A Difficult Ending, yet an Exciting Beginning!

How is it possible that this is my FINAL blog post written from Paraguay?!?! I fly home next week, and the emotions are running WILD! I am going to fill you in on what has occurred the rest of November/beginning of December, and my next post will be from cold and snowy Ohio, where I'll talk about my transition home!

Many of the naranjitas (helpers in orange vests) from the Encentro con Dios (Encounter with God) events this year got together for an asado at Nilda's house. We had a FANTASTIC time eating, visiting, and laughing our heads off! :) Pictured below: Mary and I digging into the delicious food! The naranjitas are such a FUN group of women, and I wish I were going to be here longer so I could continue to get to know them! They always, always make me smile, and their deep love for the Lord is so encouraging to me!

eating chorizo (sausage)

eating and fellowshipping

crazy naranjitas! :)

November was a month of spending valuable time with friends and family for the final time before heading back home. When Aaron (my host sister Perla's boyfriend) visited, Cassidy, Perla, Aaron, and I went out to eat at TGI Friday's one evening. It was only my second time there this year. I ate a giant burger and fries, so it was a taste of the U.S! :) Cassidy and I enjoyed hearing all about Perla and Aaron's wedding, which will occur on July 18, 2015. The two of them were able to finalize their save-the-dates and contact different venues, among other things.

roomies enjoying the night out

friends/family at TGI Friday's

Last week we attended the commissioning service of Pastor Pablo and his wife Claudette, who will be missionaries in Honduras for at least the next three years. This was an especially special moment because they are the first missionaries to be sent out from the national Methodist church of Paraguay! Cassidy and I haven't gotten to know them too well this year, but we know that they are AMAZING people who love the Lord! During the service, several people shared how Pablo and Claudette have impacted their lives over the years. We also sang "How Great Thou Art" in the six different languages represented that evening: Korean, Spanish, English, Portuguese, German, and Guarani. How special that was!! :) Cassidy and I were able to talk to the couple afterward and send them our blessings.

Pablo & Claudette's commisssioning service

sending blessings with Claudette

Our friends Mary and Alcides Escobar took Cassidy and me out for Mexican at Sol Azteca, one of our favorite restaurants in town! The four of us split a large platter, and we also all got either fresh peach or pineapple juice. YUM! We ate outside under the stars late at night, and I just loved being able to enjoy a meal on the patio in the middle of November! :)

roomies at Sol Azteca

Mary & Natalie at Sol Azteca

What is better than spending Thanksgiving Day swimming in 92-degree temps with some of your best friends and feasting on turkey and MANY other good eats?! Not much! I even managed to get a tan (and also a slight sunburn)! :) It was certainly the first (and probably the last) time I will ever get to swim outdoors in late November! What an enjoyable day all of us missionaries had being completely together for the final time this year. I have to say it was quite an emotional time, knowing I am leaving behind some SPECTACULAR men and women of God. One thing, however, is certain: they will forever be in my heart! :) We went to a pool club, and each of us prepared a dish. I made pasta, and Cassidy brought potatoes. The best part was the various types of pie and ice cream! Below, you can see both our fun at the pool and at the table, eating as a family. That's basically what we are to one another: family.

 great friends on Thanksgiving Day :)

 Daniel and I eating turkey and other goodies

 friends at the pool (including newborn Revett!)

roommates enjoying a 92-degree Thanksgiving Day :)

the group that swam

LOVE these people! :)

Our host sister Perla graduated with her degree in social work this month. The entire family (and many friends as well) attended her graduation ceremony. We are SO incredibly proud of all of her hard work!!! Congrats, Perla!!! :) Several others that we know (but not nearly as well) also graduated that day from the theology department.

Congrats, Perla!!! :)

 FAMILY! :)

friends and family alike!

What a great time! :)

One of my favorite events from November was kindergarten graduation! As you can see from the pictures, they looked adorable in both their caps and gowns and their costumes for the dances. I am definitely going to miss this group of intelligent and energetic students! They looked gorgeous/handsome, and I am proud of their hard work from Day #1 this school year! The teachers, whom I came to know VERY well this year (by being one of the English teachers for this age group), were presented with gifts afterward. I will also miss their smiles each day and the way they have treated Colleen and me like family both inside and outside the classroom!

 kindergarten graduation

singing the national anthem to begin

 ready to perform!

 It was fantastic!

 So beautiful!

cowgirls :)

 The Waltzs' with Sue and Profe Naty afterward

gifts for Profe Naty and Profe Nanci

Yesterday, Cassidy, Colleen, and I rode together to the missionary women's Bible study that occurs every other month at one of the ladies' houses. This was our Christmas gathering, so we each brought cookies, both to eat there and to exchange. We also sang Christmas hymns (some of them in other languages, such as Spanish and German). One lady shared her testimony and another shared the history behind "Silent Night." There were also some door prizes given out for correctly answered trivia questions. We clearly ate too many sweets, but that's ok because Christmas only comes once a year, right? :) I LOVE this group of ladies and wish I could join them again next year. It is always great to gather with friends in Christ AND be able to speak English for several hours :)

missionary women's Bible study - Christmas gathering

Well...that's it before departure. I have LOTS to accomplish in the next week! I will be in much colder (and possibly snowy) conditions in a matter of days. For now, I am enjoying this hot and sunny summer weather for just a little longer!

It is ONLY because of your prayers, love, and financial support that I am here and have thrived this year in Paraguay! I will never be able to thank you all for the many ways you have been there for me! God bless you greatly! Now we wait and see what God has in store for the next chapter of my life! I don't know about you, but I'm really excited!!!!! :)

Ways you can be praying...

1) my host family (as they adjust to having no American girls in their house for awhile)

2) Cassidy (as she raises support for next year and spends Christmas in the States before returning to Paraguay late Jan)

3) my daily spiritual life

4) the young people of Paraguay

5) the spiritual bondage in Paraguay

6) the students at New Horizon Methodist School (to have a safe and healthy summer break before returning for a new school year mid-Feb)

7) the flood victims in Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil

8) MY TRANSITION BACK TO THE U.S. AFTER LIVING ABROAD FOR A YEAR!