~¡HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!~

This year I'm thankful for many things.

I'll name just a few

My Family

My Peruvian Family

Your Prayers and Support

God's Unending Blessings

God's Provision that Extends Beyond my Comprehension

Thanksgiving was a bit different this year, for obvious reasons. It's kind of weird to think about Thanksgiving when the temperatures are reaching near 80°F with no decorations or even autumn-ish atmospheres. However, despite the lack of Thanksgiving "spirit", I have to say I don't feel that I missed out on much (except for my mother's wonderful meal and spending time with my amazing family - which I would say are pretty big things to miss). I am so blessed by my "family" here in Perú. God sure has his hand of protection around me, and he has provided me an opportunity of a lifetime to meet friends from around the globe.

Last Friday I helped out that the children's home. Each child made a turkey with feathers stating reasons they are thankful. I really enjoyed reading these and helping the children with them. Wednesday evening, Elise organized a meal for everyone involved with the Kids Alive home. We used the kids turkeys as table decorations, and everyone (70+ people) enjoyed an evening of fellowship with a meal complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, rice, and varying desserts. Afterwards we had a time of celebration and devotions with the kids. Some children read verses and others shared aloud reasons why they are thankful. It was a nice chance to stop and reflect on all the blessings God has placed around us and also to remember all the things I take for granted in my life.

Today at school I organized a celebration with my students. Peruvians don't celebrate Thanksgiving, so we based our food selection on the movie Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. We had tons of little sandwiches, popcorn, chips, cookies, candy, and more. If I put all of my pictures on here it would take days to upload, so either you'll have to check them out of Facebook or wait for my newsletter to see a few. After lunch, we watched Charlie Brown, read a few Thanksgiving stories that my mom had mailed me, and the kids colored turkeys and wrote stories to share with the class about why they are thankful. It was a long day, and my kids were quite hyper, but overall it was a success. Now if only our Christmas party goes that well.

Saturday I will prepare a real Thanksgiving dinner for some of the staff at the school. We will have turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and pumpkin pie. I usually help my mom with our family meal, but it will be a little bit different preparing the meal all by myself. I hope everything turns out okay :)

I cannot even begin to express the joy my heart feels. My time in Perú will soon come to an end, and parts of this experience will remain solely as memories. The weeks seem to be getting shorter as my departure date draws near yet at the same time that day seems so far away. I'm thrilled to be going home for Christmas, but my Peruvian family will always be close to my heart. I am so thankful that God had a plan for my life that was bigger than anything I ever imagined for myself.

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas tree in the mall. Apparently at 9pm

they drop "snow" from the ceiling, but I was home

before that happened.

Teddy bear display in one of the stores.

I wanted to jump on the big one on the left,

but I was afraid the security guard would get me.

Outside decorations.


Santa's Workshop

Christmas will be here before we know it!

I went to the mall last night for dinner, and I became very excited when I saw that they had begun to put decorations out already. It seems to be quite an oxymoron to put out Christmas decorations with temperatures in the low 70s and rising, but that's the way it works here. I enjoyed shopping and looking at the items out for sale, thankfully knowing I have to bring everything home in just a few short weeks kept me from buying. I'm already worried my suitcases will be overweight. I may have to leave some things behind.

Timeless Memories

Tonight, as well as every other Wednesday night, I was blessed to be a part of devotions with the kids at the Children's Home as well as a little birthday celebration for one of the children.

Devotions with the older kids.

wE aRe FaMiLy!

Helping Vanessa understand her reading assignment about a slave girl in the United States around the time of 1716 and the Stamp Act...and I hated literature and history as an American student, let alone trying to learn American History as a Peruvian student.


Birthdays are a special reason for celebration.

I spend my entire day working with kids at school. Often times at 3:15 when my students leave, I am worn out and ready to kick back and relax. However, despite the exhaustion I often feel after a day's work, Wednesdays at the Children's Home are one of my most cherished parts of each week. When I arrived in August I started going on Wednesdays to help the children with their homework, particularly the students taking English courses. A few weeks later, Tuesday night devotions were moved to Wednesday evenings, so my night of homework also became a time to worship with the kids and learn more about our Saviour through the messages presented. I've gotten to celebrate the kids birthdays with them, I've learned lots of fun songs, and I've gotten to know the hearts of each child a little better through these times. These kids are the reason I'm here. Despite my love for teaching, I enjoy spending my free time with kids that just need someone to love them.

In exactly one month I will be sitting in the Jorge Chávez International Airport waiting to board my plane back to the United States. I am in disbelief at how quickly the last 3 months have passed, and while I am thrilled to be home just in time for Christmas, I am already dreading the good-byes that lie ahead. I am praying strongly, and I would like to invite you to pray with me and for me, as I seek out the path that lies beyond my current position. I feel a strong peace about returning to Perú next year, but I am still praying to see what God wants. Part of returning will require me to have a job which I have not yet encountered. Perhaps, that is God's way of telling me I will remain in the States. If that is the case, I wouldn't be upset, but leaving here in December will not be easy.

A Visit to the Mountains

Life in the mountains is very different from life here in Lima.

A view from the city after a hike up the mountain.

Our taxi couldn't make it up the hill, so we walked up.

Notice the woman tending her sheep on the side of

the mountain. There isn't a fence or anything

to keep them all in.

The town square in Huancayo. This was a beautiful park,

but I was more fascinated with the gorgeous clouds I hadn't seen in months.

For my birthday, the director of the school treated me to a weekend away in the mountains of Huancayo. We took a type of "charter bus" up through the Andes Mountains. The supposed to be 5 hour bus ride ended up being nearly 7 hours by the time we arrived. Thankfully, the bus had recliners for seats, so the ride was quite comfortable.

It was nice to get outside of the city and experience real Peruvian culture. Sometimes I think Lima is a very fake idea of what real life here is like. The trip itself was very relaxing and enjoyable. We had quite a few stories to tell once we arrived home. I've listed a few below...

• Dinner Friday night: Pollo Abrasado (a form of roasted chicken) and mashed potatoes with peaches and pineapple
• Saturday's tour of the city: 1 sol jewelry shop :), taxi that didn't have enough power to make it up the mountain, thunder and hail storm, taxi driver that had never eaten pizza nor did he know what it was
• Sunday we went to a street market (kind of like a flea market in the U.S.) They closed off a whole street for 5 or 10 blocks (an event that happens every Sunday and on holidays). Residents set up booths in the street to sell their products. They had everything including shoes, clothes (fake labels of popular brands), and artisan crafts. I got a few neat things.
• Our bus home left 30 minutes late and about 20 minutes down the road we got stopped for inspection which lasted about 45 minutes. We drove a few hours and hit a large amount of stopped traffic. Our bus parked for about 2 hours in which we got off to find out what was going on. This was the only road that leads up and down the mountain into Huancayo and other cities nearby, and come to find out there was a very bad accident involving a collision of 2 semis. Traffic was backed up for miles. Once we started moving again, it was about an hour drive before we ever reached the actual accident. After a nearly 10 hour drive from Huancayo we arrived back in Lima. I was so very thankful our bus was running late that morning as it could have been us in that accident had we been on time.

God is faithful. He's protected me in more ways than I have realized during my time here, and I'm so greatful for that. As I pray for his provision for my life next year, I've realized that I have done everything I can do. Now I need patience in waiting for him to reveal his perfect plan. Pray for me through the days ahead. Pray that I will know God's plan and that I will follow wherever he leads me.

I have 1 month and 1 day left here in Lima. I can't believe how fast the time has passed!

Twenty-Three

Taylor Swift wrote a song about life at the age of 15. In the song she shares about all the things teenage girls think are important. One of my favorite parts of the entire song is, "But in your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team." A few lines later she sings, "When all you ever wanted was to be wanted. Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now."

It's interesting the things we know and how much more we have to learn. I can honestly say, I never dated a guy on the football team, but I can relate with the song in other ways. When we're young the things that are important to us are often so small. As we grow older though, our passions and desires seem to change with us. As we become more mature and grow in our relationships with Christ our focus changes...at least mine has.

Last week I turned 23. The day itself wasn't much different from any other day, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. My students sang to me and gave me a giant card with some very funny messages written inside. I received many hugs and kisses from my students, and my first graders went around and each one said kind words to me which almost put me in tears. At Bible study, Elise made a red velvet cake, and everyone sang to me in English, two versions of Spanish, Chino, and they began another song as I blew out the candles not once but three times (Juan Carlos wanted the perfect picture).

Many pictures were taken of me being fed cake or feeding cake to others as teasing was being passed around the table as well. This is just one of the many pictures...I'm pretty Diego was making a comment in English that Nilton didn't understand as he only speaks Spanish. I'm rolling my eyes embarrassed about what is being said while Diego laughs and Nilton tries to figure out what is going on.

As I blew out the candles, I was reminded of all the "wishes" I'd made on many different birthday cakes throughout my years. Some of my wishes have been so shallow...I hope I get that toy for my birthday, I wish a certain boy would like me, etc. Maybe a few of those wishes came true throughout my life, but looking back on life now, those things while important at the time have little significance now.

I couldn't help but think Thursday evening about the country where I'm currently living, the children that I work with day in and day out whether that be at school or through Kids Alive. Kids that have nothing but are filled with joy. Children who hardly know their parents or kids that have been abandoned, yet they love so much. Kids who sometimes I wonder if their faith in God is greater than mine because they know how to look to God for literally EVERYTHING they need. I was overwhelmed by these thoughts and more as I celebrated my birthday. This year I wished simply to make a difference.

This picture was taken at devotions one evening at the children's home.
Antony always joins me on my lap during these
precious moments on Wednesday evenings.

Aquí Estoy

My friend Teresa

Nilton and Sarah

Hillsong United...I <3 the colors!

Aquí estoy, con manos alzadas vengo

Pues tú todo lo diste por mí.

Aquí estoy, mi alma a ti entrego,

Tuyo soy, Señor.

Last night Hillsong United held a concert-worship service in the soccer stadium here in Lima. A group of 6 of us went together, and we had a blast. We had tickets, but as we were in a standing section it was important to arrive early to get a great view. My friend Nilton arrived at 2 or 3 to wait in line, while the rest of us arrived around 5 after a long day of work. Doors opened at 5:30ish, we ran to get prime spots, and then we waited some more. The concert itself began about 8:15 with about 45 minute introductions and missions/video promotions before.

I enjoyed the people watching beforehand. The culture here is quite interesting. I found one family very clever as they unfolded the newspapers handed out on the street outside the concert and sat down. Who needs a blanket when you have free newspapers to sit on? Unlike a North American concert, Peruvians aren't known to cause a scene or argue. The line waiting to get in was quite calm, and once you had your spot to stand no one tried to shove you around. Of course we were packed in like sardines, so there was very little room to move, but people seemed a lot more Christian and friendly than some North American Christian concerts I've been to.

I very much enjoyed worshipping with the very diverse group of 10,000 (estimated)people..."brothers" as Nilton would say. Hillsong United does have a Spanish album, but as most of these songs are translations of the English version, the entire concert was bilingual. On the screen they put words both in Spanish and English for everyone to sing along. A few times everyone was singing English which was fun with the Peruvian accent, but I must admit, I really enjoyed the songs sung in Spanish and tried to sing in Spanish as much as possible.

God is at work in Perú, and I´m so excited that He has allowed me to be a part of it for this season of my life. Now the only question I have is...God how long will this season last? 5 weeks? Another year? An answer would be much appreciated as would your prayers!

Adults

When I was a child I used to think that adults had life all figured out. The older I get and the longer I teach the more I realize that adults often pretend to have things in order. We pretend in order not to worry others or in the case of teaching we sometimes are forced to pretend to know what's going on in order that our students feel secure and trust us.

I remember a few years back counting down the days until graduation in order that then I would know just what I was going to do with the rest of my life. However, nearly a year after graduation, I'm not sure I have any more figured out now than I did then. Yes I have a diploma, yes I love teaching, but where God wants me to teach...that's another whole topic.

I want so badly to follow God's calling for my adult life, but it's not always the easy thing to do for myself or those that are a part of my life, especially my family. Our human hearts and minds cannot always comprehend the ways of the Lord. I wish so bad that we could understand; hopefully when we get to heaven, everything will make perfect sense.

Please pray for whatever decisions I may need to make in the next 6 weeks. The main one being...what to do next year. I'm praying hard for God's plan and provision for my life. I'm trusting that at just the right time, his perfect plan will be revealed.

Blackened Feet

Sometimes I like to think in analogies. I actually haven't posted many of my analogical (is that a word?) thoughts, so I figured why not share one tonight.

If you know me, you know how much I love sandals and flip flops. I hate wearing socks and shoes on my feet! In a city where the ground is nothing but dust and dirt, this often leaves me with black feet at the end of the day. I've grown used to it, but I always appreciate being able to wash them at the end of the day.

Tonight as I was walking home from tutoring, a small thought crossed my mind. As I spent time alone making dinner, cleaning my room, and doing laundry, the same thought grew into a deeper, meaningful analogy that I couldn't just set aside to think about later.

I start each day with clean feet ready for the day's worth of activities. As the day wears on my feet become blackened by dust and dirt that I encounter along the way. At the end of the day, I am so glad for soap and water to wash away the "junk". Some days there are opportunities to wash my feet in between the day's activities; on these days, I'm especially grateful.

My black feet parallel very closely with many of our walks with God. How many times do we wake up and pray to start the day off right. We then go throughout our days gathering dirt and junk along the way. We are beaten, mocked, disappointed, etc. (speaking figuratively). For some, it isn't until the end of the day that they sit down to clean off the junk. It isn't until the day is said and done before we go to Christ once again to ask for his cleansing, his healing.

We don't have to wait until the end of the day, though. Just like I am especially grateful for the days when I have time to wash my feet in the middle of the day, we have multiple opportunities EVERY DAY to ask for God's cleansing throughout our days. Imagine how different your life could be if you went to God every time you encountered even a speck of "dirt". If each of us went to God with every piece of "junk" we come across throughout the day, our world would be a changed place. Lives would be restored, and joy would abound throughout the world. God doesn't want us to wait to clean up our lives. He wants us to come to him every minute of every day.

Quit only "cleaning your feet" at the beginning and end of each day. Ask for God's cleansing EVERY MOMENT of EVERY DAY! He is always near waiting for us to call on him!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ~ Pray without ceasing!

Never Say Never

I have a friend who likes to remind me that the things we say we never will do are sometimes/often just what God has planned for us. The specific phrase she likes to remind me of goes as follows: Your mouth to God's ears.

I've been realizing more and more lately some of the things I said I'd never do. A few nights ago I made a long list in my mind of some of those things. Then I had to laugh at all the things on that list I had actually done. A few of the most applicable ones right now...

1. I will never live in a big city. Call it coincidence or call it God, but either way, I'm currently living in the biggest city in Peru.

2. I will never teach in a Christian school. Again, coincidence or God call it what you will. I hope it doesn't make me a bad Christian, but I have a really hard time with the close-minded education that comes from many Christian schools; and many of my reasons for this statement have been confirmed in the recent months. I plan to share more of these thoughts when I'm no longer under contract with a Christian school...whenever that may be.

3. I will never date/marry someone shorter than me. I'm still holding on to this one. Those of you at home that keep hoping...sorry, but so far I haven't found too many tall, attractive Peruvian men. I like wearing heels too much to date someone shorter than me :)

I guess all that being said, maybe my friend is right. God likes to take what we think we cannot do and make it an experience in which we give the glory to him. Thank you, Kayla for your words! What a great reminder of God's providence in our lives.

Trick or Treat

Another month completed...another week has passed me by. Things don't seem to be slowing down any between now and the end. I now have a private student a few nights a week in order to help another teacher out. I will be tutoring a 19 year old boy who is preparing to take the SAT to study in the States. It'll give me a few extra soles to buy Christmas presents with :)

It didn't feel much like Halloween today. I don't get into the holiday so much, but I have great childhood memories of going door to door in the freezing cold fall weather, ringing door bells, and saying, "Trick or Treat" or walking down the street repeating, "Trick or treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat." I remember church parties, school activities, and being almost sick from eating so much candy.

Halloween can be a very disturbing holiday, and many of the Christian faith no longer participate in the events of this day. The Christian school where I am working does not even mention Halloween. A few classes did lessons on why Halloween is not/should not celebrated by Christians. I also noticed that unlike the States where there are fall parties, Noah's Ark parties, milder versions of Halloween that still enable the kids to dress up and receive candy, churches here really don't do such things. It's just like a normal Saturday afternoon.

This evening, I went on a stoll through Miraflores. I enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the ocean, and did a little bit of street shopping at Parque Kennedy. Vendors come and set up their booths right in the middle of the park. Having actually forgotten it was Halloween, I was quickly reminded what date it was when I began to see many people dressed slightly out of the ordinary. It was interesting to see how this culture celebrates this unique day. The costumes were not near as elegant or elaborate as many costumes in the United States. Most were not a full costume but rather one simple part...masks, butterfly wings, dresses or capes, etc. Kids trick or treat in the stores, to the street vendors, and even to people as they drive by in their cars. Not near as many adults were dressed up which I was quite glad for as I was worried about the bus on the way home tonight. If adults do host parties like they do in the States, I must have missed that crowd.

It's hard to believe November is here already. I can't believe I have less than 7 weeks left here. It's been quite an experience, and I've enjoyed each part of it.