August 6th 2008

It was good that the day started as normal with the sun brightly shining in my face. However, it was before my alarm went off that I woke up. When my alarm did go off, I got up and went down to have breakfast. For breakfast I had a piece of bread and two glasses of water since water was delivered last night. After breakfast I came back up to my room and lied in bed. While in bed, I found that I reflected on my time here and some of the ways that this experience has changed me. One example is my prayer life is different, I pray for others more than myself now along with being able to pray in English or Spanish. My concern and the way I think has changed as well. When I got up again, I did my morning devotion and then read some more of my book. I took a break from reading to use the internet, but quickly went back to reading since I am enjoying the book. I read my book for the whole morning because since today is the Independence Day of Bolivia, there were no classes at the language school. However, in the afternoon I headed to Larry’s for my weekly meeting. It was a little difficult to get there because there was not a lot of public transportation because it is technically a holiday in Bolivia. Even though I had to wait quite awhile to catch a truffi to Larry’s I still made it there a little early. When I arrived I was greeted by Larry and then he let me look at the notes that Shawnee sent him for my evaluation. It was good to be able to read this even though I did not agree with one of the comments was made. Then I helped Betty make the lunch by mashing potatoes. While helping make lunch, I had a good discussion about my feelings about leaving and what I will do when I return to the United States. I had beef with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a salad for lunch. During lunch we talked about people’s terrible experiences with dentist. We also talked about healing prayer and some of the events that have occurred in the church. After lunch it was decided by the group to wait awhile for dessert. So Larry and I went to talk and have our weekly meeting. We talked about my time here and what I have been doing. This meeting went different then all of the other meetings and I think that it was because we opened with prayer. In the meeting, we talked about my financial situation and doing my last shopping before Saturday so I have gifts for everyone as I say good-bye to them. During this discussion we also thought about gifts for some people that I did not know what to get them, but Larry said that it would be better to talk to Betty about this topic. I also informed Larry that I have written out responses to the questions he gave me in reflecting on my time in Cochabamba. My evaluation was also talked about and we talked about Larry’s role as my mentor. This discussion really opened my eyes to why I have had hurt feelings, but it was because I was experiencing a different type of supervision than I am used to. Usually, I dread these meetings but today I was happy that I told Larry that I wanted to meet with him today. After our meeting, we went to have dessert. For dessert there was a date cake with chocolate in it, plain macaroons, macaroons covered in chocolate, and coffee. While eating dessert we talked about financial situations of missionaries. Then we talked about some hair cut or hair styles in our lives that might have been a little crazy. When I shared some of my hair styles, Larry jokingly said he was going have to go change some comments on my evaluation. Also, I talked with Betty about presents and about giving me the information about praying; since I am getting better with praying in Spanish, but I would like to improve if possible. As I was getting ready to leave, Larry and I made plans for tomorrow to go finish my shopping. Then I went back to Bob and Meg’s house until worship practice. While at Bob and Meg’s house, I read some more of the book that I have been reading. In reading this book, it has really helped me understand my difficulties with a new culture and new environment. Before I knew it, it was time to go to worship practice. On the way to practice, Meg and I had a weird experience with her brakes so she called Bob and asked him to pick us after practice. Before practice I went with Paula and Meg to the store to get a cold soda for all of to share. Tonight’s practice went well and I hope that we keep the same places for Saturday so I can see the music. Also, I felt like I was able to play and sing all the songs and it was a true worship to God. After practice Bob came to pick us up and since he did not have money to pay for the taxi, I loaned them the money. Bob then drove me home and as soon I returned to the house the repaid me. As I got to the house, I arrived at the same time as Quique and was greeted by Susana as well. Upon returning home, I quickly used the internet, did my night time devotion, got ready for bed, and went to bed.