Living to Serve - Prayers Please

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:35-40

One of the most important lessons I have learned in the last year is that anyone can serve the Lord. You don't have to have a huge bank account of money or even the grandest of all houses. It simply takes a willing heart and a desire to help others.

One of the first things that drew me to Javier was his desire to help others. We met at the Children's Home in 2009 and every time our paths crossed here in Peru he was one of the first ones to call and make sure I was settled and had everything I might need. At the time neither of us had even thought about a relationship beyond friendship, but God has a way of altering our plans and doing things in his timing.

Upon my arrival to Peru last year, Javier was one of the first people to call me, to help me look for an apartment, and to make sure I was settled into my new home. After a month or two, we both began to realize our relationship was changing, and the rest is history.

Anyways, our relationship is not the purpose of this post.

Upon meeting Javier, I noticed a love for the children of Kids Alive. He'd come and play with the kids, buy things they might need, and he usually returned from his trips abroad with something for each of them. He loved them and loved spending time with them.

Since our relationship has begun, he has taught me so much in means of serving others. He uses the car to give some of the guys at work a ride home who many make less or live further away. A few weeks ago we picked up a young girl and her 15 month old baby walking along the road at 12:30 at night to take them home - a 10 minute drive which would have taken her about an hour walking, not to mention the danger aspect.

We've recently decided together to use our resources, knowledge, and love for the children to begin to help the adolescents at the Juniper Tree (Kids Alive) Children's home. Our desire is to find interests they may have and provide classes or training so that upon leaving the home they have a skill that they can use to support themselves.
A few weeks ago we were able to pay for one of the teenage boys who is a phenomenal artist to take a 2 day course in which he was able to learn techniques for 3D painting using ceramic material and a wooden board. Javier picked him up and drove him downtown both days for his class. After the course finished, we were able to purchase the supplies he would need to continue to practice this new art he had learned.
We'd love to do this with other children as well. However, the key is finding what the children are interested in and then looking for ways to help them to develop these interests. It also takes coordination with schedules and money.
In the future we'd love to open our home (when we have one) to the kids to come a few at a time and stay for a weekend. Our desire is for them to see how a family functions outside of the children's home and to be an example of a Godly marriage.
It's a mission/ministry we both feel very called to, but we are still trying to figure out how exactly it may develop and function.

Please be in prayer for us as we continue to develop our ideas and work with the children to determine their interests and the best way for us to help. Pray for us as we run ideas by directors of the home who thus far have been very supportive - although I've heard rumors that they're praying for us to be house parents and live at the home with 6-7 kids in our care once we are married (a field of ministry we do not feel called to at this point). Pray for time and resources - both of which can at times be limited. Pray also that the Lord would continue to guide us and direct us in the way that He has paved for us to go and that if it means a change in our vision that we would follow as He leads.

Much love from Peru! ~ Jessica

Living a Dream - Year #1 Reflections

Do you ever have those days or weeks when you wonder what in the world you are doing in life? Where are you headed? Are you on the right path? Are you following God's will? Why you are where you are?

While I know God has me exactly where He wants me, and I'm living a dream come true, some days are just plain difficult. I miss teaching in the States with respectful students, consistent discipline and students from average families. I miss my colorful, student friendly classroom filled with books and resources for the kids. I miss a loving, supportive staff that truly had the best intentions for the students. I miss my church and the Bible study group I became a part of my last 2 years back in Indiana. I miss driving to my friends' homes for the weekends to spend the night and have girl time. But most of all, I miss my family...sitting outside in the summer around the pond with a fire burning or laying out in the pool relaxing while talking about anything and everything with my mom. I miss the smell of a warm house in the winter, feeling soft carpet beneath my feet, and the comfort of simply being "home".

However, despite all of the things I miss and looking past the days when I think I can't take anymore, I know that God has me in Peru for a reason or perhaps more than one, and I couldn't be happier. Living and teaching in Peru has been a dream of mine since 2007. I discovered a love for Spanish and teaching during high school and after just one trip to Peru, I knew I had to come back. This is my dream, something I prayed for for years. I'm thankful that God answered my prayer in His timing and not my own.

As I look back on the last year, I am filled with reminders of God's love, faithfulness, and protection time and time again. He's provided for me in ways I never even imagined, and not once has He left me feeling alone.

• He provided an apartment for me when I was very discouraged with what I was originally offered. It's the perfect apartment for the perfect price, in a safe location, and my landlords are wonderful people. 
• He's kept me safe in the streets, taxis, and buses, and only allowed me to experience one robbery which happened to be the stealing of Javier's phone right from my hand through the window of our own car. 
• He's blessed me with opportunities to serve and build stronger relationships with the children at Juniper Tree in Pachacamac.
• I've been able to pay off one loan which leaves me only one left to go...there is light at the end of the tunnel! 
• In moments of loneliness it never fails that He has provided someone who calls to chat or hang out with. Sometimes His love has come through mail from friends back home, too. Mail which is appreciated more than I think you understand.
• I have learned to serve more, be hospitable, and think of myself less. Who cares if the house hasn't been cleaned in a week? There are people that would like a cooked meal and a hot shower.
• God blessed Javier with a car that has been super beneficial and a blessing in so many ways. 
• I've made new friends and built deeper relationships with old friends. 
• I've learned so much about humility and living simply. 
• I've heard testimonies I can't imagine having to go through, and I've seen people on the other side of tragedy living lives filled with joy and completely surrendered to the Lord.
• I've been blessed by the presence of Javier in my life. A friendship of 5 years that I never imagined would develop into a lifelong love and marriage. (Yes, I said marriage...)

I could go on and on about the goodness of God during my first full year of living here in Peru. As I look around me and cringe because the sun is setting at 5pm and that the chilly evening air is drifting through my windows, I stop to remind myself that even having this apartment is a blessing because so many others live without properly closing windows or sturdy cement walls. 

Of course I miss my family, my friends, my church, and NPE, but I'm not here to dwell on the things that aren't here with me. I'm here to learn, to serve, to teach, and to become the best person that I can be. I'm here because this is where God called me many years ago, and I am ready to carry out the mission that He has placed before me - to educate children and to serve to the best of my abilities. 

Thank you all for your continued love and support as I follow this path of life. It's hard to believe it's been a year, and I'm already excited to be home for Christmas. However, until then, I am looking forward to the days ahead with anticipation. Awaiting the Lord's daily voice leading me in the direction He has set for me that day. Each of your prayers is a blessing in my life. I couldn't have made it this long without you!

Living with Contradictions

This post has been a long time coming. I've sat down to write many times, but the words just don't flow. There is no way to accurately describe the inner conflict I face on a daily basis as I try to find my place at work and in ministry here in Peru. My thoughts are honest thoughts; they are my opinions and my own emotions. Please note that there are some generalizations made that are not meant to offend, but rather to encourage each of us to take a look at how we are living and ensure that our financial wealth (or lack of) does not impact how big or little our faith in Christ is. Christ should always be our first love and our only source of hope and confidence.

_ _ _ _ _

Some days I'm not even sure what to think, how to respond, or even if I'm living reality. It's emotionally exhausting some days to work among the wealthy and serve beside the less fortunate (in terms of money). My daily job is to teach children from wealthy families. Most have nannies or at least someone who cleans house and/or cooks dinner for the family, and some hardly see their parents. Then, I volunteer at a children's home here in Lima where children live without biological parents, in a house with other children who aren't related to them and with a "mama" who cares for them.

Just last Friday I was riding the bus home from work after a very long week, when two boys, brothers between 7-10 years old got on the bus. They talked about how their parents are drug addicts and how they have to support their family, including two younger sisters. They then sang a song (very off key) while trying to keep their balance as the bumpy road tossed about in the aisle of the bus. My heart broke as I thought about the children at the children's home and even those in Manchay who have faced similar situations. When they finished singing, they walked the aisle with their hands out hoping someone would give them a few soles. Some people did, others did not.

This is a normal situation here in Peru. People enter the bus to sing a song or play an instrument and then walk the aisle hoping to receive money from the passengers. Sometimes they explain about a sick family member and try to sell chocolates or other treats to earn money to help pay for the medical expenses. Other days they discuss addictions they have overcome and the need for money to start over with a new life. Sometimes I give money, sometimes I don't.

I live in a wealthy area where houses cost more than the houses in my hometown in the USA. Yet, on the other side of the mountain people live in one or two room houses, dirt floors, and sometimes don't even have running water or electricity. I work in a school where parents pay $1000 per month for their children to attend school while some of my friends' children attend public schools where they are lucky to have a full week of school due to absent teachers or random school closings. I see vehicles with their BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, emblems on a regular basis and then I see families with multiple children boarding the bus with barely enough money to pay their bus fare.

My heart and mind are confused as to how one city can have such dramatic financial differences. It seems the poor get poorer while the rich get richer more drastically than I can express. It breaks my heart that very few of this country's wealthy people care for those living in desperate situations. It seems like the more money one has, the more superior one feels and the less concern for the well-being of others.

However, I'm learning that no matter what social class you come from, we are all poor in some way. Some more visibly than others, but each one of us is lacking something. Some of those around me who have little by means of financial wealth have much in terms of spiritual wealth. They are some of the strongest Christians I know who daily encourage and challenge me to be a better person, to have more faith, and to believe the impossible. They are the ones serving this country and witnessing to their neighbors in attempt to grow and strengthen the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. On the other hand, the wealthy are generally content. Life is "easy" and there is little room for or need for God. They tend to be nominal in their beliefs and some use church as a way of making connections and growing their businesses.

Heartbreaking...

But, there is hope! The poor in finances are rich in the Spirit and they are making a difference in this great nation. My faith and strength rests in the hand of Father who is making disciples right before my eyes. If only more people would realize that money is only temporary, but they things of God last forever.

Mother's Day & Christ's Unending Love

Today is Mother's Day! What does that mean to you?

For me it's a day to celebrate the woman who brought me into the world. The very woman God handpicked to be the perfect mother for me. God knew before I was born what my life would be like, my struggles, my joys, my wants, and my needs, and He chose my mom, Melinda, to be just the person He knew I would need to get through the good times and the bad times. Even though I'm a continent away, she still helps me when I need it. She does bank transactions for me, helps with legal documents when needed, and is a daily support and communicator. I can't imagine my life without her!

Then there are those of you who see Mother's Day as a struggle; a day you'd rather just stay in bed. Maybe you lost your mother years ago or perhaps she passed away just last week. Some of you, my dear friends, come from homes of negligent mothers, absent mothers, or abusive mothers. Others of you have tried to become mothers yourself but have faced the pain of infertility, miscarriage, or possibly even the loss of your own child.

As you read this post, I don't know who you are, where you are in life, or what type of mother you have/had, but know that for those of you who see Mother's Day as a day filled with pain, I grieve with you.

I have seen on the faces of children and witnessed it from the very hearts of friends the pain of an absent mother. Be it students at school, children at the Children's Home, or friends, I have seen the pain. Mother's day celebrations at school are wonderful... IF you're a child with a mother who will be there. Talking about the greatness of my mother is a way to honor her, BUT a friend may see it as bragging as he/she longs for the embrace only a mother could provide.

However, no matter what situation you find yourself in, Christ is able to comfort even the deepest of pains, fill the biggest voids, and love in a way not even a mother could love her child. His love for us is unfathomable, deeper than any love a human could give. His love is unending, self-sacrificing, and forgiving. He shed His blood in order to break the separation between God and humanity so that we could have an intimate relationship with Him. He wants intimacy so deep with each of us, so deep that our very sin brings tears to our eyes as we fall to our knees in repentance.

Recently, I witnessed this love in earthly form more closely than I've seen before - walking the ocean's shore, watching a boy push his 90 year old grandmother in a wheelchair and sharing memories of his childhood together. Doing whatever it took to make his grandmother happy, fascinated by her and caring for her in ways deeper than I have witnessed. In those moments, observing these two, I began to understand the depth of the love this boy has for her, and I was able to comprehend her desires to provide for him and do whatever it took to make sure he was taken care of, too. It was a beautiful sight, a mark left in my life, and a glimpse of Christ's love for the church - unconditional, self-sacrificing, intimate love. 

Wherever you are today, if your earthly mother has been absent from your life or is someone you'd rather forget, my prayer for you is that you spend time in prayer today and ask Christ to fill that void. I also pray that if this be your case, you have found someone in life to call mother - a woman who has mentored you, an aunt who took you in and cared for you as her own, or the mother of a friend who was there for you even when your own mother wasn't.

You my friend are loved, you are valued and cherished. Your life is important, so please, use your talents, use your heart, and go out and make a difference in this world filled with pain and darkness. Take Christ's love with you and change the world - one person at a time.

People are inherently...

As I began to think of a title for this post I recalled a paper I wrote during my last year of high school debating whether people are inherently good or inherently evil. I don't remember which side of the debate I took a stance on, but I do believe that all people have a bit of evil inside them as a result of the fall of man in the book of Genesis when Eve chose to eat the apple.

I will, however, also argue that because Christ shed his blood on the cross and died to cover our multitudes of sin, those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and choose to live for Him must also then choose to fight the evil and practice the good. Of course we still sin, we still make mistakes, we still have that mark of evil upon us; yet Christ, by His grace, covers the evil and sees the good. We as Christians must then choose to demonstrate the good to the world in order to be living examples of Christ's light in a world filled with the darkness of evil.

In the last month, I have faced evil acts committed by man two different times in the form of robbery. I am so thankful for God's physical protection and provision during both occasions. Let me explain more...

Most of you know that last month my U.S. bank account was hacked, and all of the money I had deposited to continue paying on my student loans was used to make purchases around the world (literally - Siberia, USA, England, Israel, etc.) We have no idea how this happened since my debit card has been safely stored and unused since I was in the US in January. Thankfully, the bank was very helpful, and all of my money was returned either by the companies or through insurance the bank provides.

Then on Tuesday this week, I was robbed again while in my own car. I know a lot of my American friends are wondering, "How does one get robbed while driving down the road in her own car?" Let me be the first to tell you, it's actually very easy.

Javier had picked me up at school to take me to the central post office where I was to pick up a box my parents had sent me. The post office isn't in the best part of Lima, but it isn't in the worst area either. Javier and I were driving with the windows partway open, when he asked me to look up a number on my phone. Holding my phone in my right hand, I began to search the internet for the number he had asked for.

Upon finding the number, he asked me to use his phone to call the company. I explained to him that in English it would be nearly impossible for me to accurately explain the problem we were having with the car, so in Spanish I probably couldn't do it either. I then asked him if he would please call them, to which he responded, "If you call, I'll tell you what to say."

Still holding my phone in my right hand, I picked up his phone to dial with my left. I (not being from these parts) never thought to close the windows, and Javier being focused on the call, the problem with the car, and getting to the post office before they closed also did not think about the insecurity of using a phone with the windows open.

After that things become a slight blur. I don't remember if we had stopped for a traffic light or slowed down because of traffic, but as I began to dial a hand entered the window and grabbed Javier's phone. In my peripheral vision I could see two men outside the car, one in a green and blue plaid button up, and the other in a solid colored t-shirt. My immediate reaction was to throw my phone to the ground to free my right hand to help fight for the phone. However, before Javier or I could react the man holding the phone was twisting my fingers, and I just let it go. We quickly drove away, but as I turned around I saw the two men running down the street in the opposite direction, bent over the phone.

I am so thankful the men didn't approach us with a knife or a gun. We are blessed that the only damage they did was causing temporary pain to my fingers and shaking my nerves up a bit. The only lost property was a cell phone, not a life.

So then the next questions I received from friends back in the US were, "How do you get it back? Do you file a police report?" Forgive me, but I had to chuckle inside. Javier and I first went to collect my box knowing that we were running short on time. Next we went to the cellphone company and had the phone chip and number blocked so that the men could not access Javier's stored information or make phone calls. As for a police report, even if we filed one, the police wouldn't do anything about it. Cellphones and such things are robbed on a very regular basis here in Peru.

"What happens next then?" one might ask. Well, Javier still needs to buy a new phone, but in the meantime he worries about me even leaving the house without being able to contact him. As for the men who stole the phone, they will probably take it to one of the markets and sell it to someone looking for a phone cheaper than they sell them in the store.

Lessons learned:

• God is our ultimate protector. 
• Pray for those who do evil against you for they need to know the salvation and wholeness that comes through a personal relationship with Christ. 
• Forgiveness.
• Sharing the blame - Javier and I were both responsible for setting ourselves up to be robbed. 
• Even though I generally feel safe with Javier, I also need to continue to be aware of my surroundings and personal safety.
• Close the windows when talking on the phone (no matter what area I am in). 
• Don't use a cellphone in plain view in certain parts of the city.

Please friends and prayer warriors, continue to pray for safety and God's protection while I am here in Peru. I know similar things can and do happen in the US; however, here in Peru it is more likely. When I add up all of the time I have spent in Peru it amounts to approximately 16 months. I am so thankful that in all of that time, this is the first time I have been robbed, and I pray that it will be the only time it happens, too.

I will be sending out another newsletter at the end of this month. If you are not signed up for my monthly updates and would like to be, please comment with your email address. (All comments are sent to me before being published on the blog, so I will not post any comments that include your personal email addresses or information.)

God is faithful!!

And just for kicks and giggles, here's a recent picture of Javier and I while hanging out with a missions team that was visiting from Canada for a few weeks. He wanted to use the hot pads and quilts the women had brought to pretend he was an elderly, native Peruvian woman.

Blessings to each of you and your families this Easter weekend.

Much love - Jessica

Doctor Visits and Culture Differences

Since returning from the States in January I have been to the hospital/doctor's office twice for Javier. There aren't really doctor's offices or clinics here like you would find in the States, and both times I have felt a little weird going to a hospital for something at home I would visit a local doctor about. However, that's how life is here, so I must adjust.

In January we went to the hospital because Javier had been having chest pains for a few months. We were afraid it could be a heart condition, so he promised me when I returned from visiting my family we could go. I was simply baffled by the process, so informal and not very thorough.

First of all, I was allowed in the room with Javier during the entire process. I may be wrong but something inside me was screaming HIPPA violation since there is no marriage commitment between Javier and I. Apparently here that doesn't matter. The doctor didn't even think twice about me following Javier into the room, and he actually included me in the conversation.

Then it got "worse" I guess one could say. In my head I was thinking that if I were a doctor and someone came in with chest pains I would probably do a chest x-ray and other tests to analyze what the problem might be. However, instead the doctor asked a few questions, had Javier sit on the table, and asked him to raise his arms up and turn from side to side. As he was doing so he asked if there was pain, and when Javier responded yes, the doctor said it must be a pulled muscle. He wrote a few pain prescriptions, and he sent us out the door.

Considering Javier hasn't had too much pain since being off the pills and the days of rest the doctor advised, I assume that it was just a pulled muscle. However, there are still random days when he reports that it hurts which makes me wonder if that's really what it is.

This past week, Javier called me and asked me to pick up medicine at the pharmacy for a fever and for a sore throat. (You can buy antibiotics over the counter here.) I arrived home from school to find Javier fast asleep with a cold cloth on his head and red skin. He had come from working overnight to sleep at my apartment while I was at work with the plan to surprise me and be here when I got home. His plan was not to have a 104.3ºF temperature.

After a short discussion he asked me to call a friend that drives taxi to take us to the hospital (I still don't know how to drive our car.)so that he could see a doctor. We went straight to the emergency room, and they put us in a "private room" to wait. (Room as in a little cubicle with a bed and a chair closed off from the main hallway by a curtain. As we waited, Javier had me ask the doctor multiple times when he was coming to the room or to ask what we were waiting on/what were they going to do next. Again, there was not one person that asked who I was and not one person told me I couldn't be in the room with him. The only time I was asked to leave was when the nurse put an IV in his arm, but she didn't say a word to me later when she pulled down his pants to put a shot in his hind end. (Don't worry, I chose to look the other direction.)

After all was said and done and we were told we could leave the doctor handed me the prescription and medical note, and Javier sent me to buy his medicine. I didn't know the hospital had it's own pharmacy, so I wandered out of the hospital to the pharmacy down the street to buy the medicine. I was given everything I needed and sent on my way.

Now, as if the actual procedure was different than I'm used to, there were other differences I noted. Neither the doctor or nurses wore gloves. The bed sheets had a mark of dust or dirt on them despite looking clean. The ER visit took less than 2 hours (the fastest ER visit I've ever experienced). Asking the doctor multiple times how long we'd have to wait or what we were waiting on was completely acceptable. (I did explain to Javier that that behavior would not be allowed in the US.) Most shocking was that the visit cost a little more than 100 soles, which amounts to about $40. Can you imagine an ER visit in the States (without insurance) only costing $40? I think a visit to the local doctor's office costs more than that.

Thankfully, Javier seems to be doing much better. He took a few days off work, and he says he is still feeling weak and tired, but his fever is gone and his cough and congestion seem to be clearing. Let's hope we don't have to make any more doctor's visits for a very long time!

April Showers

I think most of us are familiar with the popular phrase: April showers bring May flowers. A similar phrase could be applied here in Peru: Cold April mornings bring earthquake warnings.

It seems that with the recent earthquake in Chile on Tuesday, and one of smaller size yesterday, earthquakes are all anyone talks about. Did you feel anything? There's a bigger one coming. Do you have a plan if an earthquake would occur? Are there earthquakes where you are from? It's colder this April than usual, the cold mornings/evenings combined with the hot afternoons could signify that earth is changing and an earthquake may occur here soon.

Sometimes I have to smirk when I hear the comments of others, but inside I often find myself nervous and afraid. I have a hard time believing that the rare, April cold mornings and evenings combined with the hot afternoons would be a sign of an earthquake to come. I mean it makes sense that it could signify a thunderstorm or a tornado - weather related events, but an earthquake is something completely different.

However, when I think of the reality that an earthquake can happen at any moment, with no warning, no matter where I am or what I'm doing I start to become afraid. What would I do if I were home by myself? What would I do if I were at school? Or worse yet, what would I do if I were on a bus stuck in traffic as I often find myself in the afternoons returning from work? Chances are cell service would be cut off and the internet would be down, I'd not be able to reach Javier or anyone else for that matter.

Usually it's in those moments that I become most fearful that I feel the touch of the Lord and He reminds me that He is in control; that He knows exactly if/when an earthquake will strike, and that He already knows my fate should it occur here in Lima.

I'm learning more and more that we can't live our lives in fear. I can't be fearful of getting robbed every time I go out, or I'd never leave my house. I can't be afraid of saying the wrong thing in Spanish, or I'd not be able to communicate with most people here. I can't be scared of an earthquake that may or may not every happen because the time and place of where it may strike is unpredictable.

Living without fear doesn't mean make stupid choices and decisions. I still don't exchange money on the street; instead I go to the exchange house near the bank. I try to speak in Spanish with my Peruvian friends that speak English because even when I make a mistake, I know the more I speak the more I'm learning. I'm learning that it's okay to mess up because real friends will help you out rather than laugh at you. I've also learned that while it's necessary to have an emergency plan should an earthquake occur, I can't just sit at home in fear waiting for it to come an go.

If nothing else this experience living overseas has taught me to live outside of my comfort zone. It's taught me to depend on God more than ever before, and it's taught me to think differently. I'm learning not to sweat the small things, to focus on what really matters, and that my problems are small in comparison to the situations and suffering others around me are facing.

So if anything, while in the north you are all singing the tune "April showers bring May flowers." I am here in Peru smirking at those who have told me (in their own words of course) that these "Cold, April mornings signify earthquake warnings."

Make Gratitude an Attitude

At the start of every year we are all encouraged to make a goal for the new year, a resolution as many would say. Often times those resolutions involve measurable goals - losing weight, spending more time in prayer or reading the Bible, accomplishing dreams, etc.

In 2011 I set out to lose a certain amount of weight (which I did, but since have gained it all back). 

In 2012 I committed to reading the Bible chronologically.

In 2013 I set my mind on praying for every nation while reading through Operation World Prayer Guide to the Nations. 

All three years I achieved my goal {not to brag or anything}, and at the end of the year I felt pretty good about myself. However, I also recall at times throughout the year feeling down on myself as I fell behind in my reading and/or praying or hadn't lost the pounds I had hoped to each week. The times I felt down though, only pushed me to try harder, to catch up, and to be more faithful in working toward the ending goal.

This year, through conversations and prayer, I've felt challenged to set a different kind of goal, a resolution that can't be checked off the list quite so easily. If you receive my email updates, I challenged you to do the same: Make gratitude an attitude - be thankful more and complain less. 

How did I come up with this goal?

In my previous post I typed up a list of things that make living in the USA more comfortable {at least in comparison to my life in Lima, Peru}. One evening, while having dinner with my boyfriend, Javier, I was talking about things I missed about being home {in the USA}, some of the exact things I mentioned in my list. After my mini complain session, he pointed out that even though I'm supposedly lacking things in Peru, I have much more than most people and that I have been blessed.

Another evening, after a seemingly rough day, I had quite the attitude. As I went on about how awful my day was, Javier reminded me that even on my worst days there are people who have been through situations a lot more difficult and challenging than my own. Trust me, at first I was mad at his unsympathetic response, but after some thought I realized that really my day hadn't been THAT bad after all. So what if I didn't sleep well the night before, my students talked too much, and I didn't have the ingredients I needed for the meal I planned to make. I have a bed to sleep in, I have a well paying job, and I have food to eat. Not to mention after I calmed down I got a hug - an embrace some only long for. 

You see, Javier {and other Peruvian friends of mine} have been a blessing to me. Living in Peru has been an eye-opener, a rude awakening at times. Having grown up in Peru and with a life very different from my own, Javier does a wonderful job at reminding me what's important in life. Daily I'm challenged to give thanks without complaining and to live humbly, always willing to help those in need. 

You see, in Peru I live a somewhat glamorous lifestyle. I have a {sometimes} hot shower, internet, cable, and proper electricity. I have a washer to wash my clothes, plenty of space to house guests, and an income that supplies all of my necessities and then some. I am blessed; my life overall is very easy even in Peru where things are at times "uncomfortable" for my American upbringing.

Therefore, from that came my resolution for 2014: Make gratitude an attitude - be thankful more and complain less.

God has blessed me so that I might be a blessing to others. However, if I only ever look at the negative side of things or recall how things used to be when I lived in the States, I will never reach my full potential in Christ. I have been given more than I could ever ask for or imagine, nothing I have do I deserve. Therefore I have no reason to complain about anything, for everything I have is a blessing from above. And that my friends is why I choose to focus on giving thanks this year, because how can I complain about something that has been put in my life as a blessing from above. My cup runneth over.

If you have resolutions you'd like to share with me {or ask me to pray for} please feel free to do so. I'd love to hear what God has asked some of you, my readers, to focus on for the year 2014.

Resolution #2 for 2014 - Be less selfish. Maybe I'll explain that one more later...

51 Things that Make Life More Comfortable in the USA...

...but most days I'd still choose to call Peru home {at least for now}.

Disclaimer: This list has been compiled in no particular order. 

1. having family nearby
2. friends that know me inside and out
3. church services in English
4. speaking English 99% of the time
5. sharing my passions with many more words and emotions than often done in Spanish
6. people who understand my culture
7. blending in as a 6' tall white girl
8. familiar radio stations with songs I enjoy
9. having my own transportation
10. driving a car on calm, country roads
11. finding "common" foods at the local supermarket
12. cooking foods that are familiar
13. drying clothes in a dryer
14. changing seasons
15. a white Christmas
16. always being connected to the internet (although I'd call this a curse sometimes)
17. banking...don't even get me started on this one
18. ease of buying clothes that fit 
19. clothes are generally cheaper
20. knowing what hygiene products I'm not allergic to
21. cheaper hygiene products (make-up, lotions, shampoo, etc)
22. my Keurig 
23. mom's home cooking
24. shredded cheese
25. frozen foods/dinners
26. over-the-counter medicine
27. my dogs
28. flushing toilet paper
29. hot showers
30. toilet seats in public restrooms
31. cellphone plan vs pay as you go
32. packages actually arrive on my doorstep
33. safe drinking water from the tap
34. ability to watch all of my favorite tv shows
35. childhood memories at my fingertips
36. in fact having all of my belongings nearby (even if they are in boxes)
37. knowing which stores sell certain items and where to find deals
38. grocery ads and coupons
39. teacher store
40. Hobby Lobby
41. warm water in every faucet
42. indoor heating and air conditioning
43. weather warnings (there aren't earthquake warnings in Lima)
44. advancement of the education system (although it still has its flaws)
45. law enforcement that are actually working to protect us
46. feeling safe most of the time
47. having dad nearby to fix things when they are broken (or at least try to)
48. being close to mom who can sew things when they rip or don't fit right
49. ordering online
50. a gas stove that isn't hooked to a tank that could run out at any given moment while cooking dinner (I'm always fearful I'll run out while cooking for guests.)
51. less dust

Okay, so I know to some of you this list may seem ridiculous, even petty. However, we never realize how good we have it until we're forced to live differently or with less than what we're used to. Being in Peru has been a blessing, and while I miss the comforts of the things listed above, not a day goes by that I regret my decision to give it all up to serve the Lord in Peru. Honestly, it wasn't even until I returned home for Christmas that I realized I missed most of the things above. Heck, at times, I still look for the trash can by the toilet to throw my toilet paper in, and I plan my outfits ahead in order to have time to dry my clothes on the line only to realize I can use the dryer. I praise the Lord that I am so easily able to adapt to my lifestyle in Peru, and I am grateful for the chance to enjoy some of these blessings we have here in the States for a few weeks.

Please see my next post for a full explanation of why I created this list.