My birthday weekend was filled with wonderful surprises and time with loved ones. God has blessed me with many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ that helped me celebrate. My first surprise came back in January when I was unpacking from my visit home for Christmas. My family had snuck in some birthday cards as a surprise for me. Believe it or not...I waited until my birthday to open them :-0 Thank you to everyone who called, sent me a message, or spent time with me on my birthday. I am so thankful for your friendship and your partnership in my ministry here in Colombia. At a time when I am away from family, it really encourages me to be surrounded by all of you. Here are a few highlights and blessings that filled my heart over my birthday weekend. Praising God for his goodness to me and your warmth and friendship that you showed.
1. Birthday Phone Call with my birthday twin, Margo
It is always a highlight of my birthday to talk with my mentor and birthday twin, Margo! I have never shared a birthday with anyone I was that close to until a few years ago. We were able to connect with each other and catch up for our birthday. She continues to be a blessing in my life and I am truly thankful for the time I got to talk with her on Saturday even with both of us having busy schedules. Love you, Margo!
2. Dinner with my ECA friends
Many of my teacher friends at ECA came with me to dinner for my birthday. We went to my favorite Italian restaurant in the local mall called Archies. It just reminded me of what a great community we have here and I am so grateful that they were able to celebrate with me as my adopted family. One of my closest friends here (and my roommate from the past 2 years), Brittney, remembered that my mom always makes me something with pumpkin in it for my birthday dessert. Brittney is such a sweetheart and made me a dozen chocolate chip pumpkin muffins with delicious cream cheese frosting!
3. Party with my students and their amazing families
My students took me out of the city to an outdoor country club for my birthday located in a city called Sopo It was so nice to be outside of the busyness of Bogota. Warm air and sunshine made our afternoon great. Many of my students wrote me the sweetest cards and blessed me with their warmth and gratitude. During our prayer time, I shared with my group abut my decision process of coming to ECA and whether I would be staying for another year. They know that I miss my family and they were so encouraging and reminded me that I have a wonderful Christian family right here in Bogota. What an undeserved blessing!
My students took me out of the city to an outdoor country club for my birthday located in a city called Sopo It was so nice to be outside of the busyness of Bogota. Warm air and sunshine made our afternoon great. Many of my students wrote me the sweetest cards and blessed me with their warmth and gratitude. During our prayer time, I shared with my group abut my decision process of coming to ECA and whether I would be staying for another year. They know that I miss my family and they were so encouraging and reminded me that I have a wonderful Christian family right here in Bogota. What an undeserved blessing!
5. Birthday Night phone call with my parents:
I finally arrived home late from spending the day with my students. But, a birthday is not complete until you get to talk with the people who love you the most and think about you the most on your birthday - your parents!! It was a great way to end a special weekend.
Prayers and Praises:
For the celebration of the opening of our 3rd floor at El Camino! My students have really enjoyed using the new MPR, Art room, and Music room. God has been so faithful to us and we wanted to celebrate and express our thankfulness to Him. We had an all school assembly to celebrate. Throughout the day, each class could go up and tour the new 3rd floor and write a note of thankfulness on a sticky note to add to the wall. Praise God for whom all these wonderful new blessings flow. Enjoy some pictures below!
Please continue to pray for my decision - it is really difficult! I will be deciding within the next 2 weeks, since I will be enjoying a very quick trip back to the States during Easter Week (Spring Break) so that I can see my new adorable nephew. I will be in Chicago from March 30th until April 4th. It's a short time, just enough to spend time with my family and attend the Good Friday service at the Orchard. I would like to decide before I fly :-) Thanks for all of your continued prayer and support! My heart is divided between 2 places and countries that I love. Specifically, please pray that I would be able to discern the true desires of my heart and that they would align with God's will.
Blessings,
Carrie
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