Much Blessed!

This past weekend I was able to go to Chile to renew my visa. The 6 hour bus ride there and 6 hour bus ride back provides a lot of time for thinking and reflecting on life. I am so incredibly blessed! My whole life has been a huge blessing. Even the hard times and bad stuff the Lord has made His own and used to bring me where I am today. And the amazing thing is that where I am now holds a purpose for everything that will happen in my future!

I grew up in a tremendous family filled with love and kindness. We didn't have a lot of money or tons of stuff, but there was always plenty of love and time spent. I think through that I learned that time is my most valuable posession. Money has never been a priority in my life and I pray it never is. Here, at New Hope, money is important. This place cannot function without money, but these kids love the time spent with people who love them. Thank you to my mom, dad, grandma, and sister! You guys are pretty great!

I was raised in the most fabulous church where I learned that giving should be cheerful and loving goes a lot further than condemning. It is not always easy to be cheerful thousands of miles away from family and friends, but somehow the Lord gives me joy in all things here. So many of the people and kids that I love here have extremely crazy histories and to show them an ounce of that love could change their day from bad to good. Thank you Bro. Robby and Kathy for following the Lord to Guthrie, thank you Z and E for being such a huge part of my spiritual growth, and thank you church family for giving and loving from your hearts!

And finally, I have the most supportive friends who show me patience and understanding with every drastic change I have in my life. They are always there to lift me up via skype or phone or e-mail. It would be so hard to be here and stay here for the entire year without their support through everything. Thank you K-Hers (and Robbie), Jourdan, Adie, Daina (and Jeff), Meggie (and Derek), Gef & Kristy, Erin, Allison, Janzen and everyone else for always being an ear when I need you!

I love to experience new things and new places! I am so blessed to have my family, church, and friends behind me in this new place! Peru is absolutely where the Lord wants me and without each of these groups of people it would not be possible for me to be here!

So thank you from my whole heart!

Love Much!