My North America 2011 Visit!

Queridos amigos,

I am now back in El Salvador, after 1 month and 1 week of traveling around Houston, TX, Los Angeles and San Diego, CA, Tijuana, MX and Kelowna, Canada.

I am grateful to be back and for the opportunity He gave me to visit family and friends, as well as to fundraise for my 2nd year in El Salvador. God faithfully provided for every need and more while I was away. He took care of places to stay, food to eat, money to purchase resources to bring back to El Salvador, transportation, airplane tickets to visit N. America and to return to El Salvador, speaking engagements, fundraising for my 2nd year, visits with friends, time with my family, time with boyfriend Darnell and with his family in Canada, and so much more.

The time away was very refreshing and valuable, especially in preparing to come back for my 2nd year in El Salvador. Thank you to all of you who made this trip possible and so wonderful. I am beyond grateful for all the love, care, thoughtfulness, grace and encouragement that I received from many of you. MUCHAS GRACIAS!

SPECIAL THANKS TO (drum roll):

• Jon and Emily- for having me over, feeding me, loving me, teaching me MONOPOLY DEAL, driving me around, praying with me and encouraging me in so many ways.
• My family- Cotita, Mito and baby- who loved me, fed me, entertained me, provided transportation/housing while I was there and so much much more.
• John S.- who so generously provided for a new round trip ticket to come back to El Salvador.
• Isela S.- for helping me with all the logistics of purchasing the ticket and stuff. MUCHAS GRACIAS for your patience!
• Chase and Helen- for your love, being so intentional and for driving over an hour to come have dinner with me. Oh and of course, for treating me to Thai food. So yum!
• Vanessa H.- for our coffee time, the heart to heart conversation, for seeking reconciliation & for your generous donation. You are so special to me. I love you!
• Tara G- for staying a few extra days in LA hanging out, catching up, loving on me, my family & Darnell.
• Lisa L- for finding the time to meet up for coffee, to catch up and pray together. You are an inspiration friend.
• Shawn E- for letting me store at his place some boxes with stuff I left over. Thank you friend for your kindness and generosity. This means so much!
• Cabreras'- for driving Darnell and I back and forth, for letting us stay with you, for all the great conversations, for all the fun adventures, for your love.
• Debby & family- for your love, for the delicious homemade food, for the goodie bags, for sharing your grandchildren, for the excellent time at Six Flags, for the ride to LA, for your continual support.
• Kaiser Permanente Rounding Office Ladies- for the delicious luncheon and time together!
• Community Group- for the lovely welcome back, the time praying and studying God's word together, our monthly CG Skype sessions.
• Familia Martinez- for the delicious homemade Mexican dinner, for sharing all that God has being doing, and for your love/excitement for all that God is doing in my life.
• Anna F- for making time to meet up on your very short visit to San Diego. It was so lovely to see your beautiful face again!
• Narbeh M.- for inviting me to share with your youth group, for the lovely time catching up and your continual support. God bless you brother!
• Familia Jacob- for the amazing Indian food, for all the love, for the delicious Chipatis, for the lovely conversations, for your prayers, your care and continual encouragement.
• Jen McM- for loving me as you do, for feeding me, for driving me around (even into TJ), for all our insightful conversations, for sharing your wisdom & for even sharing your special red chair.
• Kay F.- for your love and warm hugs, for always reminding me to rest and enjoy life more, for all your wisdom and lovely conversations.
• Connie, Tyler & Joan (Tj friends)- for such a warm and loving welcome, for letting Darnell & I love on the kiddos, go on adventures w/them & for all the fun. May God continue to bless the work that you do with the kids. You all have a very special place in my heart.
• The Armstrongs- for picking us up from the border, feeding us, sharing all that God is doing, introducing us to the Phantom of the Opera, for the splurging money & all the good laughs.
• Tim B.- for letting me use your awesome van to drive around while I was in San Diego. It was such a blessing. Thanks a ton bro!
• Jen Y.- for making time to hang out in your 2 day visit to San Diego. Miss you friend.
• Ps Chiu- for all your support hermano. For your help coordinating the get together, meeting for coffee, your wise counsel and continual encouragement, for all the great books. Gracias!
• Ethnos Community Church- for your CONTINUAL SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT, for your care and love, for your prayers and partnership, for the various books and donations. I'm incredible thankful to be part of this church and to continue to have your prayers and support as I serve in El Salvador.
• Stephanie L. & Veronica- for all your help in coordinating the get together in San Diego. It was such a blessed time. Thank you for all the behind the scenes preparations.
• Jaclyn B.- for picking Darnell and I at the airport in Vancouver, having us over for a night, and dropping us off in Kelowna (a 4 hour drive each way). THANK YOU!
• Familia Johnson- for the beautiful and lovely time I spent in Kelowna. For the lovely pijamas, all the delicious foods, the special & royal treatment you gave me while I was there, including Darnell driving me around in the new SUV, for the so very generous donation of Ms. Barb, for showing me around, for all the love you gave me! I had a wonderful time. THANK YOU TONS!
• Darnell J.- for loving me the way you do, for your patience & understanding as I met with so many people, for being such an awesome travel partner & best friend, for loving on my extensive family and friends. I am so blessed to have you in my life. TAM Big Time!
• TO ALL THE FRIENDS THAT MADE IT TO THE LOS ANGELES & OR THE SAN DIEGO GET TOGETHER- for taking the time to come out and hear about what God has been doing. I am so thankful for your friendship, your support and your continual encouragement. You mean so much to me and I couldn't do what I am doing in El Salvador if it wasn't for your partnership. I love you and I am so thankful for YOU!
• To the rest of the friends I got to see/bumped into and spend some time with- for your love, excitement at seeing me again, your encouragement, financial support and friendship over the years.

SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE I DIDN'T GET TO SEE FOR A OR B REASON- I am sorry we couldn't meet this time. Hopefully next time I am in town I can see you!

Truly I am blessed! This trip wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't by all you guys' support and love. Thank you for making it so special. May God continue to bless you and lead you in all and everything that you do!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE. IT WAS GREAT SEEING MANY OF YOU AND PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF!

To really end, CLICK HERE to see the pictures from my North America visit. Enjoy!

"Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will even change so much to the point where we're not all still friends"