From January 10, 2012 to February 11, 2012 I have:
-Slept in a church, an airport, on the floor of a school, on a pad in an orphanage home, in my tent in a construction zone, on a toilet (that ONE time) and finally on a bed at a hostel.
-Rode a public transportation bus where a guy peed in the seat, on a train, on an airplane, in a blue 15 passenger van, on a Guatemalan “chicken bus” which, by the way, held 78 people at one time! (Just a regular ole’ school bus=78+ people. INSANE.), a Tuktuk, a worn down van that our kids used, a spinney thing on a carousel and a private shuttle for 9 hours.
-Used 3 different internet codes
-Had a grand total of NINE showers. ….ha!
-Worshipped in 5 different churches
-was in my first earthquake!
-lost 30 pounds (and counting!)
-learned that this world has something called sparkling apple juice and I want it at home!
-had the worst nightmare of my life
-met ten awesome children that I will NEVER forget in my life.
-had so much joy sitting in the sun holding Nancy’s hand and singing to her
-got thrown in an environment with 15 other racers and was told to figure out what “community” meant
-got a parasite named: Quetes Y trofozonos de Entamoeba histolytica. ….jerk.
-missed Justin so much that it physically hurt and made me weep.
-on a good note, got good at Skyping. 😉
-colored in a coloring book
-had the best and worst wrestling match with the Lord
-became conscience of washing my dirty feet before bed
-experienced 46 and 79 degrees in one day
-wondered if what I know about God is enough
-realized that it isn’t.
-ten minutes after we left the airport, two car bombs went off and shut down the airport for 6 or more hours.
-asked if my version of the Gospel is worth dying for
-felt like the Lord was breaking me in doses-continuously. He would expose and prune one area of my life that would seem like the biggest obstacle ever… then he would layer something even harder to handle on top of that.
-got sick for an entire week
-remembered that I really can sing well
-had a bonfire-twice!
-thought our compound was under gunfire attack at five AM one morning
-had black bean paste-e.v.e.r.y…..s.i.n.g.l.e…..n.i.g.h.t
-deep cleaned rooms at the orphanage
-sung Disney songs-a lot.
-washed over a thousand dishes, cups and spoons
-sneaked into the rooms at night to give the girls kisses and say good night
-saw five prostitutes hear of the freedom that God brings
-played the clapping game with Candi about 5283 times.
-fasted from photography and cameras for 13 days
-gained the word “process” into my vocabulary
-two of our teachers got mugged at knife point….right outside our compound doors.
-craved diet dr. pepper
-got into a wreck with a motorcycle
-enjoyed mac&cheese day
-painted a pharmacy
-worked in a field with a machete
-tried to define desire
-told God that I hated where He put me
-cried over stupid petty things
-taught in a special education school
-prayed
– “I am so glad God loves you, Stacy.”
-saw four of my girls do ballet on Tuesdays
-10 out of 16 people were in the hospital
-was guaranteed that I would be the tallest person in the room if no other racers were around
-realized that a person could be thrown into jail if they hit a person with their car..but..that you should still cross the street very quickly
-saw my first volcano(s)
-struggled with who God is and who I am
-missed pizza very much
-had ice cream 5 times
-learned self discipline and self control
-improved my Spanish
-heard my dad say that he was proud of me…for like, the first time. That was the best “goodbye” ever.
-carried around 2 acorns that are from me and Justin’s first date
-Sung hymns every day with the kids
-wondered how could a body that small of Andres small that bad!!
-gained patience that I could not even imagine existed
-worried how was I going to get the $8000 I still have left to fundraise
-held hands with Helen under the table
-became so joyful when I would hear Rosemary hum and conduct the invisible orchestra
-had my share of trying to feed Nancy
-felt like the desire to read the Bible was a constant struggle
-went to the market where I am sure 25,000 other people were there. Not exaggerating
-Quetzal is the Guatemalan currency.
-smiled when I saw Daniel wear his Alabama Roll Tide shirt
-saw the most beautiful lake in the world…fact! it’s the top ten natural wonders of the world.
-always rubbed Christopher’s hair when I saw him and took time to talk with him
-my uncle Jerome died
-some days it was totally cool to just wear my pajamas all day
-participated in the first day of school ceremonies..which was really sweet and totally precious
-loved that Lila only knows about five words and one of them is “Ahhhhhhhhhhhmen!” and she said it after every song.
-having watermelon in January
-missed Panama City Beach
-listening to my favorite songs and my guilty pleasure.. Creed. Makes me smile and think about Justin. <3
-Andrea was such a little helper. I have a video of her trying to feed Helen. So cute!
-Witnessed a miracle: Carlene walk a few steps by herself!
-was very proud of myself that caffeinated products are now a treat: no longer a necessity.
-realized that the Lord will bring you all the way to Guatemala just to teach you every day living skills.
-is in a constant identity crisis
-missed my best friends
-faced the reality of what it means to lose my life…
-downloaded some itunes
-lost lots of sleep
-ran up and down the driveway
-woke up at 6AM or earlier everyday
-was really sad that my computer does not have a CD Rom Drive
-had a long month of growing, changing, and being in a process
-got a little glimpse of what it must mean for Jesus to be waiting on his bride
-was overwhelmed by Justin and his prayers for/over me.
-picked up dog pooped as apart of ministry
-realized that I still do not understand packing light
-needed my momma
-brushed and flossed the kids teeth…and loved every second of it
-wanted to go home
-crossed a boarder by land
-had the sweetest kisses on the cheek by the sweetest kids
-felt the Lord pleased with my obedience for being here
-lived and loved Guatemala
-accepted the fact that how and why I think/act/behave/respond/pray/exist is where I am, that this is my process and God is ok with that.
-loved Guatemala and the people I met there
-fully appreciated every single penny that was donated to my trip so that I could come and live and love these precious people of Guatemala
