Just a spoonful of sugar...

I just want you all to know...

One of my arms is really tan and the other is really not. I don't know why I find that so amusing... it's the little things in life.

Also.

I was walking the other day and I saw my first piece of roadkill in Madagascar and it was a smashed chamillion! It literally made my day ... again ... the little things.

You will also all be very proud of me when I tell you that I've officially made my first spider kill. Yep, I smashed that thing like I was the Terminator. He's just super dead... still on my wall. Of course after killing him I proceeded to stand in the middle of my room pointing at the spider, saying "Let him be an example to all of you spiders that if I see you... you will be killed. I have a no tolerance policy when it comes to climbing on my wall, my floor, my bed, my suitcases, etc." Then I realized how weird I am and thanked God for those of you that still love me.

Well, moving on, there has been so much that's happened since I last posted. I moved into my flat, I went on retreat and now I've begun lessons with Pedro and Asafe! My flatmates are wonderful! Sara is from the UK and Min Jung is from Korea. They shared their food with me my first few nights when I hadn't gotten any of my own yet and were very kind and welcoming - just another way God has continually provided.

Retreat was a great way for me to meet all the other missionaries that are stationed around Madagascar and I got to do kids' programs in the mornings, which was a blast. Also, I learned to play this crazy dominos game that seemed to take up most of the free time we had. It was also a great time to slow down a little and spend time with my Bible and God. We were at a small retreat center next to a lake, and it really reminded me of being at camp.... which was a good and a bad thing haha. I loved being away from the city and the fumes and noise, but it made me a little homesick. Waaaahhhh Trout! However, God surrounded me with some great short-term ladies that I had a blast with and helped distract me from being a sad camper. 

Today was my first day teaching Pedro and Asafe and it was suuuuuuch a blessing after a busy and pretty stressful morning. It was honestly the best therapy I think God could've given me when I was able to just sit and say "This is the letter F, it's a frog jump letter because after you draw the first line you have to make a frog jump back up to the top!" Also, just blowing bubbles in the backyard. I love working with kids because life is simple. You can find happiness in things like trying to pop as many bubbles as possible as they land on the grass.

Today, bubbles and the letter F saved my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Did I think when I woke up this morning that these would be the things that would make my day? Nope. But God knew! And he provided them for me. He provides these "little things" every day that keep me going and help me delight in him and his creation. I hope this week he provides some little joys that you can delight in as well.

Mmmm now prayer requests :)

Prayer request 1: That God would provide safety and provision for those on the east coast of the US experiencing the hurricane. Also that the bank I use for my funds here would be able to reopen soon because it's stationed there.

Prayer request 2: Encouragement for the missionaries here in Tana, that God would continue to remind them of his greater vision for Madagascar and their part in it.

Prayer request 3: That I would continue to rely on God and trust him as my assignment continues and my weekly schedule is being planned out.

Thank you all, again, for being a part of this amazing and challenging experience, I could not do it without you!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4