Sunday, July 20, 2014

Left my heart in El Salvador...a long overdue blog post

A few months back I caught a flight to El Salvador, a long overdue trip that was initially derailed by a volcano.  Thankfully, I got to see this trip through and it's just one I won't ever forget...or take for granted.

El Sal isn't a vacation destination and so it makes sense that many of you may never think of it as a place you wish to visit, but if the opportunity to serve ever presents itself please take it.

It's hard to sum the experience up, but between the loving, beautiful culture and community, to the people I served, it left me speechless.  Never in my life had I felt that at ease, that content, that faithful.  I left family behind in El Sal, there's a little girl there named Kimberly that I left my heart with, I pray every Sunday for the country...I could go on.

I learned that it's important to be present and open in life.  It felt great to unplug and leave day to day distractions behind.  I soaked in the culture, the people, the faith.  I soaked in their love until it filled me up and I couldn't take it anymore.

I honest didn't think I was going to leave and it absolutely broke my heart when I did.  But I'll be back someday.  In the meantime, I read my travel journal often, look at my photos almost daily, and keep all of it so close to my heart.

I did my best to not take pictures of the people I served at the soup kitchen because that didn't seem right, but below please find some pictures of my teammates, a few people we met along the way that matter a lot to me, and just the gorgeous country <3


 The back of the truck is a common mode of transportation in El Sal.  One of the days we were there the women who we served with at the soup kitchen took us for a ride and one of the best days of my life ensued.  We hiked to the top of a mountain, had fresh coconuts opened with a machete, had the best meals of our lives and just spent it in good company.  
 These pictures are a bit out of order, but this was our last day overlooking the unbelievable view from our camp.


 I'm hysterically crying in this photo and very glad that you can't tell!

















 Stations of the Cross in sand!
 Represents no violence against women

Friday, July 4, 2014

June.

I hate change.

But doesn't everyone, even a little?

I've graduated college.
I moved back home.
I started a full time job.
My grandmother fell ill.
We lost my grandmother.
My loan payments showed up.

All in June.  

It's been a time of high stress and I've learned a few lessons...

I am broke and cannot move out.  That's ok.
Death makes people crazy.
Loss will always turn your world upside down.
Family is everything.
Friends are everything.
Work is satisfying if you work hard.
It's okay to say you've had too much.
Moving home from college is hard, missing your friends is harder.

Hey July, I am so happy to see you.