August: Newness

The theme of August was "newness" as we started another school year, but this time with many new things and new experiences. Nothing is new to God, and in Him we trust as we take on every new challenge and circumstance. We started with our travel back to La Paz, and while this wasn't a "new" experience, it was one we looked to God for strength often. Thankfully he provided helpful people and safety as we traveled back to our home in La Paz.

Mark is starting year seven, Audrey year six, and Adeline, now a little over 7 months old, is still in year one and experienced her first start of the school year. While job responsibilities and classes haven't changed, what has been new is figuring out what to do with Adeline while we are at work. It became clear early on that we needed to find childcare. As much as the students love Adeline's visits to the classroom, it was something we new was not sustainable or ideal. Thankfully the school has been very understanding and supportive.

It was a new season for us and a new challenge in parenting. While it may have been a new challenge for us, it was not for God. After turning to Him in prayer, God provided childcare only a couple of blocks away and with someone we could trust in a woman named Esperanza (which is Hope in Spanish). So far it has been a major answer to prayer, and we are extremely thankful for Esperanza, and our principal who is lending his house for Esperanza to watch Adeline in.

Adeline is also experiencing a lot of newness when it comes to food. One of the joys of this season has been introducing new foods. It has been a fun journey to introduce new tastes, textures, and experiences to our little Addie Lou.

One of her favorites are oranges, which is one we first introduced on an outing that was another 'new". On August 17th the country held their first round of presidential elections, and a new result was realized as the two candidates that won, and will be the two choices in October's second round, are both from the right side of the political isle. It will be the first time the socialist party (MAS) will not be in power since 2006. Many are eager to see how this might impact the country as the country is amidst a period of price inflation, a gas crisis, and the economic outlook of the country feels very bleak. We continue to trust in God with things like this, and know that everything happens under His watch. Adeline didn't seem worried either, and I think loved watching the people and eating oranges for the first time.

As we are capping off the first month of school, we can see how God has provided and is sovereign over every season, old and new. It helps us handle the new challenges. One thing that is not new is the students and some of the Highlands traditions that help things feel normal. Things like the teacher vs students soccer match every Friday, Mark starting up the basketball season again, and the relationships with the students that feel stronger each and every year. One of the early student body events is the bench painting that Mark and the Student Council puts on. Each class paints a bench that sits on the high school porch, and is always a first month tradition at Highlands. Events like these provide great opportunities to continue relationship and unity building. Other events like the major hikes are coming up too. As we proceed through the school year and anticipate these ministry opportunities we continue to look to God for guidance and strength no matter the familiar or new.