Long-overdue Ecuador Recap

Okay, so for Christmas break Robb and I went to Ecuador, ostensibly to visit my parents, who are currently serving as full-time missionaries in the Ecuador Guayaquil (South?) Mission.

Part 1

We started off our trip in Quito, where we found a hostel, crashed into bed (it was a LONG day of flying), and promptly got up the next morning for a 5:30 bus into El Oriente - the Amazon rainforest. We drove to Tena, and ended up in the Shangri La Lodge, above the Anzu River. We stayed there for four days and were able to go hiking through the jungle, white water rafting on the Jatunyacu river, as well as getting to know people from all over the world when the guests came together for dinner each night. We saw bats, river otters, parrots, snakes, and WAY more bugs (particularly ENORMOUS spiders) than I ever wanted - or want - to see. We also saw hundreds of amazingly beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs, and ate a variety of bananas, plantain, and yucca. Here are some jungle pictures:

Chonta palm - VERY spiky!

The Anzu River

Leaf cutter ants

Pedro, our guide, painting Robb with achiote

Jungle fashion baby - HOT.

PS: I also got the WORST sunburn of my life while rafting. I'm pretty sure it was a serious 2nd degree burn, edging into 3rd degree territory. Thanks to my Mom and her tub of Watson's burn cream, I'm okay - though my legs may have a permanent tan line from the knees down!

Resolutions

This is a great talk by Elder Joe J. Christensen. I read it every year at New Year's and thought it might be helpful to pass it along. Check it out - it's good!

"Resolutions"

Untimely

A little girl from my school passed away on Sunday. She was a student in the grade I teach. Last year her teacher noticed she couldn't hold a pencil and was having difficulty with other motor skills - both fine and gross. The teacher brought this to the parents' attention, and when they took her into the doctor they discovered a brain tumor. She had surgery and chemotherapy, and continued to keep in touch with her class. (The teacher looped with her students, so they all stayed together for another year.) This little girl joined us on Halloween for our costume parade, and came to school the last Friday before Christmas break to decorate Christmas cookies with her classmates. Then, on Sunday, she died.

Our principal requested that each teacher discuss her death in class today. It was exceptionally odd to have a discussion regarding death without the framework of faith to support comprehension. How do you answer questions like: "How did she get cancer?"; "WHY did she get cancer?"; "Can I get cancer?" and "Where is she now?"

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge it gives me of who I am, where I came from, why I'm here, and, especially today, what happens to me when I die.

Alma 40:11-14

11 Now, concerning the ^astate of the soul between ^bdeath and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of ^ahappiness, which is called ^bparadise, a state of rest, a state of ^cpeace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the ^aspirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the ^bdevil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer^cdarkness; there shall be ^dweeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

A Great Idea

In case you didn't know, I LOVE CAKEWRECKS!

Now, Jen and John (founders of CW) have decided to donate to a different charity each day from now until Christmas. They have a large audience, so the challenge is for each reader to donate $1 a day to each charity - or some other charity of their choosing. If all readers donate daily, each charity could receive $80,000. That's pretty staggering - and worth donating a buck, no? Check it out: www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com.

Sick, then sick with worry

So after eight days of being sick I think I may be almost entirely well. (I've just got junk in my chest and a persistent hacking cough as a result, but considering the last week, I'm not complaining.) What's getting to me now is that I can't stop stressing out and worrying about various things - and it's making me feel nauseous!

I realize nobody really cares, and I'm writing this more for my own mental relief than anything else, but here's what I'm dealing with:

1. The car situation.

Since we won't be getting back much money (they're paying off my car, but it was a lease, so we get money for Robb's car and whatever is leftover from mine. It will be approximately $4000.), do we get two cars? Do we need two cars? In our current situation I could more than manage with a bike and some cargo baskets. (I live 0.7 miles from work and two grocery stores are equally near.) Do we get a car and a moped or motorcycle? Used, certified pre-owned, or new? The only "new" cars that we could camp out of (as we did with Robb's Volvo) are Subaru Outbacks, and pre-2006 they have some major issues. Which means even if we go used, it's still somewhat pricey.

Oh, and all of this has to resolved before December 18, because that's when we fly to Ecuador.

2. The trip to Ecuador

Between the accident and the flu, planning got completely sidelined. We don't have anything lined up and I'm starting to freak out. Majorly.

3. Money

I know money is just money is just money. And we have enough money - we've got the beginnings of a down payment in the bank. So yes, we could afford a new car and a wild and crazy trip in Ecuador, but there goes the idea of buying property any time in the near future.

It's just all going around in circles in my head and I can't seem to let it go. Anyone have any sage advice?

You know you've been really sick when...

...a fever of 100.3 feels normal.

Stay well everyone - and do your best to avoid the flu. It's AWFUL!!!

Gratitude

This song has been on my mind a lot lately. I hope you enjoy it, too - and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

"Gratitude" by Nichole Nordeman

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .