Sweet, Peaceful Sundays!

Darryl and I started such a pleasant Sunday tradition several years ago -We try to find time after church on Sundays, to take a quiet walk together. In China we would usually walk to the one of the parks or plazas. 

Here in Chile' we like to walk the trails up on the mountain behind our apartments.

It's very shady with many benches, swings, play areas for the residents to use. 

  

To be able to spend a quiet afternoon holding hands with the one you love and talking about the things that matter most to you in life, God, family, our future, is one of the most pleasant parts of my Sabbath Day observance. 

 

It's not all serious, we do things to make it fun...

(Hey, don't say anything! We're middle aged, not dead! hahaha!)

Our Sunday walk is one tradition I hope we will continue for years to come. 

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And - I think I found a poem that describes Darryl and me!

♥♥♥♥♥

Souls

When two souls fall in love, there is nothing else 
but the yearning to be close to the other. 
The presence that is felt through a hand held, 

a voice heard, or a smile seen.  

Souls do not have calendars or clocks, nor do 
they understand the notion of time or distance. 
They only know it feels right to be with one another.

This is the reason why you miss someone so much 

when they are not there - even if they are only in 
the very next room. Your soul only feels their absence - 
it doesn't realize the separation is temporary. 

- Author -unknown to me.

Los Dominicos Artisans Village

Santiago is a beautiful place with so much to see and do and eat! One Saturday in January Darryl told me he was going to take me on a adventure. 

I thought we were going for a drive, but instead we boarded the bus and then took the Metro to the Los Dominicos area in Las Condes. (a section of Santiago)

We went to La Iglesia San Vicente Ferrer, or, as the locals call it, Los Dominicos Church or Church of the Dominicans. It was built in 1809 by the Dominican Order of Monks along with their attached Monastery. 

In 1983 the church was declared a National Monument.

Behind and beside the church, in what was once the monastery, is an artisans village.

 In the near 200 stores can be found all kinds of traditional goods, including leather work, wood craft, sculptures, paintings, copper cookware, fine jewelry, pets, flowers, medicinal herbs, Chilean plants (as well as some foreign plants such as bonsai's), ...

 and also some traditional foods such as typical Chilean Empanadas and Pastel de Choclo. (Baked corn cake)

Darryl and I enjoyed a couple of wonderful empanadas at this little cafe.

There were also a couple of full service restaurants as we were leaving the village. Everyone says the food is delicious.

So many beautiful hidden treasures in this place. If you ever find yourself in Santiago be sure to visit this wonderful Artisans Village and hidden gem of Los Dominicos.

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Skye and to Darling Mary Alice!

It doesn't seem like 29 years ago that I brought home my 5th sweet little daughter from the hospital. What a joy she has been in our lives. 

Skye Lynn Cunningham Lowry 

is probably the smartest and most well read person I know. She remembers pretty much everything she reads, hears or sees. She is so knowledgeable that we refuse to play any type of music or history, geography, etc. trivia games with here unless it's 3 or 4 to 1. And then she usually beats us. 

She is married to Ryan... who is awesome and funny. She made it possible for our whole family to go to Hawaii - Since that's where she wanted to be married. We thank you for that Skye! 

And what a voice - this girl can sing and has won talent shows and been a featured performer in concerts and shows!

Skye's voice is so good she has been mistaken for Ariel or Mulan. ;-)

Skye loves to try new recipes and is a great cook, a skill she is teaching her daughters. 

  

She loves sports and games, and learning new things. 

And, she can do pretty much anything she sets her mind to. 

Happy, Happy Birthday my dear Skyebee! We are so blessed that God sent you to our family!

Love you!

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So, on Skye's 23rd birthday she received a special announcement - this was her reaction...

The announcement was that she was going to be sharing her birthday with her new niece

Mary Alice Guffey!

What a doll little "Maggie" has been for our family.

This little sprite taught us all the "We can do Hard things"! 

Today she is 6 yrs. old and in kindergarten and making us smile every day! We love you sweet Maggie! Happy, Happy Birthday to you! 

Fun on the Beach at Viña Del Mar

January 16th found us on a short road trip to Viña Del Mar. The lovely Chilean coastal town about an hours drive from Santiago.

We walked the entire length of the beach walk, about 2+ miles and found some pretty interesting things, like a wonderful sand artist plying his trade.

And a Chinese Dragon and Fu Dog parade to announce an upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration.

We also saw the armory park across the street from the Chilean Naval Academy.

Finally, we settle down at the beach to enjoy the sun and the waves. Yes, I did get in the water, but it was so cold I didn't stay for long.

I don't know if you can see it, but the sand looked like it had specs of Gold Glitter in it and my feet were sparkling as I dug my toes in the sand..

It was a beautiful day to be at the beach, yes, even with sunblock and wearing my hat for most of the day I got a little sunburned, but thoroughly enjoyed the outing.