Day 0: ATL Bound

This might get mushy. I'm not really sure. I don't like posting a lot of real feelings out in the world for people to see because 1) I'm not particularly good at communicating certain feelings. And 2) I'm always afraid that typed feelings risk communicating insincerity or mushiness or a grab for attention and that makes me feel cheesy and weak. Kind of like this macaroni noodle.

 (YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET.)

I'm feeling super conflicted between "THIS DAY IS FINALLY HERE!!!" and "Oh my gosh, what was I thinking?" ... I feel most of my anxiety before a trip actually starts. I know once I get there and settle in, I'll stop feeling like that macaroni noodle... Anyway, we're on our way right now. Headed to the Atlanta airport. Making an super-duper-early-AM-iHop stop, because breakfast is our favorite. 

Leaving my family is kind of terrifying. Being away from Jonathan is kind of terrifying. I'm scared something might happen to my dogs while I'm gone. What if Brewster forgets about me? He's a kind of a weasel, so if I'm not there, offering him love and attention, he might forget about me.

He's the CUTEST little punk ever.

And how I am going to go two months without watching Jon fangirl over a John Piper debate? (It's the most adorable thing ever, you guys.) Or listening to him summarize a chapter in the latest book he's reading? He processes things aloud so I hear all about what he's reading. ;) And two months without hearing Brody-Mark cackling in his room over some video game? Or seeing my fabulous nurse-to-be Rebekah and hearing her stories from school? Or hugging all my precious TCASC youth babies? Or sitting on the back deck each Sunday night with my family?!

I'm not so much a "home-body" as I am a "my-main-people-and-pets-body," and I'm going to miss them so much.

Day (-)5: El mundo en español

During my summer in Xela, I will be attending El mundo en español, which is a small language school run by a family, who welcomes you into their home as one of their own! Of course, I am so excited to get to know this family and my teacher.

I will be in classes five days a week, one-on-one with my teacher. Sure, it's going to be messy at first... I forget the simplest words which I get nervous... I'm sure that I will wear out the phrases "ayudáme" and "no tengo ninguna idea." But I trust my Spanish is going to improve exponentially once I a) settle into my schedule a little, and b) accept that mistakes are inevitable and totally okay.

If you want to learn a little about the school, here is their website. The activities tab can give you a lot of insight as to what I might be doing outside of class! Sneak peeks below!

You can also keep up with El mundo en español through its Facebook page where they occasionally post updates (Everyone, there a salsa dance class... YES). 

I cannot wait!

Day (-)10: Packed Bags

Ten days remain before I fly out of Atlanta and head towards Guatemala. My suitcase has been packed for a few days now. I keep panicking and adding more items to the "Must-Do" and "Do Not Forget" lists.

Cat? Check.

Jonathan says what he can to ease my mind, but there is really nothing to be done- until I am on that plane and there is no turning back, the excitement/panic will continue...

"Will one stick of deodorant last me two months?"

"Do I need to take a hairdryer?"

"If I end up in a conversation with the police, do I know enough Spanish to explain myself?" 

"Do we own a small umbrella? How much do umbrellas even cost?"

"How do you say toilet tissue in Spanish?!"

Silly things. Anyway. I wanted a way to record my time in Xela (pronounced "shay-lah," and also known as Quetzaltenango) and offer it to family so they can keep up if they want. Prayers are certainly appreciated. If anyone is interested, this article here gives great insight into the status of the Gospel in Guatemala and offers a great starting point for how to pray for the country.