the chase: Beautiful Things [love,grace,laughter,friendship,community,etc]

I'm not sure if its the realization that I will be home in less than a month or that I have been gone for over 200 days but I've been more aware of the [abundant] blessings in my life. But I think more than the proximity of my returning home its the lessons God has been teaching me, knowing more closely the lives of those in this village, speaking to my friends and family, and resting in the knowledge that I am saved by a God who wants to love me and know me more.

Maybe its being away from the overstimulated American culture that I have in a sense become more aware of the simple pleasures in life. A walk with friends, a hug from a child, enjoying a coffee with a neighbor, reading a book, eating fresh food [no preservatives], hearing a friends voice from home on the phone, worshiping with brothers and sisters in Christ, cracking and eating fresh walnuts, sleep. This being said, I want to take a few of these back with me when I return home, I want to keep a piece of what my life has been like in my wanderings. I guess what I am trying to say is life is good because God has been faithful and plentiful with his blessings. I've been reading in Genesis and in the Gospels. At the creation God took enjoyment in what he created [mountains, flowers, oceans, animals, the moon and sun, etc], and when he formed man and woman it was from his image [man: his power, strength, sense of adventure, etc./woman: his love, gentleness, mercy, and beauty]. These are characteristics of him and he bestowed them upon us and more. Jesus took enjoyment in his life and with his disciples. He ate and drank with his friends, spent time with people, walked and talked with his close friends [disciples], and he too laughed and cried.

Our God is good.

I guess I am saying all this because I am thankful. For too many things to list here. But I am thankful for the love and faithfulness of God, the food and shelter he provides for me, the friends and family he has given me, laughter, technology, support from you all {its so nice to get emails and comments hearing from you}, my wealth (and at the same time I'm not sure I should be thankful for my wealth, rather I should be thankful that I can use it correctly and actually do so) [although you may be thinking we aren't wealthy.. trust me we are extremely wealthy by the standards of most outside the U.S], Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and so much more.

P.S. I wanted to share some pictures of the little people I spend most of my day with. They are pretty great [even though sometimes they are wild and drive me nuts]. I've started teaching them English!! I feel like a real teacher.. scary thought (mom, grandpa, aunt pam, etc.. dont get too excited)

Building a town

This is what Madalin does when I tell him to smile

Diana eating some of the fall fruits salad they made

Mouth full of fruit for Teo

Finished product

We learned about the fall fruits last week so on friday we made fruit salad!! Pears, apples, walnuts, grapes and some fruit I've never had.. like a mix between apple and pear...but tart..