So it's been a month!

Four weeks ago today I set foot in this country for the first time. It's so bizarre that it has been that long. I don't have any fabulous anecdotes for this email, but I do want to express my gratitude for many things.

I am thankful for your prayers, love, and support. There is no way that I could be here now without those and I can't tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you and the role you play in my life.

I am thankful for health and safety. I have only been sick once (a slight cold I caught from the lovely chicitas i live with). I have also had several near accidents while driving and I'm thankful that they have all been NEAR accidents and not accidents.

I am thankful for The Sarah Mac Band, Dog Named David, She&Him, Jason Mraz, Hillsong, Marion McPartland, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, and other fabulous artists who have allowed me to listen to something familiar when I have time by myself.

I am thankful for time to rest. I have had lots of time in the past few weeks to just be. It's a wonderful thing that I don't allow myself to do very often. In the US things tend to get pretty hectic running around (are you agreeing with me right now?). Breathing and just being are two fantastic things!

I am thankful for the responses I have gotten to my emails. The little updates from you help me to feel like I'm still connected to what's going on, even if it is only a glimpse here or there.

I am thankful for good books to read.

I am thankful for St. Peter's (my Church back home). I am thankful that they pray for me each week. I am thankful that Sermons are posted every week; it's nice to hear sermons in English. I am currently trying to live in freedom and not fear (Fr. John Wallace -- www.saint-peters.net).

I am thankful for Global Teams -- for giving me the opportunity to be here. I am thankful for Orlando for finding me something to do and for making me feel at home.

I am thankful for Ana, Christian, Tamara, Camila, Fabiola, and Juanita. For letting me be apart of their family for a month and Ana faithfully teaching me Spanish daily.

I am so thankful for the ways that God has stretched me in this last month. In the words of my mother: I "feel like [I'm] in a green house - with lots of growing going on."

There are so many other things that I am thankful for. I know that the rest of the evening will be spent thinking "oh, I should have said _____." or "shoot, I forgot to thank so and so." But there is no reason to dwell on that, especially since it's time for "cafe y pan" (coffee and bread). Oh! I'm thankful for really, really, really, really, good coffee! :-D

I hope that you are doing well! I also hope that you are enjoying the decreasing temperatures as I enjoy the increasing temperatures!