THANK YOU, GOD!

Instead of spending time wrestling with my computer (which is working beautifully now, thanks to my brilliant father!!) during my last few weeks in Arequipa, I decided to just enjoy my time there. So I didn't load any pictures of the last few weeks on to my computer, but I assure you that I DID take many pictures. Here are some of the pictures that I took during the past few weeks.

 

These pictures I took of the lovely streets of Arequipa as I was walking to play FUTBOL!!!!




And the following pictures I took as I was walking to Colegio Claretiano. 

It's Christmas in Arequipa!!!!

This next picture, as I was walking to Colegio Claretiano, is of Parque del Avion (Airplane Park). It's called that.... because there's a big fake airplane there!

Almost to Colegio Claretiano!!!

And this is the backyard at the university!!! I spent many hours sitting here reading, napping, and laughing with friends!

OH! This picture is of my and my friends from Didcatica de las Matematicas!!! It's Leyda, Medaly, Dahil, me, Gracce, and Miss Helena!!! Oh man, they are so great!!!

Here we are at Pura Fruta playing cards during the middle of finals week!!! Yay for no studying!!!!

And this is when I got to learn how to play fronton with Anthony and Scott!!!

And this is Anthony!!! He is an awesome awesome guy and a fantastic conversation partner!! I loved talking with him! Miss you, Anthony!!!

Oh hey! This is on my birthday! Tita gave me TWO cakes to share with my friends!!!

And this is the evening of my birthday at Pura Fruta with Jorge, Carlos, Kemil, Ana, Anthony, Alonso, Amy, and Sydney!!! That was such a fun fun fun night with great people!!

And here I am with Alonso after our farewell program at the university. All of you who don't know this fellow... you're all missing out. He's great!! I have been so blessed to get to know him!!

And these wonderful ladies... you three are awesome.

Here I am with mi familia!! This is my host sister Andrea and her boyfriend, Kike!

And this is a picture of my and Tita! This woman is amazing. I can't believe that I got to live with her for four months--it was awesome!!!

 

And this is the Christmas tree at our house in Arequipa!!

 

And, of course, one final picture of everyone's favorite volcano, El Misti. I climbed that. And I took that picture from my house. Oh man. I never got tired of waking up to that.

Oh my God, my God... thank You so much. This semester was unbelievable. I am so blessed, Jesus!! Saying "Thank You!" doesn't begin to express how I feel and how much You have blessed me! Oh God, I know that these blessings of this semester have come from You! And I don't know WHY You choose to make this semester so incredible, but God I thank You and I pray that the things that happened this semester would work to make Your kingdom come here on Earth. Oh Jesus, thank You thank You thank You for this semester. Everytime I think of my time in Peru, I am just amazed and full of gratitude!! God, my heart still hurts being here and not there, but I know that You have an amazing plan. You have taught me that during my time in Peru, and I trust You! I know You are not done with me yet, Oh Lord! Help me to adjust to being in the States and to follow You, to glorify You, to learn from my time in Arequipa, and to seek You, Jesus! I would love to go back to Arequipa, in Your perfect timing, guide me, God. For now, I'll take it day by day and trust You and seek You and thank You for what You did in Arequipa this semester! Oh God, You are so good!!!!!