good news for all; it's "week of the pig" this week at our friendly local grocers!

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 42:11

I recently came across my friend ironing her son's school smock. taken aback that someone would actually take the time to iron something that is intended to take the splatters of paint and spots of mud that happen at school, I started secretly eying the smocks of all the other children as they headed to school on Monday mornings; and guess what? it's true! I think I'm the only mother who does not iron her child's school smock!
Well, Malachai does not go to school this week, and since I have an entire week to plan for his next Monday. I will iron! . . . just for fun . . .

my little flame of fire



So, being faithful missionary parents, we have been doing our research on Carnaval, and boy, am I glad we did. It turns out that unique to the carnaval celebration in our area is a personage named Miel-Otxin who, according to the tales told in northern Navarra, was an evil man who sneaked about the town stealing stuff. Miel-Otxin is finally caught by the townspeople and justice is served as his is burned at the stake. SOOO evidentaly all week long, Malachai has been hearing this story; each child at the school has been encouraged to write down the bad things in their life that they want to get rid of. these things are placed at the feet of a life sized, straw stuffed Miel-Otxin and burned at the end of the celebration. oh my . . .
Well, we took Malachai home before the burning, and spent a good amount of time talking to him about God gives us a better hope, and that He tells us that the only way to be pure is to repent of our sins and trust Jesus to forgive us. Malachai was a good sport about it all; sweet boy! Malalchai's teacher was taken aback that we didn't want Malachai to participate in this "beautiful symbolism"; I will try to talk with her on Monday and explain some more to her.

we went to our local farmer's market this week - - something I am trying to do more often. I have realized that when I shop at the grocery store, it is a passive shopping experience and that when I go to the market, I have to brace myself for a more aggressive shopping experience - - having to shop around at all the stands, evaluating the price/wait time ratio, asserting your preferences ("one kilo of apples please, and make sure they aren't mushy like the ones you gave me last week . . . "), being pushed by the vendor to make split second decisions on what you want to buy, and how much of it, etc . . .
it's all worth it, of course; I always end up with better produce at a better price - - and I am surrounded by the people of my community (and the guy who sells candy and sweet rolls sings his advertisement! and how could I not be drawn in by that?)