Cumplo 35

Before I forget to mention it -- check out my photo link at right for a few recent photos.

The last week seems to have gone quickly, so first an update on events:
- I turned 35 on Friday the 19th, and got to celebrate in a few different ways. On Thursday night, a few members and friends of the Canticos del Sol choir visited the house (thinking that my birthday was that day) and e had another birthday music session -- most of this group had been there Monday for Emily`s birthday. I was thinking that we were getting special treatment because we were new, but was told that it is common for friends to gather and go to a person´s home on their birthday sing and wish them well. This group was a lot of fun and had a couple of great guitarrists. On friday morning, I woke up to balloons and birthday sign put up by Nicole and Emily, and they made me both breakfast )eggs after looking in vain for pancake mix) and lunch. In the evening we went to daily Mass and afterward had birthday cake and some of the local ice cream as a treat (not as creamy as at home, but still good). Then, to our surprise, the other youth choir from the parish (Trabajadores sel Evangelio) sent two representatives, including our friend Fernando, to ask if they could come at 10:00 PM to wish me a happy birthday. Nicole went tp sleep after a week of celebrating, but Emily and I hung out with our 10 or so well-wishers and heard a few beautiful songs that they sing in Church, including Paz en las Tormentas. Finally on Saturday night, the franciscan priests and brother at the parish invited us to a late supper birthday celebration at their home.
- Saturday, Alex and jJuan Carlos from the Friday choir, took me out for my second experience of ceviche, the regional favorite of raw fish/seafood in lime and chili. This time I enjoyed the flavor quite a bit and, as a bonus, didn`t suffer any adverse gastonomical aftereffects (ie no diarhea). My stomach must be toughening up :).
- In the parish, we´re getting closer to beginning the home visits to youth, and I´m meeting with the youth counsel this Thursday to set up some plans goals for the next couple months. I´m meeting with Confirmation youth classes and with their leaders to begin planning for the retreat (11/17-18) and ceremony (11/25). Also, Nicole, Emily and I will begin a twice-weekly English class for youth and young adults on 11/5.
- Fernando and Donny from the TDE choir visited last night to sing a bit and invited us all to join the choir, wghich I think I will do, at least when my arm is functioning again enough to play the guitar. I have never played as part of a group and look forward to learning the new songs and building some confidence.
- Speaking of my arm, the doctor last night gave me another week in my cast, 10 days in the sling after that, and then slowly I can begin to move it around again. I am a bit tired of the sling and using only one hand, but I guess this will help me to appreciate my lowly left arm more :).
- Reflecting on my overall experience so far after a month in Peru, I find that the slower pace of `getting started` here sometimes makes me feel as if I should be doing more -- I was much busier as a CYM in Corvallis, doing a lot more ´things´. It struck me today that maybe this is good for me, as Fr. Carlos told me; ´Paciencia trae buen humor.`, or Patience puts you in a good mood. Also, I have been prone to base my own self worth on the quantity of quantifiable contributions I make instead of on the true basis of my worth as a loved child of God. Finally, living a bit more slowly has helped me to realize that I often miss the blessings of the moment -- even trying moments -- by impatiently escaping, either mentally or physically, to the next thing on the schedule. Maybe my time here will teach me to see more clearly the people and places that surround me in my daily life.

Thanks for reading, and God bless!