HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN!!!

Today is Ben's birthday! So, Happy Birthday to the best brother ever!! You rock, and I miss you!! You should probably take a break from school and just hop down to Peru for a few days. I'd like that. I'll show you the awesome alpaca toilet seat cover that I saw yesterday.

In honor of my awesome brother's birthday, I went to the creperia today with some amigos. I got a really yummy chocolate and ice cream crepe. And my friends enjoyed their crepes, as well. So, Ben, thank you for having a birthday so that we could celebrate with you from Peru.

I did other things today, too. The creperia was not an all-day event.

I woke up this morning and went to church where Pastor Alonso preached about finding our identity in Christ. It was a great reminder that peace is found only in knowing Him and residing in Him. After church, I went to a little tent that was set up near the university where one of the dance classes from the university was teaching and performing some dances, because one of my friends, Jorge, is in the class and invited me to come. It was pretty cool! They were really good!

This afternoon, we played soccer!! And, guess what? I think I'm getting better! Or maybe I just had an exceptionally good day, I don't know. But it was really fun! We played for over two hours, and had a great time.

I declared war today. On my computer. It has been very rebellious lately. It likes to be very slow and sometimes not do anything. I don't know how, but I'm going to whip it into shape.

Also, today I had lunch by myself. Everyone in mi familia does separate things on Sundays because of schedules, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to practice eating like a Peruvian without having an audience. I (think) am getting better. But my left hand is a bit awkward with the knife sometimes (ok, all the time). I'll keep practicing. Another thing that I don't think I've mentioned about meals here in Arequipa is that the eaters do not wait until everyone has their food to start eating. That really threw me of for a while (and sometimes, it still does). It feels weird to start eating before someone else at the table has any food. But, that is acceptable (and normal) here.

I have to go now and write a song about the divisiblity rules. (No, this is NOT for my lesson at Colegio Claretiano. I have no problem with using songs to teach content.... but I'm DEFINITELY not going to do that for my first lesson here in Peru. Or ever, really.)

Father, I thank You so much for being here with me. Oh man, I am still in awe that I am here. I'm having such a great time, God, and I pray that You would bless my family here in Arequipa. Pour Your love all over them, God, and all over the people that you are putting in my path here in Arequipa, like Jorge. Bless him, Lord Jesus! I am so grateful for him and for the other people from the university who have reached out to me and made me feel welcome and cared for. And in the week ahead, teach me more about You--help me to see You working, to trust You more, and to shine Your light, Jesus. I lay this week at Your feet and pray that You would have Your way with it!!