To texas and beyond...

Home, sweet, home. We will be heading to Fort Worth tomorrow, driving through beautiful New Mexico & sparse west Texas. We have grown to admire the beauty of the drive, the rock formations as we pass the CO border down into NM and the giant wind farms in Texas. 

I (kayla) have never looked so forward to being home, though Tennessee is still a long way off. As my good friend once wrote, "I miss my family. How do I learn to live with this ache?Is it even right to do that? The same family whose absence leaves a big hole also gives me this slow, low beat that says, 'it will be okay.'" I agree to the utmost. 

It's mother's day, and I long to be with mine. My mother is quiet strength, inward beauty. She is fighter, deep lover. Unceasing prayer, a gentle touch. Gatherer, celebrator, affirmer. What a giver, of affection, mercy, time, teaching. All with such humility that would leave her without regard to herself on any painful day. I am who I am because of her. Momma, I love you. Happy mother's day. 

We will travel steadily over the next two weeks, feel free to check in on our adventures. 

feliz cinco de mayo!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! I currently hear live ranchera music outside my window at the house, our neighbors know how to celebrate. This year has been a whirlwind, but I have certainly learned a tremendous amount (and also learned to be a learner). There are two things that seem clear to me that I have learned from our students, their families, our neighbors, and the greater Latino community in Denver: celebration and loyalty. I will never be the same for how I have learned from them. I could write for hours on how these things have been shared and communicated to me personally, but I will sit on two things:

1. It may seem uncomfortable, and of course, there is a time and a place for space and separation, but loyalty is valuable, lovely, and Godly. God is invites us into deep intimacy and steadfast love. I believe we have something to learn and see of this in our Latino friends. Let's move past wanting to call them co-dependent (a personal confession, and my biggest fear for those of you who know my past) for a minute, and CELEBRATE the good things. Let's value and learn from our Latino family in being loyal to one another; bringing sacrificial relationship. 

2. We need to dance, sit around, linger, sit around the table sharing stories, eat great food, drink good things, and remember why walking through sorrow is worth the joy. Celebrar!

On a lighter note, Stromboli! 

At familia dinner, our bi-weekly Destino gathering, this week we had everyone make a dish they regularly had growing up. This is how the conversation went with Austin and I as we discussed compromising on a dish:

"My mom always made stromboli when we went to the lake!" -kayla

"I'm ITALIAN!" - austin

It was an easier decision than expected. The stromboli ended up being a hit at the dinner. Thanks, Mom. 

Here are some other photos from the dinner. Enjoy, and Feliz Cinco de Mayo! 

From flautas to swedish bread, mac & cheese to shrimp cocktail...we have a diverse group.