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Estoy de regreso to the world of blogging...
In 2011 I started a blog called El Viaje Comienza to record life as a new teacher in Guatemala. I had no plan, but as a recent college graduate, I was excited for this adventure. I figured I would give it a year, teaching middle school math, and then take it from there. I found the school online, had never been to Guatemala before, and didn't speak much Spanish, so moving there was somewhat of a risk. And yet, I felt very strongly that this is where God had me, and I was more excited than scared or worried (until I was sitting in the Miami airport waiting to board the plane, surrounded by Spanish, wondering what the heck I was doing!).
In the beginning I recorded a lot of "first things" that I experienced living in a new country and culture. I shared lots of observations and funny things that happened, especially due to my lack of Spanish. I remember staying up late and working a lot that first year with four different preps, but I really enjoyed it. The prep time paid off that next day in the classroom. So year one turned into year two, which then became year three and year four. I started getting worried that I would never want to leave. Oh, how I worry too much and struggle to trust. I eventually changed the name of the blog to La Vida Aquí, because that's what I was writing about. Though I was in a different country, life as a "missionary" began to look very normal. I didn't feel like I had as much to write about and the blog gathered quite a bit of dust. I still kept personal journals to record and process thankfulness, struggles, questions, and lessons God was teaching me.
Around October of year 5 I started thinking and feeling like this would be the last year. The 8th graders that I started with were Seniors and would be graduating in the spring. It seemed like God was saying that I was finished at the school, but I wasn't quite ready to leave Guatemala. I fought it and continually went back and forth on what I should do. Decision-making has never been a quick process for me. I make list after list after list. I pray. I ask others to pray with me. I doubt myself. I think this comes from a fear of making the "wrong decision." The Lord, what's next? question after getting comfortable in a place and calling it home for 5 years is hard.
Yet again, God provided with clarity. One job. One. And I was thankful that I didn't have other options. So I moved back to Texas and taught the most difficult year yet. But I wouldn't go back and change things.
I am where I am now because of this job. I have cried A LOT. I have missed the people and familiarity and community and simplicity Guatemala has. And yet, I have been cared for so much this past year. I have celebrated with my two college roommates as they promised to love their new husbands until death. I have celebrated with my friend who now is Mom to a precious girl. I have spent time with my sister and brother beyond the holidays. I have hung out with my mom for just a few minutes or a few hours, because we live close, and we can. I have reconnected with a friend from college who is now in seminary. She served in Greece, so we have been able to talk about the transition back. I have reconnected with another friend from high school who lives right around the corner. I have made new friends, and they are the ones who have heard more of the day-to-day stuff.
Come August I will be starting over again. I am not one to do something for just a year, but again, God has provided with clarity. One job. Just one, after filling out many applications and seriously considering a career change.
In 2011 I started a blog called El Viaje Comienza to record life as a new teacher in Guatemala. I had no plan, but as a recent college graduate, I was excited for this adventure. I figured I would give it a year, teaching middle school math, and then take it from there. I found the school online, had never been to Guatemala before, and didn't speak much Spanish, so moving there was somewhat of a risk. And yet, I felt very strongly that this is where God had me, and I was more excited than scared or worried (until I was sitting in the Miami airport waiting to board the plane, surrounded by Spanish, wondering what the heck I was doing!).
In the beginning I recorded a lot of "first things" that I experienced living in a new country and culture. I shared lots of observations and funny things that happened, especially due to my lack of Spanish. I remember staying up late and working a lot that first year with four different preps, but I really enjoyed it. The prep time paid off that next day in the classroom. So year one turned into year two, which then became year three and year four. I started getting worried that I would never want to leave. Oh, how I worry too much and struggle to trust. I eventually changed the name of the blog to La Vida Aquí, because that's what I was writing about. Though I was in a different country, life as a "missionary" began to look very normal. I didn't feel like I had as much to write about and the blog gathered quite a bit of dust. I still kept personal journals to record and process thankfulness, struggles, questions, and lessons God was teaching me.
Around October of year 5 I started thinking and feeling like this would be the last year. The 8th graders that I started with were Seniors and would be graduating in the spring. It seemed like God was saying that I was finished at the school, but I wasn't quite ready to leave Guatemala. I fought it and continually went back and forth on what I should do. Decision-making has never been a quick process for me. I make list after list after list. I pray. I ask others to pray with me. I doubt myself. I think this comes from a fear of making the "wrong decision." The Lord, what's next? question after getting comfortable in a place and calling it home for 5 years is hard.
Yet again, God provided with clarity. One job. One. And I was thankful that I didn't have other options. So I moved back to Texas and taught the most difficult year yet. But I wouldn't go back and change things.
I am where I am now because of this job. I have cried A LOT. I have missed the people and familiarity and community and simplicity Guatemala has. And yet, I have been cared for so much this past year. I have celebrated with my two college roommates as they promised to love their new husbands until death. I have celebrated with my friend who now is Mom to a precious girl. I have spent time with my sister and brother beyond the holidays. I have hung out with my mom for just a few minutes or a few hours, because we live close, and we can. I have reconnected with a friend from college who is now in seminary. She served in Greece, so we have been able to talk about the transition back. I have reconnected with another friend from high school who lives right around the corner. I have made new friends, and they are the ones who have heard more of the day-to-day stuff.
Come August I will be starting over again. I am not one to do something for just a year, but again, God has provided with clarity. One job. Just one, after filling out many applications and seriously considering a career change.
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