peace

Whew, there is a lot to be done in the next 72 hours! As my family and friends know, I can tend to get really overwhelmed with life at times. But the Lord has really been reminding me these past few months that it's going to be okay. It won't be perfect, and it most likely won't go the way I'd like it to, but I will survive and can even try to enjoy the difficult, stressful times by the grace of God. He is always faithful, and if I can take a minute to remember who he is and that he is what I want my life to be about, the next task on my to-do list won't seem so daunting.

God grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace,
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it,
trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will,
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
~Reinhold Niebuhr

a few of my favorite things

Every day here is a gift. But at the end of the semester with tired students, being exhausted myself, and missing my family and friends, I sometimes have to choose joy by reminding myself of my favorite things here, in no particular order of importance:This is Pepsi, the puppy that belongs to the family that runs the tienda beside the school. He is so super cute and has the sweetest personality. He's my adopted dog in Bolivia (I even let him come into my classroom!).This is one of the owners of Pepsi, two-year-old Janela, who lives beside the school and comes to play after school almost every day. She is so beautiful, and she loved having a photo shoot.

Of course, as much as they can drive me crazy, I love my students dearly. They definitely make the favorites list. Aren't they precious?Another of my favorites is the fun I have with my teacher friends. What a blessing to be among a fun group of believers that love Jesus and love life!And last but not least, one of my favorite things about Bolivia is the scenery. How do people deny the existence of God when seeing such a breathtaking view?

I'm so thankful for the provisions and blessings of living here in La Paz. (All that to say, I'm also thankful I only have 9 days until I'm flyin' home!) Thank you, God, for the loveliness of my home here and my home in the States!