The Gossip Circle

Just about every night of the year, the neighborhood girls and women gather in a circle on the road, directly across from our house. They pull out carpets to sit on the road or squat (they never sit directly on the dirt!), and pass the evening away chatting and gossiping. Each night they take turns buying sunflower seeds and share them around the circle. I occasionally join them, knowing that if I don't, the evening's gossip will most likely be about me!

Last week, there was a quick and hard down pour of rain. Steve and I ran home in the rain, and laughed when we got to our gate. Six neighborhood girls, almost identically dressed, had sought dry refuge under our porch. So much for having our gate locked!

Apple Crisp

Yesterday, Steve came home with a huge bag of beautiful green apples. Immediately my mind jumped to my one of my favorite fall desserts. Apple cobbler.

I thought out loud,"Do we have oatmeal? Yep! Do we have brown sugar? Yep! Do we have nutmeg? Yep! (all special ingredients sent from the States) I'll make Apple Cobbler!"

...a sad pause...

"But wait, we don't have an oven!" (Our only oven is wood burning, and it's not cold enough yet!)

Well, since I can't have any, I thought you could. I love this recipe from Betty Crocker...it's quick, easy, and delicious!!

Apple Crisp

4 medium tart cooking apples, sliced
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I only use 1/4 tsp)

1. Heat oven to 375. Grease bottom and sides of pan.
2. Spread apples in pan. Mix remaining ingredients; sprinkle over apples.
3. Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.

Ju befte mire!!

Volcanic Tomato Sauce

About one in every three bottles of tomato sauce I have bought in the village seems to have been a dud...expired and fermenting. None, however, have been as bad as this last one. I opened it up, set it down on the counter, turned my back to it, only to turn back around to see that it had done this...!!



I now buy tomato sauce in the city.

The Fried Cheddar Burger

Eating out in foreign countries is always an adventure! This past week, while dining at a fast food restaurant in Macedonia, we were thrilled to receive a menu in English! However, upon closer inspection, the English version of the menu didn't make much more sense than the Macedonian one. We tried asking the waitress a few questions, like, "what's the duble dog?" but her feeble English skills were not much help.

Excited to see something with "cheddar" on the menu, I decided to give it shot, thinking that my selection..."fried cheddar burger"...may not be as scary as it sounded. This is what a got...



Yes, a fried patty of cheese (NOT cheddar, mind you!)!!



Would you like a quadruple bi-pass with that?

Big Phat Deal

While we were in America, we entrusted the care of our home to a close friend and welcomed him to stay the night if he wanted to. Upon our return, he informed us that he didn't spend the night because he was afraid of all of the bugs and spiders. We laughed, and thought to ourselves,"So what!! What's the big deal?!"

Well, here's big deal...



Steve's fat lip! He got bit during the night! There's really not much more of a story to this, but like a loving wife, I've just been looking for an excuse to post this picture of Steve!

My Cold Eggs

In Albania, it is the norm for a married couple to begin having babies a year or two after their marriage.

Steve and I are almost six years into our marriage, and we are still childless, by choice.

I am used to everybody here wishing me to have a baby (especially a baby boy). I'm usually able to shake it off by giving a polite "thank you," but since we've returned from America, the guilt trips have been heightened. A recent "lecture" went something like this...

"Don't you know that children are a blessing? Don't you know that a boy will warm your life and your husbands? Can you have babies? Do you need some medicine? Oh bo bo, it's just so shameful! You need to go make a baby boy!!" (and on and on!!)

My favorite came from a 73 year old woman I met for the first time this last week.

Her spiel went something like this...

"You do not have any children yet? That is so shameful! Children are a blessing! You know, your eggs are getting cold! You need to have a baby boy. You need to name him Angelino. And don't worry, I will take care of him!!" (and on and on!!)

Well, I'm sure one day, God willing, children will warm our household, but until we're ready for that step in life, these little guys are doing the job!!

A Cool Reward

Being a missionary is just flat out hard sometimes. It's easy to get discouraged, and it takes a long time to see the fruit of your labor. I try to find practical ways to help people, but most of the time, it goes unappreciated and sometimes even scoffed.

A few weeks ago, we had a very hot day. I had the brilliant foresight to bring an icy beverage along, as I knew I'd need hydration! I brought with me that day Crystal Lite lemonade...

As I was waiting at an unshaded bus stop, a weary woman was coming my way. She looked hot, really hot. She stopped to chat with me, but the entire time, I could tell that she was eying my bottle.

Seeing that she needed a cool drink, a passage from Mark came to mind. Mark 9:41 "And anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded."

I thought to myself, "this is my chance to finally do something biblical! If I do nothing else of worth in this country, I can offer this woman a cup of 'water'!"

I selflessly handed over the rest of my lemonade, silently patting myself on the back and smiling, thankful the opportunity to practically serve someone in need.

My moment of self-praise was short lived, when the woman's face puckered and she nearly spit out the lemonade and handed it back to me.

"What is this?!!" She exclaimed. "Do you put this in cars??!"

I assured her it was lemonade, but my good deed was not received as I had hoped. So much for that eternal reward.

Luckily, I had another chance... Because I gave my first bottle away to the thirsty woman, I bought another water before returning on the HOT bus ride home. Sitting alone with my thoughts on the bus, I felt a tug on my hair. A little boy, about 2 years old, asked me for my bottle of water. Ah ha! I grinned and gladly gave it away...Redeemed!!

Pro 11:25 Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.