I'm still alive, but barely kicking. Ha.

Hello friends!

In case you were wondering...I made it safely home from my study abroad. I know, right, thanks for informing you like 10 months later. Haha. Life just got really busy, I suppose, but when isn't it?

Anyway, to briefly catch you up...this past summer I interned at La Iglesia Trinidad (a somewhat bilingual church) in Milwaukee, WI. This fall I started at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI.

Seminary has had it's ups and downs. Sometimes I feel I'm exactly where God wants me. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely making it. Are the two mutually exclusive? Maybe. Maybe not. In the difficult times I'm reminded that it's only by God's grace I'll make it to graduation. I am encouraged that my sense of calling lines up well with the preparation I'm doing now. Currently I'm thinking that I would love to get involved in Campus Ministries, Residence Life, or Christian Social Work...maybe I'll get to do all of that at some point in my life, but maybe God will lead me on a completely different path. Eventually I see God leading me to these types of ministries somewhere in Latin America. By the way, I miss Ecuador and Costa Rica quite a lot and hope that the Lord will bring me back to those countries someday soon.

Another exciting update (if you haven't gathered from the above pictures) is that Josh and I are engaged!!! On December 22nd, 2011 Josh took me on a fun scavenger hunt which ultimately led me to the enchanting snowy forest in his backyard where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!! I, of course, said YES!!! Later that evening we enjoyed a carriage ride to celebrate :) That was definitely the best Christmas gift ever! The rest of break was very busy with planning as we decided to get married on JULY 7th, 2012, I believe 129 days from today! (note the countdown to the left:)

We are thrilled to be getting married this summer, but it has been so difficult being apart still. Not only simply missing one another, but also making major decisions over the phone is just plain frustrating...not too mention how hard is is juggling grad school and a wedding. Josh is currently working as a waiter back in Wisconsin and living with his parents until we get married. At the same time, he's job searching her in Holland, so if you have any ideas, let us know!

Please pray for me as I continue my studies in seminary (midterms this week!). Also, please pray for Josh and I as we prepare for marriage! Blessings to you all!