The past few months being in the States has almost been as startling as living in Peru, you get used to things, and any change can be hard. I walked down every single grocery store isle when I got back and was almost amazed at the difference in variety and quantity. A month later I stopped and stared at the shelve of molasses. In the one year we were in Peru, we had only been able to find one jar of molasses, which went into gingerbread cookies at Christmas time. I hand washed ALL my dishes for the first month because I forgot we had the modern connivance of a dishwasher. I still take cold showers because I don't expect to have hot water. Other things have been different too. If I bump into someone, my first response in my mind is in Spanish. But the biggest change for me has been not volunteering, I really miss that. I do a lot of YSA/JAS (young single adult) activities and go to Institute every week, but I haven't been able to fill my time with volunteering or working and that has been hard for me.
I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in Peru.
I have learned more about life in the past year than I have ever learned from a textbook. The lessons I have gained about humanity, and compassion and love will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Living in Lima Peru has been eye opening, and an incredible experience. I am blessed to have had such an opportunity and to have been able to meet so many amazing people, and to be apart of their lives. I am grateful for those who took time to help me, and to give of their time and efforts to volunteer beside me and I hope that you will all continue in your own way. If there is any lesson I have learned it is that, if you do good, it impacts your life in ways you never thought it would.
This isn't goodbye, not yet.
I will be back in Peru for a few weeks in December. I am so excited to be able to see my kids (the children at Westfalia) and to be able to see friends. I hope to be able to do something for the children this Christmas, even if it is something simple. I want to challenge you all to find a way to give to someone else this Christmas who is struggling, or just needs a little extra love. It doesn't have to be big. It's really the small things in life that matter the most.
Think about it, and how you might be able to do something for someone else this Christmas season. If you need any ideas, feel free to comment or contact me.
I also just wanted to say thank you, for reading this blog and supporting me. It really means a lot to me, and I am very grateful to you all.
