My Favorite Things

I keep telling myself I need to write down all of the things I love.  All the things I love about El Salvador, all the things I can't live without from the States (a little vain!) and my favorite lessons in 2011.  I know I'm going to miss some no-brainers but here goes:

What I love about El Salvador:
1.  pointing with your lips (one of the very few practical things in this country)
2.  the view of the volcano on my way to the home every morning

3.  of course, the beach!  palm trees, sunshine and 80 degree days and 65 degree nights, can't beat that!

4.  greeting kisses on the cheek
5.  my Salvadoran neighbors!

6.  pupusas with spinach and pork (don't judge!  you have to taste it first!)

7.  beautiful children and singing, dancing, playing, laughing, hugging, kissing and putting on pj's!!

8.  Viva Expresso coffee shop (and my favorite friend Britney to accompany me!)
9.  driving stick shift in gigantic cars
10. cuevana.tv and graboid.com (the only way I get to see Castle!!)


What I can't live without from the States (pretty vain, I know):
1.  Bumble & Bumble hair products
2.  30 day shred workout DVD
3.  jeans
4.  technology (my laptop is with me everywhere!)
5.  Kate from the Neck and Back Clinic (my friday routine after work!)
6.  bathtubs and hot water (i think i took 3 a day when i visited this past december)

The books I loved and my favorite lessons:
1.  DNA of relationships (Gary Smalley)
     Verses to meditate on each day and they will change your relationships!!!!
     Prov. 23:7
     Gal 6:7
     Eph 3:16-20
     2 Cor 10:5
     Phil 4:8-9
     James 1:19
     Romans 2:1

2.  When Helping Hurts (Fikkert and Corbett) - my verse of the year!
   
    "if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
     and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
     then your light will rise in the darkness,
     and your night will become like the noonday" 

*spending ourselves doesn't always mean just writing a check or doing it ourselves because we can do it better.  it's spending the time it takes to help develop change.  and that takes time.  probably more time than any American can fathom.  spending yourself is taxing, it won't be easy, it should be hard.  the work of Christ IS not easy - we are to "spend" ourselves.*


3.  Set Apart for God (John Mulinde) 
     "saturate yourself in the Word for at least one hour every morning and ask God how He wants you to 
      spend your day"  The Word leaped off the page and kept repeating itself over and over again.  Be 
      prepared to see yourself for who you are and to see Him for who He is!