Esperando...

I am sitting in an internet cabina in Lima right now.

Why?

Because my parents are coming to Lima tonight for the very first time to visit, and I can´t wait to see them and pick them up from the airport.

How do you summarize 5 months of your life in one Website?

Flickr.com

That's how

Ok this post is just to let you guys know that after eons, I have finally posted new pictures from the last few months to my flickr account. Phew. Click here to go to my flickr photo site.

www.flickr.com/peruviangillian

Below is just a little tasty sampling of the feast to come. Ok not really, but here are a few pictures from the sets I created.

And we're back...

After a very threatening comment on my last post from my good friend Diana, I decided it would be a good idea to post again. Alright, alright, alright, I know it's been forever and a day since I last posted.

Heather Ferguson, one of the missionary wives, and one of my favorite people in general likes to talk about life through seasons. It's really very helpful to be able to say that the last season of my life was very busy, very....well, to tell the truth, I don't know exactly what it was. It was odd.

The first months of the year was alot of sanctification and pruning through various trials, situations, and just life experiences in general. I keep a sketchbook of my thoughts and drawings about what happens, and I know that will be very interesting later to look back on. I know that for the first 4 or 5 months though of this, I was going through a season of change and general unrest. However, I feel that season has turned finally and for the better.

I know that the lessons I learned through that season were for my good, but they still take something out of you. Something fierce. Through that season I sort of fell off the communication wagon and haven't been able to keep up with some of my US friends and family as well as continuing my relationships here in Peru. Not that I wanted either side to get lost to the other, but it's difficult to find that balance. And while heather often speaks of seasons of life, I am beginning to find that my personal credo is "Finding Balance" Which I guess is applicable in every part of life, but especially when you are adjusting to a new environment.

Isn't that strange how you are thrown into a new environment and it's like you suddenly forget who you are and what you need to function at a good level. For example, I completely forgot at one point while living here that I am the type of person that loves people, yet still needs alone time in order to not go crazy. Why do I do that? Why do I forget? Looking back on it, I think "Man, I would have saved myself alot of stress if I had just taken 30 minutes each day to myself so as not to make myself reach my boiling point.

But that was earlier, in a different season. I am happy to report that things here are just going fantastically well. I've almost been here a full year now and am very content with my life here in Peru. I'm still involved with Music Ministry and hope to write an update soon about that. I of course am still teaching at SALI, am very happy in the classroom and enjoying learning everyday from my students and improving my teaching skills. I also have assumed a new role within Peru Mission as an assistant to the Intern Director in the area of Intern Recruiting and Logistics. All that to say that I try to help people get down here safely (without getting lost in Lima) and try to help them get accustomed to their internship in Peru. I enjoy the recruiting process. I used to work in the admissions office at my university and I always enjoyed answering questions and providing as much information to people as possible so that their transitions are smooth, so I will enjoy doing this on a much grander, international level as well.

And I think that's about it for now, My mommy and daddy are coming in 11 days to visit Peru and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait for them to visit Trujillo, to see the work of the mission (and even help out a little to) and well...just to see them in General. I haven't seen them in 6 months, which for someone like me whose family is a vital part of my being is quite a long time. I always miss my family while I'm away and so this will be a wonderful refresher for me. We're going to have lots of Peruvian adventures I'm sure, but I have to plan their itinerary before I can write about what sorts of adventures will be coming our way.

Stay Tuned.