Lately

This week I met with Chanita and Ariana, both members at Colonia 89, about working with the women and teen girls at that church. We will have a Bible study on prayer and an activity every other week. This class will last from October to December. After that, I will be doing something similar with the women at the church in Maneadero. I will soon start spending time with the teen girls at Colonia 89 so that I can develop friendships with them before I start a class/activities with them in January. Beginning in mid-October I will be starting a Bible study with the women at El Zorrillo. We have yet to decide what we will be discussing.

A group of Australians visited the City of Children this week. Unfortunately for me, I was only able to spend time with them one day. Pilar and I accompanied them to the Maneadero church for food relief. We visited different families that attend church there.

On Friday, Carole Stout (former COC director) invited me and a few other women for "Ladies Day" in San Diego. We ate lunch together, got our nails done, and went shopping. It was so much fun! The only part that wasn't fun was sitting at the border for 2 and 1/2 hours!

On Sunday, I ate with the teen girls at the City of Children after church. After lunch a few of them practiced a dance to a Black-Eyed Peas song. It was hilarious! Then they asked me to dance...alone. I didn't exactly want to dance by myself so I told them I didn't really know how to dance. And then they responded with, "We've seen your Glamorous video, we know you can dance!" What?? I don't think I danced in that video, and I'm really embarrassed that they've even seen it. I'm really embarrassed that anyone has seen it!!! So I promised them I would do a dance for them this coming Sunday when my parents are here. I'm sure my mom can help me come up with some dance moves. Maybe she can even dance with me??

My parents come this week!!!!! Everyone is anxiously awaiting their arrival. Especially me. I will be meeting them in San Diego on Thursday and then ride down with them on Friday to the City of Children. Jimmy Smith, a family friend, is also coming with them. He is COMPLETELY CRAZY and I can't wait for him to get here! If you can't tell, I really like visitors! I know I've only been here 2 weeks, but I still really like visitors. I miss everyone so much! Please know that I think about family and friends daily and I pray that you can feel God's love and calling for you. Much love!

P.S. Tortilla Tally: 50

It's been a week already?!

I can't believe it's been a week! Seriously, I could write a blog post for every day that I've been here so far.
I have been so busy and so much has happened! Basically this week I've gotten settled in, met with the church leaders at Colonia 89 and El Zorrillo, and spent time at the City of Children. I think I'm going to start a count of how many tortillas I eat while I'm here. It will be my tortilla tally. Tortilla tally: 33. Yep, I don't know how I feel about that...

My host sister, Lissandra, came into town on Wednesday from Mexicali where she attends college. On Thursday, Lissandra and I rode a bus into town (scary!) to meet up with Pilar for the Independence Day Parade. Before we went to the parade, I practically begged them to go to my favorite cafe for pastries and coffee. Cafe Kaffa is the name and it is my favorite little cafe here. Good coffee, delicious pastries, and the sweet little man that works there make for a delightful time! I can't wait to go there everyday when my parents come in 2 weeks!! On Saturday, I traveled with Misael and Alejandro (Baja Missions translators) to El Zorrillo. We met up with a group there from the Yorba Linda church in California. Did I mention that Misael and Alejandro serenaded me with George Strait songs on the drive there? It was pretty
hilarious. While they poured concrete, I stayed at the church and spent time with Yolanda (preacher's wife) and their family. We decided that I will probably be teaching a ladies class there every Saturday or every other Saturday.

 All in all, this whole experience couldn't be going any better. I have felt a tremendous amount of peace ever since it was confirmed that I would be spending time down here. It won't go away! I have no doubt that God has me here for reasons unknown to me and I have to keep my eyes on Him. I know some of you are praying for me and I really appreciate that! Be open to His calling this week.

P.S. I will post pictures soon!

Thankful to be on the other side of goodbye

I strongly dislike goodbyes. I would rather leave without anyone knowing than to have to say goodbye. It's just too hard for me! All that to say, I am glad to finally be here! I absolutely love it. Things I forgot: my passport (yes, it's true), my hairdryer, and the spider traps mom bought for me (baha). I might have "accidently" left those at home.

Gary Halford from Arkansas is here this week visiting the City of Children and the church in Colonia 89. He is on the Board at the City of Children and they have a meeting here later this week. I can't tell you what a blessing it's been to have him here for my first week. He's a big jokester and keeps hating on Tennessee football. Not ok!

On Saturday while we were playing kickball at the City of Children, someone spotted a rather large spider. It was a tarantula. I made the mistake of looking at it. Now everything I look at is a tarantula. How does my mom always buy the most outlandish things (e.g. Spider traps), and then I END UP NEEDING THEM?! Also on Saturday I was reunited with 2 friends, Carlos Ramos and Ivan Sanchez. They both grew up at the City of Children and now live in Ensenada. They are both hilarious and I am so happy to spend time with them here after so many years apart! On Sunday, I ate goat (actually delicious!), a paleta, salsa verde chips, and manzana lift. I mean, seriously, could it get any better??

Today (Monday) was my first day with Baja Missions. I am currently sitting at my desk, and I just got back from lunch with Pilar. She is a dear friend of my family and she also works for Baja Missions. My plans for this week include meeting with the church in Colonia 89, celebrating the 200th year of Mexican Independence, and drinking lots of coffee.  Life here is very tranquila (calm) and that's why I love it so much. Have a great week y'all.

Caroline

Here We Go!

Today's the big day and I can't believe it's finally here. The past month has been somewhat of a blur getting everything ready for the next 11 months of my life. 11 months! I honestly can't grasp that length of time in my head right now. Leaving has made me realize just how much I love Nashville and the community that I have found here. Things I'm going to miss most include: Panera's Hazelnut coffee, Baby Andrew, Rhodes, and Ella Grace.... and of course my family and friends! The past two days I've had two going away parties and I'm so glad I got to see so many of my good friends before leaving.

To begin my travel day, I'm going to a late breakfast with my family and Angi in East Nashville at my favorite little French place called Marche. Then my family will be taking me to the airport for my 2 o'clock flight. Once in San Diego, Stan and Carole Stout will be picking me up at the airport and I'll be staying with them tonight at their house in San Diego. Tomorrow we will be driving down to San Diego with Ron Brown for his annual City of Children Cookout. I can't wait to see and play with all my favorite kids all day tomorrow! After the cookout I'll be heading to Esperanza's house in Colonia 89 which will be my home for the next 11 months.

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged, supported, and prayed for me as I have prepared for this trip and next phase of my life. I am confident this is where God wants me to be for the next eleven months and I can't wait to see what He has in store for me in Mexico. Please continue to pray for me during this time of change and transition. I love you all!

-Caroline