tennis!!

In this house, Tennis is the sport!

Lucky for me I played in High School... okay okay, only my Freshman year, but still!

I brought my racket per Pastor Marco's request.

The morning after I arrive I got up to go play with them at 7am.

There is a guy in the church that plays well, so Marco is learning from him how to play.

Marco's daughter Gabi goes as well, and they have invited Lessly to go!

So we go, we play, and we enjoy!

2nd day of tennis... happy in the morn!

There is only 1 court, so we use these walls to practice -- 

I think they are actually for soccer, but tennis alike.

we did actually get it down without the boys' help!

Glen and Pastor Marco (serving, on the right) on the 1 court.

Glad to know I can still hit the ball and play ok - always room for improvement!

Sister date + SURPRISE!

This past Friday I didn't have plans, so my little {host} sister, Gabriela, or Gabi, and I decided to hit up the mall to grab a bit to eat, and shop or see a movie.

There were not any good movies going on, and Gabi insisted they would run too late.  

I didn't think they would run that late, but she insisted that we better not.

me and Gabi before hitting the town!

we ate pizza :)

After our delicious meal, we shopped a little and a little before 9pm we took a taxi back to the church where her dad was.  He said he would take us home.  I asked why we don't just take a taxi back to the house, and Gabi said that we better just go to the church.

Upon arrival at the church, Marco asked if I had seen the "Study Hall" yet - I hadn't so he said to go on up and take a look.  Confused, I went up, and opened the door and couldn't really see because it was dark.  I didn't know how to turn on the lights, but it looked like there was a cake on the table.

THEN the lights turned on and the next thing I knew confetti was flying, silly string too!!

And the words "SORPRESA" were yelled from my friends that were 

hiding in the room waiting for me.

That's right - they threw me a Surprise "Welcome Here" party.

So very sweet!!!

We played various games...

and then they sang to me and we cut the chocolate capuccino cake (yum!).

   

 So excited to live so close to these dear friends.

I've missed them mucho!!!

welcome to my room.

As I posted before, the Pastor's family graciously gave me a space in their house.  It was the Library/Collect all.  Their youngest daughter is now getting bigger, so I think this should be her room, but they instead got a "big girl" bed for her and put it in their room.

Their apartment is on the 4th floor, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 

a living/dining/office upon entry, and a kitchen.

Small, quaint, home-y.

SO grateful that I do not have to worry about many living expenses.

Loving what my space looks and feels like.

When stepping into my room, this is what you will see from Left-to-Right:

Lots of day light.
Stays fairly cool.
I have yet to put of pics.
MOST of my clothing fit in the dresser!

It feels like home.

Mail call!

I arrive to my quaint home in T-city to a letter and a package.

They were waiting for me :)

THANK YOU MCALPINES!!

What we can learn from this post:
1. letters arrive safely!
2. packages arrive safely as well!
3. both #1 & 2 are well received :)

the view.

T-City from the rooftop at night.

Breathtaking.

Here are a couple of pics of what I see from my window everyday.  

At night I like to think I have a front-row view of the Eiffel Tower :)  

It therefore also makes me think of & feel close to my dear friend Jiewon 

that is studying in Paris right now!

This is the view by day... I'm not sure really what it is..a Cell Phone/TV Tower I think?

...a girl can dream :)

Bananagraming...

I found Bananagrams in Spanish on Lake Street before I left.
I bought it.
And I brought it.

IT WAS A HIT!!!

(btw: it's hard to do Bananagrams in your 2nd language!)

photo shoot:

The church is going to do a VBS not next week but the following.
They asked me to take pictures that they were going to put up.

They were to mock the Bible stories that were going to be told.
Here are a couple of the results... we all giggled a lot in the process, ha!

The church bought "The Big Apple" VBS Curriculum in Spanish last year and have been anxiously waiting to use it for this Summer's VBS (their Summer is Dec-March).

"The Big Apple" is about New York.  When I was talking to Olenka (the Pastor's wife) about it, she said that she had to adapt it a lot... T-City is just not like New York - and the reality is that most can only think of NYC from movies or TV shows.

The amazing thing is (the working of the Lord really!) is that here the streets in the little part of town that the church is at are called Manzanas (translated, Apples) and are depicted by letters.  

So instead of it being called:

"The Adventure of the Great Apple" (Meaning NYC)

they call it:

"The Adventure of the Great Apple 'R' " (Meaning on R Street).

They have a big Apple (the fruit) posted on the back wall, and that is where above pictures were put!

I was so impressed, and, although small, brought my heart to worship the Lord in his provision :)

Please pray for their VBS preparation, and the week of Feb. 6-10 when it runs!!

small space & a lot of luggage!

Here are my bags in the hostal - 3 checked, 1 carry-on duffle and a back pack:

I also might have had 2 suitcases waiting for me when I got here (that I brought with me in November and they stayed here... for the chance I would return...!)

The ending portion of unpacking:

My Dresser :)

It kind of seemed impossible...

thank you Travel Timer :)

I like that my computer wishes me "Bon Voyage!"

This timer (Green Timer in picture below) I put on my computer in April of 2011.

It counted down until January 16, and I watched the days until departure dwindle.

Airport Goodbyes One Week ago...

Well, this week has flown by!!
Exactly a week ago we were preparing to land in Peru.

I actually didn't know how I was going to get through the "goodbyes" to be honest.
I tried to take them lightly, but when I was alone is when the tears really showed.

I told my mom there was no crying allowed at the airport - to be honest if I let myself cry even a little, I know that it wouldn't be just a little.

The rule kinda worked...

My mom, sister and niece all woke up early to bring me to the airport.  There wasn't school that day, so  they all could come.
Quiet ride to the airport, stomach turning, super excited, super sad, and kinda nervous.

After the crazy check-in (see "Recounting" Post below)  and rejoicing because all my bags were underweight (!!) I now had to think about these dreadful goodbyes.

My lovely friend Amanda showed up with her 3 kiddos right after my check-in!!  What a friend to get up early, and get those kids ready to get out the door and be at the airport by around 7:45, amazing!!  (See Amanda's Blog here)

Since my flight was rerouted I had to get through security a 1/2 hour earlier than thought.  That cut down the goodbye time (and my last Starbucks!).  So we took some pictures together:

my sister, me, my mama & myli :)

  amanda and myself!

amanda's beautiful & wonderful family!

(this family [missing Amanda's husband] has been my 2nd family during my transition to move to Peru while still in Minneapolis - so grateful for them all!]

myli and addie bonding early in the morning = cuties!!

After pics was a time of prayer (thank you Amanda, dear friend) and the hugs and best wishes.

It went well I thought, my heart was heavy on my next flight, but got to talk/text above mentioned loved ones during my layover before my flight leaving the US.

Nothing like loooooooong MN goodbyes ;)

Thank you to friends from Small Group, Former Roommates, Work Friends, Friends and Family for the sweet goodbye parties and get-togethers.

Miss you all already.

Recounting.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul!

It was very clear that this trip to T-city was guided by the Lord's hand.

Let me recount his GOODness.

• I arrived at the airport with 3 suitcases (well 5, but 2 I brought with me on the plane...).  After much research on the internet, I knew how much each bag was to cost.  At the counter they told me that I could not check 3 bags to Lima, it was not permitted on Continental.  SO I told the man that it does NOT say that on the internet.  He then patiently worked with me, and I kept my cool too!  SO he changed my flight to United so I flew to Lima through Houston instead of Newark--- do not ask my why that made a difference but it did, and it worked!!
• Goodbyes were hard, but there were minimal tears... so grateful.
• The security line was short :)
• TSA didn't check my bags!!!
• Flight to Houston went well (minus the tears I shed... the poor man beside me!)
• I got the LAST seat on this small plane.
• My bags fit on the SMALL plan---miracle!
• 3 hour layover in Houston was nice, and because I went through Houston, my flights were shorter!
• Flight to Lima went smooth, I was seated in a row with more leg room free of charge!
• I got some sleep on the plane!
• Approaching Immigration I started to get nervous. When it came time to choose a line I thought I was choosing one that was a bit faster.  But it turns out the line was shorter because no one wanted to be in this line because the lady was super slow.  However, I waited it out, and all went well. >>>I GOT THE 183 DAY VISA NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!!!<<< Praise the Lord!!!
• All my luggage arrived.
• My friend accompanied me to my Hostal so that I didn't have to hand my luggage by myself and the Hostal was AMAZING!  Clean room, hot water, comfortable bed, quiet, breakfast in the morn, and they brought me back to the airport to catch my last flight to T-city.
• I should've paid SO much for all my luggage on my national flight, but the Lord gave them grace for me and I only had to pay $40 - wow!
• My last flight went smooth, and I arrived in T-city at 5pm safe and sound, welcomed by the warm sun :)

All my luggage fit in the Pastor's car (old VW beetle, bright blue!) and I entered what I can now call my house and a room ready for me to occupy!!  Minus the hundreds of books (the library) that is in my room.

Here is a photo (from my bedroom window) of the sunset the Lord gave me to welcome me back to this city of my heart.

(Please note the sky's colors were more impressive in person... all are welcome to come and see for themselves :D)

Missing my friends and family a lot, I still am in shock and cannot believe I will be here for a good amount of time.

Lord keep me faithful and TRUSTING in you.

in Lima!

I´m here in Lima at the BEST hostal ever!
Last trip down here (this past November) I decided to stay in the airport to save some pennies.
THAT was a mistake.
It made for a loooong trip, almost miserable (I´m trying not to exagerate!).

So this time, I decided to actually find a place that I could lay my head down to sleep and maybe even have a shower.
After little research on the internet I came across the hostal Mami Panchita.
>>>Side note, I´m known for finding the 1st thing I like and going with it, instead of doing more research.  Sometimes it comes back to get me, but not this time!

Beautiful House type hostal with each room having their own bathroom.
I got here at 1 am, got a HOT shower (Hot water can be hard to come by!) and got to sleep in.
Breakfast before 10am, and then another cat nap, hehe.

I´m making my last jaunt in a few hours to finally reach T city.
Can´t wait to see my family and friends.

MISSING family and friends from back home.
More on that later...
And later I will recount the Lord´s GOODNESS in this trip.
Only by His hand.

bless the Lord.

On my iPod On repeat On my way,
down, down, down South.
Like deeper than the deep South :)


"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes"

Bless the Lord, oh my soul.

I worship YOUR holy name.

Good Reads.

Kindle Reading on my flights.

ESV Bible.
Psalm 96.
Vv. 1-4.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.


Psalm 148.
Whole Chapter, but loving V. 18.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.


The Strategy of Satan.
By Warren Wiersbe.

"God accomplishes his will on earth through truth; Satan accomplishes his purposes through lies."
..."Faith in God's truth leads to victory; faith in Satan's lies leads to defeat."
Chapter 1.

packing tips?

Goodness.
This seems impossible!

2-50lb bags.
1-40lb carry-on.
1 personal item (how heavy can this be?!!)
for 2 years.

Have I started?
Nope.

This isn't even 1/2 of what I hope to fit into my bags.
Ahhh!

The Start of the "So Long"s...

My last "official" day at work was yesterday.
It was a lot to get wrapped up to hand over, and even though my replacement will not start until next week, I just needed to spend this week preparing for my departure on Monday.

I really enjoyed my 1+ year at Minnehaha, and when I took the job I really thought I would be there for 3 years - but the Lord had other plans.

Below are pics of my fearless leaders who hired me October 2010 and were always so fun to go to lunch with!

Sharon and I - We spent 3/4 of the year in the office together laughing, lunching & oh yes, working... but that was for when our sidekick Dan was not stopping in to show off his latest art work 

and Steve was not telling fun middle school stories :)

Laurie and I - Laurie had babe #3 (a girl!) the April before the summer program started which meant she took a much needed maternity leave.  So albeit we never worked in the office together officially, it was sure a joy to work with her via telephone throughout the year!

I made great friends at MA and was so blessed by so many.

After the goodbyes, I tried to hold back the tears but was overcome for a 

few minutes in the safety of my car, ha!

All were gracious to send me out with nice gifts :)

THANK YOU!!

I'm hoping our paths will cross again soon.

...now where did I put that box of kleenex?

quilted!

When I went down to Peru for my interview in November, I brought down a suitcase of things "just in case" I got a job and was going to decide to move down there in January.

---Ok, I was pretty sure it was going to happen, obviously :)

I brought down a mattress pad, a lamp, facewash, towels, white board markers... you get the idea.

I was thinking about a comforter that I would have on my bed.  I've always had a down filled duvet (I'm always so cold!) -- but that will be a little hard to bring with me without taking up a whole half of a suitcase.  Space and weight is everything people!

So I started to think, "I would love to bring down a vintage quilt."  Not a store bought one, but one that has been made with love.  Don't know where I got that idea from, but I was convinced, this would be great to have!

One night I told my mom this, and she just looked at me and said, "I have one."

WHAT?!  

"Yes, I have one that my grandma made.  I don't use it because it's not my colors, but she handmade the whole thing."

Okay readers, check this out:

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!!!!  Handmade, all of it, every single patch, quilting, all of it.  

I was amazed, and it brought tears to my eyes!!

Not only will I now be bringing the desired vintage quilt, but I will bring one that my great-grandmother made with her own hands!

    

Vintage fabrics, and even hand signed and dated.

Finished January 4, 1966.

Thank you great-grandma Myrle.

I will cherish this quilt more than you can know!

Thank you, Lord, for knowing the desires of my heart.

Such a sweet blessing.

thoughts on bidding adieu...

I hate goodbyes.

I always have.

One very vivid memory I have from when I was younger was when my grandma would come to visit my mom, my sister and I in our duplex for the weekend. When she would have to leave, my mom was left dealing with my sister and myself and our unstoppable tears.  I remember them being deep.  Scared that I wouldn't see her again.

Possibly this is rooted out of saying goodbye to my dad every other weekend, and then this "goodbye sickness" has only gotten worse after eventually having to say goodbye to my dad forever at the young age of 13.

When school years would end I would cry saying goodbye to my teacher, friends and bus drivers (ok, maybe not the latter!).  When sports would be coming to an end, I would tear up at the thought of each "last".  College years were the worst goodbyes ever known!!

"Wow!  Emotional!" you might think, and yep!  You're right.  My family tagged me precisely that early - but it is so hard for me to transition!

I find irony in the fact that I clearly see myself having a calling for missions in light of all the above information given.  Though I look forward toward new things that the Lord is calling me to, it really is bittersweet to see what I am leaving behind to follow my Jesus where he calls.

I'm grateful that He has been gracious in allowing me to connect and really dig my heels in where I have gone - always finding a community to be in, what grace! I know and trust that this will be so in the paths that he leads in this life He has called me to.

I find such encouragement from KissesfromKatie in her blog she keeps about her calling to Africa.  Her selflessness is such an example to me, and makes me tear up reading about her heart for Africa, because that is mine for Latin America.  As a great former RD would say, I have white skin, latino soul : )

8 days, ready or not!