Fun Times in Mexico

While I definitely feel like I am right where God wants me to be right now, there are some days that it is really hard. Between learning a new language, adjusting to both a new culture and job, and missing people back home, there are plenty of challenges to say the least. However, God is in it all from the tears to the laughter and all of my highs and lows here. Experiencing difficult times makes me really appreciate and celebrate the joyful times God provides though. Sometimes, it is just a brief moment of encouragement and joy, and other times, it's a whole day of fun. Here are two recent events that I especially enjoyed...

One Monday afternoon (our day off), I was planning on going over to visit with two girls from church Jesi and Susy. Jesi is 15 and Susy is 9, and they wanted me to come meet their new puppy. When I got to their house, I found out that it was their brother's birthday. At first, I felt like I might be intruding, but they and their parents immediately were so excited and insistent that I join their family celebration. We had great baked chicken with tortillas and then had a German chocolate birthday cake for dessert, complete with the coconut icing. Afterwards, I went shopping with Jesi, Susy, and their mom. It was so fun to just hang out with them and look for new clothes. It also felt so normal, like something I might do at home in the U.S. In the picture above, Susy waits outside a store with the new puppy, whom she insisted on taking with us. :)

The next Monday was also a very special day because it was my roommate Elizabeth's birthday. We had been planning a festive day for a couple of weeks...a day trip to Aguascalientes, but what made it even more fun and special was that Elizabeth's sister flew in the night before for a surprise week-long visit. We all enjoyed a wonderful day complete with a meal at Chili's and a movie in English that even had comfy seats. Whether it's going to La Paz or Cocina in Birmingham and having Mexican food or going to Chili's in Mexico and having American food, I love celebrating birthdays with friends!