I'm Here!

Well friends, I am finally here in Monterrey! I arrived a little over a week ago and have been spending every spare minute moving into my apartment and getting the school ready for classes.

My drive down was eventful as Maglich trips always are! My madre went with me to help with the driving. On the first leg of the voyage, the check engine light came on. We were a little nervous, but luckily made it to Kansas City with no problems. There my wonderful uncle found that a wire was out on a cylinder and was able to repair it in no time. We spent the night and next morning with my sister, Lydia, then drove 12 more hours to San Antonio. There my mother and I visited the Alamo (a historical sight my mom couldn't pass up!). We continued our drive later that day and met up with the Huffer family in Mcallen, TX. The Huffers have been on staff with B2B for a year and a half and graciously agreed to help me cross to Mexico.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous about crossing the border with my car and all. I have heard horror stories about crossing the border and was hoping not to have one of my own. Again God showed me His beautiful favor! The border patrol men were some of the nicest there are! They were joking with us and being very helpful. I easily got my visa and was on the road to Monterrey in an hour.

As I drove across the USA border and into Mexico I felt a sudden assurance in my spirit that I was right where God wanted me to be. I felt confidence surge through me and a gentle peace surround me... this was all right. This was where I was supposed to be. This is what I was made to do... Thanks for that reassurance, Lord.

From the border it is around a 3 hour trip to Monterrey. We drove through the most intense rainstorm I have ever been in. We were in the middle of a flat plane and could see lighting striking the ground around us... definitely kept me awake at the wheel! I was ready to end our 30 hour drive when we arrived late that night.

Since my arrival I have been moving in, setting up the school, reconnecting with friends, meeting new ones, and getting a feel for driving in the city. Let me tell you, driving here is very different from driving in Oxford! I am slowly making my apartment feel more like home :) My bedroom is a tiny loft above my kitchen and it is painted bright red! I love it! I am privileged to have my own small bathroom as well. I will be sharing the kitchen and living room with two other girls my age who are doing a STINT program with B2B for a year. They arrive tomorrow!

I have been putting in some long hours at school these past few days. My mom helped me to arrange the furniture and start some curriculum planning while she was here. Now I am hanging up posters, organizing, and trying to figure out how I want my classroom to run this year. I feel very new at all this. It takes me awhile to organize my thoughts and to decide how to best do things... pray that God gives me wisdom as I make decisions for the course of the year.

As far as Spanish goes... I see how much I do not know! It is fun and good practice for me to speak it everyday. I am already learning new words and phrases... pray for grace with the language as well.

When I was at the store a few days ago I decided to get a cactus to try! They sell cactus in the produce section of the supermarket. I thought that it would probably be good in a salad. I tried to cut it up and eat it today, but it was FULL of little hard seeds. I wasn't sure what to do and realized that I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to eating cacti. I'm hoping to ask a native cacti eater about it tomorrow... I'll let you know what I find out :)

A misty nightfall view from my bedroom window....