Hello everyone! Just a quick update that I am still alive :) It has been SOOOO busy these past few weeks. I have four tests over the next week, we are going to Lima, Peru tomorrow to get residency started, and language school ends in two Fridays! CRAZINESS!!! Time has flown by so quickly.

My birthday was this past weekend, and it was so much fun. We have a joint youth service every Saturday at different churches. Some of us in our group did a worship dance for that, which turned out really well and was awesome to be part of! Afterwards, we went out for some good old fashioned Karaoke :) At my request :)

We start Bible classes in 3 weeks, which is exciting and a littler nerve racking. Those classes will be taught completely in Spanish. SO, hopefully I have learned as much as I feel I have, and can actually understand what is going on.

My 40/40 sister, Brandi, is not getting better. The pain in her back has increased and her left arm is now numb and she can't raise it above her head. Yesterday she went to Lima, Peru to see a specialist. We are all praying for her quick recovery, and that doctors would have as many options as possible once they figure out what is wrong. Please continue to pray for her. She is absolutely amazing, and such an encouragement to me-- how she has continued to praise God and lean on Him, even in this horrible pain.

Thanks for following along! :) I will write more once I am done with tests LOL :)

Yes, I'm still alive :)

I'm still alive. Just so everyone knows :) We no longer have internet access in our home, so I will not be able to update my blog and other sites as often as I would like. I thank everyone for their patience and understanding, as this is Peru and nothing is never sure :) BUT.... I am using the internet right now, so I'm very thankful I can update you all a bit.

Language school is going great! I have three weeks of school left (which is crazy to think about) and I am feeling a little nervous. I want to be able to speak well in order to effectively communicate with everyone. We all want that. But there are moments like today in church when I feel like I don't know anything. BUT God has continued to reassure me :) I definitely know more than I knew when I came to Peru. And once we get our Peruvian partners get here we will be able to learn even more quickly because EVERYTHING will be said in Spanish, since they obviously don't know English.

God has been working already here in Peru, even though we aren't planting churches. We have all been able to tell people about our churches and invite them, and a number of us have successfully brought new people already :) It is SO encouraging.

Prayer requests...

My very good friend Brandi, who is also a 40/40 for Cusco, has been in intense back pain for several weeks. She has seen a few doctors and is going to a specialist in two weeks. She knows what is wrong, and has an idea that it is going to take some time before it goes away. But... she still could use your prayers. She has such a HUGE heart and passion for God and serving Him. Please just pray for protection over her body as she is walking around, that she would not trip or anything that would hurt her back even more, as well as pray for strength to continue praising Him through this storm.

Please pray for our Peruvian partners, as they will be going through culture shock being around a bunch of people speaking English, and away from their families as well. Pray that our relationships would bond quickly, and that our differences could be used for the betterment of God's kingdom!

We are going to be filling out paperwork to receive our Peruvian residencies in a few weeks. Prayer that the paperwork goes smoothly, and that everyone is able to receive residency without difficulty.

My friend and roommate Emily has four friends that could REALLY use God's guiding hand.

And last, but certainly not least, SPANISH!!! :) We will be doing exams in the next few weeks as we finish up. Please just pray.... this is the bridge that is going to give us an "in" with the people here in Peru.

We are all very anxious and excited to be here. Thanks for following this... and for praying for me and supporting me. I couldn't be here if it was not for all of you!

update :)

Hello everyone....

Well, I am going to the doctor tomorrow morning. I have been having problems breathing over the last few days, and it feels like someone is constantly squeezing my heart and there are weights on my chest. Hopefully it is nothing, but getting it checked out just to be safe. Please pray-- I appreciate it!

We found a gym down here, and so a clump of us have been going to work out over the last few weeks. That really makes me feel like I have a little piece of home because I am used to working out, and it helps by providing an effecting and healthy outlet when Spanish drives me crazy.

But on that note... Spanish is going really well :) I can't believe how much more I know now than when I first arrived. Tonight we were sitting at the dinner table, and my house sister was doing her English homework. (In her school, she is studying English-- she is 14.) Anyway... she wasn't understanding her homework, and Emily and I explained to her how to complete it. We explained in SPANISH :) I was super excited that I could form complete sentences, and that it came naturally and I didn't have to think too much about it.

I need to go. Sorry this is short. We haven't had internet for 2 weeks, so we are finding other places to borrow the access. Right now I am in a coffee shop. Thanks for your prayers and support. I am SOO blessed to have you all supporting me :) I love you , and I am praying for you!