you can take the girl from the French...

I love Québec. The more I'm away, the more I realize how much I love it. I love the culture, the hospitality in the homes, the way you can tell where someone is from by their accent, the language(s), the diversity among people... I could go on. It's my home. I remember, when I left for NBBI I was using any excuse to leave Québec; to get out of the horrible French-speaking province I was born in. The longer I stayed in New Brunswick, the more I realized that my home was special, we have something so unique; and I should be proud of that.
Je suis fière d'être Québecoise!!!

new award

My veins are cold. How do you warm up veins? You can't. You can sit next to a blazing fire and you think you're warm, but then you get into your cold bed and realize that it was only your mind playing tricks on you, since getting into what you hope to be a warm oasis is like slipping between two ice-packs.
I bet everyone who is reading this right now is thinking the temperature is -50 and that Uruguay is much closer to Antarctica then they originally thought. Well, the truth is, that I'm a bigger wimp than I originally thought. I grew up in Quebec, where the winters are merciless, however even though they're cold; they're dry. The humidity here kills.

The new award I'm talking about: Most Ashamed Canadian
The temperature in Montevideo: + 10 Celsius

into overdrive.

There are a lot of people in this world who like talking... I'm most definetly not one of them. Okay, so I'm blantantly lying to you. I love to talk. I can talk about anything, I have an opinion on everything (I'm told that's very 'Québecoise' of me; c'est-tu vrai ça?). In any case, I love the fact that I can talk your ear off in 3 languages. Ha! I've loved learning French over the past 5 years (I've understood it my whole life, but was way too shy to speak it, believe it or not) and I'm really enjoying Spanish! Growing up in a bilingual family and country, it's hard for me to imagine only speaking one language; it's just a huge part of who I am now and I'm excited to be able to use it in the future :)

where are they now?

Over the course of this blog, I have asked everyone to pray for specific kids. I haven't been that faithful in telling you the outcome of your prayers! In my monthly a long time ago(if you're interested in receiving it, email me at reardon.stephanie@hotmail.com) I asked everyone to pray for two people specifically.
Nicolas (17 years old) is one of them: Nico is a quick-to-answer, rough kid that has a super sensitive side that he tries to hide. He always has a "smart" answer for anything you say and longgggggs to be accepted by everyone else. Around January he claims he accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized by other missionaries in March. It's hard to tell, because I'm not with him all the time, but he's beginning to change, to show a small and hopefully, growing desire to be more like Christ in his everyday life.
Belén is the other girl I asked you to pray for; she's quite the girl. She's 9 years old, has a nasty and violent temperament and I've physically pulled her out of fights before. She's very insecure and tries to be tough, but often takes it way too far; but, like most 9 year olds, she loves to dance and sing and be silly. Over time, we've seen Belén slowly begin to change... she's trying to tame her wild tongue and told us she hasn't hit her teacher or any classmates in a long time. It's a huge improvement for her and I pray that her mom can see a change in her life. She's beginning to understand that God really can change her, that He can make the difference in HER life.

If there's anyone else I've mentioned and you've been praying for, let me know and I'll give you an update on them too! :)

white sand.

My step-dad would be forever proud of me for saying this, but there is nothing I really really enjoy more than sitting down on a pile of white sand and digging my toes in. It's so wonderful and soothing. I'm really going to miss that. Today I was sitting on the beach watching the waves crash at my toes (I was being daring because its SUPER cold) and I was just thinking about the blessing it is to have that "spot" this year. That refuge that I can go to and just let go when my head, heart and emotions can't take anymore. I thank the Lord all the time for giving it to me this year! I'm really going to miss it next year!

adjust yours?

Attitudes. There's good ones, bad ones, sour ones, sweet ones, pink ones... I think I've made my point- there's lots. Our attitude for the day is usually determined at the moment we wake up; often the way we're woken up has a lot to do with it. For example, waking up to the warm sun on your face vs. a small child pounding you in the head with a pillow - I know which one I'd like more. So here we are: ready to face the day. Do we have a good attitude or a sour one? Did "someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" (or- my personal favorite: "pee in your cheerios this morning?") Our whole day is governed by our attitudes; often, when we're in a bad mindset the Lord has little room to work in our lives and use us. This isn't a new concept, I'm not bringing something mind-blowing to the table, I'm just realizing how much our attitude or, outlook on the day, if you will, changes how the Lord uses us.

The Lord loves to use us, He finds great joy in using us. Who would want to work through someone who's angry and bitter? The Lord delights in using us, so are we in the right attitude to truly show His love and life to others, or are we too busy whining about the annoying, even untimely fashion we were roused this morning?

couldn't say it better (translation below)

Por mucho tiempo busqué
Una razón de vivír
En medio de mil preguntas
Tu amor me respondió

Ahora veo la luz
Y ya no tengo temor
Tu reino vino a mi vida
Y ahora vivo para tí

Cantaré de tu amor
Rendiré mi corazón ante tí
Tu serás mi pasión
Y mis pasos se guiarán por tu voz

Mi Jesús, y mi Rey
De tu gran amor cantaré

--------------
For a long time I've searched for a reason to live, and while I was questioning everything; Your great love gave me answers...

Now I see the light, I'm not scared, Your reign came over my life and now I live for you...

Now I'm singing of your love, I give my heart to You, You will be my passion and Your voice will guide my steps...

Jesus, my King, I will sing of your great love...

spoon-fed passion

Soccer isn't just a sport in Uruguay, it's a passion, a way of life. Kids seem to be born with the ability to know how to handle a ball. I went with the kids from the school to their soccer practice today, it was fun to watch because they're inexplicably passionate about it. The coach kept trying to get them to do drills, when they'd refuse, he'd make them lap the field. I must say, after dealing with these kids and TRYING to get them to calm down in class, I didn't feel bad (not even a little!) when he made them run. The other teacher and I sat there and enjoyed it!

I stand in Awe.

It continues to baffle me: How could anyone look at these pictures and say "there is no God" or "there is no intelligent creation/design"? No on can ever create anything to even compare to this! All heaven declares the glory of the Risen Lord.

I like water.

Doctor's recommend that we drink 2L (or 8 glasses) of water a day. I ask: "Who keeps track?!" However you might be sitting there asking "Who actually drinks 2L of water a day?!" Well my friend, I do. However, I can't simply drink 8 glasses of water; a glass is like an appetizer to thirst-quenching for me. Also, I don't really want to stand in front of the sink refilling a glass 3 or 4 times. This is why God has blessed me with a Nalgene bottle. I drink 4 full ones/ day and I'm set! My Nalgene and I have been on quite the adventures. I bought it my first year at NBBI (which is 5 years ago!!!) and since then it's been my constant companion. My mom even bought me a new bottle to *gasp* replace it!
Sure, the color isn't that appealing, but who else deliberately buys a BRIGHT yellow water bottle? Or- at least I thought. There was someone who sat in front of me my last year at Bible School who had the same one and bought it for the same reason... great minds think alike.

smoke, humidity and asthma

Please pray for my asthma... the humidity of the air, combined with the cloud of smoke hovering above Montevideo is making it hard for me to breathe clearly.

I've been dry coughing for a couple of days and my throat and lungs are sometimes sore. I have an asthma pump with me, but only one. I also have another one that helps to open my lungs if I'm not in an attack, but I have less than 30 uses... I figure I'll use it when I'm really hurting. Until then, please pray for me.

Thanks!

haha.

Yesterday evening while walking to the beach, Alejandra was expressing her impatience in waiting for a letter. Technically, it was supposed to arrive last week; however, I think God enjoys seeing us squirm. What do I mean? I’m glad you asked.

I’m not saying God enjoying torturing us, but He enjoys teaching us lessons that we need to learn; like patience, for example. We often pray for God to give us more patience, most of the time it comes in the form of another person stretching us (the Christianized word for annoying). In Alejandra’s case, God has probably blown a gust of wind and sent her letter on an around-the-world journey until she realizes that He’s in control and demonstrates that in waiting patiently.

In this, I hope you realize that I believe God has a sense of humor (have you seen Finding Nemo? I think God was laughing as He created some of those fish.) If we only realized that, then the stretching people He sends along our path are more humorous than annoying. I’ve been praying for God to show me His abounding, unconditional love so that in turn, I can show it to others. Last Monday afternoon I was asked to be a substitute teacher in grade 2 for the rest of the week. When I came home on Wednesday afternoon, I lovingly named the rowdy 8 year-olds “the children of the korn”. They were horrible. However, I asked for God to show me His love… and He did. He did it in a way that made me squirm, but in a way that I learned the lesson I needed to.
I believe that’s one way God works. Now, I can look back and laugh at Federico as he ate half his glue stick and at Mauro who colored his classmate with whiteboard marker when I wasn’t looking.

smoked over.

Has anyone ever heard of Chaitén, Chile? Neither have I; but apparently they have a volcano that's billowing like a 40 year-old chain smoker. It's been spreading ashes and smoke along the coastal country as well as across the Andes mountains that divide Chile and Argentina. The past couple of days, the gray cloud has made it's way to Uruguay, making it hard for Asthma sufferers like myself. Please keep the people of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in your prayers. There's millions of people that are affected by this.

1st picture: the smoke and ashes in Montevideo fogs the city view
2nd picture: the smoke that's billowing out of the volcano
3rd picture: mother and son in Chile protecting their lungs. Good people.

Mother's Day Worldwide

Moms: we wouldn't be where we are without them. Literally. I love my mom; she's an amazing person and a wonderful example to follow. All my life, she's been there for me, every time I need her, she's always been more than willing to do anything for me. I probably don't tell her this often enough, but I admire, respect and love her. You're the best, mom! Happy Mother's Day!

gmail.com

I've had an array of email accounts; from the original "blinky182" which later, in my maturity, morphed into "sweet_kisses4e". At NBBI I decided that my old email simply was not "Christian enough" so I came up with the anachronism-combo of "frogacts96" (fully rely on God Acts 9:6); until last year I realized that I couldn't be 22+ with an email as such. I converted to the adult email: my name. Exciting, isn't it?

I was talking with a friend about Gmail and the fact that I wasn't 'grown-up' enough to have an account. It seems that people start of with a trizillion Hotmail accounts to make the leap to Gmail after university. Seriously, pay attention to the next "new email" email in your junk mail folder... chances are, it's from a university grad and its Gmail. They've made the leap.

smiles

Smiles... they're contagious.

pet peeve #1 - believe it or not.

Yes. My biggest pet peeve is electric can openers. Why did we think it was necessary to invent an automated contraption to open cans. Did turning the little screw take too much time out of our day? Did anyone not realize how dangerous and complicated they are? The can could easily fall, spilling its precious over-preserved contents all over the floor or your hand could be eaten if it’s not placed dutifully under the can as unclearly directed by the instructions (pictures please!). Maybe it’s just me; maybe I just can’t accept the fact that I really cannot master it. Actually, I know one other person hates them as much as I do, the fact that it’s my brother might be related to the fact that we had the world’s worst electric can opener growing up.

pet peeve #2

You know the people who watch themselves in the mirror as they lift weights, or the lady that fixes her hair in the reflective department store windows? Do they annoy you as much as they annoy me? Please say yes. I cannot begin to explain how much I dislike the mirror. Alright, before I get too far into this, I must admit that THE first thing I bought in Uruguay
was a mirror and my bedroom at my parent’s house has 3 huge ones; I’m going to clarify in a second. I’m not against looking in the mirror to make sure you don’t look like a zombie before you leave the house (which is why I need one!), I am against being so addicted to the mirror that you can’t pass one without looking at yourself, or worse, checking yourself out.

Funny story about mirrors: when I used to work at a water park we used to have one of those ‘reflective’ windows once the setting sun hit it just right. Without fail, parades of people, everything from women in skimpy swimwear, men who couldn’t bend properly because of all their muscles to really skinny paste-y teenage boys with emo haircuts, would stop and fix their hair or their swimsuits. Sitting on the other side of that window was my friend Natasha and I. I’ve seen enough wedgie picks, bathing suit top adjustments and yes, makeup application (at a waterpark!!!) to last me a life time. Did people not realize this was a window, not a mirror? Why did people feel the need to stop and make sure their bathing suit and body parts were perfect before jumping into the wave pool?
Why do women need to stop while walking down busy Ste. Catherine’s St. in Montréal to fix their blouse in the Bay’s shiny windows when there’s hundreds of people coming behind them? Why?!?! I ask. What’s the obsession with the mirror?

Does anyone have a funny mirror story to fuel my deep dislike of the reflective trap from the pit of Hades?

pet peeve #3

Self- centered people: you know you know at least one. They’re the people that won’t go somewhere if it’s not benefiting to them, that won’t sacrifice their afternoon to spend time with someone who is sick or stuck at home, the ones that stomp their feet and slam doors if they don’t get what they want. I really don’t like these people. I’m guilty of doing some of the above, I’m not perfect and I am the first to admit it. But I’m not talking about me.

What if God was selfish? What if His own comfort went before His love for us? The most obvious answer is that the cross wouldn’t have happened. The next, is that we would have a poor example of unconditional love; “I love you so much, but not enough to die for you. It’s just not that appealing to me. Sorry.” As people who long to follow Christ, we are called to be like Him: giving and loving. In fact, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says “love does not seek it’s own”. How does a selfish person reflect Christ when absolutely everything they do is about them? They reflect a warped Christianity that really isn’t a true reflection of Christ at all; this is the reflection that the whole world sees of Christians. They’re too distracted by the multitude of self-centered, hypocritical, narrow-minded “Christians” that they’re missing out on just how amazing a life with Jesus really is.

comfort zone

Chances are, if you've ever been to Bible college, you've heard the term 'comfort zone'. Mission teachers love to capitalize on it, I even have an unsupported theory that the word is copyrighted and they're getting a cut because every class seemed to be about it. Occasionally missionaries in chapel would throw it in to their presentation for their cut on the market; usually on the same day for extra emphasis.

All imaginary monetary gain aside, the term is popular in the Christian world. Pastors, teachers, missionaries and mission recruiters often leave the platform with this question lingering in your mind: "Are you out of your comfort zone?" It always made me squirm; where is my comfort zone? Usually it's your home town and church, where you feel most comfortable. However, I think my comfort zone is everywhere BUT my home town and church. To return home and face the people you grew up with, the people who have seen you grow and change and try to show Christ's love to them, scares the peanuts out of me. They've seen me at my worst, I assume their image of me is horrible at best and I'm expected to go back and show them through my life, Christ's love? (Please note, that right now I'm 10,000 kms away in Uruguay)

This year the Lord has given me a burden to go back to Québec and show love. It wasn't and easy decision by any means, since I love traveling. I'm hesitant and scared out of my mind, but excited; I'm praying that the Lord open my heart and help me to fully understand His love, so that I can show it to others. I need to leave my comfort zone.

Montevideo

I think I've posted pictures about every city but Montevideo, the city I've been living outside of for 7 months. I've grown to love it. I really do. It has a certain charm and beauty that most other cities don't. The streets are super confusing (http://www.andy21.com/uruguay/img/montevideo.jpg) and the culture a little different, but that's why I love it. The idea of walking down to the beach, sitting on the edge of the highway and sipping maté (local drink, I'll fill you in another time) while talking with friends has become most appealing. It only took 7 months to get there... just in time for the bitter cold season.