Twenty-one

September 26

So it’s my birthday. I am officially twenty-one. My goodness. That’s interesting.

I’m pretty sure if you stuck a pacifier in my mouth and handed me a doll I’d say I’ve been wondering where those have been!

Jokes. But for real. Since when am I not seven?

Every year for my birthday I am home. And every year my mom makes me lasagna and garlic bread. It is my favorite meal in the world. 

But this year? Well, I wasn’t going to be home for my birthday. For the very first time. Which saddened my heart, along with the fact I sure wasn’t planning on eating lasagna in the jungle.

You know when people go completely out of their way for you? Like they put a whole lot of effort into helping you have an extra good day? Well, that’s what the staff here did for me today.

Basically I was in the kitchen when Karol walked in and told me I needed to help her check on something in the oven outside. She had a huge smile on her face so I knew something was up. I walked outside with her, asking why she was laughing and what was going on. Not being able to keep it a secret, she said, “There is a surprise for you.” 

So I stood outside waiting. With great anticipation. After a couple minutes she walked me inside the big house.

All the kids broke out into singing Happy Birthday to me in Spanish.

And in walk Dani and Andrew and Kevin and Miguel. With lasagna. And garlic bread. And brownies.

And a candle.

And then all the staff sang me Happy Birthday in English.

And oh my goodness. I know they spent hours on making me that meal. Hours. In fact, I found out later that Miguel went on a wild search to find those lasagna noodles. And also it was made with real cheese, like real yummy cheese, that isn’t easy to find around here.

So much planning and cooking went into that meal so that now? I have had lasagna for my birthday every year, this year included.

And Candace? She gave me a brand new body spray that she had brought from America. Oh my word. I have body spray. I might actually smell good.

So basically it was an incredible day and I feel so blessed.

So to everyone who went out of their way to make it so special? Thank you thank you thank you.

But I’m not sure if I’ll thank the people who threw me into the river tonight and then put flour and eggs in my hair.

…

So in honor of turning twenty-one?

Here are my twenty-one favorite things about life in the jungle so far:

1.) The fact that every day holds the opportunity for so much adventure. Hopping in the truck to go to a stranger’s house and pick some oranges for supper, hopping out of bed to “help” Dani kill a tarantula, throwing together a gymnastics routine to perform for livestream Bolivia news. I love that I never know what a day holds.

2.) Cold showers. Yeah wow I’m weird. But for real, I feel so good afterward. Just not so much during.

3.) Saying goodnight to my boys. There’s nothing like getting sent to bed with eight little hugs and kisses and “Goodnight, I love you.”

4.) Cooking over an open fire. Not only am I convinced it makes the food taste better, but also it makes me feel like I could survive in a teepee.

5.) Not having a ton of stuff. I use everything I brought, and it’s nice not to have a ton of stuff that I really have no need for. You should try it!

6.) Blogging! For real though. It’s supa fun. And if you’re reading this, that means a whole lot! I appreciate YOU!

7.) Oh my goodness. The rainstorms. Especially at night. I. Love. Rain. And here? It pours. I’m so excited for rainy season.

8.) Cold mornings. I know they’re almost over. But it has been so exciting to be able to put my hoodie on in the morning and actually feel cold.

9.) The staff here. What an incredible group of people. And my goodness. We have so much fun. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in the jungle with anyone else.

10.) The kids. Obviously. For every reason. My boys. Oh I love my little boys.

11.) Being able to put on whatever I want and have it be socially acceptable. I feel like being a student missionary automatically gives me a sign on my forehead that says I wear what I want you can’t judge me. LOVIN’ IT.

12.) Those moments when my kids get what I’m teaching them. They throw their little hands in the air and say, “Oh!” and their eyes light up and my heart bursts.

13.) Late night talks with Dani. They have the potential to be incredibly deep or utterly ridiculous. And I love them all.

14.) Tea time with Candace. I love walking over to her little room to make tea. And chat. And laugh. 

15.) Feeling such a true sense of purpose every day. I know why I am here.

16.) Being surrounded by loving children everywhere I go. Goodness. What will I ever do without constant hugs and little hands in mine and “Oh, but Teacher!”

17.) Those moments when I have a full conversation with a kid in Spanish. Or when I understand Spanish without mentally translating everything. Or when I say a sentence and know it was correct and have a little party in my head.

18.) Sundays. Oh my word. Nothing beats a day to talk with my family and friends back home. It’s a taste of heaven.

19.) Friday and Saturday nights when we all get in a circle, wish each other Happy Sabbath or a happy week, and then go around and hug every single person. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that.

20.) Just knowing that so many have been a student missionary before me, and will be after me, and that there are so many others out there right now. It’s so exciting to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.

21.) Seeing a bigger picture of humanity. Another part of the world. Another way of life. And knowing that God created and loves all people everywhere. It puts my little life into perspective.

And the list could go on and on. Because pretty much I have so much to be thankful for. 

Including all my friends and family back home.

Who I miss dearly.

And so? Cheers to a new year of life. And cheers to being in the jungle with people who go out of their way to make what could be a hard day incredibly special. And cheers to this past year, which has been wonderful in so many ways, and a new one ahead that I suspect will be even better.