Let's start this post with a cute puppy picture. We went camping in November with friends and this little dog found us and stayed by our side almost the entire time. It wasn't until we drove off in the car that he reluctantly had to stay behind. I don't even know where November went. One minute it was here and the next it was already December. In the beginning of November I had a persistent cough that I couldn't seem to shake. Several weeks later, after much reluctance but with the persistence of my husband, I went to the doctor to see what was going on. Basically, it was chalked up to a cold and that was that. I took some medicine prescribed by him and went on to celebrate Thanksgiving with my aunt and her family, as well as some other North Americans in Quito. The cough persisted and while Ivan headed to Cuenca for a camping trip with YL kids, I stayed back in Shell. The cough was now a full-blown nuisance with runny nose, headaches, toothaches, and raspy breathing. I soldiered through those few days on my own with my concerned neighbor checking in on me. I'm not sure at what age you no longer want your mommy when you're sick, but 28 certainly isn't it! I am so thankful for my kind neighbor was there if I needed her. Ivan arrived to Shell and shortly after our water pump broke. The good news is that while our landlord works to replace/fix it, we still have access to town water. The bad news is that we don't get any hot water and that there are often shortages. Which was the case this past week. I find it quite ironic that it can rain for 3 days straight and then the next day, there is no water! How is that even possible? So, I haven't showered for several days (gross, I know, but I really avoid cold showers as best I can, especially when sick). I did attempt a bath awhile go, by slowly heating water on the stove and transporting it to our tub. While it did the trick, it was very time consuming! We've reverted to a new set of rules for the toilet
(...if it's yellow, let it mellow....if it's brown, flush it down....). Today, I was forced to attempt some laundry. While the washer refuses to fill with a single drop of water, I filled buckets of water from the kitchen, slowly filling the washer and using some different settings to get a very minimal load done. Still beats washing by hand and trying to wring the clothes out.
So, while it's been an extra trying week/month, I find myself surprisingly joyful. Maybe, it's having the Christmas tree with lights, shining bright or the stream of Christmas music. I don't know. Maybe I'm finally beginning to understand the fact that joy does not depend on our circumstances.
The best way to cultivate joy is thankfulness.
So, I'm thankful. Thankful for kind neighbors, for a husband who cares for me, for a toilet to sit on, for good friends, for loving family, for clean clothes...
Mary and Joseph didn't exactly have great circumstances when Jesus came into the world. Yet, there was great joy, as they welcomed the Savior.
Lord, create in me a thankful heart.
Here's some more pictures from our camping adventure! I have a lot to be thankful for!
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| good food |
 |
| Relaxing in a hammock |
 |
| vibrant colors |
 |
| River view |
 |
| Jungle path |
 |
| Helping me across the water so I wouldn't get my shoes wet. He's a keeper. ;) |
 |
| ....one more! |
Let's start this post with a cute puppy picture. We went camping in November with friends and this little dog found us and stayed by our side almost the entire time. It wasn't until we drove off in the car that he reluctantly had to stay behind. I don't even know where November went. One minute it was here and the next it was already December. In the beginning of November I had a persistent cough that I couldn't seem to shake. Several weeks later, after much reluctance but with the persistence of my husband, I went to the doctor to see what was going on. Basically, it was chalked up to a cold and that was that. I took some medicine prescribed by him and went on to celebrate Thanksgiving with my aunt and her family, as well as some other North Americans in Quito. The cough persisted and while Ivan headed to Cuenca for a camping trip with YL kids, I stayed back in Shell. The cough was now a full-blown nuisance with runny nose, headaches, toothaches, and raspy breathing. I soldiered through those few days on my own with my concerned neighbor checking in on me. I'm not sure at what age you no longer want your mommy when you're sick, but 28 certainly isn't it! I am so thankful for my kind neighbor was there if I needed her. Ivan arrived to Shell and shortly after our water pump broke. The good news is that while our landlord works to replace/fix it, we still have access to town water. The bad news is that we don't get any hot water and that there are often shortages. Which was the case this past week. I find it quite ironic that it can rain for 3 days straight and then the next day, there is no water! How is that even possible? So, I haven't showered for several days (gross, I know, but I really avoid cold showers as best I can, especially when sick). I did attempt a bath awhile go, by slowly heating water on the stove and transporting it to our tub. While it did the trick, it was very time consuming! We've reverted to a new set of rules for the toilet (...if it's yellow, let it mellow....if it's brown, flush it down....). Today, I was forced to attempt some laundry. While the washer refuses to fill with a single drop of water, I filled buckets of water from the kitchen, slowly filling the washer and using some different settings to get a very minimal load done. Still beats washing by hand and trying to wring the clothes out. 
So, while it's been an extra trying week/month, I find myself surprisingly joyful. Maybe, it's having the Christmas tree with lights, shining bright or the stream of Christmas music. I don't know. Maybe I'm finally beginning to understand the fact that joy does not depend on our circumstances. 
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