What’s Different – They Ride Bicycles

One of the things that makes my new home so charming, is that elderly people (and people of all ages) ride their bicycles around town. 

Every time I see that one of them meandering along, I’m transported to a more wholesome era.  An era when people took time to enjoy enjoy a scenic ride to the grocery store, to wave and call out a greeting to their neighbor.  It’s very Old Europe and I love it!  

And yes, they do have baskets on their bikes.  Is it strange that I love that so much?  :)

Photo: All Posters

Looking Unto Jesus – the Author and the Finisher

“Looking unto Jesus,

the author and the Finisher of our faith:

He Who is its pattern and its source,

even as He is its object;

so that by Him our faith may be inspired,

encouraged,

sustained,

and led on to its supreme consummation.”

  

If you haven’t already, be sure to enter the My Two Favorite Things Giveaway by tonight! 

Looking Unto Jesus, translated from the French of Theodore Monod by Helen Willis

Photo: nathanpaw

An Empty Shampoo Bottle

It might not mean that much to you, an empty shampoo bottle.  To me, it’s a sweet comfort.  A little reminder that we’ve been in ONE place for three and a half months now.

Before we arrived to the Chaco of Paraguay, we had lived in five different locations in the course of 14 months.  Most of those places kept with them a partially used shampoo bottle, evidence that we had passed through.     

Don’t feel sorry for me though.  While I would PREFER to live in the same house for the rest of my life, it’s not an all consuming desire like it used to be.  Now I know that my Home travels with me, or I should say, I travel with Him. 

Still, I thank God for the small comforts He offers me in my flawed humanity, things like squeezing that last little bit of shampoo out for one more wash. 

Don’t miss My Two Favorite Things Giveaway!  You have until Sunday night to enter!
Photo: contrapart

Two of My Favorite Things for You!

I'm excited to share two of my favorite things with one blessed reader through a little giveaway!  Unlike many giveaways, this one IS OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL READERS as a shout out to all my missionary sisters around the world!     

One pound of coffee beans

and...

 

a digital subscription to Country Living Magazine through Zinio.

I was thrilled to find Zinio since I was unable to afford the overseas subscription to my magazine!  I hope you will enjoy it too!  

The giveaway is open until Sunday night, November 15th at midnight PST.  You can win one entry for each of the following:

1.  Leaving a lovely comment telling me what you are most thankful for today

2.  Becoming a follower or subscribing in a reader OR already being a follower/subscriber.  

3. Posting about the Two of My Favorite Things Giveaway on your blog

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck everyone and thanks for being such wonderful readers!  Hugs from Paraguay!

****If you have a mailing address in the continental US, you can choose to forgo the coffee beans for the paper version of Country Living if you prefer.****   

Photos: jellyeater
Country Living

What’s Different – The Food’s From Around Here

One of the neat benefits of living here in Paraguay is that we live very close to our food source.  Everything from our milk products, to our peanut butter, to our dried beans, to our bread and even some of our fruits and vegetables come from within a half hour drive of our house.  Our supermarket also sells homemade pasta, home canned pickles and locally made pastries.   

My eggs come from a neighbor down the road and it floors me how H.U.G.E. they are! 

We eat quite healthy when we are living abroad because we don’t eat pre-packaged, processed, preservative laden foods.  Convenience foods are virtually non existent and canned foods are very expensive.  A can of tuna, for instance, can cost you $2.00 (as compared to 33 cents in the US).  A small 8 oz can of black beans costs $1.50 here (as compared to $.49 for a 16 oz can in the US).  So we cook the old fashioned way, which I enjoy and which really tastes amazing, even though it takes a lot more planning ahead!

Living Without Target

 

Living without Target and JoAnn's Fabric can be a good thing.  Don't believe it?  Head over to Missionary Moms and read about how it changed me. 

Photo: Pottery Barn

Looking Unto Jesus to Forget Ourselves

"Looking unto Jesus 

to go forth from ourselves 

and to forget ourselves; 

so that our darkness may flee away

before the brightness of His face."

Looking Unto Jesus, translated from the French of Theodore Monrod by Helen Willis
Photo: jazza