O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Tonight was the big night...we put up the Christmas tree! Dusty finally let me put it up...probably because he was tired of my constant questioning "if he was ready yet". I would celebrate Christmas 365 days a year if everyone would let me! When Mom came to visit in October, we popped in Elf and drank hot chocolate. I just love it!

I decorated most of the mantle and then began the joyous event of putting up the tree. Of course, I popped in some Christmas music as we fluffed the tree. Dusty carefully strung the lights. Then we put on the ornaments only to find out that the colored lights did not look so good with our ornaments of gold, green, and red. I didn't think it was possible for any Christmas tree to look bad but we had achieved just that. All that hard work for nothing! Oh well, tomorrow is another day and we shall try again! This time with white lights. Here are some pics of our unfinished mantle and our attempt at a good-looking Christmas tree.

Life is good

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted...well probably because it has been! I am finally starting to feel like we are settling into our new apartment. With school, weddings, and traveling, life has been kind of hectic. As life continues to fly by, I try my best to catch up with it. I realized last night that I only have three weeks of school left and I will be done FOREVER! I cannot wait! Dusty's last day of class for the semester was today. That's a relief! No more getting him up at 4:30 AM on Monday mornings! Hopefully, I will be able to keep updated with my blog. I have done a poor job so far but maybe once things slow down a bit I will be able to catch my breath and blog!

Since the return...

It has been a while since I have posted. I decided to share what God has been doing in my life since I returned. It's amazing to look back at the time that was spent in Peru and see just how far I've come. I had the most amazing teammates in Peru I could have ever asked for. Not only did we get along wonderfully, but they taught me so much. They taught me how to minister to those around me, whether it be teaching a lesson or just letting people know that we cared. That experience has changed my heart forever. My dad tells me that I have been smiling ever since I got back. Missions has always been an interest but now it holds a special place in my heart. I understand now the urgency to share the gospel with people everywhere. I don't know where the Lord will lead in years to come but I do know that I will make every effort to participate in future missions opportunities. I truly believe that traveling halfway around the country is worth giving up everything you have.

The Lord has blessed me tremendously since I've gotten back...way more than I deserve! I'm learning more about Him everyday. When you are where God wants you, it is amazing the things that seem to fall into place. I never in a million years would have guessed that I would meet my future husband in Bella Union, Peru. I sure never thought that I would end up in Kentucky. It definitely was God that led us to meet. Through a series of circumstances and changed plans, we met and the rest is history! :) How is that for a blessing?! I couldn't have asked for anything better! He encourages me daily and is my reminder of God's blessings!

Home Sweet Home

Hola!! Our last week was so sad in Bella Union! On Thursday, our new church family had a going away party for us. We told them not to but of course they insisted. They cooked us chicken and french fries! YUM! They were all so sweet! It was hard to leave, but I´m glad to be going home. We came back to Lima today...back to civilization!! HA HA I´ll be in sweet home Alabama on Friday afternoon! YAY!!!

I just want to say thank you so much to everyone for all the love and prayers! Mom and Dad tell me that everyone is constantly asking about me. It is such a joy to know that I have a wonderful church family and amazing friends!

Tienes fe como un grano de mostaza...staza...

HOLA!!! I hope everyone has had a wonderful week! This week was pretty much the same as we have been doing...Bible Study´s and church. Church was great last Sunday. We had about 15 people.

We decided to go to the ¨beach¨ in Lomas on Thursday. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience...and I will NEVER go back!! HA HA It was disgusting!! I wouldn´t even eat at the restaurant it was so awful! So much for our beach trip!

I´m a little sad though! We only have one week left here!!! We are leaving next Friday afternoon to head back to Lima with a few stops on the way. I´m very excited to see everyone, but at the same time this has been my home for 2 months. Please keep our last week in your prayers. Pray especially for the believers in Bella Union. Pray that they will continue to do Bible Study´s and come to church long after we´re gone!! I just want to praise God for blessing our ministry and the people here!! May He be lifted up always!!!

Hola

Hey ya´ll!! So how about I had my first earthquake experience this week. I definitely woke up at 4 one morning because of the tremors. That was pretty interesting.

We had a great church service on Sunday. We are averaging about 15 people every week! YAY!! How exciting! On Monday, Pastor Amias showed a video and we had 20 people attend. It was a ventriliquist act, and I think it was pretty funny...I´m not really sure since I don´t speak much Spanish. HA HA The people seemed to like it.

We continued visiting people and doing Bible Study´s this week. We passed out flyers at the Ag Institute for a Bible Study tonight at 630 but nobody came! I´m sad about that, but maybe we can go back and try again. Just continue to pray for these last few weeks. God still has work for us to do here.

SMT08 BU Part 2

Hola!!! I´m so excited about this second half of the summer!! We arrived back in Bella Union Tuesday with the Creative Ministry Team. The CMT did sketches, songs, and puppets for the preschool, elementary school, high school, and Ag Institute. A teacher at the high school wants me to come back and teach English. Hopefully that will work out because that would be a great opportunity not only to learn more Spanish but to show the love of Christ through me. When we went back to the Ag Institute, 19 people made a profession of faith!! How awesome is that!!!

It´s funny how God puts people in your path. The first day we got back, 2 guys driving back to Acari stopped and asked if they could come back and talk with us. Those 2 men were saved that night. They came back 2 nights in a row for us to share with them. God is just continuing to show His power.

Michael and I went for a walk one morning. He was telling me about how this village had been so unreceptive to the past missionaries. I´m blessed that I get to be the one to see this egg cracked! I´m really falling in love with the people in this village! I´m excited to see what is going to happen this last month. I don´t think I´m going to want to come back...but I will...don´t worry Mom and Dad!! HA HA