Despedida de Shadow

Forgive me if my updates this week are scatter-brained and maybe even out of order... I have a few things I wanted to write about, but I'm having to do it in between packing, painting, and everything else.

I wanted to tell you about going to say good-bye to the girls in Monjas Saturday. I had wanted to go for awhile, but couldn't get it to work out. Finally, I saw my chance and SPLIT!! Gino and Laisa went with me too.

Cyndi had told the girls I was coming, but they had no idea that I was leaving this week. Since I haven't seen them since January, I hadn't had the chance. So, when I got there, first thing, I called them all together and let them know. I also told them that Gino was going to live with his mom. After the bombshell, by the look on their faces I could tell they were just in shock. But after I was done, no one had anything to say and they just sat there waiting for someone to say something. Finally after an awkward silence, I told them that was it. That I had just wanted to let them know and they could go on with what they were doing. One by one they left. A few came up to ask me questions about it. What would happen to me and Gino? When were we getting married? (their personal favorite) and would I be back to see them?

After that, we just played with them for a few hours. I took turns with different ones on the trampoline and Gino played soccor with three girls that always just follow him around.

It was a good visit. I wish I couldv'e stayed longer. But I'll take what I can get. I know I will see them again soon.

Enjoy the pictures

Teleferico

Friday, Gino and I took his two cousins to the teleferico, which I had never heard of until a few weeks ago. But we had been planning it since then. I guess it would be called a skyline or skylift.. I don't really know. But you'll know when you see the pics...

Teleferico pics

Some of you may know that I am terrified of heights... well, if there was any doubt, there is no more. I could NOT look down or my stomach would just drop!! I had to just look directly forward or out at the lake, which was beautiful... from a distance. We rode horses and played games at the top of the mountain. It was sort of like a fair or something up there. They were about to close, so we didn't have time for much. Most of the time we spent riding the horses! We rode four time around the trail!! Buy 3, get one free!! Gino's little cousin, Dorbal, was scared to ride, so as you'll see in the pics, he rode the zebra!!

The Splendid Horizon

I must have written this nearly 3 years ago. As I am packing, I am trying to minimize as much as possible, so when going through notebooks, etc., I found this buried within one of them, and I felt that it really applied more to me today than it probably did 3 years ago!

What does the horizon signify to you?
The end of an old day? The beginning of a new?
Does it mean 'a place to rest' or 'a chance to start afresh'?

To me it's the unknown that lies ahead of me on my journey.

To me it is the most beautiful place to go.

Where blue meets pink, is where God has me heading.
To the spledid horizon.

It means leaving myself behind (again) and meeting his light. And isn't that a lovely light?
For only there is the most beautiful shade of purple seen!
When I go to meet him, his glory is shown through royal purple light!
The light of this King of Kings; King of my heart.

That is where the beauty is -- in the unknown purple -- THE SPLENDID HORIZON

Let us not fear the unknown, but rejoice that we are apart of God's plan. Which without us, would still not fail.
So then, we are already victorious!

"A lamp unto my feet is your word, a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105).

Someone recently told me that back then they really had lamps (candles even) placed on the tops of their feet to show them their way. It literally only showed them the steps that their feet were taking. Each individual step. It kind of shines a light on what it means when we say we are taking things "step by step", huh?

this week

This is a real picture, of a real room.... MY ROOM!! My stuff keeps expanding as I try to get it in the suitcases. It's like it doesn't want to GET IN THERE!!! Luckily Steve and Shyrel are giving me a few suitcases. If not, I would be out of luck, for real!!

All of my days are filling up!! I have so many people to visit.. and so little time!!! Tomorrow, Gino and I are going to his uncle's house. He will leave his bike there for him to sell. So guess who will be borrowing my car AGAIN!?!? It's ok though. I want him to get to see all the people he needs to also. Friday, he's taking me somewhere.. I've never been. It's one of those skyline car thingy's... I heard it was pretty cool. I bet there's a great view!!

Saturday we're going to Monjas, and my friend Sarah is going to get to go too!! I will introduce her to Cyndi and they will both replace me as their friend for each other... Just kidding!!

Sunday will be my last day at church. Sarah's going with me there too. That's going to be sad.

Monday and Tuesday Gino wants to borrow my car to visit his grandma. I will stay home and paint and finish packing.

Wednesday I have to deliver all my suitcases to a group that are taking them home for me. I am staying in a hotel by the airport that night. I think it will be so much better; A) because I will have to pack completely. I hate not being able to pack those last minute things... and 2) I will not have to get up as early. I have to be at the airport by 4:30. Gino and Silvio are leaving the same day, but about 1/2 hour earlier. So, as you can see... this week will be something else!!

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.