spring has sprung!

Yes, my northern hemisphere friends, it is now officially spring here in South America. My roommates and I got these beautiful flowers to celebrate the start of primavera for 10 bolivianos, which is less than $1.50! I'm going to get some spring cleaning done today on my day off. Here in Bolivia they have holidays for kids, just like Mother's Day, etc. Today is Students' Day. So happy Students' Day and happy second day of Spring from La Paz! Don't be too jealous. We didn't have Labor Day off, and I miss the sweet time of fall with the leaves changing colors and pumpkins and the crispness of the air. Fall in that way doesn't really happen here, even in April. But it's still bella, and I intend to enjoy the 75-degree weather and sunny skies until Christmas!

joy

I came across a quote the other day: "Joy is not in things; it is in us." From a Christian worldview, this means that, no matter how much our circumstances change--where we go or what we have or don't have--the joy deep within us never leaves us. Jesus is God with Us, Emmanuel, and I've been reminded of that in so many ways the past few days that I've been extremely homesick. Thank you to those of you who have sent prayers and words of encouragement my way as those reminders. It's just a weird feeling to miss people and a way of life I was so accustomed to and still experience the excitement of being in a new culture, exactly where God has led me to be. He's teaching me to look for the joys in the everyday: the incredible mountains surrounding me, my students' excitement about learning, the sweet and funny times I spend with friends, and the sacredness of serving here as a missionary. Even though I miss some of my old comforts, and even if things appear to be a little politically unstable in other parts of the country, I am reminded of the ever-present gift of God with me:
"Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God."
(Psalm 43:5)

home

I've been a little--okay, a lot---homesick this past week. And if I may, I'll just vent a little about the things I miss. First of all, I miss my family a ton, even the ones I didn't see all that often when I was in the States. I miss talking after dinner with my folks in Greenville, watching "So You Think You Can Dance" with my sister and brother-in-law, and spending precious time with my favorite niece in the universe. (Isn't she a doll?) I miss my good friends, many of whom were scattered about anyway, but I could've arranged to visit them from a couple hundred miles away as opposed to the now 2,000-mile distance. I miss my Bible study girls, my incredible church, and my Glenwood girls. I miss Diet Mountain Dew. I miss Target. I miss driving my own car. I miss Cracker Barrell and Nannie's Sunday lunches. I miss familiarity. But if all of the unfamiliar things I'm experiencing are now becoming more familiar and routine, I'm at a bit of a standstill between two worlds: one that used to be my comfortable home and one that is becoming that way. Although wonderfully challenging and an incredible opportunity to trust in the Lord's constancy, it is a bit unnerving at times. Hence the reason why I find so much joy in going to
restaurants that remind me of people or places in the States:

Thank God for Blueberries! This restaurant in particular reminded me of my mom because, not only do they have delicious pancakes that are almost as good as hers, but the decorations inside are also cats and moons and stars, which are trademark of my mother if you know her. Thank the Lord for this oasis up in the city, away from the crowds and smog and car horns, and a little reminder of the place that, no matter where I go, will always be home.

incredible hikes

I haven't remembered to blog about it until now, but the first week I was here, my director took the other two new Highlands teachers and me up to a mountain called Chacaltaya, which sits at over 17,000 feet! We drove most of the way up, but what we walked was a steep, rocky climb, so I was pretty proud of us. Here is one of the amazing views from the top.

We had a sip of coca tea at the lodge on our way back down, which was hot goodness because that wind was so chilly! Yes, our coca tea was water and coca leaves, the same plant from which cocaine is derived. It's supposed to calm altitude sickness, and it didn't have any weird effects on us, regardless of what the excited look on my face may say.
This morning--4 am, as a matter of fact--we drove a couple hours up to a trail called Taquesi. Our director made my roomies, me, and a couple others a yummy breakfast of egg and ham burritos and coffee before our pretty strenuous uphill climb.

Almost there!

And here are my roomies and me at the top of our hour climb. What a wonderful way to worship on Sunday morning!
We each shared Scripture as we took in the beauty of God's creation. "I lift my eyes up to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. " (Psalm 121:1&2)