1. I learned that I can carry my routine from one season to another, and that’s something I’ve never been able to do before. I’m waking up bright and early at 6am and I’m sitting in solitude, drinking coffee, resting in gratitude, reading scripture and journaling about my people

2. I learned I can live in a house with 50 people and not go insane… clearly Jesus is alive and well. #thriving

3. I learned that my spanish can come flooding back from the dusty brain shelves created in college. Thanks Western Kentucky University.

4. I learned that squad leaders are actually the mission field equivalent of google. Soooo many questions. Not all of which I can answer, so I’m for sure not actually google.

5. I’ve learned that I’m still passionate about caring for people with special needs thanks to Camp Hope, where I’ve served with Team Esther. 

6. I’ve actually learned a good deal about Judaism (the most surprising of this list). Our squad mentor Kate is culturally Jewish and grew up celebrating all Jewish holidays. And, well, Jesus was a Jew and I’ve been grafted into the promises of Judaism, so it’s critical to understand. As a squad we celebrated the Jewish New Year and declared things over our lives that we want from the Lord. It was awesome. 

7. I’ve learned that altitude makes any reasonably in shape person look like a dang fool on a hilly walk. 

8. I learned that snacks aren’t as cheap I hoped they’d be. So I have Treat Yo Self Wednesdays. I’m not cutting ice cream totally out. 

9. I learned that there are so many people sights in Ecuador, I think I could live here for 10 years and not see them all. 

10. I am learning that Gap V has so many wonderful, QUIRKY, beautiful people.