I didn't mention it on here, but I just took a little vacation to the US and got back today. It was my first time back in over a year and was a wonderful trip to celebrate the marriage of my BFF. I was also blessed to spend some great time with my family and others that I love so much. Living in two different worlds is hard sometimes but coming home to this sweet drawing made by my neighbors sure made it easier today.
You know that story of the ants and the grasshopper, where the ants work all summer to prepare for winter and the grasshopper plays all summer, making fun of the ants for working so hard. But when winter comes along the grasshopper has to ask the ants for help. Well I am being an ant this summer.
That is just a long way of saying that lately I have been working to prepare for winter. I've heard that it does not get cold enough to start heating your house until about May. I am greatly dreading the day that I have to start making fires again multiple times a day so I decided that while it is nice outside I would make that process a little easier for myself.
First of all, all the wood I need for the winter should be delivered next week. Last year I arrived in the middle of winter with no clue about how to heat my house with a wood furnace. This year I have asked around and done my research. Most people order their wood in February or March that they need for the whole winter. That way they never run out and it has time to dry out before use. Last year I did not know this and I had to call my wood guy every few weeks for a new delivery and most of the wood was wet because it was raining all the time. But not this year, no way. I also made sure to ask a friend about who to order wood from and he did it for me! So I know I am getting my wood at a good time from a reliable source.
Also, to make things easier for myself, I have begun my chopping of small wood much earlier. You don't think about it much, but to start a fire that uses big logs you can't just lite the big log with a match. You have to get it going first with smaller stuff. So, with the little bit of wood I have left over from last year I began chopping. Chopping is much more enjoyable (if you can call it that) when the wind and rain are not blowing in on you, when it's light outside and when my heat for the night is not dependent on how successful I am. I don't know how long it will last but I have me a good stash to work through all saved up. So now, maybe I can just do some chopping on sunny days instead of every cold night. Aren't I a smart cookie! :)
I am dreading winter and the rains coming back, but I know that being prepared makes things much easier to handle. So, if you feel like escaping the heat of the US summer this year, know that you can come down and sit by my furnace with a nice cup of hot tea.
My stash so farI am excited to announce that last Sunday we had our first church service with Chileans! This is what we have been working towards for a long time and it finally happened. Two family's of our team had one house church and I partnered with another family. We had 12 people in total at our church and praise God for that. It may not sound like a lot, especially for those who go to churches with hundreds or thousands of people, but you gotta start somewhere and I was thrilled with those who came. I just know God is working on their hearts. I think the ones who came were coming to check it out and see what it is we have been talking about but now that they see we aren't crazy or cultish, they want to invite their friends and family as well.
It was such an exciting day for us and, praise God, the service went great. We spent time in prayer, study, communion and a meal afterwards. We sang one song with them and hope to teach them new ones each week. We had two children and I told them a bible story and colored with them during the adult study.
A number of encouraging things were said from those who came:
