(We got to go to a Mayan ruin which was so cool)
So here I am halfway into my 2nd month on the World Race. I thought I would write this next blog and let you know what the Lord has been doing in my life. As you may already know the first month in Guatemala was really a tough one for me. I can honestly say that I am a home body at heart, so it was a hard transition to leave my family behind. The reality that I am really going to be gone for 11 months really began to sink in for me. But the Lord began to show me that although it was hard this is what He was calling me to do at this time in my life and that I just needed to trust Him. It was a hard thing but I am really beginning to feel at home over here and not missing home as much. I mean don’t get me wrong, I miss everyone back home but it is not constantly on my mind distracting me from really living in the present over here.
Santa Ana
(Ashley loves to take candid close up pictures!!!)
Ok so I am one of those people that gets nervous in many situations. When its dark or there is some person that looks a little sketchy I begin to get nervous. Yes I know I went to college in New York but I still get nervous. I think I can thank my dad for some of this. He always tells me to be aware of my surroundings and so I may have grown up being more worried than cautious. Well I had a few times in Guatemala where I really was out of my element and freaking out inside. LIke I legit thought I was gonna have a panic attack. But Ashley was like “AV” its ok no need to worry, you have God on your side” and I was like “Duh Anna, why are you stressing”. I know this is super elementary but I don’t need to freak out in any situation because I have the Lord on my side. I am constantly in His hands. What an awesome feeling. Now Im not saying I don’t get nervous and I know their will be more times where I will be worried, but I am more conscience about reminding myself that God is present with me in every situation. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Today we attended church at this service and the pastor was reading from 1 Peter. My mind began to wander since it was all in Spanish so I read through 1 Peter and began to read 2 Peter when I stopped at chapter 1 verse 5 and continued through verse 8. These verses really jumped out at me. I want to be a person full of knowledge, perserverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness. I want to just be filled with the knowledge of God in all areas of my life. I need perserverance in the all things, especially regarding some of the situations that I am put in everyday here on this Race. I want godliness so that when people see me they will see God through me in all that I do. And I need brotherly kindness when it comes to the interactions I have with the people I spend my time.
San Vicente
Team photo, minus Michael on our way to San Vicente
So anyway I am really beginning to really settle in to my new life and am finally starting to feel comfortable. I am looking forward to really diving into the knowledge the Lord is going to teach me. I just want to have such a fire for the Lord that nothing else will satisfy my life. I want to be broken for the things that break His heart. I know I have a long way to go but this is a marathon and not a sprint.
It has been such a blessing to be down here. Everyone is so generous. they open their homes, and their hearts in such a way that completely shock us all. We are like celebrities. We feel far from special but receive treatment that kings and queens would receive. It is absolutely humbling in all ways.
Well miss you all.
Until next time
AV
