I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane...

Friday, July 8, 2011

3 Teams Down 2 To Go

I'm exhausted so I'll only be posting the past 2 days in picures. Sorry about yesterday, the internet was down...

*For the record, we're laughing.*

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

So the past couple of days have been kinda bare in consideration to my blogging but it's not because the days aren't full, they are, I just am too tired at night to write or I have so much to say that I don't know how to put it all down. So I guess I'm done puttin it off, tonight's gonna be a long one...

Yesterday was the 4th of July and I'm hoping you all had a blessed holiday full of hamburgers, watermelon and lots of fireworks. For my Carolina folks, I heard it was a little rainy (: For everyone else, I hope you had plenty of sunshine and warmth. For us here in Guatemala the day started like any other, cold, dreary and rainy. Now for those of you who don't know, the 4th is my favorite holiday so my heart was going out to ya'll a little extra yesterday. But we didn't let the day pass without celebration. Last night we gathered with other American missionaries in town and had our own little 4th of July party, in the 60 degree weather and the hurricane rain and all. And let me tell ya, it was a blast. But that got me thinking, about missionary communities and the people that were surrounding me.

Acts 2: 42-47 reads

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts ..."

If you can imagine a long table full of typical "American" food (as typical as it can get in a latino country), hands reaching across eachother, the low roar of the many conversations occuring, children yelling and laughing, and at least 2 dozen people gathered for the sole purpose of community then you have witnessed a small part of my holiday evening. At one point I sat back, just to observe the scene I was a part of and it hits me. This is what it's all about, this is what Jesus intended, this is love. This is what that bible verse is all about. It was so beautiful.

Every week these people warmly welcome teams with open arms to worship and have fellowship. They give them a place to belong, even for an hour or so, in a country where we can be such outcasts. They give them refuge from the outside, a place that can be sometimes scary and heartless. I've always said that if I could fly down to ChiChi every Sunday just for church, I would. And I stand by that. I have never been in a place so full of the Spirit. It's refreshing to sit in a simple room, with no fancy sound equipment, no fancy graphics, and to know that everyone sitting next to you is here for the same reason, fighting the same fight. It really is like a family. The closest knit family possible. They share heartache, fears, happiness, successes, but most of all they share the unknown. Here, in a foriegn country where you're lucky to speak a little of the native tongue and mighty blessed to find Pepsi products, the unknown is the scariest and most rewarding thing missionaries face. After all, it's what we're here for.

So as I sat back in that chair and watched people I have grown to love over the years or even just weeks I was filled with gratitude and humility. I was thankful that they welcomed me and allowed me to be a part of their missional family. I was humbled to see all these people that had given up their lives in the States to come and serve a lost people. I long to return to this one day, except maybe a little more permantly (:

So here we are, today. It rained all day long, even stormed really bad at one point. We went to the local school with supplies to pass out which was a blast and something new.

The night ended with lots of laughs and good bonding time with the "fam". It's amazing how many moments I have that are so bittersweet. This place has my heart and is such a part of me. In so many ways it saved me. It breaks my heart to know my days here are numbered and dwinding but all good things must come to an end. I just hope through my actions and works, I can give back to this country and these people a fraction of what they have given me. I love you Guatemala and I always will (:

Daily Shout Outs

Matt- Happy Halfway Day! You are the best, I hope you kow that. Thank you, for everything and you know what I'm talking about. I love you, what more can I say.
Mom-I had a horrible headache today, it made me miss you so much.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July America!

Need I say more? Happy holiday everyone!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Short but Sweet (:

Cutest kid ever, totally wanna take him home. He'll sing for just about anything (:

Saturday, July 2, 2011

3 weeks left...

Me: TAMMY, they have pictures of me and my cow.....

Tammy: Just remember . . . cows in the mountains of Guatemala "only speak Quiche"!!! You saying "move off the road" WON'T work!

Me: Yeah, well somebody coulda told me that BEFORE the cow starting plotting my death! Haha.

What a great day (:

So today I pretty much just chilled out. I worked on a lot of paperwork and finished up Modern Family and talked to my wonderful boyfriend. It was much needed considering I have a feeling this next week will be a pretty draining one. But I'm excited all the same.

Although today was good, it was kinda hard. Maybe cause I'm about halfway through my trip or cause I just had way too much time today. But I was missing home a lot. Missing my Mom and Dad, Matt, my friends, heck even the Carolina heat. I was missing my bed, my pillow and blankets, my cats, my own shower, and my truck. To be honest, it was kinda frustrating. Not to mention I reconnected with an old teammate of mine today, it really made me miss my gymnastics. But oh well, enough of that. It was just a little rough patch I had to get through but all is ok now. Just thought I'd share my struggle.

Tomorrow is Sunday, church and market here we come. Plus, I get to meet the team which I'm excited for. I can't wait to do a little more shopping and speak more Spanish. I'm learning so much and I really do feel like I'm getting better which is awesome!

"We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life"

Daily Shout Outs

Matt- Only 3 more weeks babe! Love you!
Mom and Dad- Missing ya'll like crazy!
Dawn and Madison- Thanks for all ya'll do! Keep up the hard work!

For
My
Mom
(:
Love
You
!!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Scalloped potatoes with ham (:

Best dinner ever, just saying (: Haha

Today I interviewed my last 5 families for Bethany Christian Services and it was a blast. Lots of laughing, blessing, and joy. What more can you ask for. We traveled around doing that literally all day and got to hand out things in the process. I just love days like today. They remind me why I love these people and this place. It makes me fall in love all over agian.

Then we came back to Monte Flor and I helped straighten up the girls home a bit and then went to shower and change and such. I also proceeded to watch another like 3 episodes of Modern Family. This is becoming a problem. No joke. Then we had the best dinner (hence the title of the post) and had some nice fellowship, as always. Afterward I DID MY LAUNDRY (hehe Mom) and floded it and put it away. Haha.

Now I'm soin this and will probably watch more Modern Family and begin to settle in for the night. It's another end to a blessed day and I'm excited to wake up to what tomorrow will hold. One thing's for sure, I'm sleepin in (:

Oh and please continue to pray for my ankle, it's really becoming a bother. Thanks!

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
- Robert Byrne