Hey All!
Well, we're at the end of August...how the last few months went by so quickly I'm not quite sure. But I wanted to write to give some updates, so here goes:

• June: Had a wonderful trip home. Was able to be a part of 2 weddings, celebrate my mom's birthday, and see the wedding venue where my brother will be getting married (in 2 months!!) It was surreal and often strange to be back after a year, but totally worth it and I am so blessed to have had that experience.

• July: July was filled with preparing my girls for their business competition, going to Lima to be a part of the Youth Initiatives Committee (and getting to see my lovely host family there), and going on vacation with 2 awesome ladies to Puno and Arequipa. Puno is where Lake Titicaca is- the highest elevation lake in the world. People live on man-made floating islands so we got to observe their way of life...soo different. Its SO cold there but so beautiful. Strangely the city of Puno has a ton of pizza shops...they know what the tourists like ha! Then we went to Arequipa, the 2nd biggest city in Peru. Its gorgeous, with european-style arquitecture and a beautiful central plaza. Such a lovely trip!

• August: More preparing with my girls then headed to Lima for the national business competition "Somos Emprendedores, Somos Peru." My girls didn't win, but what an experience to be able to compete in the US Embassy with peers from around the country. My group wants to put a coffee shop in the central plaza in town, so now I am trying to find other funding sources to help make that happen. We also had med-checks, and though I had 2 more cavities, no worms/more serious stuff. Great to see my friends and explore Lima more- there are some wonderful coffee shops and restaurants there.

• "Welcome to the Jungle"
• My next post will be after I get back from Iquitos- the selva (jungle)!! One of my dear friends Jen is coming on Wednesday and we are flying to Iquitos from Lima, then taking a 5 hour speedboat ridge to our eco-lodge where we'll be staying 5 days!!! I cannot wait! I will post pictures.

Ok, that's about all I have time for now...I will write back sooner than 3 months this time!

Be Blessed,

Jackie