update!

What a crazy past few weeks it's been! Sorry I haven't updated in a while! But here goes...

So, the week after my birthday..I received a beautiful card from my beautiful sister <3 and a package with GOOD chocolate from Amy and Carlos :) they're awesome!! I also got in the mail a "virtual birthday box" from my parents...with m&m's. I'm so loved :) haha. But yeah, last week was basically just classes and some excursions in the afternoons. On Friday night, we went to a Cuenca vs. Independiente and CUENCA WON! :) I bought a jersey...so I'll be sure to show that off when I get back, haha. It was crazy and super exciting! Behind us, these guys started a fire in the stands with newspapers that were previously used as umbrellas. We're hoping to get to another one before we all head out. 

Two weekends ago (2/11-2/12) we went to Saraguro, an indigenous community. We spent the night in a hostel. Abby and I had a room with five beds for the two of us..we used a few extra blankets from them because it was a bit chilly! But, it was great :) That Sunday, we went to this ritual in one of the communities. Such an interesting experience...different than anything I'd seen before. It was a ritual for Mother Earth (Pacha Mama). Very different.

This past weekend we went to Montanita to "descansar" a bit. It was a little vacation for all of us..but didn't seem like a very relaxing one! It's this crazy, beach town..which doesn't really fit the idea of relaxing for any of us, but we were able to find some rest on the beach! The beaches here are beautiful! Our hostel was located right on the busiest street and the entire town stays up until 6 or 7 am...music blasting and all. Haha, it was crazy! Thankfully, we were all able to sleep well through it...On the last full day that we were there, Abby and I decided to take a risk and go para-sailing! Oh my word, it was so incredible! I've never done anything so exhilarating in my life! We were up in the air for about 7 minutes (estimation...haha) and the water was so blue..and we could see all of the people along the shore. Overall, Montanita was not my cup-of-tea, but it was nice to experience something new! I'm definitely loving being back in Cuenca :) It feels like another home! 

Only two more weeks in Cuenca..it's definitely bittersweet right now! I know we'll make the most of these next two weeks..and then again in Machu Pichu..but I'm super excited to be back in Chicago with friends and four days later, my parents!! 

One final thought for today...I would encourage all of you to check out Psalm 86! I was really encouraged one day when I was reading through my spanish Bible and found it...one verse that stuck out to me in spanish was: ""Te alabare, oh Jehova Dios mio, con todo mi corazon, y glorificare tu nombre para siempre! - Salmos 86:12" It's just so beautiful! Enjoy the rest of your day/night/wherever you are in the world :) Remember that you are so incredibly loved!

Becky

Ecuadorian parade?!

Just a brief update...

Every Friday here we have an hour-long dance class....last Friday (2/3/12) four of us in our group were asked by our dance instructor to be in parade right before Carnaval. Yes..I mean DANCE in an Ecuadorian parade....hahaha. So...it's during our class time, but CEDEI is maybe figuring something out...I'll keep ya posted :)

This past Sunday, we went to Ingapirca and it was really cool! We had a tour of the ruins (I'll upload pictures when I get the chance) and then later went to this beautiful cathedral. And....I got a sunburn..but only on the right side of my neck/collarbone..haha. My camera suffered a lens error....but I think it's ok now :) I hope!

I think this Friday we're going to try to make it to a Cuenca futbol game! It's between 7 and 15 dollars to go...I'm so excited! And then this weekend we're going to Saraguro, an indigenous community.

It's crazy to think that my time here is almost halfway over! I'm looking forward to the next few weeks and what we are able to experience. Good news...my classes today were a little less stressful! It was even easier to understand and I then had more confidence when I went home for lunch. Please pray that this will continue!!!

I'm off to get some homework done and then head back to my house. Love you all so much! I hope you have a beautiful night!! :)



P.S...I'd just like to make a little shout out to my Grandpa, as it was his birthday yesterday..miss you so much, Grandpa and I wish you could be reading this too! Love you!

my 21st!

Well...I'm officially 21!!! My birthday was really great here :) I woke up around 6:30 to get ready for breakfast and then had breakfast with my host-mom. My first birthday present on my 21st birthday was a Bible...completely in Spanish :) I had mentioned before to my host-mom that I wanted to buy one....and she bought one for me! Then..my host-dad came down and gave me a present from him...a 2013 calender with a matching planner...with pictures of Cuenca for each month! So beautiful :) Oscar, Sarah and I walked to school together and when we got there, Abby and Kyle gave me a donut for my birthday!! So great! After two 2-hour long classes...we went into the courtyard area and we had chocolate cake and ice cream! Then, I went home for lunch and my brother, mom, dad, sister and her youngest (who calls me "Aggie" because she can't say "Becky" :) ) were there for my birthday lunch! We had this delicious rice (no surprise! :) ) and meat meal and after we had cake! Later that afternoon, we had a lecture thing...and later that night we went to a bar with live music. Abby slept over which was a lot of fun :) It was a great birthday! Excited to be able to celebrate back in the states with more friends and family though :)

Today...I went to the market with my host-mom this morning and we bought the food for the week. Standing next to the raw meat wasn't entirely spectacular...but it was an experience! Haha, she also told the guy that she bought her milk from that I'd like to try milking a cow someday. Hopefully! :p Then...we went back around 9 to the house and had breakfast together...and watched some cartoons in Spanish! And then I read for a bit..and we had lunch..and now I'm at a cafe with Oscar just catching up on e-mails and this :) It's been quite a relaxing day! And...later, I'm going to church with my host-parents and then maybe out to a movie with our group? Tomorrow we're going to Ingapirca! It's a bunch of Inca ruins...I'll make sure to take lots of pictures! I hope you're enjoying the pictures on facebook so far :)

Oh, I forgot to mention before....but last weekend we went to Cajas National Park...which was absolutely incredible! We went on Saturday and spent the night. It was a little chilly..but we had tents and sleeping bags and lots of clothes, haha. I loved it! On Saturday, we took this 4 hour hike..and on the way, I was just so overwhelmed by God's presence.. and his love for me! It was incredible. In the difficult times of being here...of feeling overwhelmed by the language barrier (getting better...), I have just been struck by His presence and it's amazing. So, thank you all so much for the prayers and thoughts! God is soo good, and I hope that you'll feel that and continue looking for his little planted blessings for you every day :)

Hasta luego!

Becky