Feliz Navidad a todos! A family from the church has invited me over for a Christmas dinner tonight after Liturgy (Christmas church service). This is the first Christmas that I will be away from family. However, the meaning of Christmas is that Christ is with us. Christ became incarnate and this is the best gift anyone could ever ask for. Although sad and away from home (and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sad to know that I have a new gorgeous niece that I can't see for a while - congratulations Cory, Christy, Emelia and Gracie!) I have a wonderful Orthodox Church to go to to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Here is a picture of a man who sells Christmas cards on the street. The streets here are sooo crazy and full of last minute shoppers. These cards sell for $150 pesos (25 cents) per card.

It will be weird to have a Christmas full of sunshine and warm weather. Although I would love a little snow on Christmas day I can't complain one bit.

I got my first pay yesterday - $12.500 pesos ($20US)!! I have a small job conversing with people in English. For the moment I enjoy it and look forward to learning more about the people.

December 29th will be my last day in my apartment - it costs way too much and being alone with out Allie has been very tough. (The picture to the right is one view from the 16th floor of my current apartment building - the pool is also up there.) After talking with Matuska Martha, I realized it's not healthy to be without people. People are meant to fellowship with other people. One of the reasons I was so sad is that I would pass most of the days alone. So, I have chosen to live in a hostel type of house with five other people from other countries.

It's in a poorer area. When I was walking through the streets to get there, the spirit of the people was lighter and more vibrant. Not to say that rich people don't have life, but for some reason this area felt more humble, down to earth, and alive. So, I am really excited to share with other people my age and similarly traveling like myself. I can stay there until March when I head back if I want. However, I could change living arrangements one more time.

Anyway, I hope you are all well and Merry Christmas! Christ is Born, Glorify Him!

Yesterday I went to a home for girls. Their parents are very poor, so the girls stay in the capital, are fed and have better opportunities in regards to their education. Father Francisco, his family and the young orthodox group goes almost every Thursday to hang out with them. It was such a blessing to go yesterday.

While I was there I thought one of the girls was shaking my chair, but in fact it was an earthquake between 5.9-6.3 that I was feeling. It was so crazy!!! Also, early this morning I felt 3 more smaller earthquakes. It shook my apartment building, and everything in my room was moving. Thankfully the building I live in is very new and they keep earthquakes in mind when constructing. The security gaurd at my building says there´s more to come. The last huge earthquake in Chile was in 1985.

I will pray that the next huge one isn´t in 2008 or 2009 and enjoy the movements!

Last night I went to a welcome home party for a girl who was in Germany and a part of the church. It was so great b-c they learned our way of playing mafia and it was a lot of fun. Also, we stayed up pretty late talking about the difficulties their church has had and how wonderful the fruits are now. I am so lucky to be a part of this wonderful group. I feel so much at home in this church.

Allie is officially gone. She left yesterday at 5:00 a.m. I miss her a lot. It´s super weird staying here in Santiago in an apartment all by myself. I will miss her a lot and am so thankful that we had at least one month and a half together.

One positive with Allie´s absence is that I pray a lot more. I read a lot more and focus a ton on learning Spanish. Last night I couldn´t sleep b-c it was a Friday night and was watching TV. People who know me know that I rarely watch TV. But, I can watch TV in Spanish and that helps with Spanish comprehension. Anyhow, the things that are on TV are so terrible!!!! For example there was an American reality show that came on. A young man was going on a date with a new girl b-c his mom demanded it due to not liking his current girlfriend. So, while he basically cheating on his girlfriend his mom and current girlfriend are watching his date. While they are watching his date together, they make mean comments to one another. The current girlfriend told his mom that she didn´t like the new girls smile and the mom bickered back at her "well at least her teeth are clean!". This stuff is so stupid, I can´t believe there is even a show like this.

Anyhow, I have done other things than just watch TV. I got up early this morning, went to the gym and realized there was no one in the public lounge-gym area b-c everyone was sleeping from going out Friday night. So, I brought my flute up there and the acustics are AMAZING!!! I even sounded good while playing the flute. I met a guy who makes-sells jewelry the other day named Fransisco. He also is learning to play the flute. he said that he would come with me by the metros to protect me while I play the flute for money. Hahah.... this would be an adventure! I am seriously considering it. I know 2 christmas songs and it´s not uncommon at all to play an instrument to the public to make money. In fact a lot of people travel from restaurant to restaurant either selling or playing their music and later going around to each table to collect money if people feel led to give.

Oh, I have a job conversing with Chileans who want to practice their English conversation skills. I like it so far, just not sure if the company who hired me will pay. They are low on cash flow b-c clients don´t pay, so pray that I am paid!

That´s about it. Hope all is well at home and not having Allie here makes me realize how much I miss everyone at home.

Hugs and kisses!

Our updated address is:

Av. Nueva Lyon 0170
Departamento 416
Comuna Providencia
Santiago, Chile 7510078

Allie and I are eating dinner in our new bedroom in Santiago. The wall we are leaning on is actually our bed. In the background you´ll find out lovely balcony!
Allie is in the kitchen making dinner.




This is our bathroom and seriously that´s all to the apartment. It´s super small, but we have everything we need. It´s been fun b-c it´s the first apartment for both of us. I am looking for a job and have applied for one a the US Embassy. I am learning a lot of Spanish and keep thinking how I could encorporate what I learn here in a Spanish classroom back home. My homesickness has definitely improved now that I am doing what motivates me. Although, it will be super hard to miss Christmas. Our new address is

Nueva Lyon
Edificio 0170, Apartamento 416
Santiago, Chile

Fun stuff!