Happy Sunday!!

You guys. I'm living here. Like I'm actually going to be here for a year and a half.

Yay!

For the first couple weeks, it just felt like I was visiting again. But I'm starting to feel more comfortable here, like I belong. God is so faithful to remind me that this is exactly where He wants me for this next little season of my life. I am in the midst of His will. There's no better place to be.

It hits me that I'm going to be here a while in different ways. Today at church, for example, Alcides mentioned different things happening at the church for the next month or so. I'm going to be here for all of those. I talked with Betty about her method of teaching, and I shared the difficulties I'm having with trying to teach a small group of boys English in 3 months who are at very different levels. I'll be here for that. I'll be here when the high school group from Maranatha Chapel comes in April. I'll be here to welcome the teams from e3 Partners and the James 127 Project in the end of June/early July. And when the college students from the Lutheran schools from the US and Concordia come in July and August, I'll be here. 

I'm going to be here for all of it. And right now, I'm so excited. 

Granted, I know that I am not going to always feel like this. But I am so thankful for the times Jesus gently reminds me that I am not alone. He shows me that He is with me always. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He will not slumber on me.

On Sunday, I got to go to Asuncion Fashion Week. I got to spend time with Kendra, my cousin who lives a couple hours away, on Tuesday. I got to talk with my brother on Wednesday, who I miss a whole bunch. I got to FaceTime with another one of my best friends, Tiffany, and it was so good to hear her laugh. Jesus knows how much I love fruit, and it happens to be the season for strawberries! The national tree of Paraguay is in full bloom and they are absolutely beautiful. On Friday, I went to the college age and up youth group, and guess what? We played signs. Just like I had played many times with my friends at Biola. One of my best friends, Chantelle, sent me some music that she has been listening to - like a mixed CD, my favorite.

I have only been here a little over 2 weeks, and the Lord has been so faithful. I know that won't wither away. He's here for the long haul. And He has given me you all. Thank you so much for your prayers. Sometimes it brings me to tears knowing how many people are praying for me and want to know how to be praying for me specifically. I am so humbled by your faithfulness and desire to pray for me.

Since you asked, here are some prayers requests :)
 - I would love prayer for direction and wisdom in how to teach my small group of boys who want to study in the United States. They are all at different levels with their English, we are only working together once a week, and they only have until December. Pray for their focus and dedication in learning. 
- Please pray for mi hermana, Rebeca. She is raising support to study at Palabra de Vida in Argentina in April for a year.
- We're going to get a little personal here. Something I struggle with is saying no. I often worry too much about pleasing others. I don't want to offend them if I don't want to go to another event, or am full, but I feel like I can't turn down food or dessert. Please pray that I would find the balance of respecting those who want to serve me and the things I should be attending, and when it is okay for me to say no, for my own health and sanity. 
- I would also love prayer for myself in that I would be honest with myself and my emotions. I'm not always going to like this place or what I'm doing. Pray that I wouldn't ignore those emotions, but that I would face them on with Jesus by my side.

I would also love to be praying for you. Please feel free to email me your prayer requests.

Love y'all.