Day One

Yesterday I arrived in Mexico, and it's been strange, yet awesome to be back. My flight went very well. I sat next to an older Mexican man that had been visiting two sons in Oregon. As we chatted a bit, I definitely got the impression that he was a man of the country. He didn't even know how to read or write, so I got to help him with his immigration and customs forms. After we got talking, I just felt the urge to share the gospel with him. I've never done that on a plane-ride before, but I really felt a conviction toward it. If anything, it served him to get new thoughts and questions in his mind that he may never have considered before. It was hard for me to understand how someone who believes in the Creator God did not believe in life after death. I was reminded of how encouraged I am by times when I've shared my faith, whether the other person agrees with me or not.
As far as being back in Ixtapaluca, much has changed, physically as well as in terms of ministry and life changes. Some have been for the better and some not. The church has begun a new plant within the past few months, so ministry is focused at the new location since the old plant is self-sustained. It's great to see my host-parents greatly involved in the old church, leading and serving. God has greatly blessed them, and they have come a long way from the first time I met them. What a blessing for me to witness that. We stayed up talking late last night, and I anticipate many more late talks in the future.
Today was the first day of the intensive Spanish course, and it went really well. There are five interns here this year, one of them is a fluent speaker, one is intermediate and the other three are pretty basic. Because of the latter three, my focus is on the most BASIC Spanish. Andrea, the fluent speaker joined us today, but she will be working more with the women's ministry. Micah (Miqueas) will be hopefully having a more one-on-one time with my host-dad once he feels better. He had to go to the chiropractor today. Pray for his recovery and overall comfort. Also continue to pray for the rest of the course. I definitely feel the Lord leading and directing me. I am gaining experience of teaching on the spot with the materials I have.
I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here. I'm pretty pumped about seeing old friends and making new. I'm not gonna lie, I'm also pretty pumped about good food! :) Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. I'll keep you posted as I can. Love you all!

looking back

A few things I observed while in France:
1. Stop signs are in English (even in Spain, Italy and Switzerland)
2. When at a meal, the left hand is always on the table
3. Drinking glasses are shorter (I had to keep refilling my water several times each meal)
4. The French don't drink much water
5. One of the first questions when someone is meeting you is usually, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
6. They wear a LOT of black
7. Milk comes in a box and is only refrigerated after openning
8. They don't refrigerate jellies/jams/spreads
9. People may wear the same clothing on consecutive days...even a whole outfit (not all the time, but I saw it enough)
10. Square or cylindrical pillows (I was always popping my neck)
11. Bread and cheese at every meal
12. They normally don't use a shower head hanging high, but at mid-level
13. Bathrooms here may be referred to as "WC" (in English?)
14. The toilets are usually not in the same room as the sinks
15. You can send a text-message to a landline (GENIUS!)
16. Boy/Girl scouts are religious organizations
17. Greet with a kiss on each cheek (no set order, some start with right, some left...THAT'S confusing!)
18. Meals are eaten in courses
19. Don't leave the lights on!
20. Post offices aren't open on mornings

That's all for now. There are many more things that stood out to me...a whole semester's worth.
Re-entry is going better than I expected. It's great and strange being on vacation for so long. I'm not used to not having to work or study. I think I could get used to this!

home again

I've been home a week now and it's great to be home. Mom picked me up at the airport and I drove home for the first time in six months! My trip home was long, but I had no problems. During my layover in Frankfurt, I went into the city center and since it was late and everything was pretty much closed down, I went to the movie theater to watch a movie and kill time outside the airport. Lame movie, but a good change of scenery.
Dad spent the holidays with my grandma in upstate NY, so needless to say, Christmas wasn't the same...but I'm glad I got to see him just a few weeks before in France. Mom and I drove up the 24th to spend time with her family. I had a great time with them, as I usually do. The 25th we drove back to meet up with my brothers and their families. After a gift exchange, we spent the evening playing with Dave's new Wii. The most fun was watching Mom drive along. I'm adding a picture of me with my little nephew. Carson is adorable!

a great ending

I can't believe how quickly the end has come! Today was definitely a wonderful way to end the semester in France.
This morning I got to sleep-in since everyone in the house was off to work or the last day of school. After some packing, I went into town to meet up with some friends for lunch, some last minute shopping and one last hike up the Bastille. The weather was gorgeous! Perfect for a lovely hike! It was a great activity before our sad good-byes. I'm going to miss my friends, but I'm thankful for technology that allows me to stay close to people all over!
While I was heading home, I stopped to say good-bye to my neighbors who invited me to a little "aperitif." It was so nice of them to have me in on the spot!
Once I got home, I quickly prepared a Tex-Mex meal for my host-family of Taco Salad. We ate with the light of candles...ambiance and everything! I was soooo nervous that they wouldn't like it or that something would go wrong, but they loved it. My host-sister, Violain, who never takes seconds, did and she kept complementing me on it. My host-mom was excited to not have to cook and she was very pleased with the results. My host-dad was a bit skeptical, and in the end, I don't know how he felt about it...but Laure seemed to be pleasantly surprised.
We had a little gift exchange. I got a bath towel with my name stitched on it in French (by my host-mom), a Christmas ornament (made of chocolate!) and some lavender soap. That was very special and unexpected!
Well, I'm off to bed before I start my two-day trip home. Ready or not, here I come!

j'ai fini!

Today was the last of my final exams. It feels good to not have to come home to hit the books again. I'm so glad to be over and done with them. It's so weird to think that I'm leaving so soon. I think it's going to be hard to say good-bye to some of my new friends here. It helps to know that I'm going home to family, friends and the Christmas holidays, among other things (my bed, my car, Mexican food, my pup, etc.) That will help me be excited about the long journey home. I think I'll do plenty of sleeping along the way. I am so exhausted! First night on vacation, and I think I'm going to bed early. All these late nights studied have drained me! Well, good news is I get to sleep-in tomorrow.
It snowed again yesterday! Everything is pretty and white...boy, am I in for a change going back to winter in TX!
Well, it's off to start packing and then to bed for me!

each new day a new joy

The snow is melting, Christmas trees are coming up, Nativity scenes are being set up, Christmas Carols playing everyday on my playlist. As I count down the days until I am home in Texas again (6 days), God is faithful to show me the little (and big) rays of sunlight that remind me how blessed I am to be here. I'm enjoying every last moment of my semester here. Last week I was so excited to see about six inches of snow. It has stayed around, and I may see some of it again before I leave.
After babysitting Thursday and having a great time with the girls, I went to our end of the program dinner and shared a delicious French meal with the friends I've met and gotten to know this semester. I'm very blessed to have been put in this group.
Also, this weekend we had such beautiful weather, I went on a little hike with Alice and Megan. Just high enough to see the sun hitting on the white mountains and white Grenoble...BEAUTIFUL. I'm going to miss those afternoon hikes.
Saturday after four and a half hours of testing, and after the wonderful hike, my "host-grand-parents" had me and my host-family over for a traditional "aperitif" (pre-dinner drink) as a way to say good-bye. I enjoyed the time with them, and I wish I could take my "host-grandma" home with me. She is so cute. When we came home for dinner, I impersonated her at the dinner table and we were all laughing pretty hard.
I've had some pretty good family time with my host-family. We're all enjoying each other enough to have a good laugh more frequently.
Sunday, after a wonderful church service (with Christmas carols and the children's special and everything), my host-dad's brother and his family were over for lunch. Yet another enjoyable time with them.
Today I had my literature final, and I think it went well. Tomorrow I have my Translation final...can't really prepare for that one. Wednesday is History, Thursday is Art History, and then I'm done! Wow...I guess I need to get packing. That will probably get done when I'm supposed to be studying.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!

walking in a winter wonderland

This morning I woke up to a white outdoors. Everything was covered with a couple of inches of snow and it continued snowing all day. By the time I got home again from school, there were probably about 3 inches or more. I'm staying warm, but enjoying the snow!!!
The pictures are from my house and my walk to the bus stop.

Gearing up for finals. I have my last class on Friday morning and my first final on Saturday from 8-1pm. Four finals next week and I'm starting my journey home on the 20th. I have a long lay-over in Frankfurt (13 hrs), so I may have to do some more sight-seeing before I finish my travels.