100th Day in Bolivia!

Today is the 100th day that I have lived in Bolivia (Vivo Bolivia). Where has the time gone? In celebration of this fun day, Ive complied a list of 100 things that I could not live in Bolivia without. This list is not conclusive or limited to the things on it. Nor are these ideas in any order…. Just a fun thought of things I love here in Bolivia.

(Frutillar)
1. Viviana’s laugher
2. The way Johnny falls to the ground when he laughs really hard
3. Dahlia’s smile (she just lost her two front teeth!)
4. Maribell’s sassy-ness
5. Frankie’s basketball skills
6. The way that Veronica will catch your eye from across the room and smile
7. Rosa’s love for the English language
8. Ariel. Everything about it makes me giggle
(Villa Israel)
9. The amazing ability Roberto has to draw
10. Erlon’s love for prayer
11. Ana is so tough. I think she’s a feminist if I do say so myself.
12. The way that Samuel brings his notebook to Kristen the minute we walk in the door to begin doing homework
13. Joel’s leadership
14. Miguel’s love for climbing trees & peeing anywhere/anytime
15. Frans & Elion and their tender hearts.
16. Bradon’s silent observing
(Life Things)
17. My locket and my cross
18. Camera
19. Ipod. I never leave home without it
20. Sandals with a life time warranty. What a great investment (Thanks Gram and Grandpa!)
21. Bible and journal
22. Brown cardigan from Lins (Its cold in the morning!)
23. Letters from home
24. Photos all around and in my bed
25. Photograph pillowcase of my family
26. Facebook. Okay, lame I know. But it is a really great way to communicate with pals at home
27. Running shoes
(Cochabamba Things)
28. Mountain Skyline
29. Sunrises
30. Sunsets
31. Endless perfect weather
32. The Christo
33. Truffies
34. CIC (My church)
35. The way that everything is written in Spanish
36. IC Norte. Our grocery store. If for nothing else to break big bills for us
37. Hiking in the mountains
38. The Chapari Jungle
39. Clean bathrooms
40. Cheese
41. Fresh vegetables that get so bright when you cook them
42. Fresh juicy fruit
43. Street food
44. Empandas/Saltanas
45. Fresh bread from bakeries
46. Kristen’s home made chocolate chip banana bread
47. Our lemon tree
48. Hammocks at our house
(Hacienda Things)
49. Loving, thoughtful, funny housemates
50. Occasional warm and shock free showers
51. The stereo in our kitchen
52. Lots of space for lots of friends
53. Homemade volleyball court
54. Fire pit
55. The mountain we live on
56. Poptart…. The house dog
57. Our pet birds. They are good entertainment
58. Alpaca blankets to keep us warm
59. Bunkbeds
60. Homecooked meals
61. Katie’s special soup
(People)
62. The Youngblood’s desire to serve and welcoming home
63. The Youngblood’s washing machine
64. The Johnson’s warm heart
65. Spies’ & Johnson’s desire to serve
66. Carola at the internet place
67. Money changers on the street
68. Thomas and Eoin and the ridiculous things they say and do that crack me up
69. Mrs. Youngblood’s courage to be challenged (and Mr. Youngbloods support)
70. Wilson’s for their service within the church
71. Grant’s and their unyielding faith and constant smiles 
72. Porter’s leadership within the church
73. Youth girls and their desire to be led
(Misc. Things I have forgotten along the way)
74. Comfy sheets
75. Phillip my teddy bear
76. Headscarf to cover dirty hair
77. Sundresses to help clean up a smelly missionary
78. Lucy’s cooking
79. Grass between my toes
80. VIP taxi service….
81. Walks in the park
82. Endless conversation with dear friends
83. Tasty chocolate
84. Bucket List to make sure to do everything
85. Map
86. Yogurt to help stay healthy
87. Acidophilus
88. La Concha. Although I do have a love/hate relationship
89. Los Tiempos Newspaper
90. Tina and her passion to teach Spanish
91. The Center. David and Toti and the absolute love they share for street children
92. Sword fighting with the boys
93. Futbol. Even though I am quite terrible
94. Playing in the park with children
95. The ability to minister to anyone in the town willing
96. Laughter at my ability (and lack there of to speak Spanish)
97. My notebook that has directions to every where I need to be and bus routes
98. Finger puppets
99. My support system
100. My faith in God and desire to be disciplined into a humble servant.

It's Our 3 Month Anniversary!

Literally, it feels like I just sat down yesterday to write my two month anniversary blog.

Before Stephanie and Andrea left we were all sitting in our living room discussing how quickly time was going. I remember telling them that my time was not going quickly and I could not imagine what that would look like here. Everything is so intentional and often a struggle, I just could not see it. I stand corrected. They told me it would go quick. And man were they right.

So much has occurred in the last month, picking one thing to focus on seems impossible.
-I realized I want this year to be about servitude and discipleship
-Erlon and I have been working on numbers 11-20
-Maria (Maribell now) is beginning to enjoy our tutoring time together much more that previously.
-Dahlia and I have been memorizing Bible verses together.
-I have started a small group of young teenage women who are looking for a more intimate Bible study. The process in this has been incredible.
-The Colorado team left, Jen came, and Adrian is saying goodbyes
-I have made a number of amazing friends that have made Bolivia shine in a new light.
-Katie S. and I hiked part of Mt. Tunari for her birthday

Which I think is where I'd like to spend a little bit more time. Mt. Tunari. As we were hiking up we had a great deal of time to reflect on things occurring around us that often we do not have silence to ponder. I got to wondering what my purpose here in Bolivia is.

I should mention how clear it is to me that I am here as a servant to God. But I'll admit I have wondered why. My roommates all have very clear spiritual gifts here. Be it Spanish or hospitality for the people we always have coming and going. So why am I here? I mean, not as a servant, but why here, in a Spanish speaking culture when I struggle so greatly with that? Why in a house that hosts teams when I often desire personal space? Why HERE instead of a million other places?

I love Bolivia. Fact. And every ministry I am involved in. But when days are tough they are tough and it gets the mind a wondering. So in this time as Katie and I were hiking, enjoying the beautiful life all around us, I began to wonder about all of this. That perhaps in this silence I could find clarity.

I do not really know that I came to a conclusion. I know that my gifts do not fit into a neat box here in Bolivia. But I know they are used. Ive learned that the best thing I can do with my Spanish is be humble. And I am grateful for the humility I have been given. A great deal of my ministry in Bolivia that has become so meaningful to me, occurs in English. But time and time again I am reminded, that Spanish or English speaking -people need to be served.

And one of the biggest gifts I have brought to this table is being a servant. Willing to do work without credit, but for the sake of getting done. Missionaries around us are so busy all the time, I am glad that I am here and able to serve them as well. Serve the Servants. (Just another tidbit I took from Mrs. Youngblood).

Days in Bolivia look different than I expected. I struggle with things that I did not think I would and in ways I did not think I could/should. Time and Time again God is faithful in my understanding. And for that -I'm eternally grateful.


On our way up....
I'm telling you that my reality is better than my dreams.

Just a bit...

I am still adjusting my new schedule and looking to find time to communicate home. So I thank you for your patience in my lack of response, but I think I have found a routine about it. There is not a whole bunch of new things... but Ill write a few updates. The 12th is my 3 month anniversary with Bolivia. Later in the month is my 100 day mark. And a bit later is my half way. I wrote blogs for each of these... so stay posted.

Yes, I am getting my wisdom teeth out. I was scheduled to get them out on Monday, but because of elections occurring today (Sunday the 10th) it was canceled. I do not yet know when I am rescheduled, but I will be sure to write about it before and after to keep everyone at home posted. Thank you very much for all your well wishes already.

So, the elections today. Although we are not in direct danger, we are still taking precautionary measures. Today their is an unconstitutional vote to keep or throw out the current president Evo Moralis. Many are for Evo. Many are against Evo. The only danger would be getting caught between the two. We are staying in today as suggested by our home government and sending organizations. I am staying with the Youngbloods, likely one of the safest places in the country.

This week we had a number of birthdays and even more celebrations. Its fun to see the small family we have created and the love that is amidst it all.

Praise: It's been an absolutely wonderful couple of months. I have made wonderful friends and created a fun circle of family. I have fallen in love with Bolivia and my life here.
Prayer: Peace and safety in the country during the turmoil. Also peace in my heart about a number of things I've witnessed here.

There will be an additional blog on the 12th -its a good one :)
With love and blessings for home