Currently: drinking the huge mug of cafe con leche, cut a sliver off of ian's birthday cake (tres leches) to enjoy a relaxing morning aside the maga maga river..the early birds chirping and the saturday commuters buzzing by in the distance. Time is absolutely flying and I can hardly believe that in less than two months I'll be back home in the U.S.A. frantically christmas shopping, and trying to coax myself out of another beautiful angel christmas cookies (why do the angel shaped ones always taste best?) Summer is nearly here and my heart is so joyous. The beginning of this month I opted to make a few changes in my diet and start exercising more regularly. I have magically wasted away 10 pounds already..and I couldn't be more thrilled because quite honestly it's been a joy to wake up early, conquer a 3-6 mile run, hit the gym to check out a spinning/yoga/pilates class (thanks Dad), eat tons of fresh salads with the incredibly cheap veggies they have here. It has really given me more energy and I can feel the difference..I never thought I'd be a type of person who gets antzy if I don't get my run in..or who could literally go to the mall without purchasing something at burger king, or worse a movie without popcorn. But I have realized that it is all mental power..and the mind is very powerful. It has been very rewarding training my mind to push through my first 10K run, to eat salad rather than the potatoe enriched stew for lunch, and I have also learned to stabilize the rollercoaster of emotions that used to hit me hard about once a month. I am grateful for the time that has been given to me in Chile...I have grown so much and really matured since 2010 when I first arrived. I have learned to care for myself first and to always persue what God has for me..just to be present and seek all of the day's blessings. My boss and I recently took a road trip to the North of Chile..nearly 10 hours in car. We had pleanty of time to daydream while passing through the desierto florido listening to Beethoven (boss' pick). We had some really in depth discussions as well. In fact, my boss asked me to tell her stories from the Bible. Whoa, thanks North Central--definitely gave me the ability to whip out a few. When she asks, how does the Bible end? WHOA, difficult, considering there is a million interpretations of Revelations..and who really knows what the four horsemen represent or what exactly the mark of the beast will be but I did make it clear that the clouds will part and Jesus is coming back and taking those who believe with him. Anyhow, after I shared the life lessons I've learned in the bible Marisol begun sharing some of the life lessons she's learned in her 58 years of life. This is one I'll take with me: Life is no different than the flight attendant says. When in emergency, secure FIRST your oxygen mask and then help those around you to secure their oxygen masks. My boss continues..."Kendall, you can't spend your life caring for others before you find yourself in a secure and healthy state. It's draining...and their circumstance will ruin you if you are not strong and ABLE to conquer all that is ahead." And as selfish as it sounds..she's right. These two years have giving me so much confidence...not just some tattoo that says "I press on" but Chile has prepared me for life's obstacles, given me the tools to confront obstacles and the security I needed to "seguir adelante" to move forward in faith and not stand still in fear! Well, that's all for now. Better get back to enjoying it all...so little time left.
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