Home is where the <3 is

Well, it has been a little over a week since I arrived back on American soil. I have got to say, I have never had so many conflicting feelings over being back "home". For so long I thought the only place I could ever call home was comfortable Middlebury, Indiana. Guatemala, you have truly changed the meaning of home for me.

My last week in Guatemala consisted of the beach and many painful, teary goodbyes. The hardest of all- my leader, second mom, and best friend- Sheny. It is really a shame that not everyone can know this amazing woman. This past year, though the best year of my life, was so difficult at times. There were days I questioned myself and what I was doing all the way over in Guatemala. But Sheny, she was always there encouraging me. She was patient and loving and my best friend. She helped me discover my passions and how I can use them to glorify God.
Even though you will never read this because it's in english :), you will never know how much your life and testimony have influenced me this past year. I love you!

Now for what I (plan) to do with my post Guatemala life. I have decided to attend Huntington University this fall where I plan on double majoring in psychology and Spanish! While working in women's social work this past year, I have discovered God's calling in my life to become a counselor for women who are hurting. And maybe someday even move to the missions field again :).
God has truly moved in some amazing ways throughout every aspect of my life this past year, and I could not be more grateful for it. Thanks to everyone who has supported me and read all these blogs!! Your kind words and support have been so encouraging.
And now it's time for a new chapter.

Month number 7

It's crazy to think I have been in Guatemala for 7 months already.. It feels like just yesterday I was driving up into the mountains for the first time, yet at the same time it doesn't. This place has become like home to me. As much as I miss my Indiana home, I don't think I am ready to leave my new home here in Guatemala yet.

This semester has consisted of language school, sights, and lots and lots of homework. I also had the awesome experience of Samana Santa (Easter week) while living in Antigua! This is the biggest holiday/touristy week in Guatemala, bigger than Christmas! The weekends leading up, the week of and especially good Friday, people stay up all night to make these beautiful saw-dust carpets. After they make them, processions come through the streets and destroy them. I had the opportunity to make a carpet with my family, and I have to say it is quite depressing when the processions come through and ruin the hours of hard work you just did! But it really was an amazing experience I will remember forever! I also went on a 4AM hike up the mountain by my house to watch the sunrise, spent the night on a volcano, went to a zoo, and am going to Tikal this weekend. :)

These past couple of months have been a very different experience from last semester. For one, I know so much more spanish. It has been so encouraging being able to use my spanish in my sight to be able to talk with the women I work with. I have grown so much in my relationships with them, and they are truly amazing people. They make the hard days here in Guatemala so worth it. Today I had the opportunity to lead a devotional (first devo I have ever led) in spanish.. I was so nervous, and I forget probably half of what I was going to say, but I did it!! And even though it may not have gone well, I am so proud of myself for overcoming this fear of mine and for the opportunity to share the Bible with some of the most influential women in my life.

The opportunities God has brought me throughout this entire past year have been amazing. The biggest one, Guatemala. It is amazing for me to look back to the person I was a year ago and see the change that has happened throughout my life. I really am a different person, and I could not be more thankful.

So my goal for the rest of my last month here is to sit back and enjoy it. To build my relationships even more and soak in the beauty and my life of Magdalena. Thanks to everyone who continues to read this thang!

ROUND 2

Well, I have officially made it back to the homeland!! Oh how I have missed this beautiful country and the friends that come along with it. Needless to say, it feels good to be back.

Christmas break. It was so good to be home again and see all of my friends and family (and dogs, of course)!! I was surprised to find how much I started missing Guatemala. Something I came to realize very soon in my time at home was was that just because my personal life had changed, does not at all mean my life back at home had changed. And that was a little difficult for me to process. Other than that, being home was nice, especially my bed. :)

I arrived back in Guatemala Tuesday night. Lowell and Cheryl were at the airport to pick me up, and we had time to catch up over some Pollo Compero (my fav fast food restaurant here). I feel so lucky to have such amazing family to share my experience of Guatemala with! The rest of this week has been filled with re-orientation and language school. And oh my word I forgot how mentally exhausting language school could be. So, my afternoons have been filled with (long) naps and pretty much everything else you don't need to use your brain for.

I am currently living in Antigua, so there is so much for us to do during the day now! Yesterday we found a little coffee shop with a pretty cool view. And the best part is, Antigua is filled with these hidden treasures. I am so excited to explore this amazingly beautiful little city!

This view though>

Host family. I am absolutely loving my host family! I live in a cute little blue house right inside of Antigua. My host mom's name is Carolina and she fits right in with us Global Bridgers, attitude and all. She is also an awesome cook, which is a plus. :)

Thanks to all who continue to pray and support me through this journey I am taking on! I am so excited for this upcoming semester and all that God has in store for me and my friends.