Celebrate!

Peruvian celebrations are culturally a little different, but they love to celebrate and we have had a blast at many of these occasions! Invitations are usually last minute. Decorating details, food preparation, and arrival of guests is on its very own timeframe! There appears to be no specific beginning or ending to the scheduled celebration. Everyone needs to be prepared to speak to the group gathered, and to pose for pictures. Both are very important and help document the special time on which they are focusing. They celebrate like never before.

Monday evening Don and I were at the dinner table enjoying a late dinner with no other plans for the rest of the day. It was quiet. We were discussing the week ahead and what we needed to do before leaving on furlough for six weeks. The telephone rang. It was our friend Laura. Her husband, Vico, has been attending weekly evening seminary classes for a few years now and she wanted us to come to his graduation. Another invitation which was a pleasure to accept so I asked what day? She said tonight! I asked what time? She asked if we could be at her house in 40 minutes! I gulped! But we really wanted to support the family so I said we would be there. I quickly related the message to Don; as he took in a little more potato and carrots, and I returned to the table, sat down, and began to finish what was on my plate. Quickly my mind went to a change of clothes (for both of us, since that’s my job when it comes to choosing Don’s outfit) leaving the dishes in the sink, grabbing the camera, planning the 7-10 minute walk to their house, etc. The phone rang again. This was unusual. There are days the phone never rings! Another interruption. Did I even have time to get it? I better! It was Laura again. She said Vico would pick us up in 10 minutes – I said NOOOO!!! Give us at least 15 minutes!

Well, that was the end of dinner. We both scrambled to the bathroom and the closet, freshened up, changed our clothes, and headed out the door to wait on the curb just a few minutes for Vico. At least waiting on the curbside would give us a chance to cool down rather than walking quickly to their house. It is rather humid here in Peru at this time of year, and perspiring is the norm. YUK! It wasn’t long until Vico arrived. Ahhh….we made it!

Vico has an old, dilapidated VW bug. His mother-in-law (a spry lady in her 80’s) was sitting in the passenger seat so Don and I had to fold up and maneuvered our bodies into the back seat together! Love my husband and sitting close to him. But it was so hot and humid. YUK! We were seated and soon flying down the street, over the potholes, and around many corners, taking back streets to avoid traffic and make better time. Don and I looked at each and smiled broadly. That’s all we could do. Together we said….another journal! The cool breeze coming in the open windows was wonderful – and breath taking! We were off to the church, Grandma holding Vico’s cap and gown, Don and I holding onto one another. All of a sudden we pull up to the front of an auto mechanic shop. Now we know Vico’s VW is in bad shape, but cannot imagine why we are here. Hopefully we are not picking up another passenger. We sat quietly and waited, pondering what would be next. Vico soon emerged with two white plastic bags and handed them to us to hold. OUCH! They were HOT! I couldn’t stand them on my lap, or even on the seat between us, because they burned my thigh. Vico says….hot tamales, yummy. We could only assume we were the caretakers of some of the refreshments for the reception.

We continued to the church – thankfully it was not much further. As we arrived we immediately saw some friends, met new brothers and sisters, and sat on a bench while everyone chatted away catching up with long lost acquaintances. More people arrived. More friends walked through the door. We knew about 25 of the 40 in attendance. We were among friends, ready to celebrate. We were soon ushered into the temple(worship center) and the graduation began. It was during this service the praise choruses we sang we were very familiar with, the seminary class director shared a word from the Bible, spoke to the graduates, the graduates spoke to their family and friends, photos were taken, and the tassels on their caps were placed in their well-earned position as they graduated! God was praised and glorified! Great service (from what we could understand). Following the graduation service, we were invited to a reception and enjoyed some Peruvian appetizers, the hot tamales, cake and Fanta soda. There were more pictures, brief thank you speeches from the wives, and more pictures. It was after 10:30 pm when the party broke up and we began the ride home. Vico had to go to Lima to pick up his daughter from school so another brother from church gave us a ride home. What a great way to spend an evening. Although it was totally unplanned, unexpected, and a challenge to get ready in time, it was wonderful and we are so glad we were invited and able to attend.

Celebrating is such fun. Just this week we listened to a message on line about celebrating. The point made was that we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and today is the day He has made for us to rejoice and be glad! Why do we wait for circumstances or events to celebrate? Why do we not celebrate today, every day? We have so much to celebrate as His children. Start today celebrating!

A few weeks later……

Just looking through my documents to see what blog I have written that I have not posted. I was reminded (again) this morning we have so much to be thankful for, to celebrate, every single day. My friend Jan has been diagnosed with cancer and has had many doctors’ appointments recently. Each one provides her with more information to consider and decisions to make. But through it all, she continues to praise our awesome God! She is happy and thankful as she recalls the promises He has given us. Each day brings new opportunities to depend upon Him. She is an encouragement to others, even during her challenging days.

Heather, another friend of mine has recently shared she is going through fertility treatments after years and many doctor visits. She and her husband have had many discouraging days, but they continue to celebrate the will of God in their lives. As she said, even when His will is not what we wanted, we know it’s best and we so celebrate! They really do want to be in His will, over the years their hearts desires have been crushed, but they continue to trust Him completely and praise Him.

This week Don & I have been facing some medical situations that were not in our plans, but God has us in the palm of His hands and we, too, find ourselves experiencing disappointments and frustrations. That doesn’t mean we are not thankful. We are truly thrilled Don had a good short stay in the hospital receiving two stents. Now onto reviewing other test results and dealing with whatever may need addressing. Are we able to celebrate? Of course! We celebrate spring here in the states with flowering bushes, budding trees, blue skies, and pleasant temperatures. All of these are uncommon in our neighborhood in San Juan de Lurigancho. We celebrate with our church family, the opening of the gym at Bridgeway and the new small groups that have started. We celebrate time with our family, over dinner, at soccer games, while playing UNO. Lots of laughter and living life together with our kids and grands is a real treat for us during our stay in the states. So we celebrate! We celebrate the good and the not-so-good because we know He is the Great Physician, our mighty God, and His love is incomprehensible, personal, and eternal.

Whether it be a special occasion or a normal day (whatever that may be!) we celebrate as life in itself is a gift from Him and we are glad! Are you celebrating? Don’t let another day go by without finding reason to be thankful and enjoy the celebration.