ONE YEAR TODAY! ! ! ~ July 25, 2006~

Today marks my one year mark since I landed in Peru--And what a year it has been! As I look back on this past year it is quite easy to say that I am a different person now than I was when I arrived. I recall vividly the severe lack of sleep I received the nights before I left the states, the amazing support and profound depth of the goodbyes I received from friends and family.

One year ago I stood in line with my bags packed just slightly overweight, with the next two years packed into 2 check-on bags and 1 carry-on, praying that they would let my bags slide on in.

One year ago I hugged my parents goodbye at the airport, made my way through security, and truly felt the Lord's peace and presence with me as I embarked on His journey for this part of my life. "God, now its just You and me!" I said. I got on the plane and within time Birmingham became my past as it became distant beneath my feet.

One year ago God gave me a huge blessing as I somehow was placed on a first class flight to Lima.

So how am I different?? Let me count the ways!!! Granted, I am still the same person, just a little more pruned or polished since I arrived. But the process to become so is not the most painless experience. I have had my share of hard times, but as I look over this past year, it has been worth every tear, every headache, every cultural hit, every laugh, every goodbye...................

So the obvious change is that I can now communicate with more people in the world than I could last year. I do enjoy Spanish, and I am still learning more. I can now fend for myself in a Spanish speaking country, and it was quite intimidating in my early days here before I could. Also since I love friendships, to be able to make more friends through the medium of another language is quite meaningful to me. It allows me to see a bit through their eyes, hear through their ears, and know more of their hearts as they share with me. I am used to speaking Spanish that often I don't even think about it when I do speak. I enjoy worshipping in Spanish as well. (Although, I still enjoy my English sermons better).

For me, coming to another country, my reliance on Christ for sustenance has greatly increased. It is a different country, culture, customs, sounds, sights, smells, and it used to be a foreign language. I have had to rely on my Rock more in this year, and learn more about what my reliance should be. I have a new a deep appreciation for safety, and DAILY rely on God's hand of protection. I have been strapped for money, and have needed to rely on God's hand of providence, and His moving in the hearts of others to give for my basic needs. I have and will be away from family and friends for some important milestones in their lives, yet I have been present in the important milestones of new friends here. I have seen God bring people to Himself.

I have also learned more about myself and seen more of my sin. I think that the mission field can truly bring it out of someone. I have seen more of the discusting person I am, and am always in great need of my Christ, His grace, His mercy, and His cleansing. He is continuing to work on my heart, to work in my life, to make me to be the woman He wants me to be.

As a shirt of one of my friends says, "I am the wretch the song talks about."

And this is only year one!