Fireworks

Let's talk about fireworks. Here in Peru, although illegal, thousands of people do fireworks on Dec. 24th and Dec. 30th. When I say "do fireworks" I mean set them off in their front yard or in the neighborhood street or park. True story. To say it is dangerous would be a huge understatement.

At about 11:50 pm on the 24th, I heard them begin. "Here we go" I thought, "I won't sleep so I'll see if I can see any fireworks from the windows." Well, where we are living, we are surrounded by thousands of people and I think most of them were doing fireworks that night! I could not even begin to describe the sound of it.....an unbelievable amount of pops, whistles and crackles, some very near and some farther away. The sound is like nothing I could explain or describe....just incredible and in some ways cool, in other ways, a bit unnerving. I did get a great showing from the bedroom window, btw.

Every year, I half expect a firework or two to rocket through one of our windows, they are that close! Car alarms go off everywhere, dogs bark and I've seen dozens of fireworks go off on the ground. Did I mention this is illegal? But how are you going to stop it when "everyone" does it?

All 3 kids were awakened and sent back to bed. This happens every year too.

Well, the intense noise went on until about 12:25 and then subsided some, but we heard fireworks off and on all night and many the next day as well. I was still hearing some at 10:30 am! My poor friends in another part of town were awake until 3 am with the steady sound of fireworks.

The 30th will be even more intense. I'm planning on going up onto the roof, settling in and watching - if you can't fight 'em, join 'em, huh? Well, something like that.

Miriam

Christmas funnies/special moments 2010

Christmas 2010 was a special and fun day. We are so thankful for good and faithful friends, but especially so on special days when we miss family. Here are some of the highlights ~ at least in my mind......

When Lucas woke me up at 6:15 telling me everything that was in his stocking and to wish me a Merry Christmas.

When we heard Lucas loudly whispering what he thought a gift was "A snowboard!" (that's funny because we live in Lima and we will never see a snowflake, ever).

When the kids busted into our room at 7:00 singing "Get up, get up, get up!!!" (they were told not to make a peep until 7 - hey, we tried).

When Kyall opened his skateboard and said "I never thought I'd see the day I would own a skateboard!"

When Lucas opened one of his "big" gifts and said "Oh, it's that one." When asked if he liked it, he said "Ehh, kind of."

When Olivia and Kyall insisted on giving their daddy money so he could buy cd's on itunes.

When Brent surprised me with a beautiful necklace.

When Lucas opened Wii Mario, whooped and yelled "YES! I've been dying for this! Zane is going to love this! This is the day I've been waiting for! I'm never going to share this with Kyall and Sis!"

After being sick all week, Kyall telling me he knew I would feel better on Christmas morning because "It is a day for miracles".

Olivia jamming to Casting Crowns in her room with her new ipod dock.

Brent making giblet gravy just from remembering watching his mom and grandmother make it.

Olivia and Kyall thinking they were Zeke and Luther after owning skateboards for 10 minutes.

Lucas asking "Since it's Christmas, can we skip church tomorrow?"

Kyall giving away his stocking treats just because he likes to share.

Olivia telling me it was her favorite Christmas ever.

Spending Christmas with the Kennedys for the first time.

Debbie's bedazzled Santa hat and "topal" jewelry (had to be there).

Mychelle's amazing cooking and baking.

The boxer reaching up onto the stove and pulling a full pan of turkey bones and grease onto the floor.

The girls winning Taboo.

The peanut butter fudge.

Watching the 12 kids play and laugh together.

The kids' handbell special they performed for the parents.

Good friends.

Celebrating Jesus.

Miriam

A Poem Tradition

In keeping with a Perdue tradition of writing an end of the year/Christmas poem, I think it's time for me to start writing one too. My Grandma Perdue and my dad have sent out poems for years and I always enjoy them. Here's mine:

Life is but a vapor

This is true, we know

2010 has come and gone

And it's been anything but slow!

Here we are, at year's end

Time to pause and reflect

On the goodness of God

His love, His Son and His

Promises He does not neglect.

For us, the Williams clan

Our year has been great

Laughter, tears, testing and change

Mostly, learning to wait.

From the blue skies of Texas

Back to Lima's gray

Spanish and homeschool

Lessons learned most every day.

Olivia is eleven

And reaches my nose

Kyall, soon to be nine

Reaches Sis on tippy toes.

Lucas is four and growing so much

With God's help, love and grace

Their hearts we hope to touch.

Our greatest adventure yet

Is the care of these three

Joy fills our days

As growth in each we see.

Brent and I stay busy

With work God has for us

Teaching, giving, serving

Learning to follow without a fuss.

Seminary work and classes

Counseling, camps and more

Our ministries in Peru

Could never be called a bore.

We celebrate Christ's birth

As is our custom every year

With gifts, food and family

Those both far and near.

Thank you, God for bridging the gap

In the form of a baby boy

All man, all God

Bringing with Him hope and joy.

We worship our King

We lift our hands in praise

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

Our voices we will raise.

Hallelujah, Christ has come

To earth and to mankind

Let us share His love

Let us spread this word

That each one salvation may find.

In Jesus' holy name

Our love and greetings sent

Merry Christmas to all

From Miriam and Brent.

December

Dear December,

I love you for so many reasons:

I love you for winter in the U.S. and spring in Peru.

I love you because you mark the end of a year and the time to reflect on it.

I love you because of Christmas and all that goes with it.

I love you because most people think about others this month.

I love you because the new year is close on your heels.

I love you because I am sure to talk to most of my family this month, even though we are far apart.

I love you because you mark the birthdays of 3 of my loved ones.

I love you because it's ok not to diet for this month.

I love you because this it the month my husband proposed to me.

Thank you for being a great month. I will embrace and enjoy you this year, December.

Miriam