Week One in Peru

So - I have been here in Peru for just about a week now. Right now I am living with a host family - the Aranzaenses (a Peruvian family with two daughters about my age - one of them is married and lives across the street). They are great, and since I won't start language classes until Thursday, we have been spending lots of time together - taking walks, watching movies, talking and getting to know one another. What a blessing to get to know them.

I have also been busy trying to get to know this enormous city. Lima is huge! I have a map of the whole city, and when I look at all the streets I know so far I know only 2 or 3 inches - so much more to see. Here is just a taste of what Lima is like...I took these pictures while on a walk to the coast this morning (about a 30 min. walk from where I live).

This is the park (Parque Tradiciones) near where I am living in Miraflores (one of 20 + districts in Lima). Even though it is a big city, there are lots of beautiful parks - lots of people sit and enjoy them at all hours of the day and night.


One of the highways that run through town.


Cliffs of Lima and the Pacific Ocean (notice the cloudy sky - not so different than Seattle, but with out any rain).


Here on this section of the coast is a very modern outdoor mall called Larco (name of the street) Mar (spanish for sea). Can you spot the Starbucks?



Me at the lookout (mirador) at Larco Mar - even though it is cloudy, it is so bright I have to where sunglasses.


This is the front of my home right now. The tree on the left was planted from a branch taken from a tree in Araquipa (the city in Peru where the Aranzaens family is from)

Llegue (I have arrived)

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Last Thursday, I traveled to San Francisco to get my visa for Peru. With my visa in hand I even had some time for some Dim Sum in China Town.

It has been crazy the last few days, saying good bye and packing up, but I am finally here.
I arrived in Lima last night around ten, and have spent my first day exploring the city....just wanted to let you all know I have arrived safely. I will post some pictures and some more info in a few days.

Blessings to you all,

Lauren

Adios Fiesta

What a blessing! Today we had an open house going away fiesta. It was so good to see so many of you - your words of encouragement and prayers are such a support to me. As I have just one week before I leave I have been asked a lot how I am feeling - and honestly I am so excited and ready, but I know it is because I am being supported by so many prayers. Thank you all.

So - next up is a trip to San Francisco to get my visa on Tuesday and then packing and a little more farewell visiting with family and friends.

Count down to Peru - 8 days :)

Pictures From Cambodia

Ok....it has been a while since I have been back from Cambodia, but if you want to see some more pictures visit the following link: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/furnace3.

Search for tags "Cambodia" to see all the pictures from there.

In the future I will add more pictures from Peru :)

A Legacy of Faith

On Sept. 18th about a day after I returned from Cambodia, My Grammie, Millie Woodside, passed away from this earth to be forever in the presence of the Lord.

It has been a difficult few weeks, as my family has been missing and remembering her. But there has been such a great sense of peace as well. We know that she is no longer suffering from the Alzheimer's that afflicted her the last few years of her life, she is whole, and she is with her beloved.

Yesterday we had a memorial service to celebrate her life - and remember how much she loved everyone she met. She was an awesome grandmother who loved me so much - but more powerfully she always shared how much God loved me, and always sing "Oh how he loves you and me". She shared this love with everyone really. I think my cousin, Nate, captured this best with the song he wrote and shared with us all yesterday. Thanks Nate for helping me remember her so well...

Simple Things
Nate Boyt

I remember in days gone by
Running to the door screaming “Grandma!”
And seeing the sparkle in your eye
And I knew that you loved me
From your head down to your feet
And more than anything
You wanted to see me complete

So you would hold me close, take me on your knee
And you would sing to me
You’d tell me of a greater story, a greater love
Greater than you and greater than me

It was the simple things and the simple words
That let me know you loved me
When the day was done, just like it had begun
I knew you were praying for me
But now that you’re gone
I wish the letting go
Was that simple

I remember a day not long gone
You sat in the front row & I stood with my bride
Age held you in your chair, but I still caught your eye
I saw that sparkle, I felt your love, it wore no disguise

I leaned over and held you close, you whispered in my ear
“Grammie can’t stand right now, but you know that I love you,
You know that I care”

Now I’m the jealous one, ‘cause you’re standing with Jesus face to face
And he’s holding you in a simple embrace
Now, he turns you to your dancing partner
Once again, the two lovers’ eyes meet
Now they’re dancing the night away
They’re dancing to this simple song

Oh, how he loves you and me
Oh, how he loves you and me
He gave his life, what more could he give
Oh, how he loves you, oh how he loves me
Oh, how he loves you and me

Now they’re dancing
Gone are the weights
Gone are the pains
Gone are the chains that held you down

Everything is new
Everything is new
Everything is new
Oh how he loves you and me