Walking

When I was pregnant with Natalie, I would walk most mornings around the neighborhood- up and down the steep hills, and usually ending with a breathtaking (literally) climb up to the Mallasilla lookout. I haven't felt well enough to do this in this pregnancy and was still going from time to time to the gym to do my spinning class. Since my membership was up last week, I decided to pick up the walking again while Scotty spent his ritual half hour or so making oatmeal and eating it together with Natty. So I set out on the familiar route this morning with my medium weight jacket, quickly realizing that I would need something heavier tomorrow. The wind is quite cold and even though the sun is already blazing by 8:00am, it just isn't warm enough yet. It was great to feel good enough to actually do some hard walking and hill-climbing and to see all the people off to school and work. The neighborhood is quite active at that time of morning. I also saw a single mom who comes to our church, waiting with her kids for the public van to come by and pick them up. Later, I passed by a couple that lives in the best spot in Mallasilla, with incredible views of both our town and the city of La Paz. She is Bolivian and he is an American and we have been talking about getting together for months now. I realized that I don't see these people unless I'm out and about walking around...such a good way to spend my morning. After climbing up to the look-out, I gazed at the beautiful city of La Paz that spread out below me. Cradled by high mountains, the tall buildings and mostly dry river that rest in the canyon are quite a beautiful sight. On the other side, below me, is Mallasilla. We're surrounded by softer mountains, not quite as high, and varying shades of brown. With the rainy season long over, it doesn't take more than a week or so for the intense sun to dry up any living plant. Pastel and brightly-colored houses nestle in between the brick ones like Easter eggs and I gaze at our own property that still lays empty. It's mostly in the shade this early in the morning and I wonder when the sun will stream in our future kitchen windows while I start working on lunch. Although it's mostly quiet as high up as I was I could hear the banging of hammers coming from different parts of the town- our little neighborhood is being quickly filled up by new homes and new families...a good opportunity for our church to grow and reach new people. It was great to spend some time watching and praying, my desire to see the Lord working around me renewed. I think I'll do it again tomorrow.