The Girl is officially a City Girl

I live in a village of 34 people. It takes 15 minutes BY CAR to get out of my village to a tiny street. My daily routine goes from my house to the church to the house to the school. For weeks on end.

I am in Sao Paulo. THe largest city in South America. I feel free and alive and energized. I have officially decided I am a city girl. However, I'm not the same city girl that lived in Chicago. I'm full of peace and happiness and an unwavering calm. I'm not distracted by my cell phone (okay, it helps not to have one) and I want to enjoy what is IN FRONT OF ME. My little village has taught me to be present. To be here. To not be in a conversation, yet thinking about who is texting me or where I need to be next.

I feel so happy to sit at the table with my parents. To hug them. To have them tuck me in my bed at night. I love the cuddles and the way they know me. I used to be perpetually tired. (In the fazenda I take a nap daily and go to bed early and could sleep all day, but thats from physical tiredness). I used to sleep and be tired for no reason. And now, I'm here and full of energy. My parents used to wake up and wait for me. And now I'm up hours before them.

Could this be more scattered? I feel happy and beautiful and full of life. I do find it very strange to see myself in a mirror. Before I dreaded them. But Ive learned to love me INSPITE of my body. I used to judge my day by if i was feeling fat or skinny. I used to obsess about going to the gym and now, here I am on vacation enjoying my cup of coffee and relaxing. I brougth my gym clothes, but forgot my tennis shoes (maybe on purpose????). I know I would have sat in anxiety ALL day without going to teh gym and now, I can shrug my shoulders and be okay with the exercise of walking all over the city.

We are taking things easy here. I didnt have time before I came to research what to do here so we are finding out along the way. We aren't rushing anywhere or feeling like we have to see way more than we have time for. We listen to our bodies. Eat when we're hungry. If you're my dad, you drink 8 espressos in the morning. Enjoy life. Walk. Stop. Shop. Walk. Laugh.

I couldn't have asked for a better present, a better moment in my mission. A better revitalization and joy. I thank God for my parents and for giving us this opportunity. And as always, I thank you all for giving me this opportunity to be in Brazil---this country full of culture and beauty. We think of all you in all we do.

 our first family photo. just waiting for alex!

 we met up with one of our priests and permanent members who are doing a defusion in sao paulo this week

 oops. got mixed up. this is me in our first moments at the airport, using someone elses cell phone to try and find our taxi

 first night we ate at the america restaurant because this american girl was craving a hamburger and beer

 the only coffee he can find in the city. imagine how many he's drinking a day?

 second day going to the market

 my dad had the camera while we shopped. look how happy the girl is to take a picture with teh dumb american

checking out my christmas present! a new camera! ill try to protect this one from the humidity!
Love Erica