Well, four planes, many cars and buses, four major cities, three very distinct cultures, over twenty thousand miles, and four days later we have arrived in Granada, Nicaragua!
First, I just want to say thank you to our hosts who were so hospitable in on our 2 day layover in L.A.! They went out of their way to make us feel at home; as well as cart us around and let us run errands.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!
You will never know how much it meant to just simply be in a home, let alone be welcomed as part of the family!
I also had the opportunity to go to a friends birthday party while I was there. The night out was an unexpected and needed getaway as well as a lot of fun!
Even though our time would be short, I found I had mixed feelings about returning to the states before our expected finish date of April 30th. I was not sure how I would feel or what kind of culture shock I would experience. We would be experiencing three distinct cultures over four days (Asia, America, and Latin America) and I knew it would be a lot to process.
I am very grateful for my time in the States and I am glad that it worked out for us to have some time there. As enjoyable as it was, it was also a much needed wake up call. It made me realize I am not ready to return to the States quite yet, and I need the next three months. It helped me to realize what exactly I am doing out here and what I need to focus on. Now is not the time to switch into neutral; this is the time to be seeking after the Lord more not less, before the distractions and craziness of “life” take over.
I know there is so much more the Lord wants to do in me and through me before I return.
It also made me really grateful for the life I get to live. Don’t get me wrong I love America; and being out on the road makes me appreciate it so much more, but while I was there it made me see who I used to be. I know that when this is all over it is not the end of something, but the beginning and I need to be prepared for it.
The things that I used to want and what I thought was normal have now suddenly changed and faded away.
It’s time for me to have a new normal. It starts with trusting the Lord whole heartedly and running after His highest will for me.
