God's faithfulness

It is always so encouraging to talk to my friends. They each have a certain way of reaching into my life and encouraging me in a way others can't. Tonight I chatted with one of my friends from Appleton online and it was so great to hear what she is learning in her life and to be able to share with her what I am learning in mine. It always amazes me how God places just the right people in my life at the right time. There are usually at least one or two of my friends who are learning the same lessons I am and so we can encourage each other through them. What am I learning right now? Trust and patience...two lessons that just don't seem to sink in for me and so God has to repeat them pretty often. I am so thankful that I serve a God who is faithful and trustworthy. If I have to learn to be patient and trust...than I am going to work my hardest to learn that. And I will continue to pray that I will remember all the great things God has done in my life. He is completely trustworthy and faithful to act at the right time. It might not always seem right to us...but it is ALWAYS right to God.

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Monasterio De Santa Catalina

WARNING! THIS POST CONTAINS MANY PICTURES AND NOT A LOT OF WRITING!

Me playing with my camera and interesting shots.
Christy and one of the many stairways to nowhere!
These stairs were a little dangerous since it was dark!I think my camera lens is a little dirty!
This sign is posted right by stairs up to a roof...good warning (click the picture to read the sign).
Christy climbing the dangerous stairs.
Christy with Arequipa behind her!
Got to get a picture of me with Arequipa.
Me heading down the dangerous stairs!

Some cool pillars
Just for my mom...a picture of me at a place I am visiting...amazing!!!
Beautiful arches lit up at night.
The lights on part of the church.
I love the color and lighting here...

Christy being silent...
Some great arches...I love the architecture there.
Another arch and some great lighting.
Another picture of me...you really should be impressed by now. =)
One of the many lanterns lighting up the convent at night.

Well, like I said...many pictures and not much writing. Christy and I went to see the convent at night...it was definitely worth it. We had a great time and I think we were the only ones there! Sorry if this post is a little boring...but too bad! I think it is pretty interesting.

I have come to really enjoy my weekends. They are a nice break from classes and yet I still do use some of my spanish. This weekend I spent a lot of time with friends just hanging out and enjoying the fun things of this beautiful city. Friday night I finished my homework and then Christy, David, Cassie and I all went back to Christy and David's house to watch a movie. It was nice to just chill and watch a movie with friends. Then Saturday a bunch of us met up for lunch and had some great Turkish food since the Mexican place wasn't open yet. Then Christy, Marshall, David and I went to "Siglo XX" to do some shopping. I wasn't actually looking for anything but ended up buying some slippers to keep my feet nice and warm while I am here in Arequipa. We ended up running into some other missionaries and talked with them for at least an hour. It was fun to get to know them and of course like with most missionaries, find little connections between us. Then Saturday night Christy and David came over and we played cards for a while. It is always fun hanging out with them and it is nice to build friendships now since we will all be in Pucallpa sooner or later. Then of course Sunday was church and after church....watching futbol (soccer) during lunch. I think I am slowly learning to enjoy watching futbol, which is good if I am going to live in Peru...it is very popular here. =) Then there was the weekly get together at the Doolittle's house. It is always fun to go over there, play games with everyone, sing American worship songs together and have some time praying for each other. It was a good weekend and I was able to get some more pictures of the mountains/volcanoes. The view from the roof of our house is great and I think I might have to spend some more time up there.

A little better view of Misti.

This is a picture of Chachani.

A view of the street from our roof...such a great view.

A view in the other direction of the street from the roof.

So far this week (the one day so far) has gone much better than last week. I feel like I am slowly able to make more connections between what I know in my head and what comes out of my mouth. Hopefully, things will continue to connect and I will be able to express myself more clearly in spanish. Ahora, yo voy a estudiar mis verbos! (Now, I am going to study my verbs) Chau!

WOW! What a week...I am not completely sure as to why this week has been so bad for me. But, it has been really rough. Things have not gone very well in my practica class...although I think if you asked my teacher he would say differently. I have felt very frustrated because the things I want to say just won't come out the correct way. There is a block between my brain and my mouth right now! Today in class I had to stop myself from crying...I just got so frustrated because I knew how to answer the question in english but couldn't get it into spanish.

I think another thing that has added to my week is that my arthritis is finally starting to act up again. It took it three weeks, but I am starting to hurt more. And of course when I don't feel good...I am usually not in a good mood. All of this on top of missing Pucallpa (yes, I miss Pucallpa)...I think I am having a little bit of culture shock. The good thing is that tomorrow is Friday...the weekend will be here...and God is in control no matter what. So He will get me through this time. I just have to keep working at it.

So tonight Marshall, Christy, David (from language school), myself and the Doolittles all went out to celebrate Cassie's birthday. It was a fun time of hanging out and playing games. I am so glad to have other people to hang out with and to play lots of fun games with. So here are a few pictures from tonight.

Cassie (The Birthday Girl), David and Sarah

Marshall and Pam talking...caught by surprise.

Me, Aldan, Christy and Amanda

Sarah and Dan (Dr. Doolittle)

A picture of the monastary from the roof of the restaurant

Well, I guess I should finish my homework for class tomorrow...anyone want to do it for me?

Combi ride

This morning Christy and I left for school early so we could go get coffee with Cassie before classes. So we left a little after 8am and caught a combi to school. When we got on the combi every seat was full but we were the only one standing. Shortly after getting on we were able to get seats when some people got off. So we were sitting there and at first our driver was driving pretty nicely for a combi. We weren't going too fast or too crazy. About halfway through our ride our combi stops behind another combi for the same route. I looked and noticed that the other combi was pretty empty.

All of a sudden our driver starts to go crazy. He started to drive a lot faster and was trying to get in front of the other combi. Christy and I sat there and just started laughing because it was funny to us that they were trying to race. The further we went the more our driver got upset and drove crazier. Our combi was practically empty because the one in front of us was getting all the passengers. So we are sitting there trying to pay attention so we don't miss our corner and we notice that our driver was not wanting to stop at all. There were many people who wanted to get off and had to yell at the driver to make him stop for them. There was one lady who started chewing the driver out because he wasn't going to stop for her. Christy also told me that she saw people waving down our combi and our driver just drove right past them and didn't stop. It was really funny!

Then it was time for us to get off the combi. We said we wanted to get off at the next corner and just as we said that we stop because of traffic. So we decided to just off there since we were stopped. So Christy goes to stand up and just as she stands up our driver starts going again. She got flung across the way and almost landed in the lap of the guy sitting across from us. Thankfully she didn't get hurt and we were able to get off of the combi where we were supposed to. The rest of our walk to school Christy and I could not stop laughing. It is always an adventure when you take public transportation in another country!