November Highlights (Photo Blog)

   Also this month I celebrated my first birthday in Nicaragua. It was such a great way to kick off 27 as a ridiculous fun and messy celebration complete with tons of egg-smashing fun, classic hug fights with Rosita, and a huge surprise birthday party! I love it!! If you would like to see more of the birthday fun check out my blog: My 27th birthday… Celebratin’ Nica Style.

   This month was not only my birthday celebration, but I also was able to celebrate with my beautiful friend, Elisa, as she turned 15. The quincenera is a HUGE celebration in Latin culture. She didn’t think that she would have an actual celebration because her family was unable to afford the princess dress and all the other things expected at the quincenera. I was able to take her dress shopping and help make her celebration possible. Oh, she was so lovely!! I was thrilled to see her so incredibly happy, to celebrate with her, and to see this piece of Latin culture.

   Lindsay was working with her World Race team here in Nicaragua so Rosita and I made a trip to go and see her in Omentepe Island. It took us 8 hours, 3 taxis, 3 buses, and a ferry to arrive at the island, but it was SO worth it! We had the BEST reunion!! It was so great to have the three of us together again. We laughed, talked, read the Word, worshipped, played cards, ate great food, and just enjoyed being together again. It was such a blessing to have those couple of days.

   Also, the youth were invited to dance at an annual children’s conference in Managua. They did such a wonderful job ministering there. I really love to see them growing in unity and in their dance skills. I am so proud of them!! Also, as a bonus Lindsay’s team was passing through Managua so she came to surprise and support the youth.

  I loved being able to travel and adventure with the World Racers! We made the most of our days off traveling around Nicaragua having fun adventures. It was great to have people to travel with again. One of our trips was to Cerro Negro to go volcano surfing. We had such a great time!! If you would like to see more photos and a video from our adventure then check out my blog: Volcano Surfing Take 2

  We had a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration at Playa Roca. David and Cookie, the owners of our favorite beach place, hosted a huge dinner for all of the Americans living in Nicaragua. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, peas, and sweet potato casserole. AMAZING!! We were able to take our staff, the World Race team, and our short-term team from Atlanta. We had a great time playing at the beach and eating a ton of delicious food!

   Probably my favorite new things this month is beginning to build relationships with the family that lives at the corner of our property. They started inviting me to come and play cards with them. I have been visiting almost every day to play cards, talk about life, and spend time with the 16 year old who just had her first baby. (Me holding baby Junieth- pictured right). This family lives right at our property, but is not interested in the Lord or the church. I love how He is opening doors for me to really build relationships with them! I am praying for His transformation and healing to come to this family.

   We finished out the month with the World Race girls by having a sleepover with the youth girls. It was such a great last night with all the ladies filled with every middle school girl sleepover cliche that you can imagine! We danced, sang, painted each other nails, had pillow fights, ate dinner together, and watched movies. I love my girls!!