taking stock

Inspired by these cool bloggers and the original post

Making : a lot of lists
Cooking : mostly just baledas for H, lucky to have my mom do a lot of the cooking these days
Drinking : water, water & more water (and a few cups of coffee)
Reading: "the all you can dream buffet"...fictional fluff is about all i can handle 30 minutes before I sleep
Wanting: all the details to come together
Looking: out the window at a sunny day and a persistent bird building a nest where my parents dont want it
Playing: a lot of Ticket to Ride
Wasting: a few dollars on a pedicure the week before the wedding. not necessary, but almost...
Sewing: I'm not...but mom is! A stitch or two on my dress, adjusting my bridesmaid's dress for July
Wishing: there were more hours in the day
Enjoying: sweet moments with Henry as we discover new things about each other in a new place
Waiting: for June 7th to roll around
Liking: a new infinity scarf that is around my neck. Thanks, Linda :)
Wondering: will life ever slow down or is this just my new normal?
Loving: the promise of a sunny Sunday afternoon ahead
Hoping: I don't forget any details in the next 3 weeks
Marvelling: at how good God has been to us in the last 6 months
Needing: a massage
Smelling: nail polish from the new color i just put on. to match the shirt & scarf, of course
Wearing: long pants & 3/4 length top--its still cold!
Following: a lot of sites about home organization
Noticing: the length of my hair, eyebrows & size of my pores....
Knowing: that it's going to be ok
Thinking: that I need to work-out every day for the next 3 weeks
Feeling: stressed, but content
Bookmarking: things to do in D.C.
Opening: gifts that come in the mail on a regular basis :)
Giggling: when Henry falls in love with "treasures" i want to purge from my life
Feeling: rested

where to begin

Yikes! Almost 3 months have passed since my last post.

It is hard to think about where to begin with all that has happened in the last 3 months of my life.

Occasionally it felt like a whirlwind...

...and other days it felt like limbo would never end. 

Then suddenly I was on a plane with Henry holding on to my hand for dear life (poor guy gets very motion sick) and we were finally realizing the biggest change in both of our lives: he has a U.S. visa and we have less than 90 days to change our "civil status" from single to married. I mean, it's just checking a different box on your paperwork, right? It's not that big of deal ;)

And so begins whirlwind number three hundred--I can't even keep track anymore.

It's surreal. It's cold. It's fun, hard, emotional, thrilling, hilarious, challenging, to-do list-filled, expensive, yummy, tiring, not honduras...

...Not Honduras! That is definitely one part that I don't think has really sunk in yet (for me at least). H felt it the minute he stepped on that first escalator at the airport. He thinks about it every meal where he doesn't get tortillas.

But we have so much to be grateful for. The hospitality and kindness we have received has been immense. We have a warm place to sleep and food on the table for every meal (occasionally, even beans & tortillas!). While neither of have full-time work, nor do we own a car, or have our names on mortgage papers--many outward signs of stability and what our culture would deem "ready to marry"--our wedding is just around the corner. And we couldn't be more excited. God has taken care of us each step of the way. Papers, applications, interviews, packing, family good-byes and hellos. And now we are trusting that the next step is already being prepared for us.

laugh til it hurts

While I have had my fair share of despedidas (goodbye parties) in Honduras over the years, none has made my face hurt as much as my recent despedida from the MCC team. Hurting from so much laughing, that is.

They made a tumblr-like rendition of experiences over the years that I attempt to share below. You will likely not find this as funny as I did, but I couldn't help but share it because it is so awesome.

I was unable to capture the other half of my goodbye: the 4 guys re-enacted small "scenes" with Charissa. The way I talk, the way I drive, the way I react dramatically to life...all on display. Humbling and hilarious, it was a great way to go out--laughing til my stomach hurt and I was in tears.

Can't hardly believe its the end of more than 3 years with MCC in Honduras. Through all the ups and downs, the team has supported me. I have been blessed to know such wonderful people and share this challenging, scary, tumultuous (often dramatic) time together. 

Titled: 

Charissa's liiiiiife: moments in Honduras

Cuando combinan tus zapatos, tu cartera, tu blusa, tu esmalte, tu maquillaje, y tus acesorios

When your shoes, purse, shirt, nail polish, make-up and accessories match:

Cuando por fin recibimos nuestras licencias

When we finally get our driver's licenses:

Cuando alguien te pregunta "usted no es de aqui verdad?"

Estas bromeando?

When someone asks you "you aren't really from here, right?"

Cuando algo medico menor requiere una injeccion

When a minor medical problem "requires" an injection:

Cuando un pastor te informa que has roto tus patalones en publico

When a pastor informs you your pants have ripped open in public:

Cuando alguien se mete frente a vos en la fila de migracion

When someone cuts in front of you in line at the immigration office:

When PlanWin finally replicates:

Cuando la persona quien estas esperando "esta en camino" 

Por que me mentis?

When the person you are waiting for is "on their way"

When Kathy Troyer's worms are too close to you:

Cuando por fin introducen Lotus Notes email

When they finally introduce Lotus Notes:

When you want to stop the guy from washing your winshield

or

signal that you don't need a taxi that is honking at you

or 

you want to deny anything

When people spell your name "Karictza"

Every day in Honduras: