The Wonders of Autumn: September and October 2021 Recaps
Persevering: September 2021 Recap
This has been the most unexpected year. We didn't expect to be in the US this long, but we have continued to do what we have known that we can do to prepare for whatever is to come. Raúl continued to study hard day after day for his citizenship test. I continued on with my graduate classes, including a trauma class that was especially confirming for me. Every aspect of that class felt like a bolster to my choice to study counseling. So much of what I have encountered in the last ten years in Honduras has been related to trauma. Knowing the way that trauma can affect people in so many diverse ways helped me to understand some of my life, relationships, and ministry. In the midst of studies, I tried to remind myself that while we didn't plan for this time, there is no reason that we can't enjoy it as the gift from God that it is. We were especially blessed that God granted some cheap plans tickets to go see my brother in Washington state. I also haven't been in the US for the autumn changing of the leaves for many years. I love it so much!
God's Promises: God Grants Us What We Need to Persevere
In the grind of September, when we thought we were entering the home stretch for this long citizenship process, some verses that were helpful reminders were from Philippians.
God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. - Philippians 2:13, The Passion Translation
Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. - Philippians 4:6-7, The Passion Translation
I am convinced that God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ! - Philippians 4:19, The Passion Translation
What I Ate:
1) Jambalaya. There are lots of great recipes out there. Here is one I used:
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/jambalaya-recipe/
2) Chipotle Potato Salad. This was an attempt to make a potato salad with a little bit of spice. I combine chopped cooked potatoes, chopped raw yellow bell peppers, green onions, bacon, hard boiled eggs, sour cream, a small amount of mayo, salt, pepper, cumin, chipotle chili powder, and hot sauce. It was a nice twist, especially if you're not generally a fan of typical potato salads.
Photo by Floh Maier
3) Watermelon with Tajín. My brother and sister-in-law got me started on this. My brother loves all things Tajín, which is a Mexican seasoning that combines chili powder and lime seasoning. I don't usually like watermelon, but the Tajín gives it great flavor.
4) The Pioneer Woman's Red Pepper Soup. This soup was a huge hit with my grandmother. She is a soup person, and this soup is a great choice on a cool, rainy day. I have added chipotle chili powder before to give it a bite, but it is just as good without it. It also goes well with grilled cheese sandwiches.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a101129/creamy-roasted-red-pepper-soup/
5) Mediterranean Style Vegetables. I tend to make a lot of a lot roasted cauliflower, and I was looking for a way to amp up the usual. This recipe doesn't call for the cauliflower to be roasted, but it's better if you do roast it. I also added some sauteed zucchini and some za'atar seasoning.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mediterranean-cauliflower/
Photo by Jodi Pender
6) Sweet Curried Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Walnuts. My mom is usually not a fan of Brussels sprouts, but this recipe changed that. It has sweetness from the brown sugar and crunch from the walnuts. I also recommend adding a splash of lemon or lime juice for some acidity.
https://www.killingthyme.net/2017/01/19/sweet-curried-brussels-sprouts-with-toasted-walnuts/
7) Halfbaked Harvest Mustard and French Wine Chicken. Just follow the recipe below. It goes great with mashed potatoes or rice--anything to soak up that sauce. While the recipe says slow cooker, I actually just did it on the stove top, and it turned out just fine.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/slow-cooker-french-wine-and-mustard-chicken/
8) Peruvian Chopped Salad. If you're tired of the usual salad rotation, this is a tangy assembly of some unexpected vegetables. It also pairs well with Peruvian chicken.
https://www.thecookierookie.com/peruvian-chopped-salad-recipe/
Photo by Andreas Dress
9) Poke Bowls. I will have to get back to you on the DIY recipe for these, but for now, let me recommend that you try some if you have a restaurant close by. Poke (poe-kay) bowls consist of raw fish like tuna or cooked chicken with fresh vegetables, rice, and some flavorful sauces. If you like sushi, this would likely appeal to you. It's so delightfully diverse in tastes and textures without feeling heavy.
What I Read:
1) The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh. I read Adam S. McHugh's other book, Introverts in the Church, and was impressed by his insight. This book is also insightful as it explores listening as a spiritual practice and how we can effectively listen to other people as an act of love. I would highly recommend this book just from the standpoint that many chapters teach many of the practical, active listening skills that I learned in my own counseling skills classes.
2) God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Greig. I love Pete Greig's writing style. From time to time, I get weary of the tone of a lot of typical, spiritual books, but Greig doesn't sugar coat with platitudes or clichés. His thoughts and examinations of the reasons for unanswered prayer are especially poignant because he has walked his own journey of unanswered prayer since his wife struggles with severe epilepsy. Some editions of this book include a 40-day journal to explore the themes of the book on a personal level.
3) The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. Now that I am reviewing the books of September, I can see a clear theme of listening. This fiction book, another in the Inspector Gamache mystery series, takes place in the middle of a monastery, where the monks observe a vow of silence except for singing chants in worship. When a murder takes place on the premises, Inspector Gamache and his right-hand man Inspector Beauvior, stay in the monastery until they solve the case. I will be honest that this book felt slow just because it was hard for me to connect to the characters and the setting. But, the way that the book moves along the overarching plot of Inspector Beauvior's and Inspector Gamache's lives makes it worth reading.
What I Watched:
1) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This movie was excellent although it didn't connect much with the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. I didn't mind honestly because it had likeable characters, visually impressive action, witty humor, and a heartfelt story line. This is the origin of Shang-Chi, a superhero who has roots in magical powers and a weapon known as the ten rings. While he has been in hiding and living life in the United States, his past comes for a reckoning, surprising his friends with his true identity. One of the strengths of the MCU has been building an attachment to the characters so that epic climaxes and ensemble films involve emotional investment. This is a character I am excited to see more of.
2) Chaos Walking. Starring Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland, this movie has a very unique premise and actually is based on a book trilogy. In the movie Daisy Ridley arrives to a world where there are no women, and all of the men's thoughts can be read. Tom Holland's character, Todd, is startled to encounter a woman and one whose mind he cannot read, but he decides to help her attempt to contact her ship. Along the way, they uncover truths about the planet and Todd's past as they battle the challenges of a dystopian world. The format for how the men's thoughts are conveyed is initially a little distracting, but you get used to it. The book also includes some well-timed humor as well.
Favorites:
1) Trip to Washington. Raúl and I were blessed by an unexpected trip to Washington state to go see my brother and sister-in-law. I hadn't seen my brother in nearly two years, and we were really blessed to have some time to see the places and meet the people that have become staples in their lives over the last couple of years. We loved spending time with them and getting to explore the Pacific Northwest.
Photo by Phil Riley
Taking It All in Stride: October 2021 Recap
In the midst of drinking pumpkin lattes, taking in the colors of the leaves, and enjoying the need for a sweater, Raúl and I resigned ourselves that he had studied as much as possible. We didn't know what the outcome would be, but there would be no denying that his English had improved. In the mean time, I geared up for another graduate class with no break from my last class. It was (and still is) my last class for the year. So there was light at the end of the tunnel. But, just a little over a week before Raúl's immigration appointment, we were notified that his appointment had been canceled and rescheduled for December. This has made life complicated logistically, but we are approaching this unexpected change in plans with the attitude that if God has allowed it, it is for our good. It was hard to stomach the fact that Raúl just has to keep studying, but we know that however many more bends in the path there are, God is sovereign.
God's Promises: God Is Sovereign
Here is the verse I have been holding onto this month in light of our continued roller coaster:
For in him was created the universe of things, both in the heavenly realm and on the earth, all that is seen and all that is unseen. Every seat of power, realm of government, principality, and authority--it all exists through him and for his purpose! He existed before anything was made, and now everything finds completion in him. - Colossians 1:16-17, The Passion Translation
One way or another, everything finds completion in Him.
What I Ate:
Photo by Sigmund
1) Stuffed Peppers. Growing up, I used to hate stuffed bell peppers. As an adult, I have mixed feelings about bell peppers. The green ones are just so bitter. This was just an attempt to make a favorite of my dad's in a way that I also found palatable. Since I'm still not a huge fan of green bell peppers, I used red, orange, and yellow peppers. I stuffed the peppers with a combination of ground Italian sausage, rice, pesto, chopped tomatoes, white beans, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. I topped them with provolone cheese.
2) Halfbaked Harvest Wild Rice Chicken Mushroom Soup. The below is a great recipe. Don't be alarmed that the black grains of wild rice will turn your chicken and broth purple. Over time, the rice will soak up the liquid which makes it less of a soup, but it's actually delicious that way.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamy-wild-rice-chicken-soup/
3) Rachael Ray Cider Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts. This dish was delicious. It is not a health food, but it is a hearty, flavorful meal for an autumn dinner.
https://rachaelray.com/blogs/recipes/rachaels-cider-chicken-thighs-with-brussels-sprouts
What I Read:
1) How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny. The next book in the series was very redeeming of the last book. This book was full of intrigue, twists, character development, tension, and action. It is one of the best of the Inspector Gamache series. The initial mystery emerges from Three Pines as a woman who was formerly famous is found murdered, but it intertwines with the ongoing mystery of what is happening behind the scenes at the police force in Quebec. As Inspector Gamache investigates the suffering of a family, he has to call in the favors of his beloved friends to save the day before time runs out.
2) The Very Worst Missionary: A Memoir or Whatever by Jamie Wright. A dear friend of mine sent me this book, wondering what I would think of it. I will start by saying that Jamie Wright's style is very easy-to-read and is full of transparency and humor. Be aware that this book has a lot of spicy language and part of its intent is to challenge many aspects of the current foreign missions system and approach. The author presents many valid points and observations about life on the mission field and how ill-prepared we can be when we set out from our home countries. What she doesn't offer is very many practical solutions. This book came out a few years ago, and while the author did serve as an activist for missions reform, she has since shifted her endeavors as her life has changed. For the season that I am in, I will admit that I found it refreshing to read many thoughts that I have had myself come from someone else's pen. It made me feel seen and understood in many respects. At the same time, I don't know that I agree with all of the author's conclusions. Ten years in, I think I am still sorting out what it means to be a missionary and who I am as a missionary. One thing I can see with clarity is that missionaries are humans, with hurts and character defects and good intentions, just like everyone else. We don't get a pass on humanity just because we choose to live in another country.
3) Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton. A couple years ago, I found the Facebook page called Humans in New York. Basically, a photographer had started taking pictures of the random people he encountered on the streets of New York City. After a while, these photos evolved into interviews and touching stories that he chronicled for audiences on Facebook. The result of years of doing this was compiling many stories and photos into this book. While it may sound cliché, everyone indeed has a story, and this book will keep you turning pages.
What I Watched:
1) Brooklyn 99. Let's be honest--this season was not the strongest of the series. But, the finale was great! Nothing like a Halloween Heist episode. In case you never checked out this show when it was on, it is a comedy that follows a police station, Brooklyn 99, with its array of quirky characters. The cast has great chemistry, which is really what makes the show worth it.
2) The Guilty. This movie was shot in a matter of days in the middle of the pandemic, and the director had to direct from an isolated van because he was exposed to COVID. The movie follows Jake Gyllenhaal as a cop who has been demoted to 911 operator. He takes a call in the middle of some wildfires and takes a personal interest in the person on the other line. This movie keeps you on your toes and challenges implicit biases and knee-jerk assumptions. Even though it stays focused on only one location, it captivates the audience attention through urgency.
3) Cruella. I am a fan of Emma Stone, and I was interested to see how she could add some new depth to the character of Cruella. Even though it is the origin story of a villain, it has some sweetness to go along with the sass. It is reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada in many ways. The story has some fun twists and also ties into the original story in some creative ways.
4) Bake Squad. This show on Netflix follows a team of bakers and pastry experts as they complete pitches for prospective clients. While the client does pick one winner, the tone of the show is not cutthroat or overly competitive. It's light-hearted, and their creations are amazing!
5) Free Guy. This movie was so much fun. It does have some strong and sometimes suggestive language. Starring Ryan Reynolds, it follows Guy, a character in a video game who suddenly becomes aware and starts playing the game. It is very funny, has lots of action sequences, and even includes a love story. The premise is really creative. It is worth the watch.
Here is an autumn prayer as we head into November:
O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.
As we welcome the autumn months,
may the earlier setting of the sun
remind us to take time to rest.
May the brilliant colors of the leaves
remind us of the wonder of your creation.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air
remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.
May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.
May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.
- Author Unknown
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