Back to La Paz

Wednesday evening we flew back to La Paz, and checked back into our hotel. Yesterday we went to a school where Pastor Emilio´s wife works, and we had lunch there and played with the kids. Yesterday afternoon was devoted to shopping :) We had dinner at a cafe, and that was really nice. Then we came back to the hotel. Today we went on a picnic with the youth from the church that we visited on Sunday afternoon, and that was a lot of fun, and then we went to Valle de la Luna, which was beautiful, and then we came back to the hotel, did some more shopping, and packed up our stuff, and some of us are debating whether or not to even try to go to sleep since we have to leave for the airport in about 4 1/2 hours. It has been an amazing trip. I´ve seen a lot of things, learned a lot of things, seen things from a different perspective, and have found out things that have bothered me A LOT. I´m not ready to leave, but at the same time I´m ready to come back and share my stories with all of you. It´s definitely been an incredible adventure, and I can´t think of a better group of people to have shared it with. Thank you all for your support, for allowing me to go on this incredible adventure, I will see some of you...next week sometime. We get on our plane tomorrow morning, and we fly into Bozeman at 9 something tomorrow night. I meet up with my family at FLBC on Sunday sometime, and then I´ll be home Sunday evening sometime. Love you all.

"Times have changed and times are strange
Here I come, but I ain't the same
Mama, I'm coming home"-"Mama I´m Coming Home"-Ozzy Osbourne

Cochabomba

Monday morning we went to the IELB headquarters and learned about all the different things that they have going on. We then got on a plane to Cochabomba, and had dinner in Cochabomba and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Yesterday morning we went to the inforthe Centro de Documentation de Bolivia, and learned about the problems going on in Bolivia and other parts of South America with natural resources. Then we did some sightseeing and shopping, and had lunch, and then we spent the rest of the day with children at a church that also serves as a place for children to go before and after school, and when their parents are working in the field. We gave them gifts and they gave us gifts too. We then came back to the hotel, and relaxed.

BOLIVIA!!!!!

Finally got here at 3 something a.m on Friday July 18th. We went to an ecumenical seminary in La Paz to rest for a while, had breakfast at 9 a.m., rested some more, and that afternoon we took off for Sorata. There was a youth convention in Sorata, and we got to partake in that. We really got immersed into their culture. Saturday we spent more time at the church with the youth and some older people too. We also got adopted by a stray dog, that we named Bo. We participated in talent night, and danced a bit. Sunday morning we went to worship, and then left Sorata at noon. We had lunch at a restaurant on Lake Titicaca, and stopped at another church having a celebration on the way home. Got back to La Paz, had pizza for dinner, and then just relaxed. More adventures will be posted soon!

It's That Time.....Well, Almost :)

"All my bags are packed I'm ready to go....'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane...."-"Leaving on a Jet Plane"-John Denver

Well, here it is. After months of preparation and fundraising, I head for FLBC today, and I will be catching a carpool to Bozeman. We will stay the night in Bozeman, and fly to Bolivia tomorrow. It's finally happening.

This trip is going to be a good experience. It's definitely going to change me, I don't know how, but it will. For the better, I hope. The only thing I know for sure is that I'm ready for this, for my BIG ADVENTURE that is finally happening, and I can't wait until I get back to tell you all about it. Thank you all for supporting me on this journey, either financially or otherwise, I really appreciate all of the support and well wishes. I am also super grateful to my boss at McDonald's for letting me have the time off to go on this trip.  I will be updating this blog as often as I can, so keep following me. Love you all!

~Jasmine~

O God, you have called us
To ventures where we cannot see the end
By paths never yet taken
Through perils unknown
Give us good courage
Not knowing where we go
To know that your hand is leading us
Wherever we may go
Amen

"Prayer of Good Courage"

Updates and....Actually, Just Updates :)

So...my trip to Bolivia is 2 1/2 months away. The not quite official itinerary that I received a few weeks ago said that we will be flying out of Bozeman on the 16th of July. Still waiting for the official itinerary though. However...I have raised and sent in the $2,650.00 that I needed to raise for this trip, so yay! That part is all taken care of, which is AWESOME. I had my first round of shots last month, four shots in one day, so my arm was sore for a few days and I got a fever, which wasn't all that surprising since in the information that I received under all four of the shots it said Possible side effects: Fever....but whatever. That's done. Mostly. I just have to make my appointment to get a second round of the Hepatitis A and B shot, and, you know, get that done, and then I'm good to go :) Had a fundraiser last night, Sphagetti Dinner/Silent Auction/Raffle, and I raised $1,804.40, so I guess I'm going to Bolivia with some spending money. So yep. Things are coming together pretty quick now, and I will update you when I know more.

Passport :)

My passport came in the mail today :) I'm sooo excited. It's real. It's REAL :)

One Step Closer...

I turned in my passport application today, and the nice lady at the post office said my passport would be here in 4 to 6 weeks :) I am soo excited. This is really happening :)