Everyone thank you so much for all your prayers! It means so much to have so many people care and encourage you through this journey. Yesterday I was having a hard time missing home and my family, so I prayed God would just comfort me and fill me with His Presence. He answered my prayer and comforted me tremendously. I really need to concentrate on just BEING instead of looking at how long two months is. Please pray the homesickness would go away a little bit. We had completos for “once” which is the Chilean hotdog! They put the hotdog inside homemade bread with avocado, tomatoes, mayo, ketchup, and mustard on it! It looked scary at first, but tasted pretty amazing!

Today it was raining again and my walk to the school was quite an adventure. Streets were nearly flooded again and on the sidewalks I had to jump, tiptoe, and get my feet drenched! Thankfully one of the girls let me borrow their umbrella and rain jacket, but tennis shoes are not the best here when raining! I got to the street I had to cross and man was I nervous. I could either walk in water up to my knees, try to find a shallow area quite a ways down, or ride the cart the man on the other side of the street had. Well, I had no money so the cart was out of the question and as far as I could see it only got deeper. So, I just kept jumping and praying no cars would come! I quickly got to the other side drenched, feet soaking wet, and the cart man laughing at me! Next time I am bringing money to get across the street in the cart!

Also, today is one of the interns last day and Monday the other one leaves. I have mixed feelings; I am nervous because they were the ones I could go to with any questions, but I am also excited because I think God is going to teach me more with them gone. Please pray for both of their safety as they travel home and please pray my worries won’t overcome me. I love you all so much!!

2 Thess. 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. “

“We have to show you something!!!” said two girls. I had no idea what it would be, but as I followed my eyes to where they were pointing, I stopped suddenly and my mouth dropped open. God is good! After two full days of drenching rain, there came a perfectly clear view of the most beautiful mountains I had ever seen. No picture can fully grasp the full beauty, but it surely shows what an amazing Creator we have!

Today I was blessed to be able to teach 4^th graders and it was wonderful might I add! That is the grade I hope to teach someday in my own classroom. Tia Lucy is stretching me for sure! She gives me the activities for the class and steps back and there I go. One thing I learned today is how flexible teachers need to be, especially when all electricity goes out! I absolutely love seeing light bulbs coming on in student’s minds and knowing they are learning and get it. The time with the 4^th graders went by so quick! Afterwards I went to one of the girls’ home for lunch and spent time with her family! I am loving these desserts here! Every time I see a yummy dessert I think of my mom, and know we are going to have so much fun when I get back cooking!!!

Please pray for my parents as they are traveling and enjoying their anniversary. Pray for their safety and blessing on their time together! Also, please keep in your prayers that I wouldn’t get discouraged when I have difficulty communicating. I am starting to get discouraged often and stop trying to converse. I know I am learning, but it is hard! Love you all and thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words!

¡Lluvia lluvia! Rain rain! It has been raining in Santiago nonstop for two days! All the schools in Santiago were closed today because of flooding, so no teaching for me.  I never knew schools would close because of rain! You can’t cross streets because the water is knee high so these men have carts to carry people across streets. I haven’t gotten the chance to ride in one yet, but I think that would be a fun and wet experience! The rain kept everyone inside today and we all had a relaxing time together just hanging out. We attempted to make sopapillas, but they turned out as donuts! My mom would be so proud!

I had a lot of quiet time today also which I needed. In 1 Corinthians 2:9 it says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” That verse was so comforting to me today and knowing that what God wants to do in all our lives, our minds have never conceived. His plan for me is far better than mine could ever be. So many times I think I know what is going on and what’s next, but then something unexpected happens. Those are the times when I try to keep pulling on the reigns, but rather I need to just let go, step out in faith and trust God and His plans. I get worn out if I try to keep everything going according to my plans. So why not let go of my plans and trust God’s, He knows what is best for me anyways.

First day at the school and first day of rain! Not what I expected at all. I first met with the principal and Tia Lucy, who I would be assisting. They were so nice and welcoming. Tia Lucy teaches English, but is still learning English herself so it was a challenge to communicate. We walked into her first class and saw students on the floor fighting and kicking each other, screaming students, things being thrown across the room, girls pulling each other’s hair; it was a mess. I couldn’t believe students were allowed to act this way. Though, Tia Lucy came in calmly and tried to get everyone settled down. It took a long time, but once books were passed out some order was made in the classroom. I pronounced their English vocabulary to the students and helped them with their worksheets for a while. Soon came break/play time and Tia Lucy and I were off to her next English class. This time they were older students and pretty well behaved. I did the same pronouncing their vocabulary and helping with worksheets and the students helped me with the vocabulary in Spanish! The time at the school went by quick, but I observed and learned a lot. Seeing how the children acted, I know in my classroom respect and discipline needs to be taught. This picture is of inside the school; the open outside area is the play area and the classrooms are all around in the shape of a square. The classrooms have very minimum in them and are dirty, cold, and are not inviting learning environments.

My Spanish is getting better and I am finding it is a lot easier to communicate with younger children than older. I had to use “sentarse” a lot today which means “sit down!” I will be working at the school Monday-Friday from 10:00-1:00 for the next two months! I am excited, but at the same time overwhelmed by the difference in education here compared to the United States. Please be in prayer for Tia Lucy and I; that we would get better at understanding and communicating with each other. Also, please pray God would give me patience when working with the children and their behavior. Miss everyone so much!!!

Hola! Went to church today and what an experience! It left me speechless worshipping in another language with brothers and sisters of Christ. Seeing how little they have, but yet none of that matters because God only cares what is in your heart. I thought to myself how sad it is that so many churches in the U.S. have more than enough and still are not satisfied while churches in poor countries have nothing, but yet have everything. It made me grateful for what God has blessed me with at home and my church. After church I went to one of the girls home and spent almuerzo and once with their family. Once again they had pretty much nothing, but were so happy and generous. I learned another Fun Chile Fact: In the U.S. we are taught not to put elbows on the table, but in Chile you are taught to put elbows on the table and claim your space at the table! It was a fun day with tasty Chilean food including lots of homemade bread!!!

Today we went to an International School in Santiago and helped out at their garage sale. The girls at the House of Hope make and sell lots of things such as earrings, bracelets, and flip flops which they sold today! It was a lot of fun and we had a great view of the mountains the whole time! This picture is just one of many taken today! I got to meet and talk with other college students that were in the National Honor Society who supported the House of Hope in many ways. It was a cool experience and a blessing to see how generous and loving Chilean people are. In Chile there is a lot of segregation between the rich and poor. Just from driving to a different part of Santiago you can see the difference in enironments and culture. In the United States there is still some segregation, but nothing like what is here in Chile. It is just something that needs a lot of prayer.
I got an email from Pamela Palacios today which is an answer to prayer! We are setting dates to meet each other and am so excited! Tomorrow I will be going to the C&MA church next door with some girls and on Monday I will be starting at the school! Please be in prayer about Monday, I am pretty nervous becuase I don't know what to expect or how it will go. Thank you for all your prayers and comments! They are all so encouraging!

Wanted to share this from Jesus Calling- "The world is too much with you, My child. Your mind leaps from problem to problem, tangling your thoughts in anxious knots. When you think like that, you leave Me out of your world-view and your mind becomes darkened. Though I yearn to help, I will not violate your freedom. I stand silently in the background of your mind, waiting for you to remember that I am with you. When you turn from your problems to My Presence, your load is immediatley lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together. Your compulsion to fix everything gives way to deep, satisfying connection with Me. Together we can handle whatever this day brings."

Today has been better! Yesterday was a hard day emotionally and physically. The biggest culture shock is how much down time there is and how different lifestyle is compared to the United States. In the U.S. we all are on the go one thing after another, but here it is just whatever. I am not used to being able to have multiple hours of quiet time, but it is good! God is really teaching me to solely rely on Him. He is all I need, but I think often I forget that and go to other people instead of Him. In Matthew 6:8 it says, “the Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” How often do we forget that?

I learned a fun Chile fact today…Dinner in Chile is called “once” because a long time ago men would go to the bar before dinner and would get a drink that had 11 letters in it. They wouldn’t get home till really late for dinner and dinner became “once”, pronounced like the number 11 in Spanish!

I start working at the school Monday and tomorrow the other two interns and I will go to a museum to learn about the history of Chile so I will be prepared in that area when I work with kids. We have to take public transportation, the bus, and I am pretty nervous because it is not like our buses in the U.S. and plus I have never rode in public transportation! Tonight I am going to guitar lessons with Megan, another intern to see the school and maybe pick up guitar!

Please pray I would be able to contact some friends in Santiago that my parents met when they were down here. I would like to get together with them and see where my parents were when they went on their mission trip. Also, please pray that I will learn to not be anxious about my schedule and worry what is next. I don’t know my schedule and that is very difficult for me. I like to know things especially what is coming!

Made it to Santiago safely! It has been a crazy day for sure. I was able to find Tio Daniel easily, praise the Lord! Before we got to the House of Hope he took me around the town, La Pinta, which is the poorest and worst place to live in Chile according to Chileans. Trash is everywhere, no grass like the Midwest, the homes look like jail cells, and hundreds of dogs searching for food. Then we turned the corner and there was this house that looked like heaven compared to everything else. It was the House of Hope! It is near the school, orphange, and C&MA church. It is sure a blessing in this little town. I am getting bits and pieces listening to spanish conversations, but I am learning that I have to make mistakes to get better at spanish. Otherwise I can't join conversations and build friendships. This is going to be an adventure! Please pray I will feel 100% physically soon...the 10 hour flight really got to my stomach. Also, please pray for Diana and Megan who are here with me till the beginning of June and will be teaching me things needed to be done when they leave. Thank you for your prayers! Chow!

Arrived in Dallas safely! Praise the Lord! Plane ride went by quick and missed the storm thankfully! I was a little nervous about riding the train in between terminals, but it went great and fast.  It is really neat to be on a plane and wonder where each individual is headed to and why. Every person really has a story! Sitting at my gate to board my next plane to Santiago, Chile at 9:00pm. Please be in prayer that when I arrive tomorrow morning (8:10am) in Chile I will be able to find Tio Daniel easily!

Waiting to board flight to Dallas!!! Here we go Lord!!!

     1 more day!!! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It seems like it was just yesterday, sitting in a coffee shop with Julianna and Rachael talking about our dreams and goals for 2013! I never thought I would be doing this! Thank you all for your support and prayers on this journey. God has truly blessed me with an amazing group of loving and encouraging friends and family. You all mean so much to me and I wish I could find the right words to say thank you, but no words can fully tell you how thankful I am.

     I am really seeing how perfect God’s plans are because with work and school everything is falling into place perfectly. Not at all how I thought it would go, but so much better! I am really learning that God has a specific plan for each of us that don’t even come close to our little imperfect plans in our heads. God’s timing is truly amazing!

     I had a conference call a few days ago to go over my itinerary and had some unexpected news. A while ago there was a girl that I was told would be there with me during the time I would be. I was excited that I would have somebody there to talk to and relate to. Though, one of the first things discussed on the call was that the girl decided to leave Chile early for various reasons and would not be down there with me. All of a sudden I started doubting my decision and wondering if I could really do this. If she can’t make it, then how could I? How could I do this without another intern? The rest of the call went pretty well, but I did get a sense of what the communication barrier will be like. Am I really ready for this? I left the call with mixed emotions and knew I had to step away from it all and just pray.

     God reminded me that He is the only one I need. He has gotten me this far and I need to trust Him fully. I know He is sending me to Chile and I want to obey. After praying about everything I felt peace that God planned for this girl to not be interning with me for a reason and I just didn’t know yet. Once again God HAS a Plan! A really good friend of mine reminded me yesterday that we can only see part of the picture. It is like someone making a tapestry where on the backside everything is all tangled up and on the front everything is perfect and has a clear picture. We see the backside and think that everything is messed up while God is creating an amazing picture on the front that is perfect. All we need to do is trust Him and His plans.

     Tomorrow my plane leaves Omaha, NE at 4:00 pm and I will head to Dallas. I am pretty nervous because I have only flown once before and I had parents to tell me exactly what to do then, but not this time! Once in Dallas I will have a two hour layover and then head to Santiago, Chile for a 10 hour flight. On Wednesday I will arrive in Chile at 8:00 am and will hopefully meet Tio Daniel at the airport. Please pray for travel safety and that I will easily be able to find Tio Daniel at the airport. I am still not sure what it will be like or what my schedule will look like, but I am going to try my best to keep you all updated with posts and pictures. Thank you again for all your prayers and support!