Quakes and Quiet Moments

Chile has been through the wringer lately.  Almost to the point where it shakes up your nerves just a bit so you stop and reevaluate, to make sure that you're doing what you should be-- heaven forbid this country goes down first ;) 

 I never had any idea before living here, just how many earthquakes this country has.  We have "temblors" (little quakes) constantly, but then you throw in these strong "terramotos" that last long enough for you to feel them-- freeze for a few seconds-- realize that you need to check on your children-- so you run upstairs and see that they are still conked out despite all of the moving and the shaking-- and then as you head back downstairs, they finally come to a halt.  Nothing like those California quakes.  These like to linger. For a while.    

We had a 6.7 close to Iquique in March, and then an 8.2 hit again just a couple of weeks ago.  Thankfully for us, they were so far north that there wasn't any damage close to home.  Follow that with the biggest fire in Valparaiso that Chile has ever had, leaving 11,000 people homeless last weekend, you can't help but worry a bit while you are collecting items to donate to these poor families!  Kinda glad we decided to cart all of our food storage down here!

  But then you have those moments like last week, when we were sitting in Sacrament Meeting, and Kate leaned over to Joe and whispered these words for the first time, "I want to bear my testimony.  Will you translate for me, Dad?"  And suddenly, you stop.  And your heart smiles and practically bursts right then and there for the love you have for your Heavenly Father and for His Spirit that has just touched your daughter enough that she finally recognizes it, 

and wants to share it.  

It was a moment of perfection.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  -John 14:27

I am so grateful for His peace...and for that brave, beautiful girl...and for superheroes that shower me with "wuvs and kisses" and yell at any given moment from any room in the house, "Mom!  Don't worry!  I'll save you!!!!!!!" from those evil monsters that are hiding in the dining room.  

So. very. blessed.