[Saturday, January 08, 2005]
Happy New Year to everyone!
I'll start by sharing a little about my last few days at home. I spent New Year's Eve with my family and relatives. We had a fun time of playing cards, washers and Catch Phrase. I felt blessed to be surrounded by people that care about me. At midnight I greeted the New Year with the question of why we celebrate it because my life doesn't change from Dec. 31 to Jan.1 and yet it is a time of celebration. I started the year with prayer asking God to have His way with this year. I am really looking forward to what God is going to do in my life this year. I have been reading a lot lately in the Bible and have been encouraged by others that God does all things well and that He has a desire to give me good things- in fact the Bible says that He will not withhold any good thing from those who love Him. So, I am excited to see what good things God wants to give me during the next year. It is neat to look back through the past year and track God's love and faithfulness. You all have been a part of God's good gifts to me through your prayer and support. Thank you. I do pray that each of you can take the time to reflect on God's goodness in the past year and you can be excited about the things that God is going to do for you and go through with you in this new year. Be encouraged my brothers and sisters in Christ for we serve a mighty, holy, and very generous God!
Well, I have been through the first school week back and have really enjoyed it. My students have been so good to me this week as I have shared with them some things that have discouraged me over the Christmas break. They are so protective and caring and I am so blessed by them! I have just been surrounded by encouragement since I've been back to Puebla.
My travel back to Puebla was the BEST I've ever had! I left Lima around 11am and got to my apartment in Puebla around 9pm. It was a very quick travel day with no problems and an unexpected blessing. For the first time I flew into the Puebla airport and the people there were amazingly friendly. It is a very small airport, with basically only one flight coming/going at a time. There were no long lines for customs, immigration or backage claims. Also, I was given a 180 day Visa simply by asking for it. (Usually you get 90 days and it has to be renewed, which costs about $20.) So I was surprised and happy about that!
I almost forgot, but Thursday was a Mexican holiday called 3 Kings Day and it is to celebrate the 12th day of Christmas and the Wisemen bringing gifts to Jesus. The tradition here is for people to have parties and buy a special kind of bread called Rosca. Inside the bread, which is in the shape of an oval ring, (the center is cut out) there are hidden little plastic or porcelain figures. Each person takes a turn cutting himself a piece of bread and if you find a figure inside your piece you are supposed to host a party on February 2nd and have tamales at the party. So, I got to celebrate this event 4 times. Only once did I get a figure in my bread. It's a different but fun event. Also in some parts of Mexico people give gifts on this day- kind of like an extra Christmas. :)
Well, I've officially announced to LBT that I will not be returning to Puebla next fall, so now I'm really seeking the Lord's direction on what to do after I return to the United States. The options are limitless and I have NO idea what to do or what God is calling me to, so that is a huge prayer request- that I will wait on God for Him to reveal His will for me.
Have a great week and please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from more people.
Angelina
I'll start by sharing a little about my last few days at home. I spent New Year's Eve with my family and relatives. We had a fun time of playing cards, washers and Catch Phrase. I felt blessed to be surrounded by people that care about me. At midnight I greeted the New Year with the question of why we celebrate it because my life doesn't change from Dec. 31 to Jan.1 and yet it is a time of celebration. I started the year with prayer asking God to have His way with this year. I am really looking forward to what God is going to do in my life this year. I have been reading a lot lately in the Bible and have been encouraged by others that God does all things well and that He has a desire to give me good things- in fact the Bible says that He will not withhold any good thing from those who love Him. So, I am excited to see what good things God wants to give me during the next year. It is neat to look back through the past year and track God's love and faithfulness. You all have been a part of God's good gifts to me through your prayer and support. Thank you. I do pray that each of you can take the time to reflect on God's goodness in the past year and you can be excited about the things that God is going to do for you and go through with you in this new year. Be encouraged my brothers and sisters in Christ for we serve a mighty, holy, and very generous God!
Well, I have been through the first school week back and have really enjoyed it. My students have been so good to me this week as I have shared with them some things that have discouraged me over the Christmas break. They are so protective and caring and I am so blessed by them! I have just been surrounded by encouragement since I've been back to Puebla.
My travel back to Puebla was the BEST I've ever had! I left Lima around 11am and got to my apartment in Puebla around 9pm. It was a very quick travel day with no problems and an unexpected blessing. For the first time I flew into the Puebla airport and the people there were amazingly friendly. It is a very small airport, with basically only one flight coming/going at a time. There were no long lines for customs, immigration or backage claims. Also, I was given a 180 day Visa simply by asking for it. (Usually you get 90 days and it has to be renewed, which costs about $20.) So I was surprised and happy about that!
I almost forgot, but Thursday was a Mexican holiday called 3 Kings Day and it is to celebrate the 12th day of Christmas and the Wisemen bringing gifts to Jesus. The tradition here is for people to have parties and buy a special kind of bread called Rosca. Inside the bread, which is in the shape of an oval ring, (the center is cut out) there are hidden little plastic or porcelain figures. Each person takes a turn cutting himself a piece of bread and if you find a figure inside your piece you are supposed to host a party on February 2nd and have tamales at the party. So, I got to celebrate this event 4 times. Only once did I get a figure in my bread. It's a different but fun event. Also in some parts of Mexico people give gifts on this day- kind of like an extra Christmas. :)
Well, I've officially announced to LBT that I will not be returning to Puebla next fall, so now I'm really seeking the Lord's direction on what to do after I return to the United States. The options are limitless and I have NO idea what to do or what God is calling me to, so that is a huge prayer request- that I will wait on God for Him to reveal His will for me.
Have a great week and please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from more people.
Angelina
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