I am blessed!

Days like today I feel extremely blessed to have the earthly father that God gave me. I'm thankful for my entire family for that matter.

I began going on mission trips at 18 with my family. When I withdrew from college because it would interfere with my mission's heart, I had my daddy's full support. He was even glad. When I decided to move to Guatemala full time to work with Shadow, he could not have been more excited that I was following God's will for my life. When my vision changed, I moved out on my own, and began a different ministry, he was full of advice and encouragement for me. Now that I have accepted this new call to return home for now and pursue another chapter in my life, I think he is probably more excited for me than I am!! I've always had his love, support, encouragement, and help when I needed it. I honestly could not ask for anything more for a father.

I'm never "afraid" to talk to him about things going on in my life. No matter what is going on with me, I can always count on him to be there. Isn't that what parenting is all about? I never feel judged or that he is disappointed in me. I wonder how he does it?!!

And even though Father's Day has passed, I think this is the kind of appreciation that should be shown every day

Los Finales

So, last night Gino announced the finals in San Bartolome. He always does such a great job. He's really good at it. But last night he made me bring my camera so there'd be proof!!

Sarah, Ami, and I spent most of the day in Antigua. I haven't been in so long and it was kind of my farewell to Antigua (unless I get to go back again before I leave). We did some shopping in the artisian market and had lunch at Travel Menu (my secret treasure)!! Of course, since it is rainy season we got a little wet... and we were so disappointed after a long day of shopping, we found out that the Higher Ground cafe was closed and we wanted a Dr. Pepper so bad!! So, after Gino's game Sarah and I went all the way into the city to Pricemart just for Dr. Pepper. We knew it was pretty silly but that's ok sometimes!!

I have no idea what happened at the finals. I just know that I did my job and took video and pictures. It was cold. And there was a group from MS there doing VBS this week, so I saw a few familiar faces at the game. That's always fun!!

Ami and Sarah come out to witness Gino's true calling

Sarah and I

Gino and his co-comentator, Conejo

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Special Update

For some time now I've felt like the wind it is a-changing. I can't say at this time what that means exactly. I just wanted to let you guys in on what God is working in my life. So, know you know about as much as I do. You know, I've always said that when God called me to Guatemala, He just said "GO!". He always just says "GO", I think. That's what makes life exciting and worth living!! So, we GO and do as He has instructed us until we hear Him say GO again!

I think I've learned that God's will for my life is always changing. I mean, even in the almost 3 years I've been in Guatemala, not one year has been the same as the one before. It makes for a pretty exciting life! Sometimes hard; never boring! I've done things I never thought I could, or would be doing.

I've said before that you are Clay In His Hands, just as much as I am. You are my strength, my support, and my family. So please be in prayer with me as I hear God's voice and follow his way.

and the major packing begins

I'm trying to start packing. It's kind of hard since I will be using so much stuff until I leave. But I would rather start now, than be running around crazy at the last minute. I borrowed scales from my friend Sarah to weigh each bag as I get it filled. Also, I think I've mentioned that some friends have agreed to take my extra baggage back with them when they come on a church mission trip the week after I leave. I will need to get a few more bags because I can already see that I will quickly fill the ones I already have.

I'm also trying to think of things I want to do to leave the house like I found it. A few painting touch ups here and there should be all, besides of course cleaning.

All of this only feels overwhelming because I can't do all of it now. I just have to think about it.

I did make a list of all the things I will leave behind and sent it to a friend who will be renting/buying a house in August or September. So the timing was really perfect for me to help her out with anything that I have that she might want for herself. I'm sure that anything that she doesn't want, I can find a good home for as well. But making that list did make me feel better. At least I have a visual to go back to.

I'm making homemade pizza for lunch.

last trip to the coast

I'm going to say good-bye to Gino's grandma tomorrow. I talked to Nestor (Gerson, my godson's dad) today. He was pretty sad to hear that I was leaving. He mentioned that he remembers when he was growing up, always asking who his madrina was. He doesn't remember her because she never came to visit. I guess he's thinking that it will be the same with Gerson. That made me a little sad. I hope its not like that. That he'll know who I am. I know he wouldn't know me as well as he would if I were to stay here, but I do plan on keeping in touch, sending gifts, and visiting whenever I'm in the country. That's the best I can do, right? His grandma is so sweet. I hope she doesn't cry when we leave Saturday. She usually cries when we leave after every visit, and since this is our "despedida" I'm sure it will be worse. But I guess I should just get used to it, right?

EaRtHqUaKe!!!

There was a 6.8 earthquake this afternoon. News said it shook Guatemala, El Salvador, and southern parts of Mexico. I had just sat down to lunch when my whole house started shaking! It was kind of cool.. in a "on the edge of being scary" kind of way. I went outside to look around. My legs were shaking underneath me. It was a weird feeling. Like trying to stand on a float in a pool. My car was rocking back and forth. The telephone lines were swinging. It lasted almost a whole minutes. Gino says it was 46.6 seconds. I don't know if he got that off the news or if he was timing it. I wouldn't be surprised either way. News also said that the Miraflores mall, only about 15 minutes from here, got cracks in some of the walls on the 3rd floor, and the ceiling. I'm sure there were many other buildings with mynor damage, but they are reporting that on people were hurt. That's good. No landslides. No tsunamis. All good.

one month left

Good news! All I have left to finish the paperwork on my car is getting a new title. That should be tomorrow and I'm done! The lady helping me really has been great, even though I waited for over an hour for her to meet me yesterday. But you can never learn enough patience, right? And for her to be standing in line all day instead of me... well, that's worth an hour right there. Yesterday was a good day. Besides waiting for her forever. I got to see an old friend I met last year and meet new ones as I visited Amor del Niño while a group was there from Illinois. Also, I didn't write this weekend about going out to visit Rehoboth. It was the sweetest thing. I was invited for lunch and the boys had a huge cake to say good-bye. Of course, they were happy just with the cake. When asked if any of them wanted to say anything to me, only one spoke up. One of the youngest, Geovanni, said thank you for all I had done to help them and may God bless me. But when as I was leaving I got a hug from each of them. They are expecting me to come back and visit though, so I'll have to keep my word on that!! I go home one month from today.

I know you're all tired of hearing this...

I'm still fighting off this... cold, I guess is what it is. I'm so stuffy and all that fun stuff. I actually went to bed last night at 7 and woke up today and 6:30!! My body must have needed it. I'm feeling a little better today, since I stocked up on the good stuff last night (medicine and orange juice). Please keep me in your prayers.

Casa Bernabe

Here are the pictures from camp last week. There are about a bajillion, so get comfortable!! I'm not through writing all the captions because my connection won't stay connected... But I'm getting there. A lot of the pics are from Jose and Shari also, so I can't take credit for all of them!! But they are ALL good!!

Enjoy!!

*sigh*

I know you are probably tired of hearing this, but literally hours after I got home today my throat started to close up. I wonder if there could be something in the house... a mold or something that is making me sick. Or maybe just the change in weather. Who knows, but I'm really sick of this. I am starting to feel achy and of course my throat hurts. UGH!!!I'm trying to get my pictures up from this week. My connection at home doesn't allow me to, but I may try and go to an internet cafe tomorrow. We'll see. There are a bajillion pictures, so get ready!!!