December 14--a very important day!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Grandma, Happy birthday to you!

This is a special post for the one and only GJ--a woman who has completed another year of faithful Christian living with grace and flair!! She is an amazing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Grandma, I learn so much from you, even when I am miles away. Thank you for the gift that you are to our family, and especially to me. I'm blessed and proud to be related to you. I love you!! Your Rosie Posie

Peace in Petare

This is an area called Petare where I work one day a week. The Lutheran church here is named "La Paz"--The Peace. It's an especially meaningful name because it's located in the heart of violence and crime--a place that is seemingly void of peace. This Advent season, pray for the people here, that they may receive and believe God's comforting promise of everlasting peace on account of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection.
"Comfort, Comfort, These My People"
Advent Hymn #28 from Lutheran Worship
Text: Psalm 42

"Comfort, comfort these my people, Speak of Peace!" so says our God. "Comfort these who sit in darkness Groaning under sin's dread rod. To my people I proclaim Pardon now in Jesus' name. Tell them that their sins I cover, That their warfare now is over!"