6 months in...

Before we moved we were advised by a few missionaries that there are bench marks in the first year to watch out for. One of those bench marks is the 6 month mark. I can't remember exactly what I was suppose to watch for but I distinctly remember being warned that that it may be tough at that mark. Well, here we are 6 months in to living in Peru...Where my missionary friends right or wrong? Well, a little bit of both. I love being here. I love that the Lord has called us here and is revealing to us everyday that He is with us and opening doors for us. I am experiencing new joys and experiences on a regular basis. On the flip side though, I miss my friends and family terribly.  I miss Target. I miss having a cell phone.  I miss Paloma. I miss talking to people and building relationships without straining my brains out and hoping I am saying the right thing. I miss comforts and trust me more often then not I am uncomfortable.

My son is now almost 6 weeks old. I can't believe it. I can't resist his beautiful face! He is a little mini Eli in looks but boy does he have his own personality. He is a strong Arequipenian boy who is sure to tell me what he is thinking...which is mostly thoughts of milk, hunger, gas and dirty diapers. He is my cuddle bug...He is sweet as pie. He makes me uncomfortable though. He reminds me that living I STINK at living in community. He cries, imagine that. When he cries I think I should leave the room because no one wants to be around a crying baby right? He likes to be held, doesn't he know that I have to cook dinner for 7 other people, I ain't got time for holding! He needs to see that doctor for check ups...doesn't he know that I don't know medical terminology in Spanish...I can't go to doctors appointments for him. 6 months in I had a baby here. It was so different then the first time. Less rest, less peace, less relaxation. It made me, at times, want to go back. Back to comforts that I once knew. Back to an idealistic image of what life was like the first time.  But then I remember I have a calling.  A call that goes beyond the comforts of a life I once had. A call that goes beyond worrying about whether or not someone hears him cry...so they get annoyed, oh well.  I was called to live in community. It is because of this beautiful baby boy that I have had more conversations with women here in Peru then ever before. It is through this little boy that I have been able to build (little by little) relationships with other women here. It is through this little boy that I am reminded to put myself in his position with the Lord. To trust him completely. To cry out to Him as loud as I can and in complete desperation. To forget the business of life and what needs to be done and just ask Him to hold me for little while. To constantly look to him for my provision and trust that he will get us through it all.

6 months in and no it is not always easy but it sure is fun. It sure is right. It sure is what the Lord called us to.