As I'm sitting here on my bed, surrounded by suitcases, bags, and supplies, it doesn't feel like I should be leaving in 2 days. Only a little over a month ago were my plans being discussed and worked out. Looking back over the whole process, I realize that it was all a blur. I don't vividly remember special moments or 'break throughs'. Maybe it's because I was also finishing school and working at church. School is now over, and today is the first day I have had to sit and reflect on what is happening. I am going to Honduras for 7 weeks to teach preschool and help in a foster home full of tiny little babies and wonderful children. This is what I have dreamed of, this is what God has been preparing me for over the last 19 years.
It's funny. In high school, we needed to pick a 'pathway' in order to choose our classes. Basically, we needed to know what we wanted to do when we grew up so that we could pick classes that would help accomplish that goal. Now, I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever know so of course mine changed like a million times. Okay, maybe not that many. First, it was a veterinarian. Then it was science, specifically forensic chemistry. I even had that narrowed down to toxicology or fingerprinting. After that, I considered being a cop or going into the Coast Guard to join their investigative service (NCIS may have had a bigger influence on me than I let on). Then I realized I wanted to teach, so I chose secondary chem ed. Finally, I realized I was being dumb and knew that God wanted me with little kids. So I now major in Early Grades Education (Pre-K through 4th). I guess after working in the children's ministry at church for 10 years, I understood that's what I wanted to do.
The other defining factor in this whole thing was how I grew up. Or, more accurately, what I grew up around. I basically lived at my church, and my family was passionate about missions. It wasn't a foreign concept to me. When I was old enough to join the youth group, I wanted to go on a missions trip to London but my parents said I was too young. Needless to say I was heart broken. But I got my chance. In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to Philadelphia for a week with an awesome organization called Holy Hands (their name has since changed to One18). I have been going on trips ever since then. 2009 and 2010, I was in Philly. In 2011, I was able to go to Haiti for a week. And in 2012 was my first encounter with Honduras. In 2013, I was able to be an intern for Holy Hands and traveled around the state and into New York for 5 weeks, and in 2014 I went back to Honduras. I have loved every trip, city, and country. But Honduras has stolen my heart.
Now, in 2015, I am going to Honduras for 7 weeks. Even after typing all of this, it still doesn't seem real. It seems so far yet so close. And it seems like such a long time yet not enough. It's just so surreal. Today, being my only and last day off in a long time, was my packing day. And being the coolest cat around, my dear friend Kelsey came over to help.
She really is the coolest. Helping decide what clothes to take, helping fold and roll them, and helping me shove them in a suitcase. We even had to unpack and repack multiple times to get everything to fit. But through it all, she had a smile. She even brought over my favorite soda, candy, and ice cream. I am so grateful and blessed that God has given me friends like her, that are more like sisters than friends. I think this will be the hardest thing of all. But I know that God has so many things planned for me while I am gone that I can't get too upset.
I know this post may not make a lot of sense, but this is what has been going through my mind the last few days. I am so excited to be doing what I love, where I love. And I am excited to share lots of stories and photos with you as my adventure begins.
With love and many blessings,
Becky <3
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