springing forward

so, fyi, we have now entered daylight savings time yet again. saturday night we sprung forward one hour. so instead of getting five hours of sleep i got four. and, while i don't think four versus five hours really makes that much of a difference, i wish we could spring forward and not loose and hour - like get an extra day or something. :-)

velvet elvis

so, i have a chapter left in rob bell's, "velvet elvis." when i began the book, i thought it was okay, as i disagreed a bit with some of what he had to say and i wasn't a huge fan of his writing style.

now, 159 pages later i want to get my own copy and think that this is a phenomenal book. of course there are things that i have a different take on, but overall i think bell does an amazing job both explaining the bible in a way that makes sense AND he does do a great job "repainting the christian faith." it is definitely work picking up. in fact, i probably will get a copy for my dad and possibly some others. enjoy!

summer plans...

after a couple of days of trying to figure out how to make everything fit (or figuring out what to cut out), i have more or less a plan for the summer.

i actually thought it was more or less figured out, but then i was asked to coach people heading overseas at a training this summer. i am now very excited about it, but my first reaction was more to it being in orlando, fl, instead of anything else. (to anyone who lives there, i'm sure it is really a great place -- and i'll have a whole month to find the things i enjoy there. i just would rather be in the mountains, a big city, the beach, or just at home with family & friends, particularly if i'm spending a month in the states. no offense intended.)

so, instead of heading back to the states mid-june, i will head back mid to late may, spend a couple weeks in MO and KS, visiting friends and ministry partners. then i'll head down to FL for a month+, during which i will also make a little trip up to NC for my cousin charlie's wedding. then i'll briefly be back in MO and then head back to madrid.

i will be in madrid a couple days and then head up to rural NW spain to help/observe the new staff training for western europe for a couple weeks. back to madrid for a couple days. and then to morocco with some students for a humanitarian project in tetuán, i believe. there is still the slight possibility that i will help with the camino de santiago, but it is now fairly unlikely. i finish in FL the 12th and would have to rush back to spain (maybe a day in st.louis) and be in rural NW Spain by the 14th. a bit insane even for me.

thoughts, faces, indiscreetness

From my friend kelly's blog (with a picture above from a friend's facebook page):

"Every once in a while I have a realization that my face and body betray my true feelings. So much so that I wonder if I actually voiced the words I was thinking in my head without actually moving my lips...Just today I was talking with this guy at work and I got the sense that my face was revealing too much because he just smiled at me, kind of strangely. When I realized I was blushing I got even more flushed.

Communication experts say that 70 percent of the meaning we convey in conversation is through body language; 20 percent is through tone of voice; and only 10 of meaning is expressed through actual words. It's interesting how much meaning is never communicated in media like e-mail or the internet. And it makes sense, the people who I believe know and understand me best are the people that see me everyday. They can read my reactions, my facial expressions, my posture and know what I am thinking without any exchange of words.

Perhaps then, it's not that strange that I often feel that my face and body reveal my true thoughts and feelings before I open my mouth to say a word."

I posted this because I was thinking the same thing yesterday. I have been told quite a few times that I'm a pretty easy person to read. Whether I like it or not, my face tends to give me away. My sister, in fact, has gotten upset with me a few times because unbeknownst to me my fact is saying what I am thinking but not saying (and what I actually intended to keep to myself). Sometime it is a bit of an exaggeration of my real emotion, but more often than not what my face says probably is in fact what I am thinking.

So, yesterday I helped with a bbq / all day concert of 21 madrid bands. It was amazing. There were rappers, really good rappers by the way, hip hop, heavy metal, indie, acoustic, pop, salsa/rock/ska mixes,... It was great. And part of what was great was that I got to see a bigger picture of how God is working in Madrid and how he is using ágape in that. Another plus was seeing a band that is quickly becoming one of my favorites here - "My Dear Flotsam."

Anyway, I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of metal and after several hours of varied music (and a bit of sleep deprivation) I was hoping it wasn't too apparent (although i really doubt anyone was checking out my face) what I was thinking. Now, I was doing my best to appreciate the music, or more those playing it and those dancing to it, but I was exhausted and if I didn't LOVE the music it was a bit harder to remain engaged. Despite my exhaustion and difficulty getting into the metal, Madrid has some incredibly talented upcoming bands. And I might say, so does Palma de Mallorca (My Dear Flotsam) and Barcelona (Praxiz).

sewing

this is my beloved sewing machine. it's not really that fancy, but as i have begun to make a few things here and there (a wonderwoman costume, a dress, curtains, bears), it is becoming a dear friend. and it has definitely helped that a friend gave me some fabric recently, my little christmas craft projects, and needing something recently to help me to relax a bit. by the way, there is a great website with some great clothing patterns, if you get the inkling, and then another i just stumbled upon with some fun craft ideas.

so, i just found out that a good friend of mine has passed away. i have a mix of emotions, many so mixed that i can't even hardly process them. grief. sadness. anger. empathy. sadness. resign. knowledge of hope and joy, but which are more cerebral than emotional.

cheryl was an amazing woman. and the thing that hits me so hard is that i really don't understand nor like what happened to her over the past couple of years. she was healthy and very active in helping others. she worked at a florist, had two boys, played the piano at church, and just was an amazing lady. that did not change when her body slowly began to stop functioning as a result the effects of parkinson's disease, but very quickly it progressed into her not even being able to talk. debilitating. awful. it pretty much came overnight. and over the course of two years it got worse, and worse, and worse. in fact her father will now bury her. as will her loving husband and two sons (who are now both college aged). it breaks my heart.

and, while i know there is another side to all of this, it is very hard for me to see right now. all i can think of is those she had to leave behind and the grief they will feel over the years to come.

death is a horrible thing. and yet, it happens to all of us, at some time or another.

in moments like this, it seems that my first response is to ask "why?" why did cheryl have to die this way? this horrible and drawn out way? why cheryl, why not someone else (who seemingly deserves it more - horrible thought, right, but i just wish it weren't her)?

and, yet as i continue to process this, i know that this is exactly why Jesus died on the cross. he died to give us life and to break the sting of death. he died so that our physical death wouldn't mean eternal separation from God and all humanity. instead of being the end of all connection and all relationship, it is really the beginning of something marvelous.

now as we mourn over our loss and as we question the "why"s of death and dying, cheryl is with the Lord. she has no more suffering. she has no more tears. she can dance and sing and talk and rejoice. she is not sad. she is not suffering. she is more alive than ever before. hallelujah! praise the Lord!

this does change my perspective and that upon which my eyes are focused. it doesn't take away the sadness, nor the fact that i wish i could take away the pain bruce and the boys feel. but it does remind me that God is in fact Good. and he is in fact in control. this did not happen unbeknownst to him. nor will he be distance from cheryl's family and friends during this time. he will use this too for his glory and to draw them near to him. he will use it for good.

and i am reminded (while still a bit disconnected emotionally) by the fact that my grandpa's death and other extremely hard and times full of wrestling with the Lord have actually been some of the times during which I have grown closest to him and seen more of who he is and of who i am in relationship to him.

so, this is my prayer for bruce and sterling and the boys and all the others that mourn cheryl's death. i pray that they would wrestle with the Lord. i pray that they would ask the hard questions and that they would see the Lord respond. i pray that they would submit to the Lord and see more of His goodness and graciousness. i pray that HE would be the one who comforts them and that HE would be the one to whom they run to find refuge. i pray that he would use those in their midst to be his hands and feet and voice. and my cheryl dance and sing as she never did before. i pray that this would give them hope as well.

note: interestingly, as i posted this, my itunes switched to a sermon by john piper entitled "prayer - the work of missions." (i just tried to find it online and while i did search for it did not find it. i have no idea where i got it, but know that i downloaded it from somewhere - and i thought from his website. anyway...) it talks about prayer and missions. in light of the topic of death, as i began to listen to the message, i was reminded of the importance of really living life and really living it for things that matter and in a way that glorifies and reflects God. i'm not sure what i want to say, more than that times like this make me reevaluate my life - how i spend my time, what i'm doing with my life, what i invest my time and money and effort in,...

little blessings

So today was amazing. It was a great day filled with a lot of unexpected blessings, some little and some a bit bigger.

So, I started the day nice and early, at least for a Sunday. I got up, listened to Handel's Messiah while I got ready and spent some time with the Lord thinking about what Easter means and just being reminded of some of the things he's been doing recently, both in and around me.

Then I went to church nice and early, since the service was a bit earlier than normal for Easter. I had a bit of time to kill before I could head to where I was having Easter lunch, so headed to where I needed to catch the train and camped out at Starbucks for an hour or so, continuing to read some of what I started this morning and en route reading Rob Bell's Sex. God. There was an hour from church to the train station, 45 minutes from the train station to Las Matas where I was having lunch.

So, I arrive to the house of my friends, the Courtneys, who are missionaries with kids my age. It is me, them, two other couples whom I know fairly well, and a couple (their nephew and fam) with two kids. As always (even though it's been awhile since I've been to their home), it feels like home. We all help cut veggies, take things from the kitchen to the grill, catch up on life, etc., It is a comfortable place. I am greeted by tea, the Messiah playing on their stereo, Tom's hilarious dry sense of humor, and just a sense of belonging, somewhere between the US and Spain, almost like an altered reality.

And we ate WELL. Incredibly well. Sea bass grilled out on the grill, amazing grilled veggies, a spinach strawberry poppyseed salad, spanish bread, good wine. amazing, really. I mean I don't think I've had sea bass cooked that well since I was in Santiago, Chile, five or so years ago.

And periodically it would SNOW! In this suburb of Madrid (where you also have a great view of the mountains and that is just so quiet and peaceful). Amazing. The perfect way to spend Easter.

And I just happened to be next to this sweet little four year old who every now and then would just break into a little song or just singing "Hallelujah." Precious. And her brother, a couple years older (who was a bit rambunctious was for half the meal under the table and would every now and then grab my foot or at least bump it with whatever he was playing with).

After dessert and coffee, we all continued to talk (and I do have to say Tom really is hilarious). Eventually we headed upstairs to watch the Real Madrid - Valencia game, which was a great game even though we lost. Definitely a fun, family-esk day.

And definitely a bit unexpected. Little blessings from the Lord. Oh, and I also finished my book (and borrowed another one from Jan, on Hudson Taylor).

Jesus is Risen! He is risen indeed!

It is tradition (more practical tradition than something cognitively thought through) that on easter, or around easter (generally on saturday or sunday afternoon) while my dad is reading in his rocking chair in the living room with a glass of wine for my dad to put on Handel's Messiah. As I said, it isn't a formal tradition. But it happens just about every year (at least in recent history). It is one of those fond memories that I have that I miss when I am far away from home.

And sometimes my dad whistles or sings along. Truth be told I do too. There are just parts of the Messiah that are so amazing and joyous you can't help it.

So, all this said, it is Easter. Jesus is risen! So as I wake up, drink my coffee, read a bit from the Bible and get ready for church, I am listening to Handel's Messiah and thinking both of Jesus' resurrection and my dad. Definitely happy thoughts! Have a great Easter!

Note: the picture is really a bit of Handel's Messiah. pretty cool I think. :-)

ah, relax...

so, i am not at the beach or climbing a mountain, but i have had a couple days where i have actually RELAXED. imagine that.

it has been a much needed break from life's busyness as of late. i downloaded some patterns to make some clothes and have a dress just about made (minus the zipper i'll have to wait until monday to buy). i have cleaned and gotten the apartment under control again. i have hung out with my roommates, at least the two who have been here too. i watched a movie. i went out for tapas with some friends and just wandered around. i've had time ALONE, precious time alone. i've begun some new books. i've read some of joshua and the gospels. i've just enjoyed doing much of nothing, thinking about things i am going to do. i've slept, i've stayed up late and gotten up early. i've took a nap. i talked to some friends in the states. i did pilates. i went for some walks. i did laundry. and i enjoyed the sunny days and i enjoyed the rain today. i watched some project runway on youtube. i just had time to think & pray.

relaxing. having just a quiet saturday. as much as i like being with people and doing lots of things, it's awfully nice to once in awhile have a day to just relax and get things back in order.

kneeling at the feet of Jesus

This past weekend i had a planning retreat with the other staff with Ágape in Madrid - Miguel Ángel, Daniel, and Gabino.

To begin the first session Gabino led a devotional on the resurrection of Jesus, beginning by looking at Matthew 28:1-11.

Matthew 28:1-11 recounts when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb of Jesus and find that he is not there. An angel appears to them and tells them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.'" The women hurry away to do just as they were told and Jesus meets them on the way. They kneel at his feet and worship him.

So Gabino asked us to recall all the times recorded in the Gospels that people knelt at Jesus' feet. There were at least 9 times:

(1) The magi, the 3 kings - at the birth of Jesus - bringing gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. They obviously came to worship Jesus.

(2) the man Jesus heals who was formerly demon possessed - Luke 8:35 - "Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid."

(Luke 8:26-39) "Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him."

(3) Jairus - a ruler in the synagogue who comes asking the Lord to heal his son - he comes asking on behalf of another, someone he loves - Luke 8:41 - "And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house,

(Luke 8:41-42, 49-56) "Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.... While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened."

(4) the woman who suffered from bleading for twelve years (which made her unclean by jewish laws)

(Luke 8:42-48) "As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”"

(5) one of the ten lepers Jesus heals, a Samaritan - Luke 17:11-19 - "On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

(6) Peter - after he fishes with Jesus - when he sees his weakness and sin in respect to Jesus' holiness and glory - Luke 5:1-11

"On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him."

(7) the sinful woman who washes Jesus's feet with her tears and with perfume - Luke 7
36-50

"One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he canceled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

(8) Mary, daughter of Lazarus, as she anoints Jesus feet - John 12:3 - "Mary therefore took a pound [Greek litra; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

(9) this passage in Matthew 28 - both Marys see the risen Lord and worship him. Matthew 28:9 "And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him."


Here are some of the points Gabino made concerning these passages:

. there were men, women, jews, gentiles, "religious" or well-seen people, "sinful" and not well-seen people who all knelt at the feet of Jesus

. they came with their needs - their personal needs, the needs of others, the needs of those they loved

. Jesus healed them, he was compassionate to them, he provided for their need, he did what they couldn't do


Gabino also pointed out that there is HUGE importance to the fact that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. The fact that Jesus is no longer nailed to the cross, that he triumphed death and actually did pay our debt of sin is HUGE.

And what the angel calls the women who appear to Jesus' empty tomb are the same thing he asks of us today. Go and tell. That is what the angel says. He asks them to hurry and tell the disciples the good news of Jesus' resurrection. Gabino pointed out that Jesus' resurrection resulted in JOY and in OBEDIENCE. And in obedience and joy them going to tell others. Jesus is Risen! He is risen indeed! Happy Easter!

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

This week in Spain is Semana Santa, or holy week. When I lived in Sevilla, the whole town changed overnight into one full of processions, penitents, hooded men, women dressed in black, incense, the procession music, torrijas (kind of like french toast soaked in honey & wine),...

In Madrid there are processions, but most people leave town to get some sun or at least get out of the city for a few days.

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Semana Santa. I appreciate the focus on Jesus' death on the cross and did stumbled upon a pretty amazing mass last year in front of the royal palace. But overall i dislike Semana Santa. Or at least the fact that it ends on Saturday and that the resurrection really isn't that important (or even really a part of much of what goes on).

Yes, they would say they believe Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, but, for the most part, the resurrection and the freedom, life, and joy that come from Jesus triumphing over death and paying our debt are definitely NOT a part of the processions or Semana Santa festivities. Instead it is a time to focus on how much Jesus (and Mary) suffered. And to possibly even suffer on their behalf or to earn favor before them as a penitant.


That means they at least walking for miles probably with a large cone-shaped hood (looks like the kkk outfits, although it is just a coincidence as far as i know), possibly barefoot and likely with a float (either one of the stations of the cross or a regal statue of mary surrounded by millions of candles) the weight and size of a large car on your and 30 others' backs for miles. (If you carry the floats, you wear a different hood, or no hood at all.) While this all goes on there is incense and a very somber band that plays and walks too. It goes on the entire holy week. Maudy Thursday it goes all night (which is when in sevilla the Macarena (one of the statues of the Virgin Mary) makes her rounds), literally all day and all night and through the next day. Then Saturday it ends, for the most part. A couple years ago in some towns (including Sevilla) they added a float on Sunday for the resurrection (which is a good move), but hardly anyone goes. As i said, Semana Santa ends Saturday and the resurrection really isn't the focus.



Here are a few pictures...



(1) several of the Virgin Mary floats




(2) nazerenos





(3) some of the Jesus floats







So, why I'm not a big fan... my main issues with Semana Santa, are:
... the lack of focus on the resurrection
... the fact that Mary is portrayed as a queen in royal garb (in all the scenes she appears and when she is alone), a crown, millions of candles, and people yelling out to her "beautiful."
... the fact that there is Mary is definitely part of the main focus, she has a float in every procession
... Jesus is always portrayed as dead, dying, half-dead, weak in Mary's arms, not triumphant
... there is so much focus on the pageantry of it all
... i don't like all the images nor that at times it seems like Jesus is bowing to Mary. i don't like the way Jesus is portrayed.



While I say all of this, I want to find something I can find that is good in the midst of it all. While it's hard, there are a few things that I can see:
... people, or some people, are forced to think about Jesus and what it meant that he died on the cross
... the death of Christ was horrible and bloody and not all happy and triumphant. Yes, in the end, he conquered death, but in the meantime it didn't look good.
... while hardly anyone goes, Semana Santa now does in fact go through Sunday and there are floats (while I'm still not a big fan of how Jesus is portrayed) on Resurrection Sunday
... it does make for a great time of the year to bring up Jesus and is fully normal

There are some more processions and you can see some of the pictures at: http://www.pasionensevilla.tv/index.php?option=com_news_portal&Itemid=411&id=9&lang=es&task=section
http://madridcofrade.blogspot.com/2006/08/cristos-de-la-semana-santa-de-madrid.html

milk?

milk. i am one of the many people who is lactose intolerant. meaning my body and milk don't agree.

and, unfortunately, i am hypersensitive to lactose, aka the protein in milk. it doesn't as much matter the quantity. if it's there, my body will let me know. butter, cheese, ice cream, cream, dry milk, whey, you name it, if it contains milk, or whey, or lactose, it is no good.

there are some combinations that are a little less painful, like cheese and wine. somehow the wine helps the digestion of the cheese. and sometimes, from time to time, sometimes with reason and some not, i decide that the joys of a tasty dessert, not inconveniencing my dinner hosts, or some tasty spanish cheese outweigh the affects and repercussions my indulgence will have on my little stomach.

as i said, sometimes i have sound reasoning and sometimes i am a bit diluted. every once and awhile i just decide to pretend that milk doesn't in fact bother me, somehow in my deranged logic thinking that mind over matter will help out.

so, take for instance this past sunday. my kind roommate anna made chocolate chip cookies, really good chocolate chip cookies. but chocolate chip cookies choked full of butter and milk chocolate. not really a good mix.

i woke up and my stomach still hurt a bit from something i ate the night before, which must have had some milk somewhere in it, so i thought, "oh, who cares." i never eat anna's cookies and for what ever reason this day they sounded INCREDIBLE! so i grabbed two and as another roommate adeline looked at me oddly i said, "oh well, my stomach already hurts. this might make it worse, but it already is upset."

they were yummy. and before i left for some planning meetings i grabbed two more. yum!

i then was at basically two days of planning meetings setting the direction for ágape madrid and (again, since my stomach was already upset and i didn't want to offend my host and i was hungry) ate some of the cheese and crackers they had out. and again it was good. somehow, it bothered me but i had a mild reaction.

and the saga continued for a few days. my stomach was already upset and i was tired of denying myself the pleasures of milk (mainly just cheese and chocolate chip cookies) so i didn't. it wasn't non-stop gluttony, just a piece of cheese here and there.

it is now thursday and while it hasn't been continual, the last cookie i had last night is still causing havoc on my body and is not just a milk reaction, it is full out war. so, i think it's over. yes, as always, i come back to the fact that it really does make the whole world a much better place if i don't have milk, at least for awhile. sad, sad, sad.

cafe con soja

okay, while i am blogging away about random and not so randomness... and while i am up entirely too late... i might as well blog about coffee and crazy randomness. i just came across this picture and love it. it makes me think of espresso, which i also love.

this is also on my mind because i met up with some students for lunch and then coffee today. ironically we went to foster's hollywood (an american restaurant) and then starbucks. they weren't my picks, but just a bit ironic and fun. first of all at lunch, miriam started to pick off the oats from the bread of her sandwich and said, "Alba (me in spanish), this looks like something you would like. It just looks so, um..." "healthy? (i said)" "yeah (her)"

then a bit later, as we sat drinking our coffees in the middle of this mall, one of the girls, irene, looked over at me and said, "Isn't Alba just so... um... sana (healthy) or um... natural. Yeah, you're just so natural. And you like everything healthy."

so, now that i'm writing about randomness and coffee, this whole conversation is coming back to mind... by the way, here is a little picture of miriam, yoana, irene, and ana. marta, natán, and i were there, but somehow they must have left before we started taking pictures and i am taking the picture.




it is kind of funny and a little out of the ordinary. i grew up in a very granola, health food family.

my mom made everything from scratch. we bought a lot of our food from a health food coop. we had a decent size garden most summers along with fruit trees. we lived in the suburbs, but had a compost pile and such before it was cool.

i didn't have refined sugar until i was three (only fruit juice & honey). i didn't have soda until i was in fifth grade and then thought it was gross. i remember in third grade designing the "ideal" cereal and was sure that mine would win. the big thing to catch people's attention was "NO SUGAR ADDED," "NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS OR FLAVORS," "ALL NATURAL." i had no clue why i didn't win, no clue. obviously mine was by far the best. what else, whenever the neighborhood kids would go to 7-11 to buy candy the once or twice i bought a chocolate bar (the only candy i actually like, strange, i know) i felt so guilty (thinking i had done something wrong) that i threw it away. truth be told, my mom wouldn't have cared, but in my mind junk food was bad, morally bad.

through high school and college i worked at health food stores, was planning to get an m.d. and some sort of natural healing degree to balance things out, and helped start "vegitarian action" at mizzou. truth be told, coming to spain, i was a bit overboard in terms of healthy eating. i still love healthy food, but don't think (or feel) it's morally wrong to add sugar to my coffee, to for that matter drink coffee, or to eat things that aren't necessarily good for you (within balance). i know this is odd, but it is in fact my life.

so, anyway, i came to spain wanting to serve others and willing to eat whatever was given to me (and assuming that probably meant eating meat). pretty quickly i figured out that there was virtually no vegitarian food in sevilla, at least not easily found at a café. everything labeled "vegetarian" came with tuna and a fried egg on top. so, i began to eat the way i normally would at home, but to eat fish, seafood, jamon serrano (spanish ham, like prosciutto), chorizo,... when i was out or at a friend's house. now truth be told i have begun to think about becoming a vegitarian again, not because i dislike meat (that actually never was the case), but that is another post for another time. as far as spain goes and as far as animal rights here, i really need to look into things more. it seems that animals are much more likely to actually run around and live a normal life. so, i feel better about eating meat here than i do in the US. but, as i said, i should probably look more into this.

also, in moving to sevilla, as i got used to the late nights, the sleepiness that comes after a big 2-course lunch, and the many appointments over coffee, i began to drink café sólo (or espresso). the most common thing would have been café con leche, but since i am lactose intolerant, i opted for pure espresso. and i must say it is awfully good. it didn't take long to enjoy it. and i haven't been the same since.

i mean i still love just about anything healthy, but also love a good soy cappichino.

and while i'm not much of a fan of american watered down coffee (i learned to drink espresso coffee in spain and that is what i like), i love the smell of an open bag of coffee (which by the way, if it's spanish, smells like chocolate - really - and just fyi, the best kind in my opinion is saimaza natural). and i love my regular café con soja.

the mornings i make coffee, i brew my delicious coffee in a nice cafetera on the stove. i put a bit of soymilk in an italian frother (which unlike the fully silver one to the right has a cool green handle and plunger). i have to say that it is one of the best cappichino con soja i've had. i don't have it every morning, but recently it's been more often than not. and then i generally have a café sólo (espresso) after lunch to help me wake up from the food induced sleep of lunch.

so, all that to say, i like coffee, particularly espresso or a good soy cappichino.

las fallas

so, one of my roommates, anna, just went to valencia (eastern coast of spain). it is a gorgeous town and once a year (which happened to coincide with semana santa - holy week this year, which, by the way, is not normal).

she just got back and was showing me her pictures (some of which are here) and it made me think back to eight years ago, scary i know, when michael, jonathan and i took a little road trip from sevilla to valencia to meet up with jonanthan's brother to see the fallas.


we left on a friday night, and drove all night (lucky for me the guys wanted to drive, so i got to sleep the whole time, or as well as you sleep in a moving car curled up in a ball in the backseat). we arrived in valencia by about 10 am or so, ate breakfast (churros, of course), crashed on the grass in a park, met up with nate (j's brother), and ate lunch (paella, which is best known from valencia). we then walked around to see the huge, ornate, political satyric floats which spend tons of money constructing and spend basically all year making. then the night came. after some yummy sorbet and another little nap, we headed out to stake our place close to one of the top prize winning floats/statues.

now picture the scene. there is this huge satyric statue the size of a building wedged in a little plaza between 4 or so apartment buildings. there is a fire truck or two close by with firemen and fire hoses. the streets are packed. yes, there is a little barricade on all sides a little back from the firemen, hoses and statue/float, but we're pretty close.

so, the fireworks start to go off around this whole scene. and then fireworks start to shoot out of the statue/float. some shoot out and some are just sparks within. basically there is a huge building-size fire going on, controlled by the fire hose, but wedged between buildings that are really not that far away. they are closer than i am and my skin feels like it is being singed. crazy and amazingly cool. massive amounts of fire, smoke, heat, flames, and madness.

so, that's the fallas. definitely a sight to see and definitely worth the drive.

michael, jonathan, and i then took off after the night was over (i'm guessing based on spain, around 4 or 5am) and headed back to sevilla. i again got to sleep and they got to drive. fun times. and one of the many fun road trips the three of us took in '00-'01.

i love pretty things, particularly things in nature. i love art and music and adventure. i love being in God's creation and being in awe of the power of crashing waves, a river's current, the power behind an amazingly huge waterfall or a huge crevice in the earth (like the grand canyon), things that seem to whisper of something supernatural, something far more greater than us. a star filled night, a brilliantly blue or green pool of water (that's fully natural), there really are a million things like this.

well, one of the websites i drop by from time to time (sometimes to just look at pictures, often to grab a picture off the "picture of the day" page for my desktop picture or for a blog post, or just to have) is http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif. right now they have a crazy cool set of patterns in nature and, as always, a million other great pictures.

contentment & singleness

I just got off the phone with one of my best friends, someone who I am SO grateful God put in my life and whom it seems (while we are continents away from each other) are going through some very similar things right now (at leas internally).

one of those things is thinking about guys and our singleness. it is interesting because neither one of us feels incomplete being single, nor wants to get married just for the sake of getting married and not being "alone." in fact i met this friend when i lived in kansas and i remember us somewhat ranting about the way it seemed like some thought that we were incomplete without a husband. that somehow we didn't quite fit into the structure we were supposed to fit into when it came to church - we weren't in college, we weren't married, we weren't moms, and we weren't doing everything in our power to make these things happen. that's why we helped to start the 20s30s group at church which we were very clear was NOT a single's group to search for your future spouse. yes, great if that happened, but we just wanted some fun people to hang out with.

neither one of us now lives in kansas and over the past year or so, while we love our lives as they are, guys have pursued us (or half pursued us) making it a bit hard to just be content with the present status quo. some of them we've liked and some of we haven't but nothing has ever really come of them. and the past two weeks, as we've both had guys we're not interested in but who are friends pursue us for us to then have to eventually tell them we're not interested, we have been a bit frustrated both with God's timing and the fact that it seems like we either find guys we like but whom are passive and don't pursue us or guys we don't like for whatever reason who do pursue us.

we both have questioned if there is something wrong with us, some fatal flaw... if the right guy ever will come along... what is God thinking in the midst of all of this...

so tonight as we talked, it was obviously great to have someone else at the same place to relate with and to process life with. at one point she said, "you know i probably should just ask God to show me what he thinks about all this." so i asked God exactly that, "what do you think about all this?" and what i heard inside was, "dawn, just wait. i have good things for you. just trust me." i told her all of this and laughed as i said, "but that's what he always tells me." ironic, no.

i also was reminded that often when i've actually prayed and talked about this to the Lord that i have been brought back to the passage in matthew 7:7-11, "ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you... which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

all that to say, God DOES know the desires of my heart, he is the giver of good gifts, and he is not withholding something from me just for the heck of it, just to torture me. he must have some plan that i cannot see.

and, so while i am presently wrestling a bit with contentment, i choose to ask God to enter into this all and at least give me eyes to see him, that he is big enough to hold me, and that he is as he says he is. (and fortunately, based on experience, i know that there are times of discontentedness and times of contentment. this too shall pass.

and, as my friend said, reality is, i do love my life as it is. i wouldn't change anything. i have no idea what the future hopes, but each day has enough trouble of it's own to try to worry too much about what may or may not come.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

i just dropped by a friend's blog and he has some notes from a sermon posted about "where to live." it is in the context of south africa, but is really good stuff whether you live in spain, south africa, the US, ethiopia, etc., it's good stuff to think about, so check it out.

here's a quote by john piper included in his post:

"...and then, as many of you know, Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards died this week in Cameroon in a car accident - Ruby in her eighties and Laura in her seventies. Ruby gave all her life in medical missions among the poor. Laura, a doctor who practiced in India for many years and then here in the Cities, was giving her retirement for the bodies and the souls of the poor in Cameroon. Both died suddenly when their car went over a cliff.

Was that a tragedy? Well, in one sense all death is tragic.

[But] I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader’s Digest: A couple ‘took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...’ Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ That is a tragedy."

Sex. God.

So, as tends to be the case when I get excited about a book, I am only on page 20, but so far Rob Bell's book Sex. God. is really refreshing and good. I'll try to write more when I am actually fully into the book or have actually finished it.

So, here is a little excerpts to grab your attention or pick at your interest (spanglish):

(p.19) "The writer of Genesis makes it clear that in all of creation there is something different about humans. They aren't God, and they aren't going to become GOd, but in some distinct, intentional way, something of God has been placed in them. We reflect what God is like and who God is. A divine spark resides in every single human being.

Everybody, everywhere. Bearers of the diving image."

One more thing... so far, these 22 pages i have thus far read now, i want to quote virtually the entire book, so thus to say I'm enjoying it and think Rob Bell has some good, insightful things to say. So, pick it up when you have time. I'm sure I'll write more as I get further along.

some quotes

"while all other living things being bent over look earthward, man has been given a face uplifted, bidden to gaze heavenward and to raise his countenance to the stars" Cicero, Nature of the Gods

"And when Paul discusses the restoration of the image, it is clear that we should infer from his words that man is made to conform to God... by the grace and power of the Spirit. For he says that by 'beholding Christ's glory, we are being transformed into his very image... as through the Spirit of the Lord'(2 Cor 3:18), who surely works in us..." John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-30

wonderwoman

so, awhile back i mentioned that i was going to a superhero costume party. somehow it made sense at the time to make my own costume. so with the help of my roommate anna, in about an hour and a half i made my wonderwoman (mujer de maravillas) costume.

i have to say that i did feel pretty "superhero-esk" walking to the metro in my red boots and tights. while i looked fully normal with my coat covering the costume, underneath my superhero costume was ready to jump into action whenever the moment was necessary. honestly i think walking to the metro was the best part.

"Love is like that. It is always giving itself away. When it is self - contained, it is not love. In that sense, Jesus brought clearly into focus before his followers just what was meant by "God so loved the world." It meant that God gave all he had to those he loved, even his "only begotten Son." And for the Son, in incarnating that love, it meant renouncing his own right of living and giving his life for the world. ONly in this light - when the Son is put in place of the world - can one even begin to understand the cross." - Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Evangelism

unrelented love

So, what is the deal? Why in the heck does it seem much more often than not that the girl a guy likes or the guy a girl likes doesn't feel the same way? They may be great friends or they may be mere acquaintances. But too often than not it seems that the road goes one way. And, thus, someone feels bad for not having the same feelings (and being the bearer of bad news) and someone else gets their heart broken. (At least that is if they do in fact ever get everything out in the open, which in my opinion is always the better way to do things. At least it's all out there.) Sad.

I mean, there are obvious exceptions to this. I mean look at all the people who are married. But as you look at all the times it doesn't work out it seems like those exceptions are purely miraculous. All this is on my mind because I just talked to a friend and wish I could change the situation for him. But alas I can't.


I pray that even in the midst of all this craziness that God's grace and the fact that He is a strong and steady place to run provides some comfort. I mean he actually IS in control. He IS the giver of good gifts, He DOES know the desires of our heart, and He understands what it means to long for something we don't have. Those things at least give me comfort when I seem to think that I want control of all this. In reality it's much better that I'm not in control, not really. And as torturous as it may be, I am thankful that at least the Lord uses this messy, emotion-filled area of life to teach me to walk by faith, not by sight, and to trust HIM.

Note: picture kindly taken from my friend's blog (which is cited below, in the next post, although if i remember correctly the picture isn't really his either).

christian

okay, so i just read a friend's post at metafilter (in response to a list of posts) on what it means and doesn't mean to be a christian and it's really good. and just to give him props, you might check out his blog too at: http://www.allkindsoftime.blogspot.com/

paranoia

so, i recently got the following forwarded e-mail with a note attached by one of the previous forwardees saying, "good site to check out":

"www.FamilyWatchDog.us - Pass this on!!

When you visit the above site you can enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as a small icon of a house. There will be red, blue and green dots surrounding your entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a criminal will appear with his or her home address and the description of the crime he or she has committed.

The best thing is that you can show your children these pictures and see how close these people live to your home or school.

This site was developed by John Walsh from Americas Most Wanted. This is another tool we can use to help us keep our kids safe.

Please pass this on to everyone!!!"

I think my two main issues with this e-mail are (1) the suggestion to show your children the pictures and see how close these people live to your home or school, and (2) the complete violation of privacy and incriminating people for life.

With the second point, isn't that the reason we have jails and criminal justice systems, to keep dangerous people off the streets and to give them a fair and just trial. Yes there are problems in this system which should be addressed and changed. But also, if someone pays their time, shouldn't we give them the opportunity of redemption. Maybe I am too trusting, but I think I would prefer that to the alternative.

With the first point, I'm not sure that instilling even more fear that what the news and other media already create is good or healthy. I mean, yes, we should be honest with our kids and talk about real life, but in most neighborhoods in the US (again maybe I am just naive) I don't know that there is a hard criminal lurking on each corner that we should be on the watch for. And what if these "criminals" have families or kids of their own. What if it was a small, petty crime? Should we ostracize them too? Or paint a scarlet letter on their door?

No, I am not saying there are no problems in the US or in the world. And, no, I am not saying we should be fully oblivious and not talk to our kids about not taking candy from strangers (+ etc.,), but I'm not sure this would actually be helpful. I think it would be more hurtful.

el cuidado de Dios (God's care)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:6-8

("No os aflijáis por nada, sino presentadlo todo a Dios en oración. Pedidle, y también dadle gracias. Así Dios os dará su paz, que es más grande que todo cuanto el hombre puede combreder; y esa paz guardará vuestro corazón y vuestros pensamientos, porque estáis unidos a Cristo Jesús. Por último, hermanos, pensad en todo lo verdadero, en todo lo que es digno de respeto, en todo lo recto, en todo lo puro, en todo lo agradable, en todo lo que tiene buena fama. Pensad en todo lo que es bueno y merece alabanza." Filipenses 4:6-8)

"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Psalm 34:15

("Los ojos de Jehová están sobre los justos, y atentos sus oídos al clamor de ellos." Salmo 34:15)

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

("Echa sobre Jehová tu carga, y él te sustentará; no dejará para siempre caído al justo." Salmo 55:22)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

("Humillaos, pues, bajo la poderosa mano de Dios, para que él os enaltezca a su debido tiempo. Dejad todas vuestras preocupaciones a Dios, porque él se preocupa de vostros." 1 Pedro 5:6,7)

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

("Venid a mí todos los que estáis cansados y agobiados, y yo os haré descansar. Aceptad el yugo que os impongo, y aprended de mí, que soy paciente y de corazón humilde; así encontraréis descanso." Mateo 11:28-30)

"For me to LIVE is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

("Porque para mí la vida es Cristo, y la muerte, ganancia." Filipenses 1:21)

"Come, everyone thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price... Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love..." Isaiah 55:1-3

("Todos los que tenéis sed, venid a beber agua; los que no tenéis dinero, venid, y de balde adquirid trigo, y comed; sin pagar nada, adquirid vino y leche... Oídme bien y comeréis buenos alimentos, comeréis cosas deliciosas. Venid a mí y prestad atención, escuchadme y viviréis. Yo haré con vosotros un pacto eterno, cumpliendo así las promesas que por amor hice..." Isaías 55:1-3)

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,m what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt 6:25-34

("Por tanto, os digo: No estéis preocupados por lo que habéis de comer o beber para vivir, ni por la ropa con que habéis de cubrir vuestro cuerpo. ¿No vale la vida más que la comida y el cuerpo más que la ropa? Mirad las aves que vuelan por el cielo: ni siembran ni siegan ni almacenan en graneros la cosecha; sin embargo, vuestro Padre que está en el cielo les da de comer. Pues bien, ¿acaso no valéis vosotros más que las aves? Y de todos modos, por mucho que uno se preocupe, ¿cómo podrá prolongar su vida ni siquiera una hora? ¿Y por qué estar preocupados por la ropa? Mirad cómo crecen los lirios del campo: no trabajan ni hilan. Sin embargo, os digo que ni aun el rey Salomón, con todo su lujo, se vestía como uno de ellos. Pues si Dios viste así a la hierba, que hoy está en el campo y mañana se quema en el horno, ¿no os vestirá con mayor razón a vosotros, gente falta de fe? No estáis, pues, preocupados y preguntándoos: '¿Qué vamos a comer?' o '¿Qué vamos a beber?' o '¿Con que´nos vamos a vestir?' Los que no conocen a Dios se preocupan por todas esas cosas, pero vostros tenéis un Padre celestial que ya sabe que las necesitáis. Por lo tanto, buscad primeramente el reino de los cielos y el hacer lo que es justo delante de Dios, y todas esas cosas se os darán por añadidura. No estéis, pues, preocupados por el día de mañana, porque mañana ya habrá tiempo de preocuparse. A cada día le basta con sus propios problemas." Mateo 6:25-34)

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11

("Pedid y Dios os dará, buscad y encontraréis, llamad a la puerta y se os abrirá. Porque el que pide recibe, el que busca encuentra y al que llama se le abre. ¿Acaso alguno de vosotros sería capaz de darle a su hijo una piedra cuando le pide pan? ¿O de darle una culebra cuando le pide un pescado? Pues si vosotros, que sois malos, sabéis dar cosas buenas a vuestros hijos, ¡cuánto más vuestro Padre que está en el cielo las dará a quienes se las pidan!" Mateo 7:7-11)