Hey everyone... Wow, I dunno where to start. So much has been going on in my life lately it's amazing how much everything has changed. I got back from Chile on the 17th after spending Christmas and New Years with my family. The weather was beautiful down there, nice and sunny.

The first day here in the states was exhausting, my body was in shock, I went to the part to play soccer and almost froze to death. Plus I had to go to the ortho and get my braces tightened. I woke up early Tuesday morning, my eyes were bloodshot, I could hardly open them. And I had to drive to my first day of classes at a local Bible college. I got so stressed out cause I have been homeschooled my entire life and I am not sure what I was expecting, but after reading the syllabuses I felt overwhelmed. All these term papers and projects that I have to start working on. I know it's gonna be a lot of work and I really have to get started on a good study schedule or else I will never make it... Well I have to go start reading(Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie).

My life has been like a roller coaster lately. I got to the states in August after being down in the southern Chile islands for almost two weeks.

The surgery was a huge success, the dentist in NYC treated me so well, I didn't know how to express my gratitude. I had no swelling, bruising or bleeding which was kinda surprising. I can only say that there were so many people praying for and the Lord really used that time to work in my life. One of my dearest chilean friends(Daggi) was able to accompany me to the states and we really had a great time, my mom also came. I wasn't planning on staying permanently in the states right now, but I guess the Lord had different plans for me.

The time that we were in NJ was great. My dad has been friends with a pastor of a hispanic church there for years and he has always attended their pastors conferences, so we sort of knew the people we would be staying with. I have to admit I never thought I would have such a great time there. They treated us so well, the church provided us with a house to live in and different families in the church prepared meals for us.

One of the greatest parts of the time there was meeting the Santos family, they are such neat and fun loving people, I felt right at home with them. We did a lot of things together and our time there just flew by. I wish we could have stayed there longer. Luis is the oldest of the kids, he is 25 years old and one of the coolest guys I know, he is so sweet and we have become really really good friends, there is so much more I could say about him, but I think now is not the time.

I am in Ohio at my grandparents, but I am planning on going to DC in a little over a week to start working and living over there. Some awesome people in the church here gave me a car, the Lord has really blessed me so much. I plan on writing more later, thank you all for your prayers and support.

~Katie~

PS. I miss my fam so much it ain't even funny.