"Do you need anything?"

Dear Readers,

Have you ever been asked that question? Have you ever been the asker?
I know I have seen both ends of that question before, mostly during "surgery summers". Both positions are equally awkward.

The one being asked the question often has no clue as to how to answer. Do you say, "No, thanks" even though you're drowning in laundry and desperate for companionship? Do you agree to let them help, proceeding to hand over your to-do list that's a mile long?

The Asker, on the other hand, probably fumbled around and came up with this question in the midst of a "There's nothing I can do to make this better" moment. This question comes from a sincere heart--one that wants to help, but just isn't sure how.

So there you are, two friends trying to discern what the other wants to hear. Two friends and a very loud silence as you try to figure out what comes next.

I would like to pause this little scene and speak to both the asker and the one on the receiving end.

To the Asker, I would say this:
Throw that question away and forget it was ever part of your vocabulary. I'm entirely serious. I understand where you're coming from, I do. After all, you can't know whether your friend really wants you to come over when she doesn't feel well or has a sick child to care for. And if you have never experienced what your friend is going through, you really don't know what they need.

Despite your great intentions, this is not the question to use. If your friend has just had some major life deal,  they are going to need something. Assuming your friend needs something is the first step.

Questions to use instead: "How can I help?"
                                         "What can I do?"
Or, leaving less room for refusal: "I'm free tomorrow. Can I come over and bring lunch? Can I help with laundry? Can I do your dishes?" etc.,etc.,etc.

Isn't it easy to see how these questions are different? "Do you need anything?" is detached, a quick Facebook comment, nothing binding you to do anything--you leave it entirely in your friend's court. The words 'what' and 'how' seem to attach a commitment to the question. I like the last one best, because although surprise visits aren't a good idea in these situations, that has the same feel as a surprise visit--you made the decision to do it all on your own, your friend didn't have to ask you to do anything.

Next I would like to speak to the receiver of the question:
Although I hope your friend has already forgotten that question entirely, this is what I would like to tell you for facing that question again:

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Your friend did just offer their help, and no matter how the question was worded, I believe they are concerned for you. So let them help. Don't feel embarrassed to admit that you really just need a nap and would appreciate their coming over to watch the kids, or to say you would love some companionship but don't feel like talking.

Honestly, Readers, the most important thing I wish to impart to you here is not even about those questions. Really, it's about loving one another with a love that knows no limits. My Mom and I are reading Bob Goff's book Love Does. The book is comprised of story after story of big, wide open love. Love that thinks of the other person first--such as a newlywed leaving his new bride and home to help a lost teenager get back on track. (That has been my favorite story of the book so far :))

That story left me wondering whether I would do the same thing. It's so easy to instead give out the easy kind of love, the love that asks if you need anything instead of just doing. Let's transform our love into a kind of love that does. A kind of love that jumps in and gives everything away in an effort to love a little bit like the way God loves us.

How has someone loved you in a way that helped get you through a difficult time?

Your Blogger,
 Claire

Fa-la-la-la-la FALL!

Keep calm and enjoy FALL!

Dear Readers,

   As you can most likely tell from the picture...and my new blog background...I am so excited that fall is practically here! It is still very hot in our home state, but I have been wearing fall-colored shirts for the past three days. :) It is my absolute favorite time of year. 

    I love everything about fall. The colors, perfect weather, all things pumpkin, our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, Mississippi State football, soup, the anticipation of Christmas...plainly put, fall puts me in a good mood. :) 

    I haven't written a blogpost just about what's going on in our little corner of the world for a while, so I'll fill you in with a few of the happenings for us this fall. 

    School started this Monday. My favorite part, you ask? Most definitely Spanish. Me encanta español! My least favorite part: a tie between pre-calculus and American Government. We're taking Government and Economics this year. I am fascinated by Economics...but before we can take that, we have to do a semester  of Government. Bleh. We are starting to look at colleges. In fact, our first college visit is in September to a local Christian University. 

    

     

     My hair became nine inches shorter. I'm still getting used to it, but so so excited for those nine inches to be given to a much deserving woman or girl!  (note: see the fall colored shirt? ha!)

      

     I never posted about this one, either! We went to D-land for a couple of days before school started. Here we are after our tradition of riding River Rapids at night; returning to our room shivering! So fun.  

      Being that we are heading into a time of transition with college coming up, I'm finding that I'm just really content with where I am right now. Yes, I would love love love to be done with pre-calculus...but I'm really thankful to be here right now. A junior in high school. Homeschooled. It's a good place to be. I don't know where God will take me in the next few years, but I think for now I am going to cherish every minute here. 

I hope you all have a wonderful fall, and that you are content with where you are; because we're right where God needs us to be.

Your Blogger,

   Claire

     

     

  

   

Of one heart and soul...Argentina, 2012

(Traducción al español a continuación para todos mis seres queridos en la Argentina.  )


Dear Readers,
   Argentina was absolutely incredible.  Incredible. God did so many beautiful things on this trip, I can't even find the words for them. I will try, but know that this is just barely touching what He did...

  First of all, thank you again to all of you who made it possible for this trip to happen. Without you we couldn't have gone, and that would truly break my heart. Thank you, also, to everyone who encouraged  us and prayed for us as we went on this new journey into uncharted waters. I'm so grateful to you. So very grateful.

  For me, the trip, and the church we were with, can be summed up in this Bible verse:
 "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony tot the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all." ~Acts 4:32-33

  Precious families opened their hearts and their homes to a group of teenagers from Arizona. They fed us, got us where we needed to be on time, shared their lives with us, sacrificed personal family time, and loved us.  Spending time with my host family was my favorite part of the trip. They are a gift from God, and truly blessed my heart.  Thank you to everyone in Buenos Aires who hosted each of us...I love you so much! May God bless you for truly being His Hands and Feet.



 I know you all probably remember my fears and my prayer requests as we left...well...not only did God answer them all beautifully, but He surpassed all my expectations.
    God did miracles on this trip, dear ones. Absolute miracles that I am still trying to sort through.
 But let me start by saying that the people from La Puerta Abierta are genuine gold. They jumped in and lifted Benjamin and his wheelchair wherever it needed to go. They hugged and kissed us and welcomed us in even though most of us spoke not even enough Spanish to get by.  I love that kind of Acts 1 fellowship. Again, just like that verse I shared above.  My heart was full the whole trip!


   This post really doesn't even scratch the surface of all that God did while we were in Argentina...I can't even communicate the love I have for these people. I can't communicate what a blessing they were to my heart adequately enough. Words just aren't there for any of this. I feel like I am a different person now that I've gone.  And, God willing, I will definitely be back.



   God is doing amazing things in Argentina, but the work is not done. We painted one prison room bright colors...but that's only one. We were able to feed the homeless a meal...but they are still hungry. We passed out clothes to people...but more are cold. We talked with the guards...but they are still lonely.

  Do you see my point? I know God is going to continue the works He is doing in Argentina..I am praying He will guide people in Buenos Aires' hearts toward prison ministry.  And I am praying He will bring more of YOU there...your heart will be blessed, your faith will be grown, and you will leave even more in love with God and this world He created.

  So are you ready? Go!

Your Blogger,
 Claire  (PS keep scrolling past the Spanish translation for photos!)

Estimados lectores,
   Argentina fue absolutamente increíble. Increíble. Dios hizo tantas cosas bellas en este viaje, ni siquiera puedo encontrar las palabras para ellos. Voy a tratar, pero sabemos que esto es apenas tocar lo que hizo ...

 En primer lugar, gracias de nuevo a todos los que hicieron posible este viaje a suceder. Sin ustedes no podríamos haber ido, y que realmente me partiría el corazón. Gracias, también, a todos los que nos animó y oró por nosotros a medida que avanzábamos en este nuevo viaje en aguas desconocidas. Estoy tan agradecido. Así que muy agradecido.

  Para mí, el viaje, y la iglesia nos encontramos con, se puede resumir en este versículo de la Biblia: "Ahora, el número total de los creyentes tenía un solo corazón y alma, y ​​nadie dijo que ninguna de las cosas que pertenecieron a él era el suyo, pero tenían todo en común. Y con gran poder los apóstoles daban testimonio tot la resurrección del Señor Jesús, y abundante gracia era sobre todos ellos. " Hechos 4:32-33 ~

  Familias preciosos abrieron sus corazones y sus hogares a un grupo de adolescentes de Arizona. Nos daban de comer, nos dieron a nosotros, donde teníamos que estar a tiempo, compartieron sus vidas con nosotros, el tiempo de sacrificio personal, familiar y nos ha amado. Pasar tiempo con mi familia fue mi parte favorita del viaje. Son un regalo de Dios, y verdaderamente bendecido a mi corazón. Gracias a todos en Buenos Aires que organizó cada uno de nosotros ... te amo tanto! Que Dios te bendiga por ser verdaderamente sus manos y pies.

 Sé que todos ustedes seguramente recuerdan mis miedos y mis peticiones de oración cuando nos fuimos ... bueno ... no sólo que Dios les responde en toda su belleza, sino que superó todas mis expectativas.

 Dios hizo milagros en este viaje, queridos. Milagros absolutos que aún estoy tratando de clasificar.

Pero déjame empezar diciendo que la gente de La Puerta Abierta son oro puro. Se saltó y levantó Benjamín y su silla de ruedas allí donde necesitaba ir. Se abrazaron y besaron con nosotros y nos dio la bienvenida a pesar de que en la mayoría de nosotros no habló siquiera el español suficiente para salir adelante. Me encanta ese tipo de actos una beca. Una vez más, al igual que el verso he compartido anteriormente. Mi corazón estaba lleno todo el viaje!

    Este mensaje en realidad no tiene ni siquiera arañar la superficie de todo lo que Dios hizo cuando estábamos en la Argentina ... ni siquiera puedo comunicar el amor que siento por estas personas. No puedo comunicar lo que una bendición que estaban a mi corazón de forma suficientemente adecuada. Las palabras simplemente no hay nada de esto. Siento que soy una persona diferente ahora que he ido. Y, si Dios quiere, voy a estar de vuelta.

   Dios está haciendo cosas maravillosas en la Argentina, pero el trabajo no se hace. Pintamos una prisión brillantes colores de la habitación ... pero eso es sólo una. Hemos sido capaces de alimentar a los desamparados de una comida ... pero todavía tiene hambre. Pasamos por la ropa a la gente ... pero más frías. Hablamos con los guardias ... pero siguen siendo solo. 

¿Ves lo que digo? Yo sé que Dios va a continuar las obras que Él está haciendo en la Argentina .. estoy orando Él guiará a la gente en el corazón de Buenos Aires hacia el ministerio de prisión. Y estoy rezando para que traerá más de vosotros ... su corazón será bendecido, su fe se cultiva, y se irá aún más en el amor con Dios y este mundo que Él creó.

 ¿Están listos? Go!
Su Blogger,
Claire

Making meatballs to feed the homeless...
going to deliver them was an incredible experience.
The needs are the same everywhere...

Hacer las albóndigas para alimentar a las personas sin hogar ... vamos a ofrecer una experiencia increíble. Las necesidades son las mismas en todas partes ...

The boys and I with the founders of Sacdem, Daniel and his wife Maria Elena. God has used these two to bless so many lives...mine included! I love them so much.
Los chicos y yo con los fundadores de Sacdem, Daniel y su esposa María Elena. Dios ha usado a estos dos para bendecir tantas vidas ... incluido el mío! Los amo tanto.

One day during our trip we spent the morning with  the kids at high school. We got to talk with their classes, and afterward play with them during PE. Here Benjamin and I are playing with the girls who are triplets, also! It was such a blessing to meet them.
Un día, durante nuestro viaje pasamos la mañana con los niños en la escuela secundaria. Tenemos que hablar con sus clases, y después jugar con ellos durante la PE. Aquí Benjamin y yo estamos jugando con las niñas que son trillizos, también! Fue una bendición para hacerles frente.

Here I am with my sweet host sisters, Nico and Cami.
These two girls blessed my heart immensely...I will thank
God for them for the rest of my life!
Aquí estoy con mis hermanas de acogida dulces, Nico y Cami. Estas dos niñas bendecido mi corazón inmenso ... voy a agradecer A Dios por ellos para el resto de mi vida!

After we went to the high school we spent the afternoon
at the primary school. These children are little angels!
We got to worship with them in English, here is a picture of that
beautiful experience.
Después nos fuimos a la escuela secundaria pasamos la tarde en la escuela primaria. Estos niños son angelitos! Tenemos que adorar con ellos en Inglés, que aquí hay una foto de ese experiencia muy bonita

I got to serve in Nico's class, here I am braiding her hair!
I got to teach an English mad lib to her class, that was an amazing
experience I'll never forget. Her teacher was just
precious and we had the best time!
 Having the opportunity
to influence children should never be taken lightly.
Children are one of God's createst gifts!
Tengo que sirven en la clase de Nico, que aquí estoy trenzando el pelo! Tengo que enseñar a un lib Inglés loca a su clase, que era un increíble experiencia que nunca olvidaré. Su maestro era preciosa y tuvimos el mejor tiempo!  Tener la oportunidad de para influir en los niños nunca deben tomarse a la ligera. Los niños son uno de los mayores dones de Dios!

We spent a few days near the town Colon ministering
to the people there. Or rather, they ministering to us!
 In this picture I'm with one of my friends
 trying fruit mate for the first time. I love it!
Pasamos unos días cerca de la ciudad de Colón, el ministerio a la gente allí. O más bien, que el ministerio a nosotros!  En esta foto estoy con uno de mis amigos  tratando compañero fruta por primera vez. ¡Me encanta!

Triplets!! :)

When we got home to Buenos Aires, one of the things
we did was to go to a little Barrio and sort through
clothes to be donated to those who lived there.
(the girls did this while the boys laid down a foundation)
I tried on this ensemble..what do you think? ;)
Cuando llegamos a casa a Buenos Aires, una de las cosas que hicimos fue ir a un barrio poco y ordenar a través de la ropa para ser donados a los que vivían allí. (las chicas lo hizo, mientras que los chicos establecido una fundación) He intentado en este conjunto .. ¿qué te parece? ;)

While parents got clothes, we played with the children.
This was one of my favorite parts of the trip!  (second to my home stay and prison ministry)
The kids were so sweet...here we are teaching them "Ring around the Rosie"!
Mientras que los padres tiene la ropa, jugamos con los niños. Esta fue una de mis partes favoritas del viaje! (segundo de mi estancia en casa y el ministerio de prisión) Los niños estaban tan dulce ... aquí les estamos enseñando "Ring Around the Rosie"!

I tried to fit as many as I could into my lap...
I'm pretty sure we are laughing at my Spanish here!
Me trató de encajar tantos como pude en mi regazo ... Estoy bastante seguro de que se están riendo de mi español aquí!

These sweet girls made my heart smile!
 The love they had for each of us upon
meeting us was endearing.
The one on the left went around with her arms around my legs
telling everyone that we were amigos!
Estas chicas dulces hizo que mi corazón sonría!  El amor que se tenían para cada uno de nosotros cuando cumplir con nosotros fue entrañable. El de la izquierda dio la vuelta con los brazos alrededor de mis piernas diciendo a todos que éramos amigos!

This young mom and her sweet kiddos touched my heart.
 She has 5 kids and another on the way...each of
them was so sweet and my interactions with them were huge blessings.
Please pray for them all!
Esta joven madre y sus dulces kiddos tocó mi corazón.  Ella tiene 5 hijos y otro en camino ... cada uno de que era tan dulce y mis interacciones con ellos eran enormes bendiciones. Por favor, oren por todos ellos!

La Puerta Abierta is a precious church...
filled with precious people. I am so blessed
 to have met some of them! Here I am with my dear
friends Sol and Ana Clara, who I love like sisters!
La Puerta Abierta es una iglesia preciosa ... lleno de personas valiosas. Me siento muy bendecido  de haber conocido a algunos de ellos! Aquí estoy con mi querido Sol y amigos de Ana Clara, que me encanta como hermanas!

My precious host "brother", Renzo, and I. I cherished each moment I got to hold him!
Mi anfitrión preciosa "hermano", Renzo, y yo he apreciado cada momento llegué a tenerlo

I sang Cate's lullaby to him, saying "Goodnight, Renzo" instead of "Goodnight, Cate".
It made me smile to think that the same song I used to comfort my little sissy
for so many years I'm using again to comfort this sweet boy all the way around the world!
That is a memory I will cherish forever.
Canté arrullo Cate a él, diciendo: "Buenas noches, Renzo" en lugar de "Buenas noches, Cate". Se me hizo sonreír a pensar que la misma canción que solía consolar a mi pequeña mariquita durante tantos años que estoy usando de nuevo a consolar a este chico dulce, todo el camino alrededor del mundo! Es un recuerdo que se aman para siempre.

Family picture take one!
 Foto de familia tener uno!

Family picture take two!
Foto de familia toma dos!

Family picture take three!
 This family blessed me immensely and I cherished every moment with them.
 God had the perfect plan when He placed me in their family for those weeks, and I'm so
blessed for it!
Foto de familia tener tres!  Esta familia me ha bendecido muchísimo y me apreciaba cada momento con ellos.  Dios tenía el plan perfecto cuando Él me colocó en su familia por esas semanas, y estoy muy bendecido por él!     Los amo tanto.

I LOVE this picture!!
Me encanta esta foto!

So many of my dear ones all in one picture...makes me smile!
Mom and they boys' host family was also precious...
I loved getting to meet them!
Así que muchos de mis seres queridos en un solo cuadro ... me hace sonreír! Mamá de la familia los niños y los de acogida fue también preciosa ... Me encantaba llegar a su encuentro!

We spent our final day shopping in La Boca...
the day was a sad one...but the area very colorful!
Pasamos nuestro último día de compras en La Boca ... el día fue triste ... pero la zona muy colorido!

Sweet Debora and I! She was such a blessing...
I'm sad I only got to spend a little time with her,
but look forward to spending more time with her when I go back! :)
Dulce Débora y yo! Ella fue una bendición ... Estoy triste, sólo tengo que pasar un poco de tiempo con ella, pero esperamos poder pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vuelva! :)