"Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection. "

I had a fun weekend, full of laughter. God definitely knew just what I needed. We've been finding out some tough situations that are kids are in and that has been really sad. But God definitely reminded me this weekend that there is so much more than individual situations. He's so much bigger. We need to cling to His joy and keep spreading His love.
On Friday night we were invited over to Bethany's house. A girl that used to be a missionary here (Angela)was visiting so they decided to have a party. There were some Peruvians there I knew well, kinda well, a little, and not at all. But it was so much fun to meet new people and hang out. There are three sisters that are just hilarious and a lot of fun to spend time with. We played Dutch Blitz, ate pizza, and watched Soul Surfer.
On Sat. Mary and I were invited to go downtown with Bethany, Angela, and the three sisters I mentioned earlier. There is a giant slide that is in a park you can go to (imagine the giant,  wide amusement park slides that you go down on a rug). We went and went down it many times, in a train, linking arms, etc. It was tons of fun and lots of laughs. There were many times after we got down the slide that we just doubled over in laughter. :) Next, we went to another park, with another slide. This slide was intense!! Three people wouldn't even go down it, it was scary. You start out going super fast, and then, near the end, there's this intense drop and you go even faster. The first time I flew off the end! Luckily I got my feet under me, but I only landed on them for a second and launched onto my knees. But again, we laughed hysterically:) The first time is scarier, because you don't know what to expect. Then we took lots of pictures at the park, it was a blast:) Then, later that night, I played games with my roommates and laughed some more:)
Sunday we went to a sushi making party at carrie's house. A blast as well. I had never had sushi before, and we made Peruvian fushion sushi:) So, I had a weekend full of relations, which was just what I needed:)

Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins..." 1 Peter 4:8

I have been in Peru  for seven months now and have less than four left. Sometimes I think about my experience and wish I would see something "big" happen. For example, the behavior of my kids is still not stable, one day they can be great and the next terrible. I want them to get better and stay better, I would love to see a marked change in them (especially in my 6th graders who have been a tough class for a while). Or you hear so many missionary stories about leading people to Christ. I don't feel like I have a "big" experience like that. This is what God told me, if all you do while in Peru is love on those kids, love the people you work with and the people you come in contact with, that's more than enough. Then He gave me this verse: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing," 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. These verses show how important love is to God and I think we overlook it so much because we want to see something happen, we want a result. But I felt God telling me that I may never see one or it may be a while until I see one, but to just love. Love is enough.