Making the Most of Life

Making the Most of Life

7/16/12

            On Thursday after my last post, Santiago and I spent mostly the whole day watching my church’s service on the internet. I translated for him, but it took a long time to get through the whole thing.

            On Friday Santiago and I started our Bible study. We started reading Colossians. Santiago made me read in Spanish, while he read in English. We basically talked about what it looked like in our relationship to be what Paul was telling the Colossians to be.

God Puts Us Where He Wants Us

God Puts Us Where He Wants Us

7/12/12

            On Friday night after my last post I went to a wonderful church service with Santiago. Santiago gave the message about God using us where we are- literally! Last week at Supermaxi, Santiago and I went in line to buy all of my items plus a ton of chocolate for the El Refugio store. After using his mom’s card (works like a card for like CVS or ShopRite would and gives you discounts on your products) for my stuff, he paid separately and used the Youth World (organization that El Refugio is branched) card to pay for the chocolate. The young man that was at the register asked what organization is was and what its purpose was. Santiago told him about the organization and the different things they do to help people in Ecuador. I was busy bagging all of my items when I realized that they were having more than just a regular conversation about groceries. I heard the cashier start to talk about a boy who he met that later I found out was coming to Supermaxi to buy chocolate that he sold in order to get money for drugs. This cashier was asking Santiago for information on the organization and a number and person to call in order to find help for this young man. As they talked for at least ten minutes, I looked to see full lines in every other aisle except ours. It was as if God was not allowing anymore people in our line so that Santiago had time to talk to this cashier. It was an extraordinary event, and afterwards I explained to Santiago that “God always puts us where He wants us”, even in a simple trip to the grocery store.

I love my Ecuadorian life!

I Love My Ecuadorian Life!

7/6/12

            After I last wrote in my blog, I went to Santiago’s house very frustrated after Spanish class. Yet to my surprise, Santiago and his brothers and friends all encouraged me about my Spanish, telling me that I had improved and things like that. I started to realize how much better I was than I thought, seeing as I could understand all of them and have a conversation with them.

Learning Gratefulness

Learning Gratefulness

7/3/12

            Friday after I last wrote, Santiago and I came home to eat our fish! They were delicious! Before I eat (and even while I was eating), Rebecca kept asking me to play with her. Basically she always goes, “ALLIE! Look!” This really means, “Allie, play with me!”

Sad Days

Sad Days

6/29/12

            So as you last read, yesterday was a really sad day for me. I literally sobbed for hours on my bed. Santiago made me a sandwich and helped me to eat because I just couldn’t stop crying. I miss Madeline and the Geneva team so much, and every time one of their faces came into my head, I just started crying more.

Rainbows

Rainbows

6/27/12

            It’s currently 10:21pm, and I cannot sleep. I know that I would likely have this same issue if I was in America, but it just feels so much more painful here. This entry isn’t going to be about what I’ve been doing the past few days, and not just because I haven’t been doing a whole lot, but because I need to just reflect more than anything else.