Tigers, Turkey, Tamales, oh my!

After a year in the Finca, I never stop learning new things. Many days, though, its more of deepening of the same lessons I’ve already been learning. Lessons about how to love patiently and purely, how to die to unto myself and put others first, and how to love the Lord faithfully and fully. While the troubles at the Finca are numerous, the joy is great and the love, abundant.

So many wonderful and fun things have happened recently that I don't think I can do them all justice. Instead, I wanted to share various pictures taken by me or other missionaries and give some context and stories for what was happening. Enjoy!

Paseo PASEO

School vacations started with taking several of the older kids on a trip away from Trujillo! We went to Choluteca, which is on the other side of the country. We climbed a (small) mountain, went swimming, ate great seafood, went to the movie theatre, and had lots of fun! My favorite part was taking a boat ride around an island, called Tiger Island, where we were able to see the sunset over three different countries - Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

We really went to the other side of the country

A 15 hr car ride with 5 kids and 7 missionaries plus our driver is not for the faint of heart

Lunch break during the drive. The girl missionaries took the chance for a de-stimulation break

Lic Lorena, the director of the Finca, is the epitome of streetwear

We climbed that mountain! It was quite the adventure!

View from the top of the mountain we climbed!

Emily! We were climbing partners for our hike, along with a 17yo that cried the whole way up...

View from the top of the island. The sight was extra sweet after dragging our 17yo up the mountain.

Isabella enjoying the sunset view during our boat ride

Pelicans! I, personally, am obsessed with these birds

More boat ride!

We took a sunset boat ride around an island and were able to see three different countries.

We visited the Catholic church in Choluteca - I was very taken by this Jesus of the Good Hope

Pozol is a drink very typical to the area; we stopped into this sweet local shop to try some out!

Kiddos enjoying and exploring the new views and places.

Día de acción de gracias (gobble gobble)

Thanksgiving day was once again filled with Mass, games, dessert, and turkey. Actually, no turkey, chicken - turkey is really hard to cook. We learned from last year and played the games before eating to avoid any nauseating disasters.

Food time!

Rocking Hawaiian shirts courtesy of Dad

The Hondurans didn't really love all the US food. Except the deviled eggs and desserts

Irma loved the food!

The whole fam!

Post dinner celebratory drinks with missionary fam!

Navidad!

Dia de San Nicolas, Posadas, Tamaleando, fireworks, and celebrations marked the Christmas season in the Finca this year. More than once during our Nochebuena party, I looked around and realized how much I love the family of the Finca. Jesus was born into my heart quietly and beautifully this Advent and brought the gift of gratitude and love.

We celebrate Saint Nick's day this year, sneaking around at night to fill their shoes with chocolate

Posadas - a nine-day tradition where we imitate Joseph and Mary looking for room in the inn.

Posadas are full of singing and prayers while walking. Peep the rainbow

Homey-Christmas vibes in the missionary house. Decorating with hot coco and music felt like home!

Mom, four daughters, and one sister-in-law. Making tamales

Rachel and I went to 'tamalear' with some local women. They probably made over 600 tamales that day

Dad was put in the garage, cutting vegetables

These buckets are all full of ground corn to make the dough. This was only the first round of corn

Stirring the masa - a several hour process

This is the biggest pot I've ever seen

Rachel and I were put on the simplest job - warming up plantain leaves.

Christmas cookie decorating! Not sure what Isabella is up to...

Christmas time involves lots fireworks that the boys, in particular, enjoy a lot

Didn't get a whole missionary fam picture, but R and I got one! guapas GUAPAS

Missionaries did a good job decorating, if I do say so myself

Needs no explanation.

Christmas Day Crawford Family Phonecall! I miss these goobers a whole stocking-full =)

Daily Somethings and Nothings

Group nap time, anybody?

Exploring the Finca's backyard!

Cati - Nate's goddaughter - graduated high school in San Pedro Sula! We had to celebrate her!

So proud of her!!

Mural of the apparition of La Virgen de Suyapa

We also visited the Catedral in San Pedro. It is filled with STUNNING murals.

We actually went to mass there on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

An attempt to keep E dry from the rain turned into a cuteness overload photoshoot

Winter school! We do short lessons to keep the kids from forgetting important school stuff

Rachel, Isabella, and I spent a while trying to jerry rig bottle rockets for winter school - no luck

Bean sorting companion

I mean...what could be sweeter??

Dance time in winter school!

Community night fun! Who painted who better?

Was recently re-introduced to Catan. Three hours later and I'm sold. Great way to spend a day off

So excited to enter into the new year with my wonderful Finca family and to see, together, the new adventures it brings. Please continue to pray for me and everyone here at the Finca. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!