Si Dios Quiere

(April 1998, BYU, before missions, marriage or kids.

An hour later I got on a plane and flew to NY for the summer.

That is why Freddy looks so sad :(

This was the first of many goodbyes before we were actually

able to spend the 'rest of our lives together'.

Actually has nothing to do with this blog post.

I just found the picture and thought I would post.

THAT story...is for another day.)

When serving a mission in Venezuela, after inviting people to church, we would often get the response, "Si Dios quiere," (If God wants). It was a very common saying down there and it was used for everything.

Are you coming to work tomorrow? -Si Dios quiere!

Have a good weekend. - Si Dios quiere!

Get better soon. -Si Dios quiere!

Do you want to get an education? -Si Dios quiere.

Would you like a million dollars? -Si Dios quiere.

Once that phrase is said, no response is ever needed. It is the end of a conversation. The future is now left to the will of the Gods and nothing that I, or you, or anyone else does will change it because it's "what God wants." We use THAT phrase and immediately relinquish all responsibility and control over our own lives delegating it to the powers that be. If it's supposed to happen than things will magically fall into place regardless of how I prepare for it or plan on making it happen.

Because it is the catch all phrase for everything and anything, it really bothered me when that was the answer I received to my "sincere", "heartfelt" invitations to come to church. "Will you come to church with me tomorrow?" -"Si Dios quiere!"

Of course I couldn't just let the conversation end at that like any normal Venezuelan would. I HAD to answer back with my usual smarty pants retort which, at the time, seemed less smarty pants and more OBVIOUS and "imperative", ..."Claro que Dios quiere" (Of course that's what God wants).

I hate that I did that. The simple fact that I even responded to the phrase caught people off guard all the time. They would give a nervous chuckle and gently close the door. But this typical conversation was my favorite:

Me:"Will you come to church with me?"

Them: Si Dios quiere.

Me: Of course God wants you to.

Them: Yes, he does, that's true.

Me: So will you come to church with me tomorrow?

Them: Si Dios Quiere.

I should have just succumbed to THAT part of the culture and not triiied sooo haaard to fooorce people to understand. In the end, it didn't change anything or make more people "choose the right." But it sure is funny to think about now. It's good to just let certain things "be."

Crystal Springs

A town newsletter came in the mail indicating that a new park had opened up. As far as entertainment goes, Wytheville doesn't have much to offer so we raced over to this "park" immediately. After driving down some gravel roads in the middle of the country we parked by the sign that said "Crystal Springs" and walked inside. I scanned the scene for the swings and slides but they were nowhere to be found. What we found was better.

We walked across the field.

We headed for straight to the trail in the woods.

Upon entering, we found a box with a back pack inside. In the bag was a magnifying glass, binoculars, jars, nets, and all sorts of instruments and tools for catching bugs, exploring nature and watching the birds.

There were pamphlets with pictures of things we needed to look for and a journal for you to write down what you found. We trekked across the bridge with our borrowed pack.

We started on a little family hike.

We looked for bugs and mushrooms.

We found spiders,

and tons and tons of butterflies.

We found a wild pear tree and had a snack.

Enzo with the magnifying glass.

After a short hike I quickly realized that my skirt and sandals weren't cutting it in the woods. So we decided to go back the very next day. This time we were prepared with walking sticks:)

And jeans.

We stopped at one spot that had a fire pit, picnic table and a stream. The boys found frogs, water striders, salamanders and craw fish.

We roasted hot dos and marshmallows over our fire. As we relaxed and explored another family was passing through. We invited them to have some marshmallows with us. We ended up hanging out together for a couple of hours.

We went again two weekends later and roasted marshmallows again in the same spot by the creek. And that SAME family just happened to find us there again!! Totally by chance.

As much as we enjoyed this place, and hiking and roasted marshmallows...being with these guys is the best part.

Wish you were here with us.

Pollo

In case you have never eaten at a Mexican restaurant, pollo is pronounced 'poyo' which means chicken in Spanish. Freddy invented a game with the boys where every time I cook anything with chicken in it they hold up a stiff hand and say, "P-p-p-POLLO!" When they say the last POLLO they have to karate chop their opponent in the jugular.

This game is played throughout the entire meal. They know the karate chop is on its way because the person has to start off with the "p-p-p" before they can chop, so they sit there with their chin as far up against their chest as possible to protect themselves. When the kids get bigger I fear someone will end up in the ER. It's all fun and games until you bust a windpipe.