Tourin' with Tami

I (surprisingly) Love L.A.!

2011-09-05T17:21:00.001-05:00

Had I not been summoned to California to appear on Wheel of Fortune, I would likely have never made a trip there. I've never had any desire to visit the Golden State, assuming it was filled with smog, fault lines, snobby people and excessive traffic. True, So. Cal. is plagued by an abundance of traffic, poor air quality and, of course, land that is is ripe for major quakes; however, there is much, much more to this West Coast wonderland!

First of all, I feel I must apologize to you Californians for clinging to my misconceptions about you for so long. I hate to admit my small-mindedness, but I really thought that Cali was a state filled with weird, botox loving, liberal extremists. I thought I would feel terribly out of place as a chubby, very white, small-town, Christian gal. Well, I was absolutely wrong. The people were warm and friendly everywhere we went! Everyone we met went out of their way to be helpful and extra nice to us. The other cool thing about Cali is the diversity of her people. Walking down the street in LA you'll hear dozens of languages being spoken. There really is no such thing as a "typical Californian".

Diverse is also the best way to describe the neighborhoods and topography of So Cal. While driving along the lengthy avenues and boulevards you'll soon notice that every 10-12 blocks you feel as if you are in a new city because the landscape, architecture and "vibe" have completely changed.

The beaches are diverse and beautiful, too. For an East-coaster, it's just amazing to see the cliffs drop off and turn into the shore. Several of the beaches we saw were very wide. I'd guess Venice Beach stretched over 1/4 mile from the beginning of the sand until the ocean. Venice Beach was insane, a haven for hippies, skaters, tourists and pot-heads alike. The boardwalk is lined with shops and restaurants. Many of the shops are "Doctor's offices" where patients can be evaluated and prescribed medical Marijuana. The beach also boasts a really cool ocean-front skatepark and the famous Muscle Beach gym.

A little further up the coast is Santa Monica Beach and the famous Santa Monica Pier. The beach is large and lovely, and a better place for families than Venice Beach. The Pier, which also marks the ending point of historic Route 66, offers several fun diversions for your family. Enjoy an ice cream cone or an old-fashioned egg cream while your kids take a twirl on the antique carousel. The more adventurous members of your group can catch a few thrills at the small amusement park a little further down the pier. There's also an aquarium, along with plenty of dining and shopping available on this 1/3 mile long stretch of historical, ocean front property. We especially enjoyed lunch at Big Deans Oceanfront Cafe located at the base of the Pier. It's extremely casual, the food was above average and the prices were very reasonable.

A friend recommended we visit Malibu to enjoy a meal at the "Reel In". I'm so glad we took her advice. It's a casual restaurant overlooking the beach offering only the freshest of seafood, cooked to your specifications. The food was simply fantastic and we enjoyed the view which allowed us to be entertained by dozens of surfers catching late afternoon waves.

Speaking of restaurants, if you get to Cali you MUST make a trip to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. We ate there for my Wheel of Fortune victory dinner and it was so, so good. Just load up on the lipitor before you go because there's not much on the menu that won't take a few years off your life.

But, it's worth it.

A couple of attractions we managed to squeeze in while in LA were the LaBrea Tar Pits and Universal Studios, Hollywood. It was my Aunt who wanted to visit the Tar Pits, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much more than a giant, stinky pool of muck in the middle of the city. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the big, stinky pit is only one part of the LaBrea experience. The museum and educational center is really quite interesting, and if you go at the right time, you can actually watch as archaeologists extract ancient fossils from their goopy graves.

Universal Studios Hollywood was also a real treat and a must-see if you are headed to the area. The backlot tour alone is just about worth the price of admission. You'll see where scenes from many of your favorite TV shows and movies were filmed, like: Desperate Housewives, Ghost Whisperer, Jaws, Psycho, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Bones, and more. And, the tour also includes some exciting elements like a 4-D King Kong Experience, an encounter with a great white shark, a simulated earthquake and you'll even find yourself in the middle of a downpour and flash flood. In addition to the super-cool studio tour, Universal offers 4-D movie experiences, a few thrill rides, live action shows, and a huge array of dining and shopping options. You definitely need the better part of a day to make the most of your visit here.

True, I did win gobs of money on Wheel of Fortune, which may have colored my view of California. But, honestly, I really belive I would have left fully satisfied even if I had only taken home the $1,000 consolation prize. I'd love to go back and take my hubby and kids next time. Maybe, someday I'll nab an appearance on Jeopardy and have the chance to pay another visit to sunny California.

"What are...things unlikely to happen in this lifetime, Alex."

10 Things I Learned About Mexico

2011-02-13T14:36:00.008-05:00

1. Mexico is misunderstood.

When I found out I would be taking a trip with Compassion International to Mexico City, to be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed. I have co-workers who have gone with Compassion to some pretty exotic places, like India and Ethiopia. Besides, I've been to Guatemala several times already, and I wondered how much different Mexico could possibly be. When I told people I was going to Mexico, I got very few “oohs and aahs” and quite a few raised eyebrows and expressions of concern for my safety. And, of course, I was advised by everyone not to drink the water and to order my drinks without ice.

Drug wars, kidnappings, crooked Federales, this is the Mexico we in the States know and fear. Yes, Mexico has perhaps more than its' fair share of crime, violence and corruption. But, if those are the only places in Mexico that your imagination will take you, then you are missing a much bigger and more beautiful picture. There are many, many places in this diverse nation that are relatively safe to visit, as long as you pack some common sense in your suitcase. To say Mexico exceeded my expectations would be a gross understatement.

2. There are plenty of things to eat in Mexico that will not burn a hole in your tongue.

As someone who cannot handle spicy food, I was worried that I wouldn’t find anything good to eat on my trip. I was pleasantly surprised by the many menu items that a sissy-tongued gal like me can to choose from. Honestly, I experienced some of the best cuisine I've ever eaten in Mexico! Some of my favorites:

Chile Rellenos- poblano peppers that are stuffed with cheese and then breaded and fried (I'm told these may be hot if all the seeds and membranes are not removed).
Chiles Rellenos
Achiote-a seasoning made from spices and annato seeds that is made into a sauce used to flavor meats.
Chicken in achiote sauce
Tamales-Cornmeal made into a dough and filled with a variety of different meats, cheeses or seasonings and then wrapped in a corn husk and steamed.
Mole Poblano-a rich sauce made from peppers, seasonings and chocolate, often served over chicken and or as dip for tortilla chips.
Jicama- a root vegetable, similar to a potato, but sweeter and crisper. I enjoyed raw and cubed with a light vingarette dressing and lime juice.

Jicama Salad

Beef Tampiquena, Chicken with Mole, Tamale

Beef Tampiquena-Thinly sliced sirloin steak glazed with a seasoned sauce.
Tacos-cooked in a huge pan over an open fire filled with chorizo, veggies & cactus (napalitos)

3. At times, visiting Mexico city feels like visiting Rome.

Really. I’m not kidding.

The main "touristy" area of Mexico city is divided into two sections: New Mexico and Old Mexico. New Mexico reminded me of almost any large, cosmopolitan city in Europe or Latin America- boutique hotels, trendy shops and restaurants and crazy traffic on wide avenues and roundabouts. Mexico city even has a modern Metro system.

Old Mexico has a quaint European flair and at times took me back to my trip to Italy. It’s absolutely charming with narrow, cobblestone streets, exquisite architecture and many statues and monuments.

4. The people of Mexico are warm, welcoming and extremely gracious

This is, of course, a vast generalization. There are plenty of jerks in every corner of the world. But, as a whole, I found Mexicans to be absolutely delightful people. Almost everyone I encountered was friendly, helpful and gracious. They also have a great degree of national pride. They are not elitists, but they are proud of their heritage and the colorful history of their country which dates back well over 2,000 years.

5. Mexicans have an uncanny ability to remain content in all things.

I met and observed Mexican people from many different backgrounds and walks of life, from white collar businessmen to people living in the deepest poverty I've ever experienced. But even in the midst of incredible trials, the people I met were content, even happy.

6. The poverty in Mexico can be extreme and inescapable.

I've heard the term “oppressive poverty” before, but I've never seen it so visibly and on such an enormous scale until my trip to Mexico. Outside the cosmopolitan center of Mexico City miles and miles of slums extend in every direction. Over 21 million people live in and around Mexico city, making it the largest metropolitan area in the Americas, the 5^th largest in the world. The disparity of wealth among it's inhabitants is enormous. While Mexico City is the 8^th largest city in the world, about half of it's inhabitants are classified as moderately or extremely poor. Poverty in rural Mexico is even more extensive.

In a town called Neza, one of the poorest areas of Mexico City, I met a family living in the kind of oppressive poverty that so many Mexicans face. This family of five lives in a room that is roughly 12' x 12' in size. Mom, Dad and three children share a bunk bed which has a full sized bed below and a twin bed above. Their home is one of several small buildings on a plot of land that they share with 3 other families...all part of their extended family. The four families share one bathroom and the garden/green area. Dad drives a motorcycle taxi for a living, however the bike broke down and he doesn't have the money to fix it. So, for the time being, he works as a gardener when there is work to be found. Mom works as a housekeeper whenever possible. However, one of the family members who share their living area is a drug and alcohol addict, so one parent must stay home with the kids at all times to protect them from him.

How can this family escape? What could they possibly do to get out of poverty?

7. A colored ball determines the military fate of 18 year old boys.

Mexico has a fascinating lottery drafting system for military enlistment. After going through a registration process, every 18 year old boy then participates in a lottery where they have to draw a “ball” to determine if they'll have to serve (this used to an actual ball...now it's all computerized, although it's still referred to as a ball). If he draws a white ball, he is required to serve for one year in the Mexican Army. If he draws a blue ball, he will serve for a year in the Navy. If he draws a black ball, he is not required to serve at all. Service in the Army or Navy is similar to service in the US National Guard. Unless there is a crisis, their service is limited to a training exercise one Saturday each month. Unlike the National Guard, there is no pay in exchange for this service.

He got a "White Ball" so in a few weeks he'll have to cut his hair and begin his service in the Army.

8. The expression "I was stepping on frogs" means I got up very early.

I had fun conversation with our Mexican friends about the many idioms used in our languages. While they thought it was a bit weird that we say things like “keep your eyes peeled” and “put your money where your mouth is”, we were equally amused by some expressions unique to Mexicans. For example, if you had to get up so early it was still dark outside, you'd say “It was so early when I left the house today I was stepping on frogs”. If an elderly person, like your abuelita (grandmother), saw something amazing and wanted to emphasize that she was sure she saw it, she might say “I tell you I saw it with these two eyes that worms will one day eat.”

9. You don't have to travel to Egypt to see the Pyramids.

Of the three largest pyramids in the world, two are in Mexico. The ancient Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs, Toltecs and unknown civilizations before these have left their mark all over and under Mexico's terrain, making it an archaeologist's dream come true. Many of these sites, (including Teotihuacan, the one I was fortunate enough to visit) are open to the public.

http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/Visitmexico/Visi_Arqueologia_Virtual

Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan

10. Waiters will not make fun of you even if you ask them not to put ice cream in your lemonade. Not in front of you, anyway.

Mexicans are extremely patient with people who at least try to speak to them in their native tongue. The truth is, my Spanish is really, really bad. To make matters worse, I studied Italian in college, which is really close to Spanish and I get them confused. So, I am fluent in broken “spitalian”. But, the people I met were so patient with me and seemed to really appreciate that I was at least making the attempt. Even when I did, in fact, ask a waiter to bring me lemonade but to hold the ice cream.

A Few of the Many Faces of Mexico

A Christmas Break Trip to Myrtle Beach

2011-01-02T22:02:00.002-05:00

A few months before Christmas, I sat down with my husband and kids and made a proposition. Instead of spending a crazy amount of money on presents that would soon be forgotten, I suggested that we instead use the money to take a family trip to Myrtle Beach. Once the kids were sure they would still have a few gifts to open Christmas morning, they agreed to my plan.

So, Christmas morning, we opened presents, ate breakfast, finished packing and were on the road around Noon. By 4:00 we had arrived at our home for the next few days, the Dunes Village Resort, located on the north end of Myrtle Beach. With it's two indoor water parks, complete with lazy rivers and water slides, it seemed like the perfect spot for a trip to the beach during a season when the weather would not accommodate long days of enjoying the sand and surf.

Accommodations

From the moment we arrived, the excellence of the Dunes staff was evident. When a hotel clerk has to work on Christmas day and can still manage be over-the-top nice to each person in a line of guests that are checking in, it makes a strong first impression. Time after time we encountered front desk associates, waiters and waitresses, cashiers, housekeeping staff and other hotel employees going out of their way to be helpful and friendly.

Our room was in Palmetto Tower at the Dunes one of the two ocean-front buildings that house the hotel. Each tower has it's own pools and other water features, along with the indoor water parks that led us to choose this spot for our lodging. We stayed in the Oceanfront Queen Suite, with 2 queen beds in the bedroom plus two pull out beds in the living area...plenty of sleeping space for our family of 5. The room also had one shared bathroom with a lovely oversized jacuzzi tub and a full kitchen. Our room was clean, comfortable, fully stocked and had a wonderful ocean view.

The Dunes is in-and-of-itself a destination at Myrtle Beach, especially for families with younger children, and a perfect spot for a cold-weather beach retreat. The property boasts all kinds of indoor and outdoor water activities, several restaurants and cafés, a miniature-golf course and game rooms. While the in-season rates are beyond our family's budget, the winter rates are a real bargain, especially considering what this resort has to offer.

Dining

Usually when our family spends a week at the beach in the summer, we cook and eat most of our meals in the room to save money. But, since this was a short trip and a special occasion, we decided to eat out. This was a mistake. It costs a fortune to feed a family of 5 at Myrtle Beach! And, to be honest, the food was just not that great...certainly not worth the $80-$100 per meal we spent. I cringe when I think about the amount of money we spent on mediocre food in the few days we were there.

Our only memorable meal was at the Horst Gasthaus, an authentic German restaurant in North Myrtle Beach. I discovered it on one of my favorite money saving websites, Restaurant.com. To be honest, when we first pulled into the parking lot, I was afraid we had made a huge mistake. The building is pretty run-down looking outside and it's location is anything but inviting. But, with a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate in hand, we bravely entered. Once we stepped inside, we were transported to a cozy little slice of Bavaria. We dined on bratwurst, knackwurst, sauerkraut and red cabbage, along with a nice selection of German beer and wine...all while entertained by an accordion player dressed in, you guessed it, lederhosen. The kids found the experience somewhat annoying. Apparently, teens and pre-teens these days aren't into Polka. But, Alton and I thought it was festive and fun.

Activities

In the summer, the ocean and the pool are usually all the entertainment we need for a week at the beach. But, a December beach trip calls for a few extra diversions. So, we splurged and enjoyed a few of Myrtle Beach's inland family attractions at Broadway at the Beach.

Ripley's Aquarium

Our first stop was at Ripley's Aquarium. This was our first trip here in several years and I wasn't sure if the kids would still enjoy it. So, I was pleasantly surprised when our whole family really did have a good time.

We were all fascinated by the new “Lethal Weapons” exhibit, where we saw some pretty frightening residents of the deep blue sea... things like a shrimp that lands a punch with the power of a bullet, an electric eel that packs a 500 volt jolt and tiny creatures that produce enough venom to kill armies of people. Hmmm...we may have to re-think our annual summer beach trip. I hear Arizona is lovely in July.

The Dangerous Reef is just plain cool. Being transported via a moving glidepath through this 350' tunnel while all kinds of exotic fish and sharks surround you is fantastic, no matter what your age. Laura and I also enjoyed trying to pet a sting ray and we were very thankful for the high powered hand dryer in the bathroom by the snack bar, especially since Laura was soaking wet after our visit to “Ray Bay.

Ripley's Aquarium is open 365 days a year and there are several coupons and packages available, so make sure you pay a visit to their website before your trip.

MagiQuest

After the aquarium, Alton, Carley and Andrew went to MagiQuest while Laura and I did some shopping at Broadway at the Beach. This was their second MagiQuest experience and they had a blast. Yes, it is ridiculously expensive. But, when my 11-year old daughter and 13 year-old son actually have fun doing something together and can't wait to do it again, something truly magical has happened. And, as long as they don't loose their wands, it will be much cheaper the next time around.

With some advance planning and research you can have a great time at Myrtle Beach in the off-season and save a ton of money compared to a peak season vacation. Look for coupons and discount codes online and check tripadvisor.com for travelers reviews of hotels and restaurants to help you plan your itinerary.

Snow on the Beach!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? A quick Holiday trip to the Big Apple

2009-12-31T22:32:00.001-05:00

This year, I apparently lost all sense of sanity and logic and decided to plan a quick trip for my kids, my mom and me to New York City during the week following Christmas. This was, perhaps, the worst idea I have ever had (and I have had a lot of them).

Why was this such a terrible idea? First of all, the days leading up to New Year's Eve are some of the busiest in the Big Apple. I have been to NYC several other times. I know it can get busy and crowded. It is New York City, after all. But, honestly, I have never seen that many other human beings in one place.

Look at the chaos at Times Square...

Another reason this trip was such a bad idea, is that the weather was horrible! Now, I will say that it was unusually cold, even for NYC. But, I am telling you, I have NEVER, EVER, IN MY WHOLE LIFE been that cold. The highs on the 2 days we visited the city were in the mid 20's with 25 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 50 mph. Can you say WIND CHILL? We were prepared for cold. I packed multiple layers for everyone, including long johns, under shirts, hoodies, winter coats, hats, gloves and even wool-blend hunting socks. But, our layers were no match for the brutally cold winds that battered our bodies all day long.

Trying to beat the chill...

Finally, the traffic between NC and NY was beastly. On both the trip there and the trip back we were stuck in stop-and-go traffic much of the way. 1-95 was mostly a sea of red brake lights. The drive took nearly twice as long as it would have under normal traffic conditions.

In all fairness, the trip wasn't a total disaster. There were a few highlights. We lodged in Staten Island to save money (as opposed to an expensive Manhattan hotel). We were very pleased with our accommodations at the Hampton Inn Staten Island which offered excellent rates, a clean, comfortable and spacious room for the five of us and a wonderful and free hot breakfast each day. They even packed a nice brown-bag breakfast for mornings on the run. And, the kids really enjoyed taking the free Staten Island Ferry (there is a small fee for parking) from Staten Island to Manhattan, which includes some nice photo opp's as the ferry passes the Statue of Liberty. If you do opt to stay in Staten Island, plan on at least an hour's commute into the Manhattan.

Chinatown was memorable. We had a fantastic meal at the Great NY Noodletown ...a small, inexpensive, authentic restaurant that is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The hot tea which accompanied steaming mountains of noodles and bowls of soup were just what our frozen bodies needed. Chinatown also offers lots of great places to shop for souvenirs on a tight budget. Our favorite spot was Ting's Gift Shop, which has been selling a unique collection of Asian toys, clothing and novelties from it's teeny-tiny storefront since 1957. It's one of the oldest operating businesses in Chinatown. Ting's is on the corner Doyers and Pell, two historic Chinatown streets. It just feels like Chinatown.

And, yes, the city really is beautiful at Christmastime. The decorated buildings and millions of sparkling lights make Manhattan magical. It was just too crowed and too cold to really appreciate the city in all it's Christmas glam. If you don't mind the cold, I hear the days immediately after New Year's are a perfect time to visit the city. The decorations are still up, the crowds are gone and the sales are hot.

One more quick note, if you are planning a trip, I highly recommend Frommer's New York City as a travel guide and the Streetwise Laminated Map of Manhattan to help you navigate the city.

Tuscany

2009-07-25T10:31:00.004-05:00

The second part of our trip was spent exploring the region of Tuscany. This was, by far, my favorite part of the trip. In Venice, we stayed in a quiant little town called Montecatini Terme at the "Grand Hotel Francia e Quirinale" . The hotel's elegant lobby, small but friendly staff, tiny elevators and small but clean rooms all reminded me of what 1950's elegance in Italy must have looked like.

In Tuscany, we visited the ancient town of San Gimignano and took a whirlwind tour of Florence (called Firenze in Italy) and made a stop in Siena. San Gimignano is a medieval, hilltop village with breathtaking views of the Tuscan landscape at every angle. Florence is the capitol of Tuscany. We only had a few hours here, not nearly enough time to enjoy the food, shopping, art, culture, and beauty offered by this amazing city. However, we were able to take in the Accademia and Michelangelo's David, do some leather shopping, enjoy a farmer's market and eat a delicious lunch at a friendly little sidewalk winebar/restaurant called "Note di Vino" during the time we were there.

After Florence, we spent the evening a Tuscan farmstead the Fattoria Il Poggio where we enjoyed "slow food" (everyting we ate-olive oil, meat, grains, wine) had been raised, grown and produced on the farm. Amazing food and wine, music, dancing and laughter...it was an unforgettable evening!

The next morning we left Montecatini and traveled to Siena for an overnight stay. Siena has an interesting history and a wild, gaudy cathedral, but it wasn't my favorite stop. I would have much preferred an additional day in Florence over the stop in Siena.

Double click on the slide show to view pictures at your own pace.

Italy 2008--Venice

2009-05-24T18:49:00.005-05:00

Venice

On October 28, 2008 my mother and I along with two friends, Terrie and Cindy, left for a 10-day tour of Italy. We were part of a group of about 25 on the Friendly Planet "Italian Treasures" tour. It was the first time in Italy for all four of us and my expectations were ridiculously high. I had always dreamed of traveling to Italy some day. Could the "old country" possibly live up to what I was was hoping for?

After roughly 9 hours of air travel we landed in Venice. A bus ride delivered us from the airport to a depot of sorts where we then boarded the small boat that took us to our hotel. Our lodging in Venice was at the Hilton Molino Stuckey, an elegant hotel housed in a former flour mill on Giudecca Island, just across the lagoon from Venice.

As we walked around Venice that evening, exploring the narrow cobblestone walkways lined by shops and cafes and crossing over countless bridges while gondolas passed below, my mom commented, "This is like being at Disney World, but it's the real thing". Venice certainly offers that magical feeling. And to some degree, it is like an attraction at Disneyworld, in that much of Venice is a facade, kept in place to delight the tourists. There are very few Venitians living in those canal-front apartments. Most of Venice's residents live off the main peninsula.

The food in Venice, from what I was told by those in the know, is the worst in Italy and everything is overpriced. However, the Murano glass is spectacular and definitely worth consideration. I was also warned that Venitians are known by other Italians to be generally rude and a bit stuck up. We encountered that with some people, but certainly not with everyone.

My conclusion of Venice is that it is one of those places that everyone should experience once, because there really is nowhere else like it in the world. However, our day and a half long visit was enough for me. While I hope to retrun to Italy someday, Venice is unlikely to be on the itinerary.

Family Camp 2007

2007-09-06T07:28:00.000-05:00

For the 3rd year now, our family has spent Labor Day Weekend at Camp Bethel in Wise, Virginia. Camp Directors Jeff and Susan Rolen along with all of Camp Bethel's wonderful staff do everything they can to provide families with 3 days of precious time together. Forever friendships are forged, adventure abounds and fantastic food is feasted upon. We, as always, had a wonderful time and the kids are already counting the days until next year. Thanks Jeff, Susan and the gang for working so hard to provide our family with the opportunity to refuel, reconnect and refresh.

For more infomation about Camp Bethel and their many ministries to kids, families and their community, visit their website: www.campbethel.com

Here are some pictures from this year's Family Camp Weekend:

Update on Baby Paola

2007-07-25T10:02:00.001-05:00

I recieved news recently that baby Paola died the week after we left Guatemala. I have such mixed emotions about this. I will never understand, this side of heaven, God's purpose for sending her here to live as an orphan and suffer from poor health for 3 months, only to bring her back home.

On the other hand, I am so thankful that He sent our team when He did. There were a few of us that felt led to give her special attention, the kind of earthly love that she may not ever have had a chance to experience. And, because we were there and loved her, there are now people mourning her loss, who have pictures of her and feel pangs of sadness when we look at them.

I am so happy that she is with her Father now. It warms my heart to think about Jesus holding her in his arms. And, I'm so relieved to know that she finally has a home...our only true home and the one we will all share some day!

The Martyr's Song
-By Todd Agnew
Sing! O son of Zion! Shout! O child of mine!
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind!
I’ve been waiting to dance with you in fields full of colors you’ve never seen.
And I’ve been waiting to show you beauty you never dreamed
That’s always been in you.
And I’ve been waiting...
To see you tremble as you’re embraced
By a world saturated with My love.
And I’ve been waiting for The Day
When at last I get to say, “My child, you are finally home.”
Sing! O son of Zion! Shout! O child of mine!
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind, for you are finally home!
I’ve been waiting to watch you realize what all your longing was for.
I’ve been waiting to show you the thread of grace
that ran through all your pain. And I’ve been waiting...
to let you drink the water of which your greatest joy on earth
Was just a taste.
I’ve been waiting for the day when at last I get to say,“My child, you are finally home.”
Sing! O son of Zion! Shout! O child of mine!
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind!
Sing! O daughter of Zion. Cry out! O child of mine!
Dance with all the strength that you can find...for you are finally home!
Every tear you cried dried in the palm of My hand.
Every lonely hour was by my side.
And every loved one lost, every river crossed—
Every moment, every hour was pointing to This Day...
I’ve been longing for This day!
I’ve been waiting to dance with you in fields full of colors you’ve never seen.
And I’ve been waiting to show you beauty you never dreamed
That’s always been in you. And I’ve been waiting...
To see you tremble as you’re embraced
By a world saturated with My love.
And I’ve been waiting for The Day
When at last I get to say, “My child, you are finally home.”
Sing! O son of Zion! Shout! O child of mine!
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind!
Sing! O daughter of Zion. Cry out! O child of mine!
Dance with all the strength that you can find...
for you are finally home!...
for you are finally home!

2007-07-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Please Pray for Baby Paola. I met this baby girl at the orphanage in Guatemala. Doctors don't know why, but she is severly malnourished. I found out today that she is back in the hospital and may not survive. I pray that she is not alone and that there are loving people surrounding her. My greatest fear is that she will suffer and die alone in a hospital. I am trusting God, the Father to the Fatherless, to provide this baby with love, comfort and protection.

Guatemala Slide Show

2007-07-02T20:22:00.000-05:00

Home Again!

2007-07-02T10:03:00.001-05:00

The last few days of our trip were perhaps the most fun, but also the most emotionally draining. On Thursday, we took a boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of Santiago Panabaj. This area has seen more than it's share of heartache. In the late 80's through 1990 there was a civil war and many of the locals were slaughtered in the fighting. Then, in 2005, Hurricane Stan devastated much of Mexico and Central America. The heavy rain caused two massive mudslides in Panabaj, killing over 250 people instantly and completely destroying most of the houses and buildings in one of the villages. Here you can see two half-buried front doors that were once attached to houses.

Here are images from the now-abandoned school and hospital buildings. You can see the mud line.

This field was once filled with houses. They were instantly destroyed and swept away by the mud, water and rocks. You can see the trough made my the mud as it poured into the area. 250 people were killed here, only 150 bodies have been recovered. This area is now considered a mass grave.

The people that were not killed in the mudslide were left homeless. The Guatemalan government along with several relief agencies built a village of temporary housing units made from 2 x 4's and nylon sheeting. Unfortunately, almost 2 years later, people are still living there because they have nowhere else to go. Sewage is backing up, disease is spreading and the area is rodent infested. The area has been classified as high-risk due to the possibility of more landslides, so the government will not build permanent housing for the people here. Other options are being considered, but no real action is being taken, so the people are left living in these horrible conditions. We were not permitted to enter the temporal housing area because it would give the people false hope that we were there to help or give them things. But here are some pictures of the area from a distance.

This little girl and her brother live in the temporal housing area. She joined our group while we were standing outside the village and followed us around during our entire tour of the area. She very quietly asked us for money. We were instructed not to give money to anyone, because word would spread among the villagers and future tour groups might be surrounded by people looking for money, which could turn into a dangerous situation. It was very difficult not to answer the request of this child for money. Some of our team members held her hand as we walked along. If nothing else, we could show her love.

This is an elderly man who walked the long road from the village with the help of a cane. He is carrying a large load of firewood on his back. As he got closer I could see that he was smiling.

A Mennoniote Missions group has helped a group of women from this area build a better life by forming a co-op. They work together to build houses, grow food and raise poultry. They also make exquisite beaded jewelry which they sell to folks like us who come to tour the area. It is an effective project which operates on a "Teach a Man to Fish" philosophy. Here, a woman from the co-op makes jewelry as her child watches.

After our tour of this area, we ate lunch and then took a WILD boat ride across a now stormy lake. It was lots of fun and I wasn't nervous until the boat's captain told us all to lean to one side!

That afternoon we visited Solomon's Porch, a Christian Cofee house in Panajachel. Panajachel is a "touristy" area with a large population of young European visitors. Marijuana is legal in Guatemala, one of the reasons that so many people flock here. This "hippie" population is primarily who Solomon's Porch is attempting to reach.

That night we all ate at the beautiful Hotel Atitlan. It is quite luxurious and was a lovely experience; however, more than once I felt conflicted as I ate a gourmet meal knowing that people nearby would go to bed hungry. The extremes of wealth and poverty are hard to reconcile.

Jose and his wife Blanci joined us for dinner. Jose works at Vinya and Bianci is the Principal of the Christian school we visited earlier in the week. I felt an instant bond with these two lovely people. They are both bright reflections of God's light in Solola. I hope we will meet again someday.

Friday we said goodbye to the kids at Eagle's Nest, a very emotional time. Then we rode to Antigua, a very old and beautiful city. We ate at McDonalds which was a great taste of home. It was the nicest McD's I've ever seen! It had fountains, artwork and a carefully landscaped garden. And, yes, there was a Play Place. Here is a fountain in the McDonalds. Look at the golden arches carved in the marble!

After Antigua, we continued on to Guatemala City where we visited another Children's home called Hannah's Hope. They have done an excellent job creating a home for the children until they are matched up with their forever families.

Early Saturday we left Guatemala, and Praise God, after a lengthly layover in Dallas, the team arrived back home safely as our plane touched down in Greensboro at 12:35 AM on July 1. I spent most of my first day back sleeping... I was EXHAUSTED! It was a wonderful trip, but it's great to be back home with my family. I'm also really enjoying the simple things, like drinks with ice, flushing my toilet paper (a big no-no in Guatemala), and not having to use bottled water to brush my teeth.

I'm still processing everything from the trip, but I can say for sure that God used this trip to open the eyes of my heart to see him in new ways. I learned that words are unnecessary for worship. I learned that our understanding of fairness and justice is entirely different from God's. I learned that true joy is found in living in each moment and trusting God with right now. Worrying about the next moment or lamenting over the previous one is consuming, unproductive and a joyless way to live. I also discovered the importance of serving His servants. It's important to remember that those who minister to others also need ministering to. Finally, I learned that God's work will get done with or without me. It is an act of love when He calls me to be a part of His work. In doing so I am given the opportunity to see Him in new ways and to grow closer to Him.

More From Guatemala

2007-06-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

Today is the 6th day of our trip. Yesterday was a fun day. We started with a tour of an organization called Vinya. Part of what they do is to create audio versions of the bible in a variety of languages so that people in surrounding areas can hear the Word of God in their language or dialect. They also make videos for kids using finger puppets. Here is a picture of the recording studio. God has blessed them with a state-of-the-art facility.

Yesterday afternoon we visited a Compassion International host site at the same church where we worshipped on Sunday. Our team gave a presentation including the mime team's version of "I Can Only Imagine." There was not a dry eye among us when the children joined in and did the movements along with the team.

Then, we handed out brand new backpacks and candy to the kids. They were so excited and thankful.

Today, half of our team watched the children from the home while the other half worked hard giving the home a thorough spring cleaning. I was on the babysitting crew so I got to love babies all day long. Here are some of their sweet faces.

Yesterday, as I was taking in all of the sights from our van window, I thought about what a gift from God this trip has been . He must really love me to have provided me with this opportunity.

Stay tuned...more to come (with pictures!)

Hola from Guatemala!

2007-06-25T18:27:00.003-05:00

Here I am in Solola, Guatemala on a mission trip with Caroline's Promise. So far the trip has been WONDERFUL! The people are beautiful and very friendly. The food is "muy delicioso". And, our location at Eagle's Nest Children's Home is wonderful. The views of lake Atitlan and the 6 volcanoes that surround it are nothing less than breathtaking. Notice the last picture, you can

see the volcano glowing and the smoke rising from it.

We have worked hard at the Eagle's Nest property painting and cleaning. We've had a couple of long work days, but it's an honor to be a small part of making this a better place for these beautiful children and the people who care for them. Here is Lisa Holbrook (the founder of Caroline's Promise and me hard at work.

We've spent a lot of time working with children, both here at the home and at a couple of area schools. The kids here are so sweet and excited to meet new people. They are all very interested in my blonde hair, something they don't see very often. Last night a local church came and did a program with the kids here at Eagle's Nest. We got out the face painting supplies and discovered that the kids had WAY more fun painting our faces rather than us painting theirs. Here I am with the artist who decorated my face, plus some other face painting scenes.

God has been at work in amazing ways on this trip. Yesterday, we went to church. The service and music was completely in Spanish, but I learned that worship transcends language differences. It was a time of real closeness to God and fellowship with other believers. I even had the opportunity to share a testimony (with the help of a translator). I briefly spoke about how we all serve a God who provides. I talked about how God made it possible for me to go on this trip when, by my own means, it would have been impossible. I also said that I still didn't know the specific purpose God had for me in Guatemala, but I know that he has one, just like he has a purpose for each of our lives. I asked the congregation to pray that I would understand God's purpose for me and I said I would pray that God would show each of them his purpose in their lives. The congregation was very receptive to my message and it was a moment I will always treasure.

I also had the opportunity to speak to some of the women who work here at the children's home. My message for them was about how important they are to so many people. I explained how their work is important to the children, the birth parents, the adoptive parents and, most importantly, to God. Susan and Laura, two of our team members who have adopted children to Guatemala also spoke to the women. We thanked them for their hard work. I told them that Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a child such as this in my name, also welcomes me." I added that when we do things for the needy, we are doing things for Jesus. I said that each one of the children they care for is a little Jesus. They laughed when I went on to say, "A little, crying, pooping, vomiting Jesus, but still...a little Jesus."

Please keep praying for the safety, health and work of our team. God Bless!

Going to Guatemala

2007-06-20T10:08:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, June 21, I leave for a 10 day mission trip to Solola Guatemala. I should be able to provide daily updates so check back often!

2006-11-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

Bonnie and I had a fabulous time on the Premier Christian Cruises Girls Get-a-Way!! First of all the Bahamas are beautiful! Look at that inviting crystal blue water!

One of the coolest things we did on the cruise was a Dolphin Encounter in Freeport. We got to get in the water with the dolphins, pet them and they even gave us each a kiss. They are amazing creatures and evidence of God's perfect design.

Another cool encounter with the underwater world was when we went snorkeling off of Rose Island in Nassau. Here are some shots I tookwith the underwater camera. I love to snorkel, but I get seasick every time I do, which is why there aren't many pictures of it! Next time, I'm taking Dramamine before I get in the water!

And, of course, the cruise itself was great, too. Food, Friends, Music, Entertainment, Food, Rest, Relaxation, Food. What more could a girl want??? I hope to see you there next year!!

Tourin to Tomlin with Tami

2006-11-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

In October, my family and a whole slew of WBFJ listeners
headed out on a Holiday Tour Bus to spend the day at
Christian Music Day at Carowinds...

The girls really enjoyed the "Foam Pit"...

But, the biggest attraction for everyone was

the concert and meet n' greet with Chris Tomlin...

And, it was an added bonus when Steph Craig ran into the

girls from Everlife. I think Andrew appreciated it most!

It was a great day, but we sure were tired at the end of it all.
Good thing we had the chance to get some sleep on the bus ride home...