Thanksgiving- First 3 month memories

As we near the celebration of our first Thanksgiving in Cusco, I thought I'd just remind myself of the many blessed memories we have experienced in our short 3 months here.

T: Third birthday celebration for Eliza

H: Homemade chocolate chip cookies with friends

A: Angelina Ballerinas

N: Niños- And lots of them!!!

K: Krazy Kousins

S: Special deliveries- Thank you for the great packages Mom, Emmie & Aunt Debbie!

G: Girly goofiness

I: Innovative crafts

V: Victoriously climbing into chairs

I: Irritated siblings

N: New arm tattoos

G: Great messes

Cristo eres tú

We have been encouraged to listen to Spanish music in order to learn the language, culture, and heart of Latin America.  I was recently listening to this song by Marcela Gandara and was challenged by the cost of being a disciple of Jesus, denying myself and taking up my cross daily to follow him (Luke 9:23).  

The song continues to say, "I am ready to give You everything, and here remain.  Today I will fix my eyes on You, and will guard my heart in Truth.  Do not stop guiding me for a single moment, for only in You I will put my trust."

This is the cry of my heart as we continue to adjust and learn a culture and language and beg God to bless our hands in Cusco for His glory.  Living in another country has made me very aware of my shortcomings and weaknesses apart from Christ, and has turned my eyes to Him for refuge and confidence. It is when I have surrendered to Him my fears, weaknesses and sin struggles that I have found rest and His perfect peace.

This simple, yet precious song continues to confess that Christ is the way in whom we find beautiful peace.  Life has not always been peaceful for me here, in fact, I've had angry outbursts, spoken destructive words, doubted the beauty around me, experienced times of physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue.  But... my heart has been stirred:

To seek Jesus in His Word.  

To speak Truth to my heart.

To fix my eyes on Him.

To deny myself.

To pick up my cross.

To follow Jesus.

To find beautiful peace in the midst of the crazy thing called life here in Cusco. 

Oh, how thankful I am that I have been given all this and more through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Cristo eres tú

Tomando cada día mi cruz
Cada paso que tu des yo daré
Dispuesto estoy a dártelo todo
Y así permanecer

Mis ojos hoy en ti fijaré
En verdad mi corazón guardaré
No dejes ni un momento de guiarme
Solo en ti confiaré

Cristo eres tú, la verdad que me llevó a libertar
El camino que me lleva a encontrar tu hermosa paz

Tomando cada día mi cruz
Cada paso que tu des yo daré
No dejes ni un momento de guiarme
Solo en ti confiaré

Cristo eres tú, la verdad que me llevó a libertad
El camino que me lleva a encontrar tu hermosa paz

Tomando cada día mi cruz
Cada paso que tu des yo daré

Eliza is 3!

Eliza is such a joy to us!  She is always making us laugh and smile with her sweet sayings, funny faces and entertaining mannerisms.  We are so thankful for her life and the joy she brings into the lives of so many others.  One of the most beautiful things about Eliza is her generous, loving heart- she always is the first to volunteer to share her things or speak words of encouragement.  Eliza also shows a godly concern for others at such a tender age of 3 (which I have often been encouraged and challenged by!)
So, on this 10th of October, we celebrate the precious gift of Elizabeth McCallay Daniel.  Thank you, Lord, for such a beautiful, precious daughter!

Just "Monkeying Around" Between Trimesters

Our final trimester of language school is going to begin this Wednesday.  It is hard to believe that we have lived in San Jose for over 8 months!

Monkey Anna Grace

Monkey Eliza

We were fortunate to have a brief break between trimesters to rest our brains from Spanish.  We have been able to relax and spend sweet time together as a family.

We were even more fortunate to have some wonderful visitors!
My parents came for a visit, and we really enjoyed our time celebrating Easter with them.

Also, David's good friend Brandon came for a long weekend to encourage us and spend time with our family.  With Brandon, we had the opportunity to visit an animal rescue center and learn about many of the different wildlife found in Costa Rica.

AG and Brandon with howler monkey

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our family as we continue to trust God for learning Spanish so that we can bring the hope of the Gospel to Peru!

Sweet Baby Caleb

I just have to take a moment to share about our sweet Caleb.  He really has been an amazing baby- what a blessing during this phase of life and transition!  We could really count how many times we've actually heard him cry, and he has been easy-going and such a joy.

Since we moved to a 2 bedroom apartment, Caleb sleeps in our room.  The other night, as David & I were settling into bed, Caleb woke up and looked at us from his crib.  With the pacifier still in his mouth, he would give the biggest grin and giggle at us, look away, then look back to make sure we hadn't left.  Again, he'd grin, giggle, look away, look back.  How precious- David and I couldn't help but return his grin and laughter with our own!

The girls have been such great helpers and big sisters.  Eliza has especially taken her role with great sensitivity and pride.  She is quick to bring him a toy, pacifier or just entertain him.

God has been very gracious to our family and we thank him for his continued faithfulness and love!

Our Family

I just want to take this opportunity to thank God for my precious family!   

God has been so good to David and I by giving us 3 beautiful children, each with unique personalities and gifts.  

 Anna Grace is sweet, loving & reminds me of God’s tender heart.

Eliza is funny, outgoing & reminds me of God’s loving-kindness. 

Caleb is just plain cute and chubby and reminds me of God’s faithfulness and provision.

Thank you for loving and praying for our family!  You are our family, too, and remind us of God’s goodness!  Please keep us updated on how we can pray for you.