Only 4 weeks left here. This is the phrase that has been playing over and over in my mind this week. This weekend will not be one full of travel because we are wanting to go to a soccer game Saturday night and we were supposed to have a field trip for my Art and Architecture class to see some more ruins but we are getting the effects of Hurricane Ida that is on the east coast of Nicaragua. It is predicted to hit the state of Quitana Roo which is where Cozumel, Cancun, and Tulum are on Sunday. So right now we are having tons of rain which is very unusual and high winds. Since Merida does not have a system of drainage due to the kind of land we have, going downtown right now could be risky. They seriously don't have deep drains in the streets so the streets downtown end up flooding until the sun comes out and evaporates all of it. The rain here also makes the roads slick and scary to drive on. So we don't have our field trip because Val is considering it a Yucatacan style of a snow storm! Yay! So who knows if we will end up going to the soccer game Saturday night or not. However, I am able to catch up on some sleep, talk to family, and enjoy some alone time. =) I have worked ahead in classes so that I hardly have homework anymore unless it is my literature class which we don't have a syllabus for so there is no way to work ahead. But, I only have 4 weeks left here. Every other weekend is jam-packed with traveling and spending time with mom, dad, and Neal so I am trying to take advantage of this calm weekend here in Merida.

And just to calm everyone's fears, we are 4 hours away from the coast of Quitana Roo so we will only have lots of rain and high winds. Everyone here is keeping a close eye on the storm and the worst thing that would happen would be that we lock ourselves in this mansion and hang out! There is nothing to be scared of and personally, I am welcoming the hurricane-like conditions. Val, as you read this you will probably not like this, but this will probably be my only time to live through hurricane-like conditions in my lifetime so why not want to experience something I will never get to experience again!?!? We will have to see what this weekend brings! It is actually chilly here to all of us. I know you are all going to hate this, but it is 73 right now and I have a long-sleeve t-shirt and running pants on as I write this. It is quite chilly with all the rain and wind coming through the windows. But oh how the air smells fresher! Thank you rain!

I have also been in prayer for the past 2 days because I found out yesterday morning that my uncle, one of my dad's brothers had a mini stroke Wednesday late at night. He is only 3 years older than my dad so it makes me scared that something like that could happen to my dad since strokes are very common on his side of the family. But thank goodness, he has been taking a baby aspirin everyday since his mom, my grandma, died of an annurism. And, my dad's dad, my grandpa Torgeson, has had a stroke that has affected his left side as well, so fighting the worry of my future has seriously become a battle in the past 2 days.

But, for me, this situation doesn't calm my fears about having a blood clot someday--it makes it worse. After having the scare earlier this semester, and knowing that a stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain and that my mom has already had a blood clot in her leg does not look optimistic for me! I keep reminding myself that I am not in control so the only thing I can do is take a baby aspirin and pray. If anyone feels lead, and is prompted by the Holy Spirit, simple prayers for strength and a calm heart for me would be greatly appreciated. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing weekend as winter is fast approaching.