Pics on pics on pics

WOW! What a whirlwind of a week it has been!
I took my first trip! I went to Puno (and chiquito for a hot minute).
Now getting there was such a blessing. Ya see, Cultural has a site in Puno, so my friend knew someone there and hooked me up with a wonderful woman who showed me around and let me crash her cute place!
The floating islands are what Puno is known for-Uros. I didn't quite comprehend what 'floating island' actually meant. Let me explain. It is reeds, stacked on reeds; continue for a lot of layers. (material is shown below) It is like a boat in that it is anchored to the bottom-but an island. With huts, and stuff to do and even a coffee shop. It's amazing. I can't fathom living like that but, props to them. We then journeyed on to a island called Tequile. (I thought they said tequilla and I'm not gonna lie, I was pumped.) So, the city itself sits at about 12-13k feet. The highest point I went to though was 14,700 feet. And the blessing is-that I didn't get elevation sick!! I mean-let's be specific- the altitude made climbing to the top of Tequile difficult. I got out of breath pretty quickly but, it was amazing. The views were breath-taking.

God provided me with 2 buddies to have for the day. Marisimo and Alena. Marisimo doesn't speak much English so we attempted communication but clearly was limited. Alena was fluent in English; she was encouraging to my heart. She validated that what I am doing is something not everyone could do; how tough it can get. How tough it is to live in a world where you don't know what is happening outside because you can't comprehend it. It was nice to be seen-she was such a blessing for me.

God has been showing out in my times with Him. I finished the Bible reading challenge with Hannah Brencher, and absolutely loved reading the gospels one after another. It was fun to see what each Gospel writer deemed important enough to include; from the things that were clearly vital, to certain things that were important to their specific viewpoint. Next up is Acts with my bible buddy Jess. :)

Apart from that, I am learning to find my purpose in Him. To remember the times when I thought what I am doing now was deemed impossible because of my mental health limitations. God is the God of the impossible, and me living in Peru screams that every single day. Eating disorder recovery in Peru looks vastly different than it did in America, but I am making it work, and fighting every day don't you worry. This girl isn't returning home anytime soon and that is the goal. When I travel among the mountains and volcanoes I can't help but smile because this is my home. I live in a volcanic area. I saw a volcano smoking on the way back from Puno! But no worries, it's not going to explode---yet ;)

In other news, God provided insurmountably for me. I have a running group! I was running with my friend from school when we ran into a small group. She said we should join them so I of course followed. Wham bam shabam I ended up staying with them, (I hold the slowest member of the group card proudly.) so when we finished there were all these runners! They only speak Spanish so the guys I ran with would point to something and say it in Spanish, then I'd say it in English. We are going to get better together ha! I am so thankful. They remind me of my Clinton running club, and my Jackson buddies. Everyone is there to have a good time and get miles in and socialize. It's so refreshing to have buddies be interested in what I am into.

Still no work visa. I am very disappointed because I expected to be teaching in October, but the new cycle started Monday so, I don't get my own classroom until November. I am ready to experience life here working full time; to value off time. Whereas now I value times where I am in class. I love being at school. They are my people. 99% of them don't know my story, but they still look out for me and support me just as I would want them to if they did know. I guess it comes with the knowledge of that I moved my life across the globe haha.

So. That's that. Lots of stuff going on, but exciting things that further my journey here and sell me more and more of how this phase of life is meant to be spent here in South America.

Uneventful weeks happen, but still they are good.

It´s been an uneventful week. I mean-minor things, but overall just living life over here in South America. One thing that has not gotten easier is my lack of ability to function on my own in society. I need help communicating at the post office, or at the bank, or trying to pay my cell phone bill (thanks to Carolina for coming in clutch saving the day for that one.) So that is a bit frustrating at times, but I have the best friends in the world here to go over and beyond to make sure I still get everything done and am in the loop.

Cheers for MEXICAN FOOD!!!!! QUESADILLA!!!

Bible reading challenge week 2: Matthew is the most descriptive gospel-which is why it is the most popular. It was so fun to of had the shortest Gospel followed by the longest. I got to see the story overviews Mark gave, expounded by Matthew.
One thing that stood out to me was when Jesus went to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, some scholars claim He was sweating blood because of the intensity of what was to come. He prayed that God would take away His cup of suffering that was about to come, but it didn't end there. He said 'but not My will but Your will be done.' And...I don't think I could do that. I guess that's why He was chosen to be the Savior of the world, and not I. But- I can't imagine that closeness with God our Father. To be able to say--it would be great if x didn´t have to happen, but if so, still I will follow You.
Another thing is that Judas hung himself before Jesus was even on the cross. He understood what he had done-Jesus was headed to the cross to be killed because of his helping the leading priests and elders. 2019 years later, suicide is still a worldwide struggle. It's something that is close to my heart, and is a thought process I would never wish upon anyone.
I am finishing Luke this weekend and will continue the bible reading challenge update next blog!

Ran into South American Mickey Mouse!!!

In other news I keep setting new run goals. I told myself coming here ´I wont go over 10k´. Ok did that. Then I said ´ok I won´t go over 15k´. Welp, I hit 21k and told myself that is it. Well, last weekend I ran 24k (15 miles). So, I have given up all hope of not long running ha! But, I enjoy it, so, why not. I am learning Peruvians typically do not run long, so I have not found a long run buddy. I mean, I have a gym buddy now (yay Paolo!), but no longish run buddy--yet (or short run for that matter). Best wishes to me for finding a long run bud.

Ice cream Friday´s with some people from lunch club!

So, overall it is going great! Still waiting on my work visa. I feel pretty pointless currently because I don´t do much because I am not allowed to, but I am trying to make the most out of it. I am ready to have my own classrooms, and get paid. I am terrified don´t get me wrong, but the longer I wait, the more build up it is. So, I am praying this thing comes through soon!

Laughing for days

I have had such a wonderful last week!

I had the pleasure to run a half-marathon--21k last weekend! Just around the city-myself. It was such a blessing to my life. I love getting to feel empowered enough to run so far. I can´t wait for all the miles ahead of me.

I accomplished something pretty big in my life. So, eating disorder wise I don´t have really ´fear foods´ left. Until I realized one. Frappuccinos. My good buddy, Karina, and I were out and about and she saw a 2 for 1 deal and exclaimed oh let´s go! And proceeded to walk towards the coffee shop. I was stunned. If she would´ve said ice cream, cake, muffins--anything else; I would´ve not thought twice. But for some reason that frappuccino freaked me the heck out. So what did I do? Follow her there, paid my half, and drank the dang thing. And let me say--it was freaking amazing! The last time I had a frap was 2014. It was so fun to just-do it. I can´t wait for another!

I mentioned last blog I am in a bible reading challenge with my Bible buddies, with Hannah Brencher being the leader. And gosh it is so filling. I ended up reading through the Gospel of Mark twice in the week. We are now on Matthew and it is 12 chapters more, so 1 time is my goal haha.

I got to see in Mark some new parts of Jesus I forget about. For one, He took time for Himself. It repeats that Jesus would go alone and pray, or go by Himself with just the inner 3 to refill. He realized that in order to fill others He Himself had to be filled. And He is like-the Savior of the world yáll. So if He realized His need for it-then I guess that means we all should see how vital it is in our lives. Another thing is Mark mentions TWICE how all food is acceptable, and doesn´t define us. I laughed out loud both times. It is so interesting to me because that means people back then had some form of disordered eating to be addressed also. Eating disorders are because of the fall, just like every other sickness and illness. I can have all things-including frappuccino´s-without definition of who I am as a person.

This is my life. Scooby and I take on the world together.

I have not mentioned a bright spot of my every day at school: lunch club. It is a group of about 6 ladies, and oh my lordie do we have a blast. We talk about everything under the sun! I have turned so red so many times. I have laughed so hard in that room. I have talked and learned. They think I am funny but really, unbeknownst to them, their lighthearted company saved me when I was crashing a few weeks ago. They have welcomed me into their ´club´ with open arms, and I am immensely thankful for that. I know most of them will read it so--thanks guys! Love yáll!!

Next level

Bringing my life to the ´next level´ in Peru is an experience I don´t want to forget. It has been thrown in my path multiple times in the last week. Physically, spiritually, success-driven wise; some of the most important facets of me. (I am about to be like a 5th grader who is learning to write essays. I gave 3 points and now I will expound on them.)

I bought oranges. I told my friend the earth shook a little. 

Physically? Well, if you know me at all you know that I have accomplished a lot athletically in my 6 years of being active. I am at a standstill currently. I have no races on the horizon-which is very odd for me. The only time that has happened was when I first started treatment for my eating disorder. So, this concept is foreign. And I have been reflecting on why I run. Like-why do I? I run because #anxietydisorder. I run because I like doing adventurous things and it makes it ´easier´for me. I run because I feel better all day; it is in my bloodstream that I run-even when I don´t want to. 

Like this-white water rafting!

Spiritually? If you know me at all you know that I love Jesus, my dad, and running. (Dad I am going to have to be honest. When I first wrote that you were last but then I decided that is a bit harsh. Sorry.) Anyways, leveling up spiritually has been happening in multiple ways. I am in a bible reading challenge with Hannah Brencher where you read one gospel a week-as much or as little as you can. I set my goal to read each gospel all the way through each week.

I also have to laugh. This last weekend I went white water rafting; it was fun! So, the next Sunday at church, Chip made this analogy that our spiritual lives with God´s plan is like a flowing river. On the banks of the river are good people, and bad people-who all influence our lives. In the river you have logs and rocks-that is danger; ways for Satan to try and get a foothold. But ultimately you have a guide when you go down crazy rivers. You have someone who knows the river backwards and forwards. Someone who navigates knowing the big picture. Our navigator, the Holy Spirit, is exactly that. He knows our lives before, during, and after. Since He is apart of the trinity, He is also God; He is Jesus. He lives in us, and helps us be in the center of God´s will. 

God´s will for my life is not necessarily for me to of moved to Peru. God´s will for my life is that I serve Him with all my heart-if that means it is best suited in Peru, then so be it. However, I am LOVING that this is the way it is panning out for me. #redemption

He always provides-I love new friends! Meet Carolina!

Success-driven? If you know me at all you know that I adore Rachel Hollis. She is why I am here. She inspires me daily through her hilarious morning show. I am being taught that my success here in Peru is how I decide to define it. I get to be my own #dreamcatcher. For me, success is going to look like working full time and not having a mental breakdown (#goals). Success is freaking being here!! Success for others would look like doing x,y,z along with what I am doing. And I am ok with that. My version of success is different than yours, and I am excited to show myself I can succeed at my dream of living abroad. So far I am rocking it, and I hope that I am able to continue my dream of finally being here. 

Livin´it up yáll!

I was at the gym and the song Í will look up´came on and gosh that song gets me. It was what I clung to when I was in the depths of it. And now I get to see both sides. I will look back and see that You are faithful. I look ahead believing You are able. When I was falling, I could only see the second half. I knew there was more to come. Now I get to see the first half. To see that God has been faithful to keep me on this Earth. To be able to look back at when I was at my lowest and see that He was still faithful. I mean....I live in Peru. Clearly He is a God of redemption.
So folks. Here we are. I am here loving life. I am here making great buddies I hope stay with me for awhile. I am here loving Jesus, loving people, and loving the atmosphere that is Arequipa.