Some Long Overdue Recaps (November, December, January)
Photo by Mantas Hesthaven
Returning: November 2021 Recap
In November, I returned to Honduras for a month by myself while Raúl stayed with my parents to continue studying and practicing English. It was stretching for many reasons. Honduras was set to have a presidential election, and all past experiences indicated that the country could be tumultuous. In fact, we knew of people who changed their trip itineraries to leave early for fear that the country would shut their borders. There were many rumors leading up to the election--rumors of protests, rumors of governmental shutdowns, rumors of electricity and internet being cut. The anxiety in the air was palpable as people panic bought groceries and stores boarded up their windows for fear of looters. With the help of friends, I successfully navigated my own preparations and stocking up. I even emailed my professor in the case that we lost electricity and internet. But the day of the election came and with it came an eerie calm. No reports of fraud. No reports of unrest. No road blocks. I kept myself pretty glued to the local news to see if anything unruly was going to unfold, but it didn't even when it became clear that the ruling party was being unseated by a landslide by a female. All wasn't completely without a hitch as it was later reported that there was a cyber attack on one of the servers holding the vote tally, but the process continued unharmed as backup servers preserved the count. Thus, the election proceeded with the absolute best case scenario.
The other question was whether my flight plans would be thwarted due to the capital's airport being closed to international flights in order to usher in the era of the new airport that was built an hour and a half away. As always, Honduran time is super slow until suddenly it isn't. But the new airport didn't open to operations until after I had already left, so I had one last flight out of Tegucigalpa...an airport that holds so many fond memories for me.
While in Honduras, I was blessed to get to see so many people I hadn't seen in a long time. My dining room table became the focal point of many good conversations and strengthening of the community we care so much about. I was also able to finish up my incredibly demanding class right before I headed back to the US for Raúl's immigration appointment.
Photo by Ben Kitching
God's Promises: God Does Not Give Us Fear, But Rather Power, Love, and Soundness of Mind
There was a lot of anxiety for me about whether or not I would make it back for Raúl's interview. How would I manage by myself if the electricity went out for a long time? What would happen with my class if I couldn't finish the final assignments? What if the roads were blocked, and I couldn't make it to the airport? My mom and Raúl at one point even urged me to change my flight so that I could ensure my return before the election. But, every time I prayed about it and dug into God's Word, I just sensed Him inviting me to stay. It wasn't a huge mandate. It's not like He would have been mad if I would have decided to leave. But, I felt like I would miss an invitation to strengthen my faith by watching Him provide for me and clear the way for me if I left. So, I stayed, with the words of 2 Timothy 1:7 echoing in my ears, "For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment" (Holman Christian Standard Bible). And, I am so glad that I did stay because seeing Him work on my behalf and on behalf of Honduras, causing the best possible unfolding of the election possible, bolstered my faith for the next set of obstacles we didn't see coming.
What I Ate:
1) Gluten-Free Mini Cheesecakes. This recipe was for my sister's birthday dinner. Since she eats gluten-free, birthday desserts can look a little different. She requested cheesecake, and these mini-cheesecakes turned out great. I had had so many prior headaches with springform pans that I was pretty adamant that I would only be making mini-cheesecakes in muffin tins. I am glad we went that route because the crust doesn't work as well in a larger format (ask me how I know!). We topped our cheesecakes with raspberries, shards of Ghiardelli raspberry dark chocolate, and powdered sugar. They were so good!
https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/gluten-free-mini-cheesecakes/
2) Tamarind Chutney. Naomi's favorite kind of food is Indian food. It's her comfort go-to, and a lot of Indian recipes are naturally gluten-free. So, she requested an Indian food feast for her birthday dinner. We at this tamarind chutney with our fried pakora. We didn't have jaggery sugar, so we just used regular. Here is the recipe we used:
https://www.seriouseats.com/sweet-tamarind-chutney-recipe
3) Pakora. We got carried away adding vegetables to these fritters, and the batter got away from us. We made wayyyy too much. But, they were a hit. We used grated potato, grated carrot, shredded cabbage, riced cauliflower, grated onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. We also went with tamarind chutney instead of the included dipping sauce in the recipe, but I'm sure that sauce would also have been good. You definitely want to use a sauce that has some acid. Here is the recipe we used:
https://www.recipetineats.com/pakora-indian-vegetable-fritters/
4) Mango Chicken Curry. This recipe was unique and pretty good. It probably could have used a bit more spice though. We served it with rice. The recipe is below:
https://www.theendlessmeal.com/mango-chicken-curry/
5) Cauliflower Korma Curry. This recipe was probably the most popular for the evening (besides the cheesecakes). The cashews give it a unique flavor, and it definitely had more spice.
https://simply-delicious-food.com/cauliflower-korma-curry/
6) Ina Garten Engagement Chicken. I saw several articles talking about Emily Blunt and someone else made this recipe for their now husbands. I am a fan of roast chicken in general, so naturally, it seemed like it would be fun to try. This chicken was pretty good. The lemons give it a nice bright flavor. I think Samin Nosrat's buttermilk-brined roast chicken is still my go-to favorite, but this one is nice for a change of pace.
https://www.food.com/recipe/engagement-roast-chicken-barefoot-contessa-413946
8) Cherry Tomato Confit. Speaking of Samin Nosrat, this recipe is so simple but so delicious. Who knew that cooking cherries tomatoes with basil and garlic in olive oil would produce something so versatile and tasty? The cherry tomatoes and garlic can be blended to make a pasta sauce. The confit itself can be used as a pasta sauce or the basis for vinaigrettes for salads. You could roast vegetables using the confit. The possibilities are pretty endless. Here is the recipe:
https://www.vogue.com/article/salt-fat-acid-heat-excerpt-samin-nosrat
What I Watched:
1) Eternals. As Marvel movies go, this one was not my favorite, but it was still enjoyable. It was always going to be a hard sell to introduce a huge ensemble of new characters when people were pining to know what was going on in the main timeline. The tone of this movie is also decidedly less fun or humorous than many other Marvel offerings even though it is visually appealing. Many of the characters are endearing although some seem rather one-dimensional (I'm sure that can be said for plenty of other superhero films too). The absolute best part of the film was the awesome representation of a deaf superhero, Makkari (played by Lauren Ridloff), and her chemistry with the funny and charming, Druig (played by Barry Keoghan). The film follows an ancient set of supernatural beings called the Eternals who are tasked with protecting earth from the Deviants. When a new invasion happens, they are united to fight but ultimately find out a truth about their own origins.
2) A Quiet Place 2. I watched this on a plane. It clearly was not really designed to be watched on a tiny screen in the seat in front of you using earbuds to listen, but nonetheless, it was a great film. The film picks up where the last one left off and shows how Emily Blunt's character, Evelyn, keeps her family safe and together while also searching for help in the midst of an ongoing alien invasion. (The aliens attack when they hear noise.) I loved that the movie placed its greatest focus on Regan (played by Millicent Simmonds) and her development and expanding role in her family. I also enjoyed the flashback scenes showing the initial alien invasion that led to this dystopian world. As was the case with the first movie, the character development and relationships is what gives it its heart.
3) Red Notice. Just about anything with Ryan Reynolds is going to be entertaining. His humor and witty sarcasm remind me of my brother. This movie follows an FBI profiler, played by Dwayne Johnson, as he pursues The Bishop, a renowned art thief. Along the way he must partner with his nemesis to reach victory. This isn't a ground-breaking movie or anything new for the genre, but all of the leads are charming, and the story keeps moving at a nice pace. All in all, it's just good escapist entertainment.
4) Kim's Convenience. I first discovered Simu Liu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, where he is charismatic and funny. So, when I stumbled upon Kim's Convenience, a Canadian show he had been on for many years before landing his MCU role, I felt like it was worth a shot. As I was home alone for a month, this was such a comforting show. The comedy follows a Korean-Canadian family as they navigate acculturation, family disputes, and generational and cultural differences. All of the characters, both the family members and the side characters, are quirky and funny. The show is heart-warming but refreshing as it puts a new spin on a lot of tired tropes and has the opportunity to explore new family dynamics because of its cross-cultural themes. It is definitely worth a watch. With that said, unfortunately, behind the scenes, many of the actors felt they didn't have a voice in representation, so I wouldn't put it on a platform of how to accurately and thoughtfully depict minority cultures.
What I Read:
1) The Long Way Home by Louise Penny. I am slowly making my way through Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series. This book picks up with Inspector Gamache retired in Three Pines, where he is trying to find some internal peace and a new way of life with his wife, Reine-Marie. However, one of the former villagers is missing, so Inspector Gamache is enticed to engage in a hunt to put many questions to rest and bring the village some closure. This was not my favorite of the series, but it was captivating and delved into some new settings and aspects of the art world while answering questions and tying loose ends related to a long-featured character.
2) The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky. This book is not my normal fare for recommendations, but this one was so impactful that it's worth recommending. I have read A LOT of Christian books in my lifetime, including books on dating and marriage. This book was very, very refreshing and was so helpful for me in exposing how the male lens has depicted God in ways that has been very hurtful to women. Using scientific studies, years of interactions with readers on an ongoing blog, and careful examination of scripture, the authors point out ways that popular Christian marriage books have defined sexuality, male and female marriage roles, and a healthy sex life in ways that do not consider God's heart for women. Yes, it does talk about sex, but it also talks about the overarching way that women have been taught in Christian circles to think about sex, their purpose in marriage, and their duties as a wife. I would recommend this book to anyone even if they aren't married because it was so healing to be validated and to conduct surgery to extract how so many of these teachings have affected my own relationship with God and my ingrained beliefs about how He sees me and treats me.
3) Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson. This was a book I read for a class based on cultural and social diversity. The author has a pretty evident leaning, but he also has some excellent points to make about the impact of privilege and oppression on all of us. In terms of talking about diversity and many of the issues that society is presented with in terms of racism, classism, and sexism, this book is worth reading if done so with an open mind. The way he presents many of his points considers how all of us can experience different kinds of marginalization and how socioeconomics intersects with other characteristics such as race and sex to create oppression. This is not a Christian book, and many of his messages reflect that. I don't agree with everything contained in the book, but I do appreciate when someone can challenge me thoughtfully.
Favorites:
1) New York Times Cooking. This was a little gift from me to me. I cook so often and am often looking for new recipes that I decided to splurge on the yearly subscription to New York Times Cooking. They have such a variety of unique recipes that draw from different cultures and different techniques that I tend to feel like I can find new ideas that I can't find from a simple Google search. I also got tired of the pay wall every time I would stumble upon an interesting recipe from them. I don't know if I'll keep it for forever, but I am enjoying it so far.
Photo by Chad Madden
Silencing Stress: December 2021 Recap
When I got back to the US, I hit the ground running. I had a few days home before we headed to Raúl's appointment. I nervously sat outside wrapped up in my coat (they don't let any family members into the building due to COVID restrictions) and prayed for Raúl as he went through the interview. He had studied so hard nearly everyday. One hundred civics questions in English. Page after page of interview questions. When he emerged from the office about an hour later, I scanned his face for a verdict. The long story short is that he passed the English interview, and the next notification should have been that he was going to have his oath ceremony the next day. But that's not how things went down. The officer told him that there was a question of jurisdiction related to his case, so he couldn't grant him US citizenship. After talking to our lawyer, Raúl and I went in to talk to the officer. At this point, what I most want you to know, especially if a message that you support is that immigrants should just come to the US legally, is that the process is unbelievably long, expensive, and difficult. It is a very complicated and convoluted system, and you absolutely have to know how to advocate for yourself. You also have to have extra money in the coffers to make extra trips to immigration offices or to pay for any number of circumstances that can arise. Many immigrants don't know how to advocate for themselves because they are unfamiliar with the culture. Many can't afford a lawyer to help them. If you ever want the details of the struggles we have experienced in this process, feel free to ask me. I will gladly share our experience because most people are not aware of how difficult it is to legally come to the US as a resident or citizen (or even as a tourist). We left that office with zero time line for when they would review his case and make a decision. We also left with zero understanding as to why they were harping on an issue that had no legal bearing for our kind of case. Something in their system was wrong, and we had done absolutely everything in our power to do things right. I felt so helpless. It was such an anti-climactic, deflating moment for Raúl to have reached the culmination of all his hard work, to pass, and to still be floating in limbo. For the next couple of days, I obsessed with what could be causing a problem in their online system. I sent several emails to the only contact we had in the immigration office attaching documents to try to prove our residence in Honduras and explaining what I thought was wrong in the system and why. I just wanted to know that I had exhausted everything in my power to advocate for Raúl. Eventually, I had to just realize that I had done everything that I could, it wasn't likely that we were going to hear an answer before Christmas, and I needed to be willing to set aside my frustration and worry in order to be present and enjoy the holidays. I placed things in God's hands and purposefully set his whole immigration case outside of my focus though present in my prayers.
Photo by Angel Luciano
God's Promises: We Can Receive Mercy and Grace in Our Time of Need
We were told that Raúl's case could be dismissed entirely. We had invested over a year of our lives and so much finances into seeing this process through. We had been held hostage by the whole process for over six months. So much about our future decisions was at stake and depended on this outcome. We didn't know how to plan. We didn't know what legal recourse we might have or how long we might have to wait for an answer. In fact, our lawyer prepared us for the worst, telling us that he had seen immigration make some crazy, questionable choices. All that there was left to do was admit our need of God's intervention. We had done our best to steward our time and resources well. We had been truthful and followed the process to the letter of the law. Now, despite all of that, our victory was at the discretion of just a few people and at the mercy of a system that wasn't designed for cases like ours. This was the promise I drew from during that season: "So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need" -- Hebrews 4:16 (Living Bible). Sometimes, my coming boldly looked like ranting over injustice and crying over how much others suffer at the hands of a broken system. Sometimes, it looked like choosing to enjoy Christmas and family time without thought for tomorrow. We needed His kindness and peace for the day, and His justice and mercy for the outcome.
The rest of the month was spent sweetly, enjoying having the whole family together for the first time in two years, cooking and eating good food, playing games, and watching Raúl continue to advance in English. If nothing else, we had the relief that he had already passed. Meanwhile, we were set to go back to Honduras January 6th, so I begged God to give us an answer before the end of the year, especially since my own Honduran residency card was set to expire January 16th. We're always allowed to ask, right?
What I Watched:
1) School of Chocolate. I am not much of a pastry chef or even a baker, but I loved watching the insane things that these pastry chefs could do with chocolate and other confections. While the show is a competition on Netflix, the judge aims to strengthen each person's skills and help them learn more. It was intriguing to watch contestants who started out weak progress to be able to exercise some truly astounding skills. Their creations were beautiful, and I loved watching their creativity expand with each episode.
2) While You Were Sleeping. This is the classic Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher movie that has become a Christmas classic for me. The premise (if you still haven't seen it) is that Sandra Bullock saves a man from a subway train, but he goes into a coma. A series of misunderstandings lead his family to believe that she is his fiancé. Because she is so lonely and in need of family, she doesn't know how to tell them the truth. The family ensemble is so charming and funny. Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, Glynis Johns, and Micole Mercurio make for a family worth falling in love with. The movie has winter and Christmas scenes, and the cast chemistry is cheery and entertaining. I watch it every year.
3) The Unforgivable. Speaking of Sandra Bullock, this was her most recent movie featured on Netflix. The film follows her character, a former criminal who gets out of jail, as she tried to acclimate to a society not eager to offer her employment or acceptance. In the mean time, she wants to find her sister, the one relationship that has kept her going. This movie tugs at your heartstrings and flips the script on your expectations.
4) Hawkeye. This Disney+ show follows Hawkeye over the Christmas holidays as he reconnects with his kids, encounters a young archer who idolizes him, and must face the consequences of his past choices. The best part of this show is the dynamic between Hailee Steinfeld and Florence Pugh's characters. It also delves into the aftermath of Clint's loss of Natasha (Black Widow) and gives her the proper sendoff that she hadn't received previously. It's not my favorite of the MCU shows, but it's upbeat, gives some characters some more depth, and moves the MCU in its new direction.
5) Matrix Resurrections. A lot of people weren't fond of this movie, but I liked it as a standalone epilogue and tribute to Trinity and Neo. It starts out as very meta and humorously doesn't take itself too seriously. It was really interesting how the film examined the impact of The Matrix on society while also commenting on the elements of social media and technology that weren't present when the first trilogy was released. At its heart, it's a film about the power of relationship. I liked how Trinity's character was elevated, and I liked Jessica Henwick's character. It was nostalgic in its incorporation of old characters and building off of old story lines without being patronizing (for the most part). While it does have some repetitive themes and isn't as groundbreaking as the original, I don't think it was intended to be.
6) Spiderman: No Way Home. This movie was excellent. I know that it was highly anticipated because it picked up immediately after the events of the last Spiderman movie, and no other MCU movie or character since End Game has provided some continuity for how already-beloved characters are faring. Most of the Tom Holland MCU Spiderman movies to this point have had a juvenile tone because that's what fits the character and his season of life. This movie, however, graduated to a new season in the character's life, worldview, and maturity in a way that felt authentic and admirable. In many ways, it wasn't what I expected based on the trailers, but it was so satisfying. The movie follows Peter Parker after his identity was revealed by Mysterio. As a result, he seeks out Dr. Strange to set a spell in motion causing everyone to forget who Spiderman is. Peter's indecisiveness in the midst of the spell, however, unleashes the multiverse and unintended consequences that affect everyone Peter cares about. Many of the characters were given greater depth in development, and the movie asks some intriguing questions about what it means and what it takes to be a superhero. It's one of the best MCU films.
7) Tenet. I am late to the game on this one, but it's still worth sharing. In the past, I have enjoyed Christopher Nolan's films and their ability to make me think. I don't think that this movie is his best, but I appreciated the creativity of the premise. The acting by John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki was great, and the visuals were captivating. My biggest gripe with this film is that the sound mixing was awful. There were times that the music was so loud that you couldn't hear the dialogue. This is a common complaint for many of Nolan's movies, and apparently, it's intentional. But, it does a disservice to the storytelling and the audience because while it may be intended to balk at relying on dialogue to further plot, it just ends up confusing the audience and seeming like shoddy work. It is very difficult to explain the plot of this movie. So let's leave it at John David Washington's character being recruited for a mysterious body dedicated to international espionage that operates with a scientific understanding that challenges the current concept of time.
What I Ate:
1) Rachael Ray Tamarind Glazed Chicken Thighs. These were pretty good. We had some tamarind concentrate to use up after Naomi's Indian feast, and we have a restaurant in Tegucigalpa that serves some popular tamarind and peanut wings that I like. This seemed like a spinoff of that recipe, and the results were a nice mix of tangy, sweet, and spicy. Here is the recipe:
https://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/tamarind-glazed-chicken-thighs
2) Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing. I have shared a similar chicken salad recipe before, but this one features no meat and a really delightful peanut dressing. We didn't include the edamame because of family dietary restrictions, but I wouldn't omit it if possible. (I have discovered that I am a big fan of edamame.) Here is the recipe:
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/thai-crunch-salad-with-peanut-dressing.html
3) New York Times Cooking Smashed Potatoes with Thai-Style Chile and Herb Sauce. I had never made smashed potatoes before. They're so easy and a great way to eat potatoes that aren't the usual means like mashed or fried. You can also top them with anything like cheese and bacon or sour cream and green onions. It you want something with a unique flare, though, definitely try this recipe:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021103-smashed-potatoes-with-thai-style-chile-and-herb-sauce
4) Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas). My brother really likes Mediterranean food, and we both really like stuffed grape leaves. I had never made them before, so when we decided to do our Christmas dinner with some Mediterranean flavors, I was up for a culinary challenge. These were a huge hit. They were probably the first of the leftovers to finish up, and I made a ton. However, they are A LOT of work. The first thing to note is that it can be a real challenge to get the grape leaves out of the jar because there's like 80 leaves in one medium-sized jar. Let me just say, there was a lot of furious shaking of the jar, a lot of angry and fruitless Google searches, and a lot of Raúl saying, "Let's just break the jar" while I rolled my eyes at him and thought about how much fun it would be to eat shards of broken glass. The man's philosophy is all about "if it's not working, we need more muscle." In the end, tongs were what came to the rescue. Just be advised that according to someone in internet land, that method didn't work for them. Once you get the leaves out of the jar, you have to rinse and lay flat each individual leaf and remove the stem. Most recipes called for ground beef, but I used Italian sausage for some more flavor. We also used a big quantity of herbs. Some of the leaves unfolded as we were cooking them, so beware of overstuffing. Definitely make sure to put some potatoes at the bottom of the pot when boiling to keep the leaves from burning and sticking. They are time-consuming, but they are also yummy. Here are the recipes I used for reference:
https://www.themediterraneandish.com/stuffed-grape-leaves-dolmades/
https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-stuffed-grape-leaves/
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18842/my-own-famous-stuffed-grape-leaves/
5) New York Times Cooking Shrimp in Garlic Sauce (Gambas al Ajillo). These are pretty straightforward to make and flavorful. If you have some crusty bread to serve with them, the sauce is worth sopping up. Here is the recipe:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012534-spanish-style-shrimp-with-garlic
Photo by Ana Azevedo
6) New York Times Cooking Dark Chocolate Mousse. I think the last time that I made chocolate mousse, I was in middle school and was trying out my very first kid cookbook. It's an old school dessert, but that doesn't make it any less amazing. Because we needed some gluten-free desserts for Christmas, and chocolate was specifically on the order, I decided to make this recipe. I only wish that I would have made more because it was so good. Everyone kept asking if there were any little cups of mousse left. (There weren't.) It is incredibly easy to make in the blender as long as you have a blender with an easy opening to stream things in while blending. We topped ours with fresh raspberries and whipped cream. I would 100% make it again. (Too bad Honduras doesn't generally sell real heavy whipping cream. What they sell just texturally doesn't cut it for some applications.)
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020831-blender-chocolate-mousse
What I Read:
1) The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. When I first read the description for this Inspector Gamache book, I wasn't initially excited. But, the book pleasantly surprised me with the directions the characters were lead and how the plot developed. It all starts with a Three Pines boy with an outlandish imagination disappearing, but it soon evolves to expose many secrets the town has been harboring for years. It wasn't a great month for reading because we were running all over the place. So, this one's all I have for this month.
Favorites:
1) Faith of My Father album by Steffany Gretzinger. This album is so pure and includes covers of many songs that my parents sang in church when I was a baby, songs that I also grew up with myself. I think Steffany Gretzinger's sweet spot is when her musicality is stripped down and her authenticity in relationship to God can shine through. This album does exactly that. I will include the Youtube video of the album story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJwquscGO6A&t=3s
It's just better if you watch her tell it. Definitely an album worth checking out and taking some solitary moments to engage with in worship.
Anchor: January 2022 Recap
Photo by Achim Scholty
On New Year's Eve, I was trying not to be crestfallen that we still hadn't heard anything from Immigration. I knew the reality was that most federal employees accumulate their vacation days and have to use them up before the year ends in order not to lose them. So, it was never likely that we were going to hear something before January. So, we spent New Year's Eve at my grandmother's playing games with friends and family and eating snacks. Most of December was spent running so much that I struggled to quiet my mind for the usual end-of-the-year reflection. I had spent some concentrated time in November asking God what my word was for 2022 and seeking some clarity for what the new year might bring. The answers were few and far between. In many ways, I didn't want to reflect on 2021 because it felt like a hijacked year. The time we spent with my family was a beautiful blessing that I wouldn't trade for anything, but most of the year did feel like being a buoy just bobbing out at sea. I don't do aimless well, is what I'm saying. And, how I wanted 2021 to culminate didn't happen. But, I started 2022 with the resolve that we just had to move forward.
On January 2, a Sunday of all days, we finally heard from Immigration. While they blamed the mistake on us (none of what they said we did in terms of rescheduling appointments which messed up our case in the system ever happened), they did say that it was merely a mistake and that Raúl would be granted citizenship. What a relief. Raúl cried when I told him. Poor guy had been waiting and working toward this for over a year. However, we didn't hear about scheduling his oath ceremony for a few more days because a snowstorm hit the DC area. This is the storm that stranded motorists on the interstate for 36 hours or more with no food or water or heat in some cases. We were set to fly out on Thursday. On Tuesday, Immigration asked us if we could make it to their office in the early afternoon. Given that we were five hours away, they didn't email us until about 10am, and their office closed at 3pm, that wasn't doable. To make a long story short, we ended up changing our plane tickets twice. Everything was down to the wire. We got a nice big snow storm that weekend, which Raúl greatly enjoyed. He loves the snow. On Monday we drove to my grandmother's to be closer to DC. On Tuesday, we headed to Raúl's oath appointment. It was freezing! He emerged from the Immigration office with his little flag, his certificate, and a beaming smile. We managed to snap some pictures before we ran back to the car to get out of the windy, chilly cold. From there, we drove back to my parents, where I made it on time for my online class. On Wednesday, we had Raúl's passport appointment and packed up, leaving that afternoon for Pittsburgh. We stayed in a hotel that night to fly out early the next morning. We flew into the brand new airport in Honduras on Thursday. The following day was my last possible day to renew my Honduran residency card without being fined, and I was able to do it! Without a doubt, God came through for us. Last minute is uncomfortable, and in many ways, because everything was so rushed, it still doesn't feel real. But, after a long, long road, we finally closed this chapter of our story. Of the nearly five years we have been married, we have only ever spent nine months of that not actively in an immigration process. Thank you to all of you who prayed, asked, and kept up with us throughout this journey.
God's Promises: He Is Our Anchor
Back in November, I kept seeing the word "anchor" pop up as I was in the midst of asking God for my word for 2022. I kept fighting it. I didn't want "anchor" to be my word because you generally don't need an anchor when seas are calm and or when you're moving forward. I didn't like the foreshadowing a word like "anchor" entailed. Nevertheless, I have come to understand that "anchor" is at least one of my words for this year.
As we headed back to Honduras, we were immediately swamped with a variety of circumstances. Our dog had gotten sick on Christmas, and our brother-in-law and housesitters were doing the best they could to get him to the vet and see that he was eating and taking medications. It wasn't clear what was wrong with him, and I felt so out of control because I couldn't be there with him or ask the vet all of my questions. Since we have been back, we have had several vet visits that eventually culminated in Rocky being diagnosed with lymphoma. Because of some poor choices on the part of the vet and because he also has a tickborne illness, there isn't anything else we can do to cure him or bring him into remission. It's been really heartbreaking, especially because we spent three of our nearly seven months in the US going through the the last of my childhood dogs having cancer. Rocky has been one of the most unexpected blessings and best company for me in many hard seasons. He has been an expression of God's love in times when I have needed it most. For the time being, we are going to provide him with palliative care as his quality of life, disposition, and eating habits have still been positive. We will keep assessing his condition to be humane. If nothing else, I am grateful that we have this time with him and can love him well. He has been stuck to me like glue since we got back.
In the mean time, Raúl has started back at work with a myriad of pending conflicts that were just waiting for him to step foot on Honduran soil to fully unleash. We just discovered our vehicle has numerous structural issues that have to be repaired. I have started another class and am in the process of looking for a practicum/internship placement since I am set to start that in August. And, honestly, January through March are my least favorite months of the year because they are full of administrative tasks that involve lots of money leaving our savings and lots of interactions with governmental institutions that can be great cause for stress and frustration. (All in a year when I just had lots of stress and frustration due to governmental institutions!) So many people around us are in economic need at a time when our finances are tight, and many are going through tough emotional situations as well. "Anchor" is indeed an applicable word for life right now. I have found that the posture of my heart toward those around me is simply, "I do not have solutions or answers right now. I feel pretty spent, but let's be needy before the Lord together." That's probably the healthiest place to be at anyway.
We have lots of people asking us about plans for the future in light of Raúl's citizenship, my need for a practicum/internship placement, and how ministry has evolved as a result of COVID. I don't have any answers. Trust me when I say that I wish I did. We are doing our best to hear the Lord, to serve those He places in our path, and to let Him lead us. I could tell back in November that this year, or at least part of it, would continue to be one in which God only lets me see about one foot in front of me. It's uncomfortable for sure because planning is my usual compensation for anxiety. Being responsible in preparation is generally how I feel like a good steward. It seems it's time to learn a new means of being, and I am trying to have the attitude that this is a season of invitation to build my faith and to see how the Lord is going to work on my behalf. I am drawing strength from His promise in Hebrews 6:
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek. -- Hebrews 6:18-20 (The Message)
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. -- Hebrews 6:19-20 (New Living Translation)
The hope referred to is that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. He is the very nature of the word "promise." It is our hope in His identity as good that leads us to the secret place again. It is our circumstantial, emotional, and spiritual need that reminds us to grasp to that hope. It's all meant to lead us to the secret place again anyway.
What I Ate:
1) Parmesan Almond Lemon Kale Salad. My sister got all of my family started on this salad right before Raúl and I came back to Honduras, and I have kept it up. It's simple with just kale, parmesan cheese, and almonds (or pine nuts or cashews or whatever floats your boat), but the lemon (or lime) vinaigrette is what makes it. There are lots of recipes out there. Here is one for reference:
https://letsdishrecipes.com/kale-and-almond-salad-with-lemon-and-parmesan/
2) "Asian" Chicken Salad. Let's just be real in that Asia is a huge continent that encompasses many countries with very unique cuisines and flavors and cooking techniques. So, calling anything "Asian" is just a westernized way of saying we think these flavors come from that side of the world or this is our take on applying what we think of as Eastern ingredients to our cuisine. There's nothing authentic about it. My first introduction to some variation of this salad was at Applebee's many many years ago if that tells you anything. Just the same, I liked it and wanted to replicate some version of it. This version is not quite the same but was still good and something I ate on for quite a few days. Here is what I threw together: chopped Napa cabbage, chopped leaf lettuce, grated carrots, chopped cilantro, chopped green onion, cashews, sesame seeds, canned and drained mandarin oranges, and chopped chicken breast. The dressing was made with peanut butter, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and honey.
Photo by Peggy Marco
3) New York Times Cooking Baked Rajma. I had never tried this or even heard of it before (Thank you, New York Times Cooking!) While the concept of beans and cheese or cream is pretty simple, the flavors in this dish are deep and complex because of so many spices. I can foresee this recipe joining our list of favorites because we are a frequent bean-eating household. Here is the recipe:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021035-baked-rajma-punjabi-style-red-beans-with-cream
4) Kielbasa Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner. When life it hectic, quick and easy, tried and true is the way to go with meal-planning. For this very easy dinner, I just chopped up some kielbasa, zucchini, red peppers, and cherry tomatoes. We seasoned it with olive oil, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. You could also top it with parmesan cheese at the end. Here is a recipe:
https://www.averiecooks.com/sheet-pan-sausage-vegetables/
5) Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Again, it doesn't get much easier than this. Raúl was such a fan of these too! Mix some shredded chicken with some grated carrots, buffalo sauce, salt, pepper, and a little Ranch dressing (it could definitely be more complicated than that, but why though?). Add that to either a large leaf of leaf lettuce or a leaf of romaine lettuce. Top with feta or blue cheese, chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, and chopped avocado. You could also add chopped celery. I'm just not a fan of raw celery. You could add some additional Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing if you wanted to, but it's not super necessary. Just be advised that depending on the buffalo sauce you use, these can be spicy.
What I Watched:
1) Venom: Let There Be Carnage. This was another plane watch. The first one was not widely accepted with audience approval, but I liked it. I also liked this one. Tom Hardy is just an excellent Eddie Brock. Woody Harrelson makes for a creepy and tortured villain who Eddie interviews in prison. And the drama between Venom and Eddie and how they develop a means of living life together is entertaining.
2) Lost in Space. This is a family show, so it's relatively predictable, has happy endings, and utilizes a story premise that is already well-known. However, I like it even with some of the corniness. This last season of the show on Netflix picks up where the Robinson family left off, with the children separated from their parents. They continue to try to reach Alpha Centauri while avoiding SAR, the alien villain species. The robot continues to help Will, and each member of the Robinson family experiences a solidification of their identities as their stamina and bravery are tested.
What I Read:
1) A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny. Sooner or later, I'm going to run out of Louise Penny Inspector Gamache books to read and will have to figure out what's next. For now, I'm just going to keep trucking through the series. I am a fan of the books in the series that furthers Armand Gamache's own life story and chronicles his choices and his family and department. This book scratches that itch as Inspector Gamache has taken on the role of heading up the academy for new cadets. His aim is to uproot the lingering corruption and establish a new tone of integrity; however, his methods and strategies are risky. In this midst of this new job, a map is found in the wall of the bistro in Three Pines, which leads four cadets toward testing their own mettle. One cadet in particular, Amelia, causes mysterious conundrums for Gamache as a murder at the academy brings secret connections to the light.
2) Taste: My Life through Food by Stanley Tucci. I love a good food memoir and getting to know famous people through their experiences with food. Food naturally coincides with community and relationship, identity and nostalgia. Plus, this book includes some recipes I want to try. This book includes a lot of really fun facts about food on movie sets, quirky stories about cultural food clashes at Christmas, and tributes to family members and places. Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the book was reading about Stanley Tucci's battle with oral cancer and how it affected his relationship with food and those around him. It does have some spicy language, but I enjoyed it.
Here is to starting fresh. A new chapter. Returning to our roots in Him. Reflecting on the past to learn how to move forward. Letting our identity be stripped of the things He did not call us. Giving Him permission to show us who He is without the clouded lenses of our negative experiences. Here is to boldly entering the throne room both for grace and mercy but also to crawl up into His lap and just be spent. Here is to renewed celebration and making it our greatest goal to just learn to hear Him well. Here is to placing uncertainty in His hands with wonder over how He's going to pull it off rather than fear that He will fail us. Here is to creativity, comfort, and the kindness to ourselves to just be exactly where we are for however long He has us here. May our souls be anchored above all else in Him.
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