Who Says You Can't Go Back?

    The title is an allusion to a country song with the same title.  I don't think I've heard anyone say that...?  But then again, I forget many, many things.

Anywho, I HAVE come back, and in fact have been here more than a month now!  Here are some photos I've collected during that time, to give you a little taste of life here.

This morning I participated in the annual newby Amazing Race event that the school puts on for the new faculty and staff.  We had a great time scavenger-hunting around the Old Town area and wrapped up with lunch at an AH-freaking-DORABLE pizza place/local ministry house to street kiddos.  The person sitting across the table from me took this picture with the famous (in Quito) Panecillo (big, random, rounded volcanic hill in the middle of the city, with the angel statue (the Virgin of the Panecillo) sticking up into the beautiful blue sky.

This little pod thingy with a cross in the middle is shed by the plentiful eucalyptus trees around town.  I thought the cross shape was intriguing and unique.  Incidentally, I found this while on my first long walk with my friend, Beth.  Together again!  <3

I decided to make my own granola.  This is how much was stuck to the pan after I had chisled as much as possible out with a spatula and then a spoon (in spite of spraying said pan, as directed).  In the end, I shamelessly threw the pan away and am on the lookout for something similar to replace it with.  

In general, I'm finding preparing food here to be as challenging as I remember.  Between ingredients I can't find; those that are available but expensive; those that have a local alternative but are...um...not the same; and finding the energy to get home from a full day of school and start cooking, it's been a slow learning curve.

LOOK at this stinkin' adorable stuffed mushroom that I found at the produce section of my grocery store last week!!!!  He was so cute that I had to buy him.  I have named him Champ, because the Spanish word for mushroom is "champiñon".

This is a picture of my current favorite snack.  The default pop option here is sugar-free.  In fact, you pay MORE for regular pop.  To accompany the pop is a bag of the local potato chips that are ubiquitous here, and always sells for $1.  Together, this snack, which I bought from the kiosk stand across the street from the school entrance, was $1.50.  This is extra-tempting because lunch here is at 12:15- a full hour after my lunch started last year, so I'm good and hungry by the end of 4th period (and still a period away from lunch).  A bit dangerous?  Indeed.

[editor's note: the chips always come with a packet of ketchup.  I always throw it away.]

I am making a class playlist for each period, and one of the request papers came back as you see below.  I love that the kid is an MJ fan, even if they're struggling with the titles of the songs.  <3

This was my team for The Amazing Race this morning.  I insisted that we pose in the entrance to the metro station, where there was this GIANT box of KFC onion rings.  I mean, who can pass up an onion ring?  Not Miss Foster!  

Kate, who made up 100% of our team's competitive spirit (I'll let you guess which one she is), had just shouted, "Look tough!!" before the shot was taken.  Clara and I were laughing about how we're not going to look tough.  In the background, you can see just a part of a beautiful panoramic photo of the city.  Have I mentioned that Quito is beautiful?  Cause it is.

If there's a beautiful or unusual door, I am going to take a picture of it.  Isn't this one lovely?  Solid wood and (I'm confident) hand-carved back in the long-long ago.  I can't help but think of all the people who've passed through there.

While visiting the Basilica (my favorite church in Old Town), I had to take a selfie of this- it's the actual Pope-mobile from when Pope John Paul II visited Quito in 1985.  (it's not the actual Pope John Paul II in the back, though)

As we were walking to lunch after the race finished, we saw this woman with A CAT IN A BACKPACK!!  It seemed worthy of a photo.  The cat seemed to be living its best life.

Back in Quito -or- Leslie and Her Bags Get to Ecuador

 In what feels like no time at all AND at least a decade, I am back in Quito after six full months of preparation!  Today is my third full day here*, and it's high time to share the new, true, short story, "Leslie's Luggage".

*this was true when I started writing; I'm happy to report I've been here two weeks now!  Anyway, back to the story...

November 2025: Leslie is invited to apply for a position at Alliance Academy International.  She immediately begins to question how she could possibly move there with only two checked bags.

7 Days Ago: While helping Leslie decide what to pack in her 2 checked bags, Leslie's gracious friend and life-long traveler back and forth to West Africa, gently encourages Leslie to consider checking three bags instead of two.  Leslie feels this would somehow be an indication of weak moral fiber.  It is also more luggage than she can manage on her own- going against her own law of travel.  Nonetheless, Leslie researches how many bags she can bring, but it seems there is no limit.

6 Days Ago: Leslie gets out a third suitcase.

5 Days Ago: While checking in online, Leslie discovers that the airline website will only let her check 2 bags.  Cue anxiety.  Awesome sister Brittony tries to calm Leslie as Leslie calls Delta.  Nice Delta lady assures Leslie that she can pay for the third bag at the airport.  Leslie double-checks: are you sure there will be no problem with checking three bags?  She is sure.  Side note: the third bag will cost $200. -_- Cue additional anxiety.  Cue additional sisterly efforts and the reminder that thanks to SO MANY generous friends and family, she can afford the extra bag.

 4 Days Ago: Leslie arrives at the Fort Wayne International Airport with her three checked bags (each one weighing in at under 49 lbs (50 is the limit).  She is invited to be checked in by a Young and Eager Gate Agent (YEGA).  Said agent pulls up Leslie's itinerary and says, "You'll have to pick up your luggage in Atlanta and check it back in there, since your layover is so long."  Cue anxiety.  Is there any possible way to check it all the way through?  It's all one ticket and that's a lot of luggage to haul around on a layover.  YEGA clickity-clacks on her computer.  Ok; they will be checked all the way to Quito.  Leslie, unsure whether to be annoyed that they don't just do that in the first place, or grateful that she won't need to lug 150 pounds of checked bags around Atlanta, nods and thanks YEGA.

Next, YEGA directs the first bag to be put on the scale.  It registers 51 pounds.  "I know exactly what to pull out of there to make it 50 lbs," Leslie says.  "Oh, it's ok," replies YEGA, "I can waive the extra pound."

[editor's note: I have been traveling internationally since I was 18, and never once in my life has any gate agent, from any airline, in any country ever offered to WAIVE AN OVERWEIGHT BAG.]

Leslie nods slowly in amazement.  "Thank you!"  YEGA checks in bag #2.  49.5 pounds.  On to bag three.  More clickity-clacking.  YEGA says, my system isn't allowing you to check 3 bags.  Leslie calmly explains the very confident Delta lady's info.  YEGA tries again.  Sorry, my system will not allow you to check three bags.  Could we speak with a manager?  Of course.  Leslie listens to the manager explain to YEGA on her walkie-talkie that Quito must have an embargo on checked luggage right now.  Leslie politely asks if she could speak directly with the manager.

Ten minutes later, YEGA's manager is now clickity-clacking and after about 5 minutes, he announces that he has worked some sort of magic to allow me to take three bags.  Again- Leslie is relieved but also...what the heck?!  He continues to say that since Leslie has such a long layover in Atlanta, she will need to collect and re-check her bags there.  Leslie (semi-patiently) rehashes why that's not going to work and point out that YEGA was able to check them all the way to Quito.  Clickity-clack.  Ok, done.  Checked all the way through.

Delta, what is going on???

Leslie allows relief to trump annoyance and listens as YEGA's manager explains to her how to put a bag tag on my third piece of luggage, which is a plastic trunk.  They finish up, hand her a boarding pass, and wish her a good flight.  "Thank you both so much for your help!  Who do I pay?"  YEGA looks at her manager.  He looks at her.  "Well... the system didn't charge you."  What?  "Yeah, I could have waived the fee for the third bag, but I didn't.  If I had, you would see "waived fee" right here on the baggage claim slip.  I didn't waive it; the system just didn't charge you.  I have never seen that happen."

Leslie says, "I don't know what you believe about God, but there are an awful lot of people praying for me right now.  In any case, thank you so much!"  As Leslie walks away, she hears the manager say to YEGA, "Never have I ever seen that happen!"

2 Days Ago: Leslie arrives safely at the airport in Quito.  After spending some quality time with the passport check lady (who was suspicious that she was coming to live here but didn't yet have a visa) Leslie made her way to the baggage claim carousel, where she found all three of her bags waiting patiently for her.  What should have cost $400 ended up only costing $100.  Leslie is so thankful!

The End

As a reward for reading through the whole story, here are a couple of pictures from my first day.  I took them on my first trip to the grocery store.

Such beautiful flowers!  And I forgot how blue the sky is here!

My new building.  Our apartment is on the first floor, so you can't see it because of the gate.

My first day of work will be Monday- day one of three of orientation for new teachers.  Between now and then I have a lot of time to get a bunch of things sorted out- phone plans; learning to use Uber for taxis; buying odds and ends for the apartment; and doubtless other things I'm not thinking of yet.  Life here is off to a great start, and I am thankful.

T: Minus 17 Days

 Here we are, sweatin' through July!  It's hard to believe we're almost seven weeks into summer break, and even harder to know that my ticket says I'm flying to Quito two weeks from Saturday!

By the first week of June it had become clear that my normal system of making and then checking off a To  Do List wasn't going to work for this season.  Too many things on the list, and each item kept doubling and tripling as I tried to do it.  SO!  I created the Have Done List, and it is serving me so much better!  I'm keeping one page in a notebook for each week, and it's very encouraging to flip back and see all of the things I have accomplished in the light of all that is still left to do.

Speaking of which, if you've been considering joining us for one of the work days at my house but haven't yet signed up, I would be so appreciative of your help!  THIS Saturday (7/11) we're starting at 8am; lunch (and snacks and drinks) provided, and we'll be done no later than 3pm (you don't have to be here the whole time).  If you can help, CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK to sign up for this Saturday! 

The second work day is Saturday, July 18.  The same deal as the previous week, but different tasks.  CLICK HERE to sign up to help next Saturday.

I am really grateful for these work days, and the folks who are coming to help!  And this seems like a great time for a shout out to Brittony, Jessica, Trisha, Jamie, Emily, and Josie- who have already come to help me sort, purge, pack, and a plethora of other pre-departure tasks. 💖 I have such wonderful friends! 

In other news, I'm in my final week with my sweet kitties, Mary and Daisy. 😔I'm very grateful that neighbors of a friend have agreed to take them in.  I spoke with them to discuss the situation, and felt very comfortable that they will be a good new home for my girls.  I'm scheduled to drop them off on Tuesday.  I'm not a "Pets are People" person (wow.  alliteration!), but these girls have been with me for almost 14 years, and I will miss them.

In GREAT news, I have a place to live!!  I will be sharing an apartment with a young woman who is coming to Quito to serve in a ministry for study abroad students.  I am old enough to be her mom *blink blink* but we spoke on the phone and I feel comfortable that she is mature enough that I won't FEEL like the mom in the situation.  I'm very excited about this arrangement.  It's a huge help on the financial front (both because I'm sharing rent and because the place is furnished) and  I'm excited to not be living alone.  In addition, I think it will be nice that we are working in different places.  Sometimes too much togetherness is...too much.  

That is pretty much all to report for now!  I am excited to wrap up this crazy transition time and step into the next chapter.  It's plenty bittersweet, but I believe it is a good step, and I'm hopeful about what God wants to do.  Glad you're along for the ride!

Wanna Help? Here's How!

 I have amazing people.  From the first days that I began sharing about going back to Quito, my people have been asking how they can help.  Thank you so much to all of you!  Here are some suggestions.

-A New Home for My Kitties

I still need a home for my two sweet kitties.  It needs to be indoors; probably a home without other pets; and if there are children, they would need to know how to be gentle with animals.  My girls are 14 and 13 years old, so I'm trying to make the transition as un-traumatic as possible.  If you have any leads in this are, please let me know!

-Two Work Days to Help Get My House Rent-Ready (July 11th or July 18th)

There will be two Saturday work days at my house (July 11 and July 18) and we will need volunteers!  The 11th will focus on household repairs and yardwork.  The 18th will involve a lot of moving my packed belongings into the basement or shed, and some moving-out cleaning.  On both days there will be jobs for people with all levels of skills and abilities.  If you're interested in helping, or need more info, please let me know and I'll fill you in!

-Filling A Void in the Nursery Volunteer Team (Life Community people only)

 Last week I served in the church nursery for the final time before I go.  The nursery can almost always use more volunteers (like basically every church on the planet), and one way you could help with my preparations to serve in Quito would be to volunteer to fill in my nursery spot.  Each service requires two volunteers (either two adults, or one adult and one teen helper), and generally you would serve once a month.  I can talk for a long time about how I consider nursery duty to be one of the simplest ways to bless the local church.  If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Carol Harbor (Nursery Coordinator) or Abbey Guntle (KidsLife Director) at church.

**PS-Nursery is MUCH more fun with a great partner!  Consider recruiting your spouse, a teenaged child, or a friend to serve with you.  It can be a great time of fellowship, as well as a blessing to the young families in your congregation! 

-Yes, We Are Taking Donations!

While I will receive a salary which I am hopeful will cover my normal living costs, the process of wrapping things up here [making some improvements/repairs in my house before the renters move in; buying a year's worth of things I can't get there; and buying tickets and gathering visa documents] are all spendy and they are adding up.  I am not asking more monthly donors, but if you would like to make a one-time donation toward these expenses, thank you!!  You're welcome to use Venmo, PayPal, Zelle (if you're a Chase Bank user), mail a check, or hand me cash.  Just let me know the funds are for my trip preparations.

Because I'm not going with a sending organization this time, I have decided to set up some accountability for myself and my donors.  I want to provide transparency for donors so that they feel confident that the money they give is being used responsibly.  And I want the accountability for myself.  

Stan Miller, an elder and the head of the missions committee at my church, has agreed to meet with me monthly to go over the specifics of what has come in and how I have spent it.  Stan is Good People and a Godly man.  If you would like any additional information about this arrangement, please don't hesitate to ask.  I am happy to share!

-Prayer is Always Very Welcome!

 I left prayer for the end, because people who pray tend to be people who both persevere [say, to the end of the blog post] and care enough about me to read to the end.  If that's you, bless you.  I don't pretend to understand all the inner workings of how prayer works, but I know that Jesus said we should do it, and that's good enough for me!  Here are some general prayer requests, which I will update as things progress and different challenges present themselves.

 -Pray for energy to think clearly and complete the daunting list of things to accomplish over the next 3-4 months of transition

-Pray for peace, courage, and confidence in our God as I step back into the world of expat living

-Pray for financial provision, and faith as I wait.

-Pray for favor and discernment as I wade through all the many details of moving abroad; renting out my house; gathering visa documents; handling my car situation; re-homing my kitties; and several other Big Ticket Items. 

-Pray for my arrival- for my housing situation; my relationships with the faculty/staff team at AAI; for my students and their parents.

-Pray that this season would draw me closer to the Lord; into deeper commitment and fellowship and into greater understanding of His character. 

-Final word is a repeat from my last update.  If you would like to get a brief email from me with the blog post link each time I write something new on this blog, please click here to complete a short, 4-question response and I will add you to the notification list!

Thank you, friends, for all your support!