Driving, peppers and sunsets!

I’m really enjoying Mexico. Really, I am. Now, when I came last Tuesday, I was told this would happen. Things would be kind of tough to get initially, I’d love it, I’d struggle, and then I’d eventually come back to a relatively medium place knowing that some things are great, others are tough. However, right now I’m loving a lot of things.

The most recent thing that I’ve really appreciated is how time doesn’t seem to really matter here. Now, I’m sure things will change a bit, as they incorporate me more and more into daily chores, duties, and assignments. But right now, I love that when I’m helping out with a project on the ranch, I don’t have to worry about rushing to get it done, and then moving on to something else. I can take my time, because there’s nothing I have to do immediately afterwards, or some place I have to be. I have my jobs here, I have to be diligent and get them done, but if something ends up taking more time than I expected, well that’s fine. I’ll be out in the sun a little longer, no problem. I don’t mean it in a lazy way, but just in a peaceful way. What a blessing it is! You don’t realize how much stress can wear on you. Now, not having to worry about it, I feel lighter, and fresher.

Tonight, I also got to go for a walk around the ranch. I realized it was the first time in years that I had gone for a walk, just for the sake of going on a walk. Normally, when I go out, I have to go for a jog, I have to be running somewhere, I have to be doing something. How refreshing to just walk around, and not worry)anything. As I was walking in, Maddi (one of the staff American staff members heresaid hi and we talked for a bit. As we’re talking we noticed the sun dipping down into the horizon, so we hopped in the car and drove 5 minutes down to the beach to watch the sun set. It was amazing how quickly it went, but even after it had set, it still was totally beautiful. The past week has provided some breathtaking sunsets into the ocean, I’m just thrilled knowing I get nine months of sunsets!

Today, Father and I went over some guidelines for driving in Mexico. It’s quite a bit more difficult to drive here than in the states - the roads are rougher, there are not many street signs, the speed limits are however fast you can drive while staying safe, and the other drivers are all very aggressive. I love driving and so the challenge is pretty exciting for me. This morning I got to go help pick up a car from a mechanic, there’s a bit of an adrenaline boost when you’re playing dodge ball with cars. :-) Tomorrow, Father is going to take me out driving to show me the roads, and then go up to the states. He’s got to meet someone up there, so I’m driving back home through the border on my own tomorrow. I know it’ll probably be super casual for me in a bit, but its exciting being my first time on my own. Everyone can remember the first time driving on their own, in a way it’s kind of like that.

I had a bite of some hot chili pepper tonight. Whew, it was hot, but not to bad actually. I enjoyed it, and a couple of the boys were surprised I handled it. haha.

Father, Alex and I went over Alex’s and my schedules for the next couple months. It looks like I’m going to be taking the morning duties, while Alex takes the afternoon studies and evening prayers. It works out better this way since my Spanish is pretty weak still and Alex has no problems. Things will change though when Alex finishes his internship in November.

I know I’m forgetting some things, but I’m afraid I’m falling asleep.

Pray for me,

Joel