Mi cumpleaños!

So it seems like I have fallen off the blog wagon. Yes, I plan to get back on. It just takes a little "umph" to get my "rice butt" on board. That means being intentional and blocking out the voices that say I don't have very much "blog-worthy" stuff to say. Yes, I will stop using so many quotation marks.

Just 11 days ago, I celebrated my 29th birthday here in Peru. My volunteer family came up with a unique way of celebrating. Inspired by the movie Yes Man in which Jim Carey must say yes to everything, these crazy cats made me do dare after dare in the most public of places. If I refused, I had to don a piece of hideous rejected clothing from our orphanage garage sale. Some of the dares included: singing an Andrew Lloyd Webber song at the top of my lungs on the ledge of a fountain at the mall, kissing a duck mascot on his bill in the grocery store, eating a grilled cow heart (which is delicious, by the way), doing 25 jumping jacks after eating said cow heart while on the median of a 4-way BUSY intersection, etc. We had a lot of good laughs together...mostly at my expense. But I'm used to laughing at myself so it's all good.


Before birthday events commenced, sensing something fishy was going to happen.


My new birthday outfit and accessory



Planting one right on his kisser/quacker



Yet another outfit up/downgrade

These people really know me (or they listened well) and took me to a karaoke place to top off the night! Both Journey and Madonna made their presence known at Rustica in Trujillo, Peru!



Bryson looks really captivated by my singing, huh.

You know something that blows my mind? The fact that making the journey that only seems like 6 inches or so on paper (from Missouri to Peru...maybe I have an old map??) can last up to 30 hours!!! My sister could beat me on her way home from the Middle East! Nevertheless, it was a pretty smooth trip except for a few flight delays, oversold flights and Spirit airlines bringing a smaller airplane than scheduled, thus leaving 30 ticketed passengers stranded---I was praying SO HARD it wouldn't be me!

So now I'm FINALLY back and I have to be honest. I'm experiencing a bit of the "grass is always greener on the other side" phenomena. It's not that I'm not glad to be back; I am. Seeing and hearing and hugging so many excited niños running full-speed towards me with all their gusto was well worth the trip back. But I can't help but still feel restless here sometimes.

Restlessness is such a part of our human condition. We are always wanting something we don't have. When we are single, we want to be married or at least dating. When we are married, we want kids. When we have kids, we want to be single again! When we are working, we want to be retired. When we are old, we want to be young again. When are really old, we want to be dead! This list goes on and on. We are never satisfied. It's exhausting to try to please us. We are restless...until we rest in Him.

I finally got back into my routine of weekly praise and worship. Man, that is good for the soul. It's like a deliciously-refreshing and rejuvenating and peaceful nap for your spirit. When I take precious time to worship God, I don't wish to be anywhere else and I don't want anything else. I am satisfied.




-a trip out for all 3 birthday girls




One of the cooks with the gifts I brought her- a new embroidered apron (Thanks, Sportsprint!) and coveted peanut butter!




A slumber party with a movie, popcorn and soda

Location:Resting in Him

In God we trust!

Whoa- it seems like I've been on hiatus lately. My never-ended vacation home has been quite the roller-coaster ride, first going 90 mph trying to fit everyone and everything in, and now, not being able to stop! I tried to return back to Peru with my sister in tow on Thursday, just to get stuck in Miami for a lovely lunch and 17 hours of waiting!!!!! It turns out flying standby is not always a blessing and not always worth the cheaper ticket. However, I did manage to turn some of those 17 hours into QT with my sister who lives on the other side of the world in the Middle East. It was like an Emily and Kelly retreat, except not in the classiest of places. As the days go by, the flights still being booked solid and the cost of buying a ticket through the roof, I find my faith being tested pretty heavily. The flight situation is not the only thing weighing heavily on me- my dad is also in the hospital for unknown reasons. He developed major pounding migraines for a week followed by nausea and flu-like symptoms and no one can figure anything out. His tests are all coming out normal. They are investigating a spider bite on his foot which is red and swollen. It's frustrating to feel so helpless in both situations. I find myself craving my routine and things I can control. I miss the kids, the volunteers, and my flow there. I feel like my life was interrupted and I need to get back to it. one thing I'm immensely enjoying here are my daily dog walks. I love the quiet time (minus the panting of a hot dog in a black fur coat!) for thinking, meditating, praying, feeling, and just claiming solitude and silence. One thing I noticed with coming back to America from Peru is that our world is SO LOUD! It can totally consume you if you let it! Last year, I wrote these lyrics to a song:

"Why is it so hard to be silent? To breathe in Your presence and let You speak to my soul? The world is so very loud-it's spinning in circles and you can't hear a sound. Life-giving are your words Oh Lord...if only we make time to seek and find."

I hope you will take a few minutes of silence to listen to God whispering to you. The last few days I have been able to slow down a bit more and come to accept God's perfect timing. He knows what I need and He is in control so why should I worry or freak out? One of my favorite scripture verses will always be Proverbs 3:5. It shows up when I need it the most--I ran into again yesterday. "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding." I'm silent and listening.

What has kept me entertained these last 3 weeks:



Playing with my nieces





Play time with my friends






Maid of Honor duties


For this BEAUTIFUL bride!



I've enjoyed every minute!

Carrots, haircuts, and a wedding, oh my!

A quick recap-

Since our faithful gardener (Mike who volunteered 2 months and worked every day in the dirt) left, I have taken on the watering duties. I know almost nothing about gardening. Ashley picked a bunch of carrots the other day to see if they were ready. I guess you could say they were ready...if you only wanted one bite! They were so cute! (why is anything small cute?!) I was so proud of my watering efforts!



Cute lil' things!






Ashley on a snack break!


Also, the other day, a beauty school came to practice and thus, gave all the kids free haircuts. Some loved it and some were not too pleased!












And lastly, one of the former volunteers got married last Sunday to a Peruvian! A lot of the staff, teenagers, and us volunteers were invited. We woke up at 5:15 am, drove almost 4 hrs in the orphanage van, enjoyed the wedding and dinner(s), and then drove back, getting home a little past 10:30 pm! A full, but fun day!



The bride and groom, Sam and Oscar




All aboard Bob, the orphanage bus!




Ashley and I all dressed up!




Some of our beautiful teenage girls




The handsome hombrecitos




Samir and I



Our table

Groups are the bomb-diggity

We have been SOOOO blessed this week! The TEN (To Every Nation) Group from Louisiana and Texas came and definitely showed the whole entire orphanage the love of Christ in human form. From just being with these people 7 days, I felt like they were already family. They spoiled the kids like they've never been spoiled before. During the day, the group collaborated with painters to scrape off and re-paint the entire place. Some of the woman created a "prayer square" garden area, they bought countless things for the kids, staff, and volunteers, bought YUMMY food 3 days for lunch (burgers, PIZZA-some kids ate up to 8 pieces bc the group bought so much, knowing these kids NEVER get it!, and "pollo a la brasa", basically delicious chicken on the grill. They made the kids' days with cake and ice cream, stuffed goody bags as a parting gift, and most of all, showed love, affection, and attention to all. What an absolute treat to be in their presence. If anyone is interested in doing a mission trip, let me know!!! We can use your hands and heart here! As much as you come here to give, these kids will change your life and give you so much more than you ever thought you would receive. Also, check out the TEN group website as another opportunity for different mission trips abroad (www.toeverynation.net).




The painting process




Fun with Group TEN




Devouring burgers and soda




Pedro guarding his beloved pizza from Paul!




Fiesta de pizza!






Yamelit took down 7 pieces!!!!




The going-away party for the group




Isabel and Manuel did the Marinera, a traditional dance of Trujillo.




Cake and ice cream from the group! Melissa and Junior




I don't know which is sweeter-the baby or the cake.



Alejandro and Lee


Marjorie, the newest addition to the orphanage. She is Oriana's (who recently came a few months ago) sister.




Nikki and I.

WAKE UP!

Living in Peru has helped me discover the liberation attached to NOT having a tv. I feel like I am really living life, not just watching other people live theirs. I am devouring books here with an unquenchable thirst. Each one takes me to a new place, somewhere beautiful that I have never been before and gifts me with new wisdom and insight. If you have free time and are looking for an inspiring read, pick up Same Kind of Different as Me, co-written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It's a true story that will shatter whatever pre-conceived notions you have about homelessness. It was very touching and I plan to get involved with the homeless community when I return to the US. Right now, I'm reading Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. I'm already hooked and I just started it. One of the first things he shares in the book keeps ricocheting around in my head; I hope the more I think about it, the more it will dissolve in the pia mater surrounding my brain and become one with it. Here is the jewel: "The glory of God is man fully alive." -St. Irenaeus
How EASY it is for us to be asleep and to stay that way. It's comfortable, it doesn't require much, if any, effort, no pain or any emotions really. How easy it is for us to become passive prisoners of noise, filling the void when being alone or quiet becomes too uncomfortable. We are a culture of tv, computers, radio, electronics, NOISE and comfort, seeing that we have all of our wants and desires before lending a hand to others. It has been a slap in the face to me here. When I first got here, I was mourning the loss of my independence and all my "things" and often felt bored and out of place. Now I savor this free time, time that I would have been mindlessly watching tv, to just be still and know God or to seek out the smiles of the kids, which clearly reveals God's face to me each time. I have begun the waking-up process and it surprisingly feels so good. I'm sooo thankful for this time in my life. As much as I love to sleep, waking up is so much better. Life is too short to sleep through. "I pray . . .that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18).




-I guess they really ARE listening to those Bible stories!

















A skit featuring Jesus and his adorable disciples for Whitney's going-away party.

To everything...change, change, CHANGE!

I feel like I just lost a life-line today. Today Whitney left the orphanage after her one year of service here. Before I even came, I was harassing her via email and facebook, asking her loads of questions about the orphanage, stuff to brief, expectations of what I would experience, etc. When I arrived here, she stepped right up and started showing me the ropes. The way Spanish easily and rapidly flowed from her mouth gave me so much hope. Maybe one day that would be me. It seemed like every question a person had was answered in the same way: "Whitney would know." Now that she is gone, it is a weird shift into more unknown and un poco mas scary times. I know the Lord will aid us greatly. He never fails. Life goes on. We prevail through things we never thought possible and even become stronger many times. However, that doesn't mean I won't miss her and it won't be a struggle at first. But there is even a gift in struggling. It brings us back to our core, our rock of existence. The season of change is among us here. Two volunteers have now gone and three more will go by the end of June. With bittersweet endings come fresh new beginnings. I'm excited for what still awaits me and all the lessons I have yet to learn through these precious children.

Thank you for giving to the Lord, Whitney. The kids and I have had lives that were changed because of you. We are so glad you gave. Vamos a extrañarte muchísimo!