What I'm thankful for...
It's been awhile, but I'm finally writing again! Even though I find myself getting into a bit of a rhythm with work at school, things are still busy! Much has been going on at school including an early November break, Spiritual Emphasis week, and now Thanksgiving break. It's hard to believe that after this weekend we only have a couple weeks before we travel home for Christmas...I can't express how excited I am for that! But anyways...that will be be another post.
It's traditional at my family Thanksgiving to go around the table and share what we're thankful for. I think this is a tradition that many families share. Here in Ecuador we stopped to reflect on what we were thankful for. We had a rather “traditional” meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and more, at the home of some colleagues. It was a blessing to be surrounded by a community (still with many people I don't know too well) and yet feel a sense of familial warmth. When sharing, my friend Yari mentioned how she was amazed at how anywhere you go, you can find family in the body of Christ.
I'm thankful for the body of Christ
Friday morning I went out to breakfast with two girls, Rachel and Yari. Moving to new places always has that tagged on anxiety of meeting new people. Earlier this month when we went to the beach with a group of people for another break, I was able to spend a little more time with these girls. Since then I have been so blessed to continue to spend time with them and develop a friendship.
In a taxi, on our way to the market (Yari and I)
In the afternoon, Clinton and I joined a group to see the new Harry Potter movie! We were so excited to see it. In the evening, again we joined a group to get dinner!
On our way to dinner Dinner with friends!
I'm thankful for new friends!
Yesterday I was able go to to Otavalo with a group to do some Christmas shopping. Otavalo is a small town about 2 hours outside of Quito where there is a huge market of handmade things such as purses, hats, blankets, wooden statues and much more. It's mostly run by the indigenous people of Ecuador. The colors are amazing and the people are truly beautiful. I always love going, walking around, AND using my Spanish to barter (= But this made me think....
I'm thankful we can go home for Christmas!
These are pictures in Otavalo that I actually took when I was in here in college, 5 years ago. However...it doesn't seem like much changed!
we stopped in another small town called Cotacachi known for its leather...a few of us were "shopped-out" so we looked for a place to eat. We found a little restaurant with great food..run by two people from New York City!
A Nativity Set I bought
Finally today, I'm sitting here on my couch. I've done some lesson planning and am just relaxing after a busy long weekend. We actually didn't go to church today because today is Ecuador's Census. High schoolers are going door-to-door to have each household answer a set of questions. Yes it's crazy...but no one can go out from 7-5 and all businesses are closed! In a way I'm thankful for the ability to stay home and just relax!
While there are many things to be thankful for...here were a few. ALSO I'm thankful for your love, support, encouragement and prayer. We couldn't be here without that!
Just a couple prayer requests:
prayer for my Grandma who has lately been forgetting things. It seems that she'll be diagnosed with dementia. Prayer for her and especially my grandpa who my dad says has been overwhelmed and stressed from the situation.
Prayer for the next couple of weeks of school before Christmas break, for energy and non-distracted minds (=
Safe travels for us: We'll be leaving December 18th for PA, heading to Indiana on the 24th and then finally back to Quito January 1st.
PRAISE and continued prayer: Good health! We are so thankful that neither of us have been sick from food or just sickness that has already been around school.
