Muchas Gracias

Hey all! Well, as most of you probably know. I made it home safely and early! My plane landed 15 minutes early and I ran to baggage claim, beating all the others off the plane by at least 5 minutes. It really is great to be back, to spend time with family and friends, and just relax. I want to send a genuine thank you to EVERYONE who supported me...just by reading my blogs, praying, and even financially to get me there. The experience has changed my life forever in incredible ways. It has left me broken, which is a great place to be to worship and realize my dependence on the Lord, joyful, loving my life and the many new and old family and friends I have to share it with, and thankful for all the many opportunities, possessions, and love I have to give others.

As anyone who read the blog knows, not everything has gone my way throughout my time in Bolivia and I had many unspoken trials throughout my time. Through all of these trials I have recently experienced, I think I am in the best place of my life at this point. I have never been more happy, full of joy, and ready to praise and worship God for the recent blessings he has bestowed upon my life. I want to send another thank you to you, for reading and for walking on this journey faithfully with me...and a HUGE thank you to the Lord that ultimately got me here and has taken me through everything I encountered and will never forsake me. He loves each and every one of you equally and is ALWAYS with you in ANY situation!
Praise God and God Bless!!!

The Incan Trail...and farewell

It has been a crazy week! I have done things I never thought I would and I am continuing to prepare for some of the hardest things I will ever do. We were told we were goin on a 2 day hike on the "Chorro." I never imagined that 2 days literally meant we were going to be walking for 10-11 hours a day downhill/uphill and everything in between. We hiked 70 kilometers in 2 days which I have calculated is 43.75 miles. It was truly INCREDIBLE AND THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE! We started out eye level with glaciers and declined almost 10,000 feet to end up in orange groves and coffee plantations! We slept under a little open hut in sleeping bags. Of course, it rained and it was FREEZING, but I got some good sleep in. My joints have never hurt so bad in my life. It really doesn´t matter how in shape you are, it tears you up. On the amazing side of this journey, the views and wildlife and waterfalls were incredible!!!!! There were SOOO many waterfalls we couldn´t have been able to count. We were just in the jungle with green mountains, flowers, and trees, and as the pain lingered in my body, I truly did enjoy all that nature had to offer. There were wild horses, llamas, and pigs in some parts...oh my. The trail is an old Incan trail that the Incas created HUNDREDS of years ago. As I walked through and thought of my heavy pack and wet shoes, I realized, the Incans probably did this barefoot...I need to suck it up! I still can´t believe I made it, but it was an incredible experience that I am thankful for! Andrea and Cara were our fearless and amazing leaders. We ended and took a day retreat to a hotel in Coroico to let our muscles rebuild themselves and discuess the week to come. I can not believe I am on week 16 of 16. Every day comes some conversation of leaving this place that I have grown SO comfortable with. I really feel like I am preparing to leave my family behind. Sipriana, Juan, Rebeca, Sara, and Nancy are a part of me. It will truly be a tough task to say goodbye not knowing when or if our paths of life will cross again here on Earth. I want to give a sincere thank you to all that have walked with me on this journey, for your prayer and support. I do not think I will write again until after I return this Saturday night. I love all of you and can not wait to be able to share life with you again in the States. Remember Bolivia and this incredible family in your prayers.