I'm Back! What now?

I have been back for 6 days and everything is so surreal! This past week I was up at Forest Home (my second home and place I love so much) helping out at the camp I worked at the past two summers. It has been a nice place of transition- I'm in America, but in a place that is secluded and peaceful. I have been able to process a bit and just simply be. Adjusting back has not seemed so difficult, its more of figuring out how am I different now.
My last week in Venezuela, I worked at a camp there. It was so incredible and I was able to help out with music, sports and other program events. I was sitting in one of the services (which was scheduled for 2 hrs, but may go on for 6- no joke- just to give you an idea) and I was realizing "Wow, I am here. I just spent 2 months in Venezuela. I experienced so much! I did camp! I spoke on the radio... I... I..." And then I remembered my first journal entry on the plane to Venezuela... "God, I have no idea what I am doing. So anything that does happen it's going to be you." <> Talk about a reality check... And as I remember all the moments just before I was to speak in front of a hundred people in a language I didn't know or talk on the radio or play lead music that I just learned that day- I remember so distinctly saying or thinking in my mind "God I have no idea what I am doing- I trust you- I have confidence in you in this moment." And every time it never went as planned- it was better than I could have planned! It was never perfect, but it was beautiful. What do I take from this? Well, I am trying to soak it in deep- that these realizations don't just go by the wayside, rather that they become so profoundly and completely a part of how I approach life. I am loved. God has confidence in me. I have confidence in God (Yo tengo confianza en Dios) God is with me. I am not limited anymore by my thinking/ faults/ inabilities/ fears. I can live fully (Yo tengo vida en abundancia). Gloria a Dios!
I hope that in sharing my experiences you have come to see the reality of God, prayer, and love in the world as I have learned/ am learning. Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. I have no doubt they made all the difference! Now I am off on another adventure- what to do with my life this year!?

Compartiendo Vida- Sharing Life

One more week here in Venezuela! I am trying to soak it all in. I realized after my last post that though I did not feel like I had anything to offer, simply sharing life is what I came for in the first place. I have learned so much here and one of the greatest lessons is how important relationships are. Here, time stops for a friend. Here, it is more important to be with your brother/ sister in need than to accomplish your to-do list. Here, time is not passing by so much as it simply is. Sharing with one another means both ways. So often, I will sit and listen to a friend who is struggling, but I rarely share my struggles or hurts with someone. Here, they understand that we´re in this together- we need each other. We cannot do it alone. We weren´t meant to live life alone. I am so thankful for the time I have had here to learn if only this one thing. I want to return and starting living with others- sharing- listening- being with those around me.
While I did find a way to offer what little money I had left to the district, I realized that in offering myself, I have been able to learn and share with the people here. Just the other night, it was the birthday of one of Rodolfo´s daughters- 16 yrs old! We threw her a surprise party and sang songs in to the night. As I sat there singing a song they requested in English (Everything by Lifehouse- a song they all love!) I thought to myself ¨There is not another place I would rather be than right here, sharing this song/ sharing my life with my dear friends here.¨