Thank you Dearest Mark and Kiran,
Your words are so inspiring. I can't wait for Gaven to read about your worship service with the dancing train. You know she'll be at the front of the line if given the chance!
Hugs and love,
Beth
hooray for you Hi, this is a most excellent sharing. Thank you, thank you. I'm glad to hear about everything you shared. Love, love, love to you both and the ninas!
Feasting Kiran and Marcos, I am feasting on the images of your reflections. It is almost enough to shout "Satisfecho", if only I were there to share it with you. Kiran one way Kim and I are trying to stay emotionally connected to Cuba is to eat rice and beans at every meal. After an early disaster with our pressure cooker, we are back on track. It's quite a bit easier, not having to separate the rice. But it's something. Keep feasting and dancing, and give my love to the musical girls!
love it Hi y'all-- I am enjoying reading your blog(s) mucho! (That's uhh.. about the extent of my Spanish. You girls are way ahead of me... JEALOUS!) You all are such great writers, and I love the pictures, too! I'm just truckin' along here in Denver trying to finish my first quarter of grad school-- it's... overwhelming to say the least! Those days of Green Life/Mint Water/Luna bars are way behind me, but always thought of fondly :)
All the best-- Liz
i,m home the firs thing i did when i came in the door was to see if i had a note from you and i was delighted to hear about your tour and the lizards. bula brought me the sweet sweet letter from joy and i probably have read it 25 times. i will write more about my vacation at a later time but just wanted to be in touch with you. i am following the hurricane and do hope you do not get too much damage, it looks pretty fierce on our t.v. be safe and remember i love you sooooooooooooooooooooooooomuch. mother
Living with Lizards Joy, you've written winningly about our reaction to the lizards. I remember the lizards when I was at Matanzas. Thanks for your good writing. The Acoma Indians in New Mexico love lizards because they symbolize rain, which they always need. So they put black lines and lizards on their pottery to call the rain. I guess you had enough rain in Gautemala that you are eager for sunshine.
Lots of love and sunny wishes from Aunt Sue.
Future journalist Joy,
I just need to say that I think you have a future in journalism--or perhaps as a novelist. Your attention to detail and humorous commentary are rare gifts. Of course you can be whatever you want to be, but I'm just saying...
Miss you all! May joy and peace shower down on you like a blizzard of lizards!
Love, Joyce
lizards and churches Hello to all, It is always good to hear from you! Joy, hope the lizards stay away from your bed! In India we had beetles and leeches and got used to them after a couple of months. Glad your trip went well, but it did sound difficult! I'm sure the people you visit appreciate your efforts for them and in their language. We had a good trip to Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. with Reed! I believe he liked everything! Tomorrow I go to Spokane for a week. Can't have that baby growing without me checking on her occasionally! Paul goes back to D.C. with Hendersonville H.S. on several buses just for the weekend. Marian and Bob seem quite settled in their new home. Love to all, Louisa and Paul
Nice memories My daughter and I were in Santiago while you were, visiting my son, Fletcher, and his girlfriend, Lisa (also involved with the Hospitalito). Your comments are a priceless reminder of life in a magical place.
Happy to hear about your travels! I just got forwarded your email to MAHEC and I am excited to now be able to read about your travels through this blog! Keep up the good work! Buena suerte en Cuba!
Carla
"This is the day . . ." As I was saying, what exciting energy comes through the words, reflecting, no doubt, the baptism by fire you mentioned. Immersed, you all seem to be. As you suggested, I am learning to pray in Spanish. Love to Paco and Lila. I have the great advantage of being able to visualize you in your place and church. We all carry you through the day with us, a light, joyous load you are.
from one grandma to another so glad to hear from you and know of all the challenges you are enjoying and that there is an available grandma for my darlings. we understand the communication and will just cherish each word when we are able to hear from you. i am still lighting my candles for each of you and including your new friends when you mention their names. i am going to the beach for an extended time but will check wth dad for any new information. i am so grateful you are safely there and i love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally found you Hello Dr Sigmon,
I kept on asking when were you going to Guatemala? You did not answered the 100 emails I sent u, and Heather said you were still at MAHEC but planning on going to Cuba????? Finally, LaDene just told me that you WENT to El Hospitalito!! How did I missed all the fun?
Anyway, my heart was beating so hard with exciment reading your blog. You don't know how happy it made me to know that you went!!!!! I hope some others will follow. Please write me an email, I feel cheated that I was not aware of your hospitalito adventure.
Much love, what a great adventure for your whole family.
Liliana
Visitors from Atlanta So happy to hear from you in Matanzas! This week, I think, a delegation from our church, Trinity Presbyterian, is going to Matanzas with person-power, medicines, and money. Two clergy are Leah Horton and David Burns. You will relate easily and happily especially to David and to Leah's husband, Bill, an orthopedic surgeon whose hands have told him no more surgery. I've told David to look for you! (He was formerly a Baptist and recognized the Siler name.)
I Share Your Excitement Mark, Kiren, Joy and Leigh,
How happy I am to hear of your arrival. I can now visualize where you are, and the good people whom you will be spending time with. Thank you for your posts. Please give a special hello to Joy and Leigh. (I, too, would have been so pleased with the hot water!)
I will continue to pray for you all.
Claudia
Thinking of you! I enjoy reading about your trip and am excited to think of all the new adventures and experiences you all will be having! I think as a child I would have been thrilled to visit such new and different places. I will hope to keep up with the blogs. God be with you on this journey, Sharon
Cancun and Cuba Greetings! We certainly enjoy your blogs! I'm sure the turtle experience was special! Paul and I helped Marian and Bob pack the other day. It felt a little strange for all of us! They slowed down a little to really see what they are going to need. We have a beautiful October sunny day. We go to the Outer Banks on Monday then on up to D.C. on Friday to meet Reed Sat. I'm proud of you for trying your Spanish in Cancun and Miami! We will be hoping and praying for a meaningful experience in or out of school for Joy and Leigh! Love and Prayers to all of you, Louisa and Paul
excitement i was so excited to get this blog-they all seem like a visit and even though i long to touch you i feel we are in close touch. when i lit my candle this morning i lit one for each of you and the pilots of the plane, the folks in Cuba who are anxiously waiting to greet you and the work you are about to begin. i love each one of you in a very special way and feel a large part of what you are doing. i am so grateful for this blog and that i can check it regularly for word from you. traveling mercies, peace, lots of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how did Joy get in the toilet bowl? Dear Joy, Leigh, Kiran and Mark,
Once again a great blog entry. I can't wait to hear about your next home. I think it's cool that the girls want to go to public school in Cuba. They are so special. I love you more and more and more, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that. xoxoxo May
Goose bumps! Reading your e blasts give me goose bumps - what an incredible adventure you are all on. I wish you safe travels and continued good health and fun well in Mexico and Cuba!! Adios.
Lynne
I'm so glad you all were able to experience the beautiful people and hospitality of Santiago Atitlan. Traveling mercies to you as you embark on the next part of your journey.
Your pictures are great, thanks for sharing them! Your hike and the tortilla making sounded difficult, but fun! You sound very flexible as you lose power, see bats and a scorpion, and say good bye to new close friends. Hope the Cancun leg of your journey goes well. The Junaluska Peace Conference went well last weekend. In two weeks we take Reed to Washington, D.C. Our thoughts and prayers go with you all. Happy Late Birthday, Leigh! And Happy Early Birthday, Joy! Love, Paul and Louisa
Beth Maczka
non-member comment
Thank you
Dearest Mark and Kiran, Your words are so inspiring. I can't wait for Gaven to read about your worship service with the dancing train. You know she'll be at the front of the line if given the chance! Hugs and love, Beth