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.

here and there and back again

Sorry for the month long absence in my blogging! The last month included a lot of travel, a wonderful visit with my family in Ohio and a few weeks of training in Pennsylvania with MCC. I was very thankful to be in PA so I could connect with my relatives there and a few friends that I haven't seen for awhile.

The training was long and exhausting, but I met some really great people. I got some more tools to help me in my new job that I hope will see me through the next few months. I am looking forward to the arrival of 4 new team members in the month of August and getting to be part of their in-country orientation. It is also the start of a very busy time at MCC in Aug/Sept with lots of comings and goings--and as always--lots of reports!




On the home front, I had a great time with my niece and nephew (as you will see below). We had lots of quality time together and I got to know them both a lot better. My family also carved out a lot of time to spend with me, which was very special.

I came back to Honduras on Saturday and the outgoing reps left on Tuesday--it was a fast transfer, let me tell you! But, I was grateful for the time we put in back in June to cover a lot of important stuff. It's scary flying solo...but at least we are starting off easy with only 2 other workers in-country at the moment :)

Will continue to keep you updated on new discoveries and fun moments in San Pedro. Oh, and I will be going to Santa Rosa next weekend for the last meeting with our women's groups!! It will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to having a good goodbye with them.

home sweet home

As many of you already know [from seeing me live, in living color :) or seeing my pictures on Facebook] I just made a flying trip to the States and back in less than 2 weeks.

 The main impetus for going to the States was to be part of the wedding celebration of a very dear friend, Paula and her (now) husband, Pete. Paula and I found each other at Messiah because of our major and mutual interests in travel, economic development and microfinance. What has held us together through college and beyond has been our shared sense of humor, love for adventures and a kindred-ness in all aspects of life. I love this girl and was thrilled to be able to share in the festivities of her wedding weekend.



The bonus of participating in the wedding was that it was in Pennsylvania, where I also know a lot of wonderful people...so I got to see many of them too! And my amazing family made the trip from other states to come and see me...triple bonus! It was also a beautifully chilly autumn week...quadruple bonus!

All in all, it was a jam-packed week of eating, talking, talking some more, eating, answering lots of awkward questions about Henry, eating more, dressing up, eating, driving around in a car, drinking and eating everything "pumpkin spice," and getting very little sleep. It was exactly what I wanted--I love spending time with people and that was all I had to do, for a whole 10 days! Although I did not have enough time with anybody, it was a great treat to catch up with each one.




As always, it is hard to jump back and forth quickly from one culture to the other. The first 3 days were a fog--I couldn't really believe I was in PA...then the last day, I didn't compute that vacation was over and I was going to be in Honduras so soon. It is a crazy feeling...and I still can't quite get over it. Part of me loved being "at home" in PA and being surrounded by so many people I love. But just as quickly, I was back in a taxi, speaking Spanish and I felt "at home" in a country I have come to know and love over the past 2 years.


My heart is continually split into little pieces, always longing to be where I am not. I guess it's partly of my own choosing but I also feel that it is where God has called me to be for now. So, I can't really decide what place to call "home" but instead carry pieces of home in my heart where ever I am. Thank you to each person who took time to see me, who paid for my coffee, who lent me a car, or just gave me a welcome back hug. I miss you. But I definitely missed Honduras too.

home sweet home

could she BE any cuter?

I have been on US soil for almost 4 days now and I feel like time is flying. It has been great to connect with my family and get reacquainted with my favorite niece who is almost 1 whole year old!

Someone asked me how I can deal with the culture shock of being in one place for so long, spend a few hours on a plane, and drop right back in to the crazy, technologically-advanced, option-loaded life that is American culture.

And the truth is I don't know how I do it. It just happens. I move from one "life" to the "other" feeling like I have each foot in a completely separate world...one where I miss my family and friends, and the other where I learn and discover new things every day, immersed in a completely different language and culture. There are so many good things about both! And of course, there are frustrating/scary/difficult things in each respective location.

Since the shiny-newness of Honduran culture has worn off a bit, and I just returned to my homeland, I will list for you some observations that hit me in the first few days:

1) Americans are sloppy dressers while traveling. This will come to no surprise to many of you, but now that I have to put on earrings and cute shoes just to walk to the grocery store, my idea of "comfort" has changed. Hondurans dress up to go ANYWHERE. All I saw in the Atlanta airport were girls with shorty shorts, flip-flops, and pony-tails (nothing color coordinating, mind you) and I thought "You should go back to bed, child. What do you think you are doing in public?"

2) Toilet paper goes in the toilet. Common sense, I know, and something I did for the last 20-some years of my life before Honduras...but new habits die hard.

3) options OpTiOnS OPTIONS! Everywhere you go (mostly grocery stores) have an overwhelming array of options. An example: you go to the store, lets say for a cookie...first, there is an entire aisle of cookies... so you narrow it down to an oreo. now there is a whole oreo section with at least 13 varieties to pick from.  I cant even take it. Im pretty sure in Santa Rosa my oreo options are regular y dorada (white cookie choco center...).

4) cost of living things...food, gas, etc. Most prices seem to be comparable, especially in grocery items, and in fact gas in Honduras is much more expensive...but incomes are not comparable in Honduras. Monthly wages are much lower which drives the demand for more public transport and a very different living standard.

happy to see my poppa at the airport!

These are some very basic observations in my short time back, but its helpful for me to process the differences between my two cultures, from the funny and ridiculous to the serious and challenging things.

I am very grateful for the privelege of being able to travel, all the "luxuries" of home, and some restful vacation time with my family.




Here are some pics of what I've been up to. Hoping to blog soon about some more recent things that happened in my sometimes crazy and dramatic Honduran experience :)

first eats in the states: Taco Bell.
Yes you can cringe...but I love me a Crunchwrap Supreme at 11pm :)

starbucks love with my big sis

 

finally warming up to the aunt she barely knows.
 its ok. i'll soon be her favorite.

she's unimpressed by my photo-documenting of her life

new digs

So I've moved to a new place!

Last Saturday I had packed up everything in my tiny apartment and was ready to move to another one at least 3 times the size of where I was living. This is exciting for many reasons, the best being that now I have a guestroom for all of my visitors to the bed & breakfast ;)

The other great thing is I'm only a block away from where I was living...so, not far to move everything and still conveniently close to the office and church.

Thought you might like to see some photos so, I will try to give you the full tour...

walking into the parking area, to the right, more apartments

to the left, my groundfloor apartment, and parking space, if i had a car ...

come on in!

my very own SEPARATE living room :) kitchen door to left, bedroom door straight ahead.

lets check out my huge kitchen!!

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notice: stove!! and hanging baskets...courtesy of my personal handyman 

Lets take a look at what I've got cookin' :)

no cookie sheets yet, but this girl can improvise  haha

 

sink area 

more storage...to the left of the sink.

a look back to the living room as we walk to the bedroom...

to the left when you look in bedroom, looking into spare room

guest room, or currently, junk pit !

looking back into the bedroom from the second room doorway. door ahead is bathroom

and the bathroom. dont worry, there is a shower, you just cant see it.

So there you have it. It's nicer in person, so you should probably come and visit soon!!

home sweet home

Hey friends. The wait is over. I'm about to upload some pics of where I live!
It's a little hard to get perspective, but it's a start...at least til you're here in person to visit me :)

my front window, and a shot of my porch/balcony

inside the main door, looking at the front window

looking at my kitchen..hot plate, sink, water and fridge. oh and a 2 person table

looking into bedroom from kitchen doorway. my "awkward first date couch" as i like to call it...its not so comfy, but it works.

A look back to the doorway and my "living room" area...which now has a TV!

shot of bed/bedroom and bath

gecko buddy Greg! literally only as long as my thumb!

the bathroom

HOT shower. i mean literally, it scalds me. but beggars cant be choosers :)

some kitchen decor ive recently added above my sink. i like to look at fun things.

view from my bedroom window.

view from front porch

view from porch of church...in the way back, red brick w/ white arched windows...

well, hope this gives you an idea of where i live. I hope to post more pics of my city and workplace soon.
Also, soon to come, some culinary endeavors in my tiny kitchen. prepare to be blown away!

goodbye so soon

It's hard to believe but it's time to say goodbye. again.

I feel like this pattern may continue in my life for awhile.

It has been a wonderful month+ at home with my family and friends. I think I got almost everything done on my list...including seeing a whole heap of people.

So after a whirlwind of SALT re-entry retreat, family vacation at the lake, eating out, going to church, visiting friends, friends and more friends in Pennsylvania, checking in with the extended family, stopping by the beach, buying some fresh clothes, eating good summer abundance, taking care of my niece, visiting the doctor & the dentist, baking with my sisters, catching up on a stockpile of books, and getting lots of sleep--I think it is safe to say I made the most of my time in the states :)

While I can't say I feel ready to say goodbye to my family, I think that I am ready to get back into a routine. I am anxious to begin another phase of the journey. Excited to take the next steps into the unknown and start a new job...build new relationships...and explore new parts of Honduras.

It was great to see all of you that I saw. To those who I missed, (mostly my Canadian family and far-flung friends) I hope to catch up with you soon!!!

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. Whether it was a meal we shared together, a good phone conversation, or a note of encouragement, it has refreshed me greatly.

I plan to keep blogging, right here. so don't change your bookmark :)
Today is my last day in Ohio and tomorrow I'll be leaving for Honduras (flight @ 7am!).
Be back to the blog soon!