The blessings of 1 Year

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home of brothers or sisters or mother of father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life..." Mark 10:29-30

May 8 of 2007, I arrived here in Leon. Last year I was welcomed here by missionaries, aimers, and church family. I do not feel like I have been here a year. However, as I reflect, I realize that I have grown in so many ways. I have also been blessed in so many ways.
Just a few blessings that God has given me in the past year;

A new family- I do love the people here. They really do care for me and are striving to know God. The more I have learned Spanish and have been able to communicate with them, the more I want to encourage them to be more Christ like, serve them, and just simple share with them as a sister in Christ. God is so good and has given me so much.

My relationship with God- I am growing; however, I have struggled and still do. At times I seem to be on fire and others I feel that I am not growing. Feelings are not always reliable though. Something that I have noticed, while going through difficult times, is how I always have joy. I don't mean that I am always happy, but I have my hope in Christ and the fact that He rose and someday I will be with Him. I am so thankful that I have the Holy Spirit, who gets me through the day, overflows me with joy, and works through me in ways that I can't imagine. I have learned many important lessons. One being that God is my true Love. He is someone I can rely on, trust in, and will always be the same
Friends and Mentors- The missionaries, my teammates, and I have become family and friends. We share together and encourage one another to keep going. Shawn and Omar have taught us a lot through their classes, but mostly through examples. Tana and Barb have also taught me many things. Even though they are older than me and have kids, I think of them as friends and really look up to them. I have learned a lot from their advice and example also. I am so blessed to have Tana and Barb. They not only lead the Ladies in church but Annie, Megan, and I.

Mexican Culture- Another blessing is learning a different culture. My eyes have been open to a different way of thinking and living. I realize that I have grown up in a wealthy country and am very blessed in more than one way. I have learned and am still learning Spanish. I pray that Spanish will open many doors for me to minister to people in the states and much more.
There are so many blessings that I have received since I have been here. I may not realize all of them till I leave. I thank God for putting me here. He has a bigger plan than I can imagine!!