Assorted Thoughts

For the past five years, I have taken a personal retreat in the fall, and last week I went away for a few days. Here are some random thoughts from this time:
· Why do even the smallest towns have a Chinese restaurant? I grew up in a small town, and I remember when a Chinese restaurant came to town. It was viewed with much suspicion in rural southeast Arkansas.
· I saw a sign that said “alpacas for sale.” Has anyone ever spontaneously purchased an alpaca?
· I overheard a man say that the best Greek food he had ever eaten had been in Salt Lake City. Seriously?
· Sitting in the sun, reading a good book, and listening to fiddle music is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
· I would like to live in small town again at some point in my life, but I have become used to stores staying open past 5 p.m.
· Maybe when I retire I will live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Maybe then I won’t need anything after 5 p.m.
· I need a bumper sticker that says “tailgating will not make me drive any faster.”
· Who were the people at the next table who kept saying “charismatic Baptists” very loudly?

At the end of my time away, I attended the first Together For Adoption conference. So good. I’ll write more on that later.

Nostalgia

A Crossett friend sent me this photo. I'm the one in the middle in yellow, age 4. It wasn't officially kindergarten, more like a Mothers Day Out, I think.

Bloggin'

Keeping up a blog is hard work. I can't always think of anything interesting to say. Sometimes, I can think of things, but they aren't thoughts or observations I want to share with the world.

• I am listening to "Come Weary Saints" from Sovereign Grace Music. Very good. I recommend it.
• My parents visited last week, and we did a huge amount of yardwork and house maintenance. My mother is very good at planting and planning while my father can fix anything.
• We ate at a great restaurant - Croaker's Spot. Interesting conversation with the owner about politics and religion. The owner's father was a famous singer in the 1950s and 1960s. He was impressed that my father knew who he was.
• Half-marathon training is going well. We did eight miles this past Saturday, and the goal is nine for this Saturday. So, I've done a quarter-marathon already.

Assalam Alaikum

A friend of mine made a Central Asian feast this weekend - plenty of fruit, nuts, pilau, naan, and soup. Delicious! We also celebrated two birthdays. Good times.

Into the Woods

I spent the weekend camping with friends at a nearby state park. We had a great time - lots of conversation, food, naps, books, food, naps, games, food, and naps. Being outside, listening to crickets chirp, wind blow, knowing that one's main decision is choosing cool ranch chips or bbq ones is a lovely way to spend a couple of days!
(I can't get photos loaded, so those will come later. If we are facebook friends, you can see some photos on there.)

Back from Chile

Thanks for remembering me and our team to the Father! We returned from Chile on Sunday, May 25, after a great trip. More about that soon. Your support and encouragement has been much appreciated!

I'm making cookies for "Songs and Sweets," an ESL program. Since it's run by Baptists, we had cookies.

Continue to pray for the people of Santiago!

Santiago

I am leading a trip to Santiago, Chile, Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 25. Our blog is chicasservinginchile.blogspot.com. Thanks for remembering us to the Father!