April 22 is a very sad day for our family... Peggy Hockett passed away. Today I have no words, only a groaning heart; a sad, heavy heart. A heart that aches and moans from its depths… the sting of death has once again blindsided me.
Once again death has blindsided me and taken one of my favorite people, Peggy Hockett! The precious, selfless, delightful Pegs! A life so rich and deep, busy taking care of people everywhere she was. Whether it was Joe, the kids, her mother, her community or her job, she was always making sure everyone was ok. She worked so hard wherever she was and brought so much life and energy everywhere she went.
Every time dad and I would come up to visit I knew it was going to be a week of laughter… I can still hear it so vividly, so distinct and full of joy.
It seems like it was just yesterday that we were up hunting and staying with Joe and Pegs. We were just there sitting around the table listening to Joe give us some B.S about how our day went banging cocks (how he hit every bird and dad and I went through 3 boxes of shells and came home with 1 bird each)… or feeding us a line about ridiculous politics… or crossing the line with a joke like he often does and Peggy would quickly interject…”Joe!!” (you know exactly the tone in which she said this). Following dinner without hesitation she would put leftovers in a small Tupperware container to take to her mother… the essence of her character (what a beautiful heart!)
The rest of the evening would be spent simply enjoying one another‘s company… talking, eating dessert, laughing, listening to ridiculous stories from Joe… waiting for him to lure you into a heated debate, listening to stories of old, when my Dad and Joe were kids and the embellished tales they would tell us for the 20th time. Peggy and I had heard them so many times, but would just sit and listen like it was the first time we had heard them.
We would spend hours talking about life and she would always talk about my mother and the joy she brought the world. We would discuss social issues… local to South Dakota as well as across the globe. We shared a heart for the broken and desired to see wholeness and restoration to the broken. We talked about adventures… past experiences as well as hopes for future adventures. She was eager to learn new things and be used in whatever way she could.
However, today I have no words to express my sadness; only a groaning heart; a sad, heavy heart. A heart that aches and moans from its depths… the sting of death has once again blindsided me.
Peggy Hockett lived a beautiful life… a simple life… a life of such love and joy. She lived her life to take care of the people around her… a beautiful model of selflessnerss and utter humility. Her love for the Lord was seen by the way she loved people.
I know that her and my mom are basking in one another’s presence… what an image… Peggy, Shelly and Jesus… what a trio, two of his most precious daughters finally sitting around the table with him. Perfect and beautiful, laughing and smiling in the presence of the almighty God.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Cocinando Pulpo
The other night I got to help in the cooking process of pulbo, which many of you might know as octopus. It was quite the process, first we boiled it in order to remove the skin where all of the suckers are located. Under the skin is all meat… a slightly chewy, somewhat rubbery meat. We then sliced the tentacles into small pieces. Prior to adding them to the pan, we sautéed some onions with garlic, ginger, lime juice, celery and cilantro in butter. Once these items were to a desired taste, smell and texture, in went the octopus.
About 10 minutes later... we had ourselves quite the meal!
Absolutely Delicious!!!
About 10 minutes later... we had ourselves quite the meal!
Absolutely Delicious!!!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
in the details
It never ceases to amaze me the way that the Father is working everywhere around us! He is in the smallest and biggest details… working in the lives of everyone whether they know it or not…
I went to a new beach yesterday called playa Hermosa, I was trying to go to a different beach called Remanso, but couldn’t find a ride there to save my life. As I was talking to my neighbor who owns a surf shop one of his friends was running by and said he was taking a group of people to Hermosa and just like that I had a ride to the beach. There were 4 other tourists, 3 from California and one from Sweden.
While on the beach I met 3 other girls from Sweden, one of which I talked with for at least an hour. We discussed so many international issues from traveling, to poverty, to development, to economics, to government, but at the core of the conversation simply that we wanted people to care about people! ‘They will know us by our love for one another!” (John 13). We talked about issues with our own countries and how so many times our efforts to help in areas only causes more hurt and pain. We exchanged stories about different experiences in other countries and different projects we had been a part of. It had been over a week since I had a legit conversation in English, especially one with depth. I was so thankful to have had this, and to see that other people want to help and just be with people.
Following the conversation we watched baby turtles make their way to the ocean, they were only 3 days old and so tiny. Sorry I don’t have any pictures… I forgot my camera.
After an incredible day on the beach with great conversation, and doing my best to surf, I continued to be blessed with conversation. Our driver, Alex, and I talked the entire drive back. I was asking him about Easter and Holy week (semana Santa) here in Nicaragua and asked if he took part in the celebration. He said he wasn’t catholic and didn’t celebrate it the way they did, but he went to an evangelical church. He then proceded to tell me his story and how he had grown up in the catholic church and went to catholic school. He learned the traditions and how the church worked, but when he was 10 years old he was invited two an evangelical church. He experienced something he couldn’t put words to he said. He felt his life change and from that moment when he received the truth he was never the same. He began to study the bible more and more and his life continued to change.
He then told me about an experience he had the previous day. He had been in a car accident; it was 730 in the morning and he left the small town of Maderas, which is just north of San Juan del Sur. He said that morning things were different than usual… as he was about to leave his friend asked if he wanted to come in for some coffee. Alex said he never drinks coffee, but decided he would take him up on his offer and have a cup before he started his day. After his coffee he left Maderas and headed to San Juan. On his way there were 3 girls who needed a ride, so he stopped to pick them up. They all wanted to ride in the bed of the truck, but for some reason he said they couldn’t today. He usually lets people ride back there, but something was telling him no. So they all jumped in the cab and off they went. As they were approaching a curve in the road Alex saw another truck coming right at them, he had just enough time to react and turned just enough so it didn’t hit them head on, but ran directly into the bed of the truck. The drivers side of the bed was destroyed, but everyone in the truck was fine. The person who hit them was extremely drunk and took off after he hit them. As alex was telling me this story his eyes were lighting up, because he knew how the Lord had his hand on him that day. He said earlier that morning he was reading scripture about the protection of angels and how their protection is all encompassing and allows no harm to be done.
30 minutes after the accident he said that the man driving actually returned to the scene of the accident to take responsibility for what he had done. The man responsible said that something inside of him was telling him to go back.
Alex said that he was very calm during all of this and it wasn’t until he got home, showerd and was able to relax that the reality of what had happened hit him. He was overwhelmed by the power of the Lord and that he was truly surrounded by a protective cloud of angels! Nothing was going to harm him, just like he had read earlier that morning.
Wow, what a testament to the power and protection that the Father offers his children. As he was telling me this story it made me realize how important we all are to Him. He cares enough about us that he will send angels to protect us, he cares about what is going on with us. He loves us! And today, Easter, expresses how much he actually loves us. He suffered, he was mocked, he took ALL of our pain, brokenness on himself so that we may have life! If someone puts their life on the line for me and is willing to die so I can have life… I will follow!
I went to a new beach yesterday called playa Hermosa, I was trying to go to a different beach called Remanso, but couldn’t find a ride there to save my life. As I was talking to my neighbor who owns a surf shop one of his friends was running by and said he was taking a group of people to Hermosa and just like that I had a ride to the beach. There were 4 other tourists, 3 from California and one from Sweden.
While on the beach I met 3 other girls from Sweden, one of which I talked with for at least an hour. We discussed so many international issues from traveling, to poverty, to development, to economics, to government, but at the core of the conversation simply that we wanted people to care about people! ‘They will know us by our love for one another!” (John 13). We talked about issues with our own countries and how so many times our efforts to help in areas only causes more hurt and pain. We exchanged stories about different experiences in other countries and different projects we had been a part of. It had been over a week since I had a legit conversation in English, especially one with depth. I was so thankful to have had this, and to see that other people want to help and just be with people.
Following the conversation we watched baby turtles make their way to the ocean, they were only 3 days old and so tiny. Sorry I don’t have any pictures… I forgot my camera.
After an incredible day on the beach with great conversation, and doing my best to surf, I continued to be blessed with conversation. Our driver, Alex, and I talked the entire drive back. I was asking him about Easter and Holy week (semana Santa) here in Nicaragua and asked if he took part in the celebration. He said he wasn’t catholic and didn’t celebrate it the way they did, but he went to an evangelical church. He then proceded to tell me his story and how he had grown up in the catholic church and went to catholic school. He learned the traditions and how the church worked, but when he was 10 years old he was invited two an evangelical church. He experienced something he couldn’t put words to he said. He felt his life change and from that moment when he received the truth he was never the same. He began to study the bible more and more and his life continued to change.
He then told me about an experience he had the previous day. He had been in a car accident; it was 730 in the morning and he left the small town of Maderas, which is just north of San Juan del Sur. He said that morning things were different than usual… as he was about to leave his friend asked if he wanted to come in for some coffee. Alex said he never drinks coffee, but decided he would take him up on his offer and have a cup before he started his day. After his coffee he left Maderas and headed to San Juan. On his way there were 3 girls who needed a ride, so he stopped to pick them up. They all wanted to ride in the bed of the truck, but for some reason he said they couldn’t today. He usually lets people ride back there, but something was telling him no. So they all jumped in the cab and off they went. As they were approaching a curve in the road Alex saw another truck coming right at them, he had just enough time to react and turned just enough so it didn’t hit them head on, but ran directly into the bed of the truck. The drivers side of the bed was destroyed, but everyone in the truck was fine. The person who hit them was extremely drunk and took off after he hit them. As alex was telling me this story his eyes were lighting up, because he knew how the Lord had his hand on him that day. He said earlier that morning he was reading scripture about the protection of angels and how their protection is all encompassing and allows no harm to be done.
30 minutes after the accident he said that the man driving actually returned to the scene of the accident to take responsibility for what he had done. The man responsible said that something inside of him was telling him to go back.
Alex said that he was very calm during all of this and it wasn’t until he got home, showerd and was able to relax that the reality of what had happened hit him. He was overwhelmed by the power of the Lord and that he was truly surrounded by a protective cloud of angels! Nothing was going to harm him, just like he had read earlier that morning.
Wow, what a testament to the power and protection that the Father offers his children. As he was telling me this story it made me realize how important we all are to Him. He cares enough about us that he will send angels to protect us, he cares about what is going on with us. He loves us! And today, Easter, expresses how much he actually loves us. He suffered, he was mocked, he took ALL of our pain, brokenness on himself so that we may have life! If someone puts their life on the line for me and is willing to die so I can have life… I will follow!
Friday, April 6, 2012
what a week!
bibles study first, surfing later
but first... a baptism
then, some surfing
heyyyyyy
Fernando (my spanish teacher) preparing for our BBQ
ohhhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
school / residence
need a lift?
Volleyball tournament on the beach
food on wheels
lunch - chicken, squash, plantain, and rice!
the power of stillness
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
-1 Kings 19
I’m currently in san juan del sur, Nicaragua… a beautiful place on the pacific coast. I’m going to a language school
http://www.nicaspanish.com/ , trying to surf and see as much of this town and country as possible. I wake up, eat breakfast, have class for 4 hours, eat lunch, go to the beach to rest my brain, attempt to surf, go on my evening run, come back to the house and shower, study, eat, and then go enjoy the fresh air and walk around town.
My experience has been amazing, I have new friends, I’m learning more and more about the culture and history everyday. The food is great, the fresh fruit… even better, the lifestyle here is… as they call it… ‘tranquilo.’ I get to drink amazing coffee to start off my day, get some sun on my pasty body and speak Spanish everyday! What a tough life right?
However, yesterday I was confronted yet again with something I have always struggled with… being still. Sitting in one place, stillness, and allowing myself to reflect on what is going on not only with the world around me, but within me.
If you know me, you know I like to be on the move, one place to another… never spending too much time in one place and always having to do something. This constant movement has pre-occupied my soul and I haven’t been taking to time to be present with myself or the things around me. As you can see by my schedule here, I have not created much time to just be… I have not heard the voice that moves in the silence.
Henri Nouwen’s words gives beautiful imagery to this feeling…
Without prayer we become deaf to the voice of divine love and become confused by the many competing voices asking for our attention When we try to become very still, we often find ourselves so overwhelmed by our noisy inner voices that we can hardly wait to get busy and distracted again. Our inner life often looks like a banana tree full of jumping monkeys! But when we decide not to run away and stay focused, the monkeys may gradually go away because of lack of attention, and the soft gentle voice calling us may gradually make itself heard.
-Henri J. M. Nouwen
We all have crazy lives, busy schedules and never enough time… but is it possible to be still amongst the chaos for just a few minutes? To actually meditate, to just be with the Father and yourself. To reflect on what is going on in your life… where you are, what youre doing, what you want to do, where you find God, how He is speaking to your soul, confronting those dark places in your soul which are the reasons for all of the distractions. I’m describing my life… if I don’t have to time to think or reflect, I don’t have to deal with it. However I must quiet myself to truly know myself
This reminds me of a quote from David Benner in ‘The Gift of Being Yourself’:
“Still, Christian spirituality has a great deal to do with the self, not just with God. The goal of the spiritual journey is the transformation of self. As we shall see, this requires knowing both our self and God. Both are necessary if we are to discover our true identity as those who are ‘in Christ’, because the self is where we meet God. Both are also necessary if we are to live out the uniqueness of our vocation.”
Stillness is required amidst the chaos if only for just a a few moments. Whether your chaos is a job, a family, adventures, traveling, social lives, etc.. take a few moments to just quiet your soul. Like Benner says, spiritual development is the knowing of yourself and the knowing of God, they go hand in hand, you cannot have one without the other. By knowing yourself, you are able to know God and by knowing God you are able to know yourself. The knowledge of both comes from this stillness.
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