology and all it takes to make that go smoothly.
16 - Fun and Funky parades that involve audience participation...and Rain or shine, they keep going!
17 - The gift of seeing unusual birds and animals in our yard. The fun of rescuing a sloth. The magic of seeing real Toucans NOT in a zoo!
18 - Baptisms - Down at the river
19 - Hammocks - Nuff said.
20 - Giant Turquoise Butterflies
Oh yes - there are far more than 20 reasons why I love it here. I could go on and on. And yes, there are times when the culture days just do a number on you.
We have had the privilege of living in many different places....
and I have learned this...
You can always find beauty wherever you are,
whether in the people, the surroundings or both.
You can always make friends - whether they speak your language or not.
You can be happy no matter where you end up...but sometimes, it just takes time.
Do I miss Mexico? Yes.
Am I in a hurry to get back there?
No....
Not quite yet.
I haven't finished putting my fingerprints on Panama....
or letting her put hers on me.
