What a place to Crash a bike!

Chepica Chile, Humitas and a lesson learned about crashing.

our house! You cant tell in this pick, but on the other side is a tiendita!

I'll try and describe Chepica a little bit for you to answer your questions. It is TINY. There is one main road, with one lane in each direction. The city part has tiny shops and parts of it look like old town temecula just not quite as kept up. The rest of the road winds past houses of every color mixed in with the corn fields, vineyards, orchards, and fields of watermelon and honeydew. It really is one of the most beautiful places Ive seen and I am so lucky that I get to go out in it every single day. :)  One of the things I really like about the people here, is that they just work to fulfill their needs. In the US and in Machali, the people are a little more prone to working to have the best of everyhting thing, which isnt bad but they were never fully satisfied. Here I really like how they work to fulfill the basics: house, food, and a few things for the house like beds and a sofa, and then once they have that, they dont worry about it anymore. People here are always together and always laughing, and though their house might be made out of plywood, they see it as the best place in the world because they have, and RECOGNIZE the things that matter I crashed my bike this week (but thats not why its broken I promise! :p ) and in a weird way it has something to do with this.

We were riding on the side of the rode and my companion was in front of me. It was getting kind of late and I wanted to go faster than she was. So when there werent any cars, I sped up and passed her. But with my luck of course there was a rock and when I hit it, I ran into a fence. It was pretty funny so luckily the only witnesses were my companion and some cows!  By the time I got up and brushed myself off, my companion caught up to me and laughing passed me so that I was in the SAME position as before my accident. If I had just been satisfied with the fact that we were going a decent speed, I wouldnt have eaten the fence. 

​More humita goodness

​Hermana Veronica bathing Eugene, the retarded duckling (can't walk or swim straight)
she found.

Looking back now I can see a lot of times in my life when I had everyone and everything I needed, but didnt recognize it because I was looking to receive the lastest and greatest. I think thats something alot of us do, and we only see that what we had was sufficient when we "crash".  If you live in the US, you are significantly richer than the majority of people in the rest of the world. The majority, have what they need and then some but still feel empty. Finding joy in the journey and developing an attitude of gratitude is one thing that will help us be happier in our lives and bring us peace. I am so grateful to have the knowledge of the gospel in my life that helps me recognize the blessings Ive received through this gospel, and for a Savior who helps me through me darkest moments of grief or doubt. The Lord always blesses us with tender mercies in our lives, and especially in our times of need, and by being grateful for what we have we will be able to be more aware of this fact and receive a fulness of joy :) I love you and have a great week!!!! :)))

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