I’ve officially been home for 1 week. It seems like it’s been 3 months! Been doing a lot of thinking lately back on my trip. I’m here in the United States, but my heart, my brain….it’s still back home.
And I’ll be honest, it’s been hard for me to get back into life here. I’ll never fully ‘get back’ into it. I’ve changed, and coming back into America, I have had culture shock. How can we have culture shock in our own culture we grew up in?
This past week as been aimless walking and honestly I’m done with that. I’ve got to do something to work towards going back. So in a way, I’m finally starting to ‘get back’ into life. (in a way.)
Endurance. That is the first word that was grown into me. Learned over and over and almost instilled in me. I am so thankful for all those times and opportunities for growth and how over the past 5 months, that’s what God has been establishing in my life.
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, which shapes our characters.” Romans 5:3
“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
Trust. Trusting God knew what He was doing (which He always does) that He had me right where He wanted me for a very specific reason. In the beginning I didn’t see it at all. I wondered why God would bring me to Guatemala to change poopy diapers. Haha, I did more than just that;) But not until much time later is when I realized that it’s not just changing diapers…it’s being able to love them and give them the care they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Trusting He was going to help me with the language. Trusting His planes and coming back. I know He has something for me to learn here in the United States and I’m excited to see what it is. All of life is learning. We know that. But how often do we embrace it? A friend has encouraged me in so many times to take that situation and learn from it. Be excited because you get to grow from it! Not all of life is down and hard. But we have the privilege to keep learning and growing!
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“ I have reached to wherever you are in the farthest corners of earth,
and the most hidden places therein.
I have called to you and said, “You are my servant.
I have chosen you, not thrown you away!” Isaiah 41:9
Joy.
Finding my true deep joy from Jesus. Because when our joy and happiness is based off our circumstances, be ready for a roller coaster ride. You’ll be up and down because our circumstances change so fast. And I tried so many times to base it off of what was happening. It didn’t end well. But we can find our joy in the Lord and who He is. What He’s done for us. Just being able to KNOW His heart makes my heart so joyful!!
“The Eternal is the source of my strength and the shield that guards me.
When I learn to rest and truly trust Him,
He sends His help. This is why my heart is singing!
I open my mouth to praise Him, and thankfulness rises as song.” psalm 28:7
“I am filled with joy and my soul vibrates with exuberant hope,
because of the Eternal my God;
For He has dressed me with the garment of salvation,
wrapped me with the robe of righteousness.
It’s as though I’m dressed for my wedding day,
in the very best: a bridegroom’s garland and a bride’s jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Patience. I’m am (ok, used to be) a fast paced person. I loved my to do lists and having things to do every single minute. To sit and do nothing was like…”what? who even does that?”
Then I left home and went to a culture that is slow paced. And I lived a life for 5 1/2 months that was a full force of patience. It drove me crazy at first, but I’m so, so thankful He taught me to be patient. It is one of the most valuable lessons in life. With it you’ll go far.
“ We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” Romans 8:28
“ Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; 5 it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs”
“ Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love.”
And I must say…having your flight delayed almost 4 1/2 hours, sitting in the airport for that long takes patience haha! We didn’t actually fly out until 2 am.
It was so sweet, my family made signs when they came to pick me up. They patiently waited as my flight got changed several different times. Stayed up super early into the morning even tho they had to work the next day. Bought me flowers, and have been very kind to listen to me constantly talk about Guatemala ^_^
And all of this that I am saying…I am not perfect at ALL. These are just things He’s been growing in my life. I still have so much to learn. And even now, I’m still learning to trust Him as I plan on going back, aiming for the beginning of next year.
As I look into furthering my education online so I can still travel and study.
As I just live life here.
As much as I miss it, and almost every dream I have, I’m in Guatemala, it is so good to be back with family for this little season of being home. To refresh and rest before heading back home! 🙂
Anna-en-guatemala 