Decisions

Life is full of decisions to be made… what do I wear this morning?  What should I have for lunch?  Which courses should I take next semester?  And the list goes on.  Every day we are faced with decisions and choices that we need to make, and some are much easier than others, but they still need to be made.

That leads me to my latest big decision… Christmas.  What should I do for Christmas this year?  Stay in the US or go back home?  If you would have asked me 2 months ago, I would have told you with 100% certainty that I would be going home for Christmas.  In the past few weeks though, I have begun to questions whether that would be the best option for me right now, or if it would be better to stay here in the States and try to keep some kind of “normal” life going on. 

After several days/weeks of praying and talking with various people, I have made the decision to stay here in the US for Christmas this year.  I can’t deny it; I have 3000 different emotions flying around about it all!  I know I’m going to miss being with my whole family for Christmas (although one member will be coming up!), and it’s really going to be a huge adjustment for us all!  I’m going to miss all the fireworks and the “traditional” Guatemalan celebrations.  I’m also going to miss seeing everyone in Guate and reconnecting with my “family” there.  But, on the other hand, I will get to experience a USA Christmas with my extended family and celebrate with those that are here. 

Some decisions are hard (like this one was!!), others are easier, but God uses every single one to help us to grow and to build our trust in Him.  I can thankfully say that I do feel at peace with my final decision, and I’m going to make the best of wherever it leads!!  J  

November?!?!

November... now how'd that happen??!??!  It's amazing how quickly the months seem to fly by, even when some days seem to go so much slower!  All that to say, life is flying by!

I'm trying to think about what all has been happening in my neck of the woods lately, and all of a sudden I'm drawing a blank!!!  So I guess I'll just start with the things that pop to mind first...

I have found a church that I have been attending much more regularly, and I'm really enjoying it!!  The church is University Christian Fellowship, they're associated with a local University (hence the name), so there are a lot of college students that go there.  I was able to go on their retreat and several other activities (barn party, chili cook off, costume party, etc.) with them, so I've been enjoying getting to know people and connecting in a little more in general!!

At the retreat

School continues to go well, challenging, but going well!!  I think we're just about 3/4 of the way done with the semester... wow!  I think biology continues to be my most challenging course, but it's also probably the one that I am enjoying the most.  There's nothing like seeing how fearfully and wonderfully made we really are!!

Fire alarm at school... oops!!  

It's been fun actually experiencing fall in the USA this year!  I kind of have felt like a tourist, taking pictures of all the leaves, trees, and everything else!  Then again, I guess I am still kind of a tourist...  ;)  I even carved a pumpkin this year!!

So pretty!!

My pumpkin!!

The squirrels have been enjoying him...  ;)

Hurricane Sandy brought a little bit of fun our way, but thankfully not too much damage.  It was kind of nice to have two extra days of school off, but it was also kind of annoying to have to stay home all day!!  I got quite a bit of school done and a 1000 piece puzzle with my aunt, might as well make the most of the time!

Starting the puzzle...

Less than 24hrs later... done!!

Lots of water from Sandy!

I'm still trying to get used to this cold weather... I must still have my "chapin" blood in me!!  The frost that we had a few weeks ago was beautiful though, so once again, I went all "touristy" and started taking pictures...

Purty...  :)

Let's see, a few other activities that I've been involved in are making more applesauce (both with Sherry and my aunt), hanging out with some really fun kiddos, and baking.  I also got a really fun package from my family back in Guate when a group of ladies came back from their visit.  I must admit, that made me homesick, both for my family and the country, but it was still fun!!!!!

NY apples!!

Amazing stuff right there!  :)

:)

Banana-Nutella-Chocolate chip cookies... yum!!

The bag...

Beginning the opening process...

Yay!!!  So much fun!!

I think that's my life in a nutshell at the moment.  Am I enjoying it?  YES!!  Is it hard?  YES!!  Do I miss my family/Guate?  YES, terribly!!  Am I feeling more at home?  YES!!  So thank you for your continued prayers and encouragements, keep 'em coming!!  :)  

And yes, I am still finding 4 leaf clovers...  :)