I'm thankful for...

We have this band here with us for the next month. They are the Carpenter's Tools , and it has been a new, fun experience. Last night we did a concert at Caruro (I've never tried to spell that word... its Aymaran, and looking at it, it looks funny. I'm talking about the shoe shiner hangout... Nuevo Dia). The shiners loved it, and we used the opportunity to speak with them. Danielle (one of the volunteers) gave a testimony and I shared at the end of the concert, explaining that if you really want life change, you need for it to come from within... and that happens when Christ invades.

And earlier yesterday I went to read "Prince Caspian" with Ismael. Ismael shines half time now, and works as a baker the other half. I get to go read with him twice a week while he bakes... and actually I've been doing some baking myself.

After reading, Ismael says to me, "Randy, necesito aprender como leer la biblia. Quiero cambiar y no volver a la vida que vivia antes." So now we are set up to meet Tuesday mornings for two hours and talk over Scripture. It's pretty exciting. Actually, my real opinion is that it is supernatural.

And also, Ramiro, Wilfredo and David (Abuelo) are going with us to Cochabamba for a youth leadership training next week. Throw in a great Bible study on the Good Samaritan and a basketball victory earlier this week, and I'd say a lot is going well for me!

However, I miss my family and friends more than ever. Since coming back I've suffered with more homesickness than ever before. I know this is a good thing (makes me know how blessed I am with family and friends when I get homesick), but it is nonetheless difficult. Today is the second Thanksgiving in a row in Bolivia, and I am thankful that next year I plan to be back in Mama's kitchen! May God's presence be rich and deep this Thanksgiving Day!

Random quotes from Denny

The following are random quotes from a phone conversation that I wish I had recorded. It was between Dad, Missy and I, and Missy and I laughed so hard we probably ought to have been kicked out of the coffee shop we were in.

Every now and then, Dad gets chatty. It is rare, you usually don't see it coming, but it is always a treat. This particular conversation pivoted about a marriage retreat Dad and Mom went on this weekend. The quotes standing on their own might not make sense or sound funny to you, but they were to Missy and I, and I want to record them here to remember later:

"They had homework and activities... I don't do homework, so I focused my efforts on the activity."

"The point of the activity was to make a frog."

"... and you say things to your wife to make her feel bubbly."

"I told them, 'Elaine and I have been married for 174 years.' Everyone thought that was funny, because who says that?"

"It was a competition, and we had extra beads, so I told everyone we had to make something with those beads. So I made a penis. The younger couples thought that was a little awkward."

"We had the eight items pretty much under control... in fact I added a couple things to the list."

There was much more material, and of course timing and delivery make all the difference. It was a great moment. We love our Dad. We love our Mom too. They have been married for 39 years as of September, and I must say that is some thing I applaud.

Clap clap clap.

Random quotes from Denny

The following are random quotes from a phone conversation that I wish I had recorded. It was between Dad, Missy and I, and Missy and I laughed so hard we probably ought to have been kicked out of the coffee shop we were in.

Every now and then, Dad gets chatty. It is rare, you usually don't see it coming, but it is always a treat. This particular conversation pivoted about a marriage retreat Dad and Mom went on this weekend. The quotes standing on their own might not make sense or sound funny to you, but they were to Missy and I, and I want to record them here to remember later:

"They had homework and activities... I don't do homework, so I focused my efforts on the activity."

"The point of the activity was to make a frog."

"... and you say things to your wife to make her feel bubbly."

"I told them, 'Elaine and I have been married for 174 years.' Everyone thought that was funny, because who says that?"

"It was a competition, and we had extra beads, so I told everyone we had to make something with those beads. So I made a penis. The younger couples thought that was a little awkward."

"We had the eight items pretty much under control... in fact I added a couple things to the list."

There was much more material, and of course timing and delivery make all the difference. It was a great moment. We love our Dad. We love our Mom too. They have been married for 39 years as of September, and I must say that is some thing I applaud.

Clap clap clap.