A Special Welcome

Apparently this country in which the only certain thing is uncertainty wanted to give me a special welcome today.


My flights were wonderful yesterday.  Both perfectly on time.  I actually enjoyed my 12 hour layover in Miami, and God definitely had His hand in every step of the journey, from my Starbucks frustration to making a friend on my flight to Santa Cruz.  He also had His hand in what happened when I got there.


Heather was late in picking me  up, and I wondered why.  When she arrived (actually only about 5 min late), she was...sweatier than usual.  She had walked over 2 kilometers through a bloqueo, or road block, that was set up to protest a new customs law.  This protest was peaceful, as are almost all of them in Santa Cruz, but it was also LONG. 

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Photo by El Deber

Heather and I left my suitcases at the airport and carried my carry-ons on the long walk back to her car.  I finally got home at 10:45 and was in school, teaching, by 11:30.


Back at school, I really did have a special welcome. The guard, secretary, and principal were all involved in a secret alert signal for my arrival at the school.   When I walked in my classroom door, my students yelled "Happy Birthday" as I walked in and my substitute had baked cupcakes for all of us!  I missed them a lot.


Overall, it's good to be back.  I'm exhausted.  Pray against bullying and pray for peace in my classroom. Praise God for a safe journey.

Birthday

I'm celebrating my birthday today in the airport while I wait for my flight back to Santa Cruz.   Highlights:
1. I need this time to process the last three months and catch up on email/other stuff.
2. Nicola drove me to the airport this morning.
3. I get to see my sister again in 17 hours!
4. I'm doing many things I enjoy: reading blogs, people watching, walking around, reading, writing, people watching, watching the news, people watching.
5. This is a new experience.  I love new experiences.


Lowlights (if you will):
1. No one else is here with me.
2. Starbucks would not let me have my free birthday drink because the airport won't accept that. 


Here is my birthday lupper (eaten at 4pm, that isnt' really lunch or supper):

Chinese food for my last day in America

Home

I'm sitting in the Miami airport trying to decide how in the world to write the last 7 days.  Write a sentence, erase it.  Repeat.

Let me give a few highlights.

- My mom and Cody Kargus came to pick me up at the airport.  My mom lost it when she saw me; it's good to know that you are loved.

- Going for runs in farmland!

- Pizza hut with Janna, Jessie, and Derek.  I feel at home with these friends.

- The apple orchard with Nicola- her first trip to an orchard!

- Pumpkin Spice Latte (this picture is especially for my friend Amy in Bolivia, who writes this great blog) (Also, my friend Cacey now works at Starbucks and I got to see her in action- it was great)

- Hanging out with Cody and Ellen and watching God put all the right people in my path at Northwestern College

- Applebees with friends I grew up with

- Getting to see my grandma and grandpa- my grandma and I had a good time and I love just being with her.

- Talking with my sister Lindsey

- Raking fall leaves with my dad

- Sharing at my church on Sunday.  I was so encouraged by all the hugs and blessings that I received!

- Hanging out with family and friends at a brunch my mom whipped up (pictures to follow of cute nieces and nephews)

- Eating my mom's salad at that brunch

- Going to my Spanish church!

- Celebrating my "birthday eve" with my Twin Cities family (pictures to follow)

My schedule over the last week has been full to say the least.  I loved every minute, though.  God is so good to me; I can't believe it!

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

- Ps. 34:1

My American Breakfast

After running past recently-harvested corn fields surrounded by brilliantly-colored hills, I sat down to this delicious breakfast.

Greek yogurt, PB&J toast, coffee, water, and... HONEYCRISP apple!!!


Praise God for a good time here!  Details coming soon.

Bienvenidos a Miami

I did not think that I'd be home this soon.  I'm sitting in my bedroom in Wisconsin, marveling at the softness of my bed and the convenience of the radio alarm that woke me up this morning.  I will write about being home soon, but first, Miami!


My purpose in going to the US at all was to get my visa so that I can stay in Bolivia for a year (right now I'm on a tourist visa).  The most accessible Bolivian consulate for me was in Miami, so I flew in Sunday night to be picked up by some missionaries here.  Jeff and Kathy were wonderful to me!  Besides Jeff using his cultural-awareness skills to get all my Bolivian paperwork done in 45 min. (a true South American miracle!), getting to see the moons of Jupiter on his telescope, and getting to talk about teaching with Kathy, here are some highlights of my 36 hours in FL.

Wading in the Atlantic in West Palm Beach

Driving along South Beach to take in the sights

Fish and chips at John G's

Pastries at the famous Versailles bakery

Jeff's sister and niece took me out for ice cream and encouraged me a lot!

And perhaps my favorite, sitting in their back yard reading and resting

This wonderful couple made sure that I was comfortable during my short stay in Miami, and they were also flexible when my quick visa trip allowed me to go home two days early.  


God provided in allowing me to get my visa, allowing me to change my flight for only $2.50, and allowing me to not have to pay to check my bag on my domestic flight (since I actually came from Bolivia).  This is not even mentioning that He provided support and encouragement for me through my time in Miami and the wonderful people I met there.


Current status: Physically tired from all I've been doing, Spiritually renewed
Course of action: Spend as much time as possible with family and friends and try to fit my life for the next ten months into a 50lb suitcase.


Now off to MN and then back to WI.  Thanks for following my adventures!


Photos from:
westpalmbeach.cityvoter.com
thefrugalfind.com
stratosjets.com
mybigfatcubanfamily.com
visit-south-beach.com
My camera

Aliens

My students and I had a discussion on Thursday about us truly being aliens in the world since we belong in heaven.  I started the discussion to redirect some name calling, but I have realized the truth of that statement today.

- I forgot my debit card at the ATM and it got sucked back into the machine.

- I got the wrong size passport photo taken.

- I'm cranky.

All of my traveling "plans" are not turning out as planned.  I just want things to work out.  I'm making a lot of work for others with my mistakes and failures.  May God get me safely to the land of cheese without too many more alien moments.

Reading

During my senior year of college, I relaxed by curling up on our couch-pulled-out-into-a-bed with my roommates and watched movies.  When I was at my parents house, I would chill with them in the living room watching Food Network.  At my house in Bolivia, there is no one to watch movies with, no cuddly couches, and definitely no Food Network.  So, I read.

I LOVE reading.  When I was growing up, my family joked that I would grow roots in the couch from the hours I spent devouring books.  However, college made me a lazy reader.  I skimmed textbooks and had little time for anything else.  I'm hoping that will change

I just finished a great book that I would recommend to anyone who likes South America, anthropology, or just a page-turning true story. 

The book gives an insider look at the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia or FARC, through the eyes of three Americans who were captured and held in the jungles of Colombia beginning in 2003.  I couldn't put this book down the last few days, so now have about 5 hours to pack for my upcoming trip to the US, but I finished a great book!